While the future of nightlife remains clouded by the smoke of uncertainty – with the ripple effect of lockdowns, strict council regulations and financial demands from landlords leading to the shuttering of 65 UK clubs in 2024 – our dance floors have never been more exciting. Inside 10 Men Issue 61, we spotlight a series of DJs that are experts in their craft, taking eclectic sonics born on the British Isles to the biggest stages globally and providing soundtracks to the sort of nights out you’ll be telling your grandchildren about.
Conducta has solidified himself as a purveyor of all things UK garage. The beloved two-stepping genre, which swept clubs across the UK through the late ’90s/early 2000s, is in safe hands with the Bristol-born producer. He’s creating UKG for a modern age, like the mega AJ Tracey smash Ladbroke Grove, injecting his sets with sounds pulled from UK sound system culture’s sonic spectrum.
Conducta wears jacket by STONE ISLAND
What’s one track that’ll never leave your USB?
A tune by DJ Swisha and this group called OSSX. It’s called How U Feelin. It samples old disco and it’s just insane.
What track never fails to fill a dance floor?
Despacio by Bontan. It’s just an incredible groove, really slow tune, but it’s not too sped up.
What makes a great DJ?
Taste and authenticity in sound. A lot of people will say this, but there are certain things you can’t teach and I think selection and taste are those things. Everything else will fall into place.
What’s been the best night out of your life?
[The festival] Defected Croatia. We had a great time, best night of my life. It was emotional because last summer I closed my label, Kiwi Rekords – it was me, my manager Gil and [DJ/producer] Sammy Virji – but I played one of the best sets I’ve ever played. After that I saw [the songwriter/ producer] SG Lewis, then saw Dennis Ferrer’s sunrise set from 3am to 6am. We were locked in.
What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’re most proud of?
Probably Phonox residency [in Brixton]. I’m able to really curate there, it’s one of my favourite clubs. I get to reintroduce people to me as a DJ, show them different sides of me, show people who I love listening to what I like listening to and playing with no inhibitions.
What does music mean to you?
Without sounding like a fucking T-shirt, it’s a feeling, an emotion. It can be love, happiness, uplifting, sad. No matter what music is, I think it can connect people. Music is interacting, it’s life.
What shaped your musical tastes?
When I was growing up, I loved East Coast R&B, garage. Whenever I had long shopping trips with my mum, it would always be radio stations that play trance plus all those old songs. My grounding was very diverse. Now, it’s everything and anything, as there’s so much access to music good and bad. I love TikTok – it’s like record shopping. I don’t ever want to limit myself. Elijah [from Butterz, the record label] always says if you listen to music in one language, you limit yourself. So I think it’s about constantly expanding.
Taken from 10 Men Issue 61 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
Creative Editor and Text PAUL TONER
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Portrait ANNA STOKLAND
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU and SONYA MAZURYK
