Interview with Kate Lawler ahead of Bitch Bank Holiday Special @ Venus

Kate Lawler returns to Bitch on August 27th for a bank holiday bitch fest. Here she lets us in on nude photo shoots, her meteoric rise through the DJ ranks, and why she'd like to be a superhero called 'Turbo Tits'.

She may have first come to the nation's attention as a reality TV contestant, but after years spent grafting like no other, Kate Lawler is now a name that's firmly ingrained within the clubbing scene as one of the country's leading DJs. 

Bitch have kept an eye on Kate throughout her career and welcomed her with open arms to several Bitch events. And this August Bank Holiday she’s back again, for what’s set to be a roof-raising event at Venus on August 27th!

Firstly thanks for giving us some time out of your busy schedule Kate! We’ve just been listening to the mix that’s up on Bitch’s Mixcloud and it’s well and truly got us in the mood for the end of the month!

Your big rise to fame started in Manchester with your residency for Sankeys. What is it about Manchester clubbing you enjoy the most?

The open mindedness of the clubbers, the friendly crowds and how long people want to stay up and party for! I love how into the music people in Manchester are and how welcome I feel whenever I DJ there, it's one of my favourite cities.

Obviously its not just DJ’ing that keeps you busy. What else have you been up to recently? We noticed from your twitter you’ve had a photo shoot for Now magazine, what was that in aid of?

The shoot for Now Magazine is a feature they're doing about celebrity bodies, all different shapes and sizes. It was a nude shoot actually, done very tastefully of course, there is no boobs or beaver on show! The mag is out next week I think just before my gig at Venus for Bitch, along with an interview about what I like or dislike about my body. It was a really fun shoot but I was knackered as it was a 7am start in London, so I could get back to Birmingham where I live and work on Kerrang! Radio presenting the Drive Time Show every weekday. I'm hoping the photographer will airbrush out the bags under my eyes...

Your “Screw You” EP was signed to the legendary Toolroom records which is a massive achievement, and they’ve spoken very highly of you as part of their Leaders of the New School series. Have you got anything else lined up with Toolroom?

I'm actually DJing for them as part of some events they're doing in Armani Stores across the UK. Saturday October 1st I'll be on the decks at Armani in the Bullring for a couple of hours during the day, spinning lots of lovely Toolroom Tunes!

You’ve also launched your own label ‘Framed’ last year; a tough thing to do in this climate. How’s it been going and who have you got lined up to release/remix on it?

Framed Records launched last year as a platform for me to get my productions out there, and so far Bemba has been released, which you can still buy on beatport, with remixes from Matt Tolfrey and Lee Brinx. The second release Nadu by Reuben Keeney is out too with me on remix duties. The remix of Nadu I did is my favourite production to date. I loved remixing. The next release is a track I did myself with Gary Beck remixing for me. I'm looking forward to its release date soon.

Reading your biography you’ve done pretty much everything from reality TV, presenting, feature writing… and now you’re heading up one of the most popular shows on Kerrang Radio. Anything left you still want to tick off?

Yeh there is still loads I'd love to do. I really enjoy being on  TV, however Kerrang! Radio and DJing at the weekends takes up most of my time, and I rarely get to see family, friends, go on holiday etc… I'd still love to do some more TV presenting or maybe another reality show, who knows! I'd love to do some acting one-day as well, a passion of mine since I was at secondary school.

Ever had any really bizarre or embarrassing things happen to you on air?

Not that I can remember. I've had to do a few dares, one included playing egg roulette and I got the egg that wasn't boiled. I've also shared some really embarrassing stories with my listeners, sometimes I'm a little too honest but I think that's what Kerrang enjoy about my presenting style.

Both you and Suze Rosser come to Bitch on August 27th. You have played together on a few occasions, how did you two meet and how did Suze come to be working with you?

I met Suze on the island of Jersey when she booked me to play at her long running successful night Hustle at Pure Nightclub. She is a brilliant promoter and also a very talented DJ. The first time I played for her it was brilliant. She warmed up for me and every time I've gone back she's played before me. She then moved to London and I thought it'd be cool for us to DJ on the same line up so we did a few gigs together and as often as possible we'll aim to get bookings together as we play the same style and compliment each other on the decks. Whenever there is an afterparty at my flat we'll get on the decks but I'll last five minutes, whereas Suze will DJ until the sun comes up. She loves it!

OK, let’s head into a quick fire round...

What’s the bitchiest thing you’ve ever done?

Pushed my twin sister head first in to a green house. I was about 8 years old.

What’s the best thing since sliced bread?

The mobile phone.

Favourite current house track? (not yours)

'Want You in my Soul' by Lovebirds.

DJ you most look up to?

Mark Knight.

What’s your favourite word?

Amayonaissing.

Place you’d most like to DJ but haven’t?

Fabric, London

If you were to give yourself a superhero alias, what would you call yourself?

Turbo Tits.

What would be your costume?

A flesh coloured fitted body suit with black gaffa tape over my modest bits and a black eye mask.

And what’s your super power?

I'd be able to find out anything I wanted that happened in the past i.e. I'd know who committed a murder, a crime, anything bad, so all the baddies could be locked up and the world would be a safer place.

Bitch presents Kate Lawler, 27th August at Venus, Manchester. Tickets are available below. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event