Skiddle Mix 036 - Cristoph (Underground & Friends)

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The first incumbent of the Skiddle Mix in 2014 is Cristoph, the Geordie beatsmith who as well as inking deals with Defected and Underground Audio was also earmarked by Pete Tong as one to watch on his BBC Essential selection show - high praise indeed.

The mix he delivers is a collection of lavish house and techno grooves, ahead of his two dates for Underground and Friends in Manchester and Liverpool we asked him about the mix (listen below) and everything else going on in his world.

Skiddle Mix 036 - Cristoph (Underground & Friends) by Skiddle on Mixcloud

Hi Cristoph you've done a mix for us, thanks. Is this where your head is at musically at present?

The mix contains tracks which I'm into at the moment, whether I listen to them at home or play them out in my sets. I love all sorts of House and Techno, with a lot of my musical influences (both past and present) coming from these genres. Every mix I do I tend to treat it as how I would play a set so hopefully this has done the same.

You're playing Underground & Friends in February and March in Manchester and Liverpool respectively, which is your agency. How big a part of the Underground family do you feel, and are you looking forward to playing in Liverpool?

To be honest i couldn't be more grateful for the chance Kal has given me. Being part of The Underground family really is a dream come true, there's some fantastic dj's and producers on the roster so being amongst all them is amazing. I cant wait to get down to Manchester and play, I'v always found the vibe down in the city really good. I went to Gorilla last september for an Underground night where Deetron, Dale Howard and Raffa FL played and i loved everything about the club.  

I also can't wait to get to Liverpool and play -I've never even visited the city so can;t wait to go. I'm a massive admirer of Yousef, from him winning the Bedroom Bedlam competition years ago to setting up Circus. Knowing he comes from Liverpool shows the influence the nightlife must have had on him. I remember years ago my brother gave me a video from Cream and it had clips of sets by Armand Van Helden, Seb Fontaine and Pete Tong... after watching that i knew it was a city I needed to go to!

You've recently been picked up by Pete Tong as one to watch. How does it feel having the support of such an important figure within music?

The whole Pete Tong Future Star thing was a huge surprise. To have someone who is held in such high regard within the industry as a whole supporting me and my music is just unbelievable. It has helped me feel a lot more settled and have more self belief I guess. The whole journey so far has been brilliant and im just hoping it can continue. 

Tell us something about the labels you've released on previously, and the music you've had out. Who has supported it?

I've had music out on DFTD, Underground Audio, Extended Play, Nordic Trax, Relux Undeground and Blue Dye. The likes of 'Guffaz' and 'Shelter' have gained support from Hot Since 82, Steve Lawler, Huxley, Pete Tong, Him_Self_Her, Roger Sanchez and more. A track called 'Big H' has been supported by the likes of John Digweed and Joris Voorn and Shadow Child has been playing 'VMC' out. So quite a bit!

What upcoming productions have you got lined up?

Recently I've been on serious lock down in the studio. I've been finishing a remix for Tube & Berger, a new EP for Skint, 2 EP's for DFTD, a compilation for DFTD and an EP for Materialism. 

And gigs?

Gigs wise I've became pretty busy over the next couple of months which i'm over the moon about. Obviously doing the gigs in Liverpool and Manchester for Underground, playing Fire in London with Him_Self _Her, Cyprus, Warehouse LDN, The Box in Southend, Snowboxx festival in Andorra, Arena Warehouse in Middlesbrough, Lightbox in London with my good friend Raffa FL and Underdog in Manchester with another friend and Underground artist DeMarzo.

And finally dream situation time. You're allowed to cherry pick three other DJs to play on a line up with you, at any club anywhere you want. Who would you pick and why?

Hmm, this is a hard question! I have so much respect and admiration for so many DJ's. OK i guess I'll put Hot Since 82 in there, he really helped me out supporting Guffaz in the early days and every time I've been to see him play he's been outstanding and he's a real sound guy too.

I'l have to say Masters At Work... I seen those two play at the Southport Weekender B2B on six decks and two mixers and have honestly seen nothing like it. I think they looked at the crowd once in three hours, just total concentration and mind boggling talent.

For the last spot i'm completely torn between Eric Prydz and Maya Jane Coles. Both are hugely talented producers and DJ's. I find Prydz a genius in everything he does. However if it was to fit the rest of the lineup i'm guessing i'd choose Maya Jane Coles, another DJ who has never failed to impress me when I've seen her play, and again is someone who seems so humble about everything she's achieved.

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