
Bloody Mary and One Records share a mutual romance with vinyl. It's a 'not so secret' love affair that started back in 2011 when Bloody Mary and label boss Adam Shelton first met in Berlin and found that they shared the same vision for music with a volt-load of love for wax . Not holding back, Shelton and Birmingham partner in crime Subb-an remixed Bloody Mary's 'Fading Away' track for release on her Dame-Music label that same year. Showing boundless support for each other ever since, it's their instant bond that makes this fix up with Bloody Mary and One Records in Room Three next Saturday set to be all that extra special.
On the blog today, it's the selfhood of Bloody Mary that we're taking the time to get to know. In speaking, we get to know why Cajmere aka Green Velvet and hip house godfather Tyree Cooper count among her heroes, letting us in on her inner badass. Get ready to jack your body and get busy to an hour of killer hip house and techno mixed together only on vinyl which you can keep reaching to play and download below.
DOWNLOAD: Bloody Mary fabric Promo Mix
Let's start from the beginning. Where is home and your studio space?
Hi there I’m still living in Berlin, I have lived here for 8 years in this lovely town. I am really lucky because I can make music at my place as I have two different rooms: one includes my turntables and vinyl’s and the other one is the studio. I’m producing music with a Roland 606, MFB 522, Access Virus and Roland 909.
You’re a true lover of vinyl. Tells us more about your enthusiasm for the old school format?
I play vinyl in clubs and also at home. I listen to all my hip hop, funk or rock albums on my turntables. I have a huge collection but it's never enough. If today I made the choice to go back on the road with vinyl’s, it’s a personal choice, I don’t care about what people are saying about digital. I was missing looking into my record bag, nothing compares to that. I go shopping once a week for new records. I’m still so excited because I never go looking for something special and sometimes I always come back home with surprises! In Berlin, there are different places for buying vinyl’s.
Is there one particular artist or label that has become a staple in your music collection?
I have a lot of Relief records. Green Veltet/ Cajmere is one of my favourite producers, ever since the first time I saw him on stage. After all these years, I am never disappointed with him. He smashed it again at BPM festival (Mexico) in January. I love his two styles, house and techno. No big deal I’m a fan.
We know you first and foremost for your label, Dame Music. Is Dame the place where you can truly find your own sound? Tell us about the new artists on your roster?
To be honest, I like the freedom as a producer from my own imprint. I never know what will come when I’m into the studio. Music is a feeling and my influence is my life. I don’t follow any style of music, I really have been doing what I want for many years now ( it was the same with Contexterrior). I don’t like pressure and I release only when I’m sure that my tracks are ready to go. I have the same attitude with my artists, no oppression. It’s important to have a strong relationship with all of them. We are a real family. We are playing really often all together all around the world. About the new artists, so many have arrived in between 2011 and 2012 like jozif, Komaton, Attan, Eyke, John Dimas, David K and Hrdvsion. I made also 3 various artists called Klub Klub Elite because I wanted to sign my friends like Adam Shelton, Subb-an, Axel Boman, Jef k, Emerson Todd, etc.
About the music I follow the same style for nearly 3 years, dark and sexy beats.
When did you first feel that Bloody Mary was recognised on the music map?
Well things came slowly and with time. I started my international career when I arrived in Berlin. My motor is my passion. I’m a working girl and I hate routine, I always need to learn something. In this business, you need to produce to progress. So lets say that my name was on the map when my first release came out in 2006.
How are you looking forward to playing in Room Three for the One Records takeover on Saturday? Tell us how you first met Adam and your involvement in One Records?
I met Adam in Berlin when he was living there ( Summer 2011). We have the same vision in terms of music and the same passion for vinyl. Adam and Ash remixed one of my tracks on Dame-Music in November 2011 and the story began. We started to play more and more together ( I invited them for my label night and they invited me for Below). We always have so much fun when we all play together. It’s really a solid group because we support each other and there’s no competition. We help each other always and I’m proud to have them as friends. The last time I played with Adam was at the Warehouse Project (Zuteck) Manchester in February and it was a B2B. So who knows how the night will end at fabric. Maybe another B2B?
You have a remix coming out on One Records in March - 'Alex Arnout - One Nation feat Tyree Cooper, Bloody Mary Remix.' Can you describe the track for us?
Like the boys said when I sent it: proper bad boy style. My remix is a Dub version with solid kick and acid bass line. And on top, I added my voice. I’m really excited about this release because the original is a killer and I love Tyree’s vocal. I will start to work on my full EP for One Records this Summer.
Can you describe the vinyl only mix you’ve put together for us? What mood does it set?
This mix is all about the records I am playing at the moment, Hip House and Techno. I’m playing groovy beats as I like to party and dance. When I DJ I love the energy that I can share with the crowd. This moment is always magic, you follow them and they follow you. It’s like having a real relationship. If you are honest with your work and you put all your love into your mix, you can’t go wrong. Djing is what I prefer by far, in between being a producer and label owner.
We love a good Bloody Mary but what's your poison?
If you really want to make me happy, lets have a tequila… sorry! See you on Saturday with the One Records crew. Looking forward to coming back to my favourite club in London.
Catch Bloody Mary next to Adam Shelton and Javier Carballo & Hanfry Martinez as One Records on 9th March. Craig Richards, Levon Vincent and Delano Smith (live) take heat in Room One and Terry Francis, Marcel Dettmann and O/V/R (live) in Room Two. To purchase tickets visit our event listings.