About Me
Sparky wasn’t born into a musical family. The majority of the musical exposure he received during his formative years came from his mothers’ weekend long Abba binges, and his fathers' Dire Straits cassettes in the car. It was only when he developed a taste for hip hop in 1990, that he bought his first turntable. Then, before long, another, and his first mixer. By the time he’d started university, the addiction had grown out of control, and the first grant cheque was invested (un)wisely in a pair of Technics 1210’s, and yet more records (a habit that was set to continue).Once graduated, Sparky worked in various record shops, whilst trying to make his way as a dj, playing often for friends, at parties, and of course the inevitable weddings. It was upon moving to London in 1999 that things really moved up a gear, when he started working at the highly respected, and influential record label, Ninja Tune. He soon began a 3 year residency at ‘The Funky Monkey’ (Camberwell, South London), with long time friend, and fellow vinyl junkie, Edd. Before long Sparky was playing regularly at Ninja Tune, and Solid Steel (Coldcuts’ radio show, which has since also morphed into an international club night, and a successful series of dj mix cd’s) parties, supporting acts such as DJ Food, Kid Koala, Bonobo, Treva Whateva, DK, Diplo, The Herbaliser, zero dB, Daedelus and Coldcut, in clubs across the UK and Europe. Several trips to the Czech Republic lead to Sparky becoming a festival regular, and a bi-monthly residency at the popular 'What The Funk?' parties in Prague. He can also be found manning the decks frequently in London, at The Big Chill Bar, and his mixes can be heard infrequently on the Solid Steel radio show.Sparkys’ musical tastes vary widely, and he enjoys tailoring his sets to suit the mood of the venue, believing it to be more important to work with the crowd, rather than to try to beat them into submission. Ranging from downbeat, hip hop, funk, breaks, drum and bass, and house (with a few other bits thrown in for good measure), Sparkys’ sets always comprise of a mix of the latest tunes, and classic rarities.
Sparky on Last fm
