Pearl

Chosen by Ministry of Sound Radio as a future star (her latest mix was recently featured on 'The Future Stars' guest mix on Ministry of Sound Radio) Pearl is ready to move to the next level after years of honing her skills as a dj as well as a promoter on London’s house scene.From making music tapes through the 80s for her friends and playing music out her loft window to the sky at night during her teens (“my own loft party”) it was clear the passion for music was instilled in her from a young age. However, it was Pearls introduction to the House Music scene that ignited a deeper obsession. “I remember the first time I heard a Deep House track, I felt like I had come home - I was hooked by this sound which just blew me away.”Whilst club promotion wasn’t seen by Pearl as a stepping stone to getting into djing, ultimately this is what happened. “I was introduced to a guy who changed my life through the music he played. We would sit up until all hours just listening and talking about music. His sound really inspired me. Around that time we were having house parties every weekend and the energy was just amazing, no one ever wanted to go home but eventually the living rooms got too small and the neighbours too irritated. I felt a real drive and passion to take the good times out of the living rooms and into the bars/clubs around London”. The seed that had been planted grew into a regular club night – RIPE. “The people coming to these parties were from both North and South London so the idea was to move it around, keep it alive and fresh by changing venue each time – to break the London divide and bring people together – people who just loved to dance to good soulful music and have a good time”. RIPE ran from 1998-2001 at various venues in and around London, such as Blag Club, Trafik (where Pearl also ran a once monthly night called Strange Fruit), Catch, Play and The Aquarium.Pearl sometimes dj'd at RIPE but her first official set was on NYE 2000 at a warehouse party overlooking the river. She was met with an eager and inspiring response - it was the beginning and the shape of things to come. Pearl has since played at Trafik, Substance, Tongue & Groove, The Chapel Bar, Play, Brockwell Lido, Zinc Bar, The Circle Bar and many more plus numerous house parties around the UK.Pearl plays deep, soulful jazzy house music. “For me djing is first and foremost playing records, playing music which reaches deep inside the soul and makes me smile. The music’s got to have soul!” Her favourite DJs, producers and artists include Kevin Yost, Charles Webster, Masters at Work, and all the Godfathers of House. She also cites an array of female artists such as Jill Scott, Aretha Franklin, Roisin Murphy, Teena Marie, Marlena Shaw and Nina Simone.Her love and respect for the warm sounds of vinyl is as prevalent today as it ever was and Pearl has just returned from The Edinburgh Festival where she DJ'd for the launch of the Meribel Festival 2008 - the biggest festival to ever take place in The Alps - for which she has also been invited to DJ alongside Sir Norman Jay and others. For further details please visit http://www.themeribelfestival.com