UK Heavyweights !

Smoked lands again on the 11th october at cube this time featuring James Holden and Steve Gerrard. Support on the night by way of Astral and Dj Risk.

James Holden a world class dj and producer, has collaberated with the likes of Sasha, Nick Warren and Dave Seaman just to name a few. Steve Gerrard, a now bedrock resident has been rocking crowds all over the world.

JAMES HOLDEN

"The best new talent to emerge in 1999" - Dave Seaman
At just twenty-three years of age, James Holden has made an impact on the dance music scene which many an older producer and DJ can but dream of. He has already produced a string of outstanding tracks, turned out equally stunning remixes of the likes of New Order, collaborated with stars of the ilk of Sasha, secured DJ residencies across Europe, and toured across the world.

Having been classically trained in both violin and piano as a child by his father, James' career as a dance producer first took off whilst studying Maths at Oxford University.

It was during this productive period that he came up with the now-classic "Horizons", the tune which first shot him to fame as Way Out West DJ Nick Warren charted the then unknown 19 year old's CDR for three months. The track went on to be one of Pete Tong's Essential New Tunes, and was later picked up by Sony's dance label offshoot INCredible.

Further singles "One For You" and "Solstice", along with his various side projects - Ariane for Hope Recordings, as Mainline for bedrock and with Gwill Morris as Ogenki Clinic compounded the young producer's reputation, as he gradually evolved his own sound. Drawing influence from dub, lo-fi and ambient music his echo-drenched production treads the fine line between trance, progressive and techno.

More recently he has just completed remixes for Solid Sessions, Kirsty Hawkshaw's cover version of "Fine Day," and not forgetting the co-produced "Bloodlock" on Sasha's "Airdrawndagger" album.
Having been a guest DJ on Oxygen FM and in various clubs while at Oxford James' reputation for being a DJ grew. He is now quickly establishing himself on the world stage touring in all territories to huge acclaim. He plays regularly at Elements in London and Slide in Oxford, and held residencies at Kremlin in Amsterdam and Passion in the UK, while recent highlights include the Berlin Love Parade.

In addition he has mixed the label compilation 'Fear Of A Silver Planet' and did his first Radio 1 Essential Mix earlier this year. Both are a showcase of his unique sound, melodic and driving, dubbed out and hypnotic, taking in techno and deep trance along with the special edits and remixes that James puts together in his spare time, making his sets as individual as his production.

STEVE GERRARD

""Steve Gerrard is another DJ who Is making a name for himself by delivering great sets everywhere he goes. He always rocks it at Bedrock when he plays."- John Digweed

Steve Gerrard is a name that, if you follow progressive music, you will be hearing plenty of in 2003.

Hailing from Chester, he now lives in Birmingham, UK and got his first taste of house music in 1994 when he was given a copy of the first Renaissance album. He recalls hearing the track "SongOfLife" by Leftfield and it completely changed his ear for music and his life today.

In 1998, Steve won Muzik Magazine's Bedroom Bedlam competition, and 2 years later won the Ericsson Award for Best Bedroom Bedlam DJ. Since then his career has gone from strength to strength. With influences that range from the Sasha and Digweed, Nick Warren and DannyHowells to Adam Freeland and Hybrid and the technical skills of Anthony Pappa, he has developed a unique style. Which is: deep, progressive house mixed with breakbeat, building steadily and creating a set which is more than the sum of its parts. All the while keeping in mind that it is his job to make people want to dance and keep on dancing.

Moving along to the present, Steve's living the life that many aspiring DJ's hope for. He gets to travel all over the world, meeting new people and playing great music." If you're lucky" ,he says, "this job allows you to do all of those things, and that's something I'm very grateful for. "Although we know it's more than just luck that will take you places.

Some of Steve's notable Djing accomplishments include: Winning the Ericsson Muzik Award (best bedroom bedlam DJ 2000), starting his own successful club night in Birmingham called Subspace and headlining at some of the world's greatest clubs.

Bedrock, Home (London), Nikita (San Francisco), Giant (LA), Spundae (WMC Miami), Limelight (NYC), Skysound (Mexico), Fluid (HongKong), Code (Birmingham), MinistryofSound, The End (London)

Tix $25 + bf avail from play and central station or by texting "smoked" to 858 from your vodafone mobile.

For more info email smoked_dance@yahoo.co.nz