Boss Interviews Vol 1: DJ Alley Cat (Kokeshi)

MRgruff first came across DJ Alley Cat back at the end of January, when three of us headed down to fabric on the last friday of the month which is always a Playaz night, so of course whilst rooms one & two were pumping out drum and bass there had to be something different going on in room 3, which is exactly why we headed down, boasting a line up featuring Irrelevant, Consequence, Youngsta, DJ Madd and Alley her self with Lowqui on the mic duties. Alley was running the night in room 3 under her self run label Kokeshi. That night we were simply blown away by what went on and felt it would be stupid not to check out what Kokeshi was about, so we had a chat with Alley that night and now we bring to you an exclusive interview.

Before we go into this we must thank Alley for all the work she put in to this!

Click bellow to read interview:

Can you tell us a bit about yourself personally?

I came to London 12 years ago. Before that I was a California girl based in San Francisco. I’ve been DJing and working in various aspects of the music biz since 1997. I started Kokeshi in 2009. After having worked with other labels, things came together finally for my own project when I started producing more and met Lung and Irrelevant on the interwebs. I loved their music and I had the concept for Kokeshi so a label and catalogue was formed.

We know that you don't classify the kokeshi movement as within a specific genre instead you choose the 110 to 170bpm subby electronica description, what are your opinions on the way genres are changing and more and more artists are breaking these boundaries?

It’s really exciting. I was all about drum’n’bass for many years, and I think I was stuck in a rut. Perhaps some of the music was as well. A few years ago I saw a change and people were getting more into mixed-genre events, dubstep was getting more well-known, the whole autonomic thing was about to take off and there was this general attitude that there was lots out there with bass at various tempos. I’ve always been into all types of music and in the mid 90s I was into trip-hop, hip-hop, dnb and anything electronic really. So I feel like with Kokeshi it’s all coming full circle and it happens to be good timing right now for the style of music I’m into pushing.


What is your main aim with Kokeshi? Were would you like to see it go?

I’m really happy with what has been achieved so far, but of course I have so many more ideas and plans. I’d like to just keep releasing music steadily, and do more labels nights in London but also all over the world. I’d like to carry on with things like merchandise as well. We have some items and I have some limited edition necklaces that will go on sale soon. I would love more exposure in places like Japan and the USA. I want our music to be in films. I just want Kokeshi to be the whole package really.  



What 3 tunes or artists were most influential to making you want to be involved with the music industry?

That’s hard to say because I’ve always loved music. I got into DJing after I had already amassed a huge record collection. I was super shy so it was after the encouragement of people in the record shops I frequented that I decided to give it a go. But I’d say albums like Goldie’s ‘Timeless’ and DJ Shadows ‘Entroducing’ certainly gave me inspiration as to how varied and exciting electronic music could be.

If you could collaborate with anyone, be it alive or dead, who would it be?

I’d love to collaborate with the guys on my label actually..and come up with a finished product. It’s hard for me I just feel out of my depth when I’m producing next to someone else. We all have our own methods for doing stuff so it gets tricky. But Irrelevant and I have said this year we’re doing something together!

If you had to choose one meal what would it be?

Tons of Sushi with hot Saki..or Mexican food.

Most memorable gig/set?

I’ve had a lot of good gigs, the recent ones were Kokeshi at Fabric, Kokeshi in Geneva and Kokeshi at Sun & Bass. Going back a few years I’d say Moscow (Propaganda Club), Bladerunnaz in Budapest, my residency at Icon Club in Berlin. It just shut down after many years..I’m gutted!

Favourite animal?

Cats! I admire their lifestyle!

What shoes are you repping? Do you have a specific style or brand?

Converse are always a safe bet. Usually these days I’m more partial to some kind of leather ankle boots..trying to be a bit more girlie.

Other than the music industry do you have any other hobbies or interests?

I love fashion, I love travel too. I have a little fashion blog on tumblr now that I like to do, just to think about something else. The music part of my life can be all consuming so to me just spending time with loved ones and chilling out is the most important thing when I’m not working. I need to be creative though or I get anxious.

If you could leave one mark on music what would it be?

Well I suppose if you’re trying to sell anything in the music business you hope people like it, but I also want to keep enjoying it for myself and having fun with it. But of course to know people enjoy the effort I put into Kokeshi and the pod kasts and the music and events is very rewarding. I hope it carries on! There are a few fans that email me regularly and give really nice feedback..it keeps me motivated and excited. They probably don’t realise what an influence they’ve had on me!

Finally what are your plans for 2012? From both an Alleycat and Kokeshi point of view.
There’s a couple projects in the pipeline Kokeshi wise. The long overdue Kompilation series is going into production soon, which features tunes that were in the Kokeshi pod kasts, most of which never came out before. In addition there is a new project called Widow which will be released on vinyl very soon. And some more events! Watch this space!

In terms of Alley Cat I’ve got some gigs coming up over Easter weekend, for Get Darker at Cable in London and for Irrelevant’s (and friend’s) new night in Colchester called Sub Culture. I’ve just had my tune ‘Sweet Spot’ (below) re-released on Offshore recordings, and there will be some of my own music on the Kokeshi Kompilation as well. I’m planning a short US Tour also in June. 

Heres some important links for you to check - 

Twitter - Alley Cat/Kokeshi

Twitter - Widow

Soundcloud - Alley Cat/Kokeshi

Soundcloud - Widow

Once again massive thanks to Alley! One of the most pioneering underground music movements around! Big Ups!