Introducing… Scratcha/DVA

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Introducing… Scratcha/DVA

Continuing the series of interviews “Introducing” people you probably have heard of already. I caught up with everyones favourite breakfast show host, Scratcha/DVA. His Grimey Breakfast show(weekdays, 8-11 am on Rinse.fm) mixes tunes from different genres, plenty of jokes, and some of the most outlandish competitions/banter ever conceived for radio. With a single 12 inch out now on hyperdub, alongside the Jelly Roll EP (with fellow Boxfresh contributor Roska), a whole heap of bookings ahead, and a CD to look forward to, I thought it was time to squeeze a few quick answers out of the hardworking Producer and DJ.

scratcha 2

For those who dont already know, Who is Scratcha/DVA?

I am Leon Smart, an unhealthy guy who hasnt excercised properly for a few years but when I put my cape on I turn into Scratcha DVA, the DJ/Record producer of my label DVA Music and I also present a breakfast radio show on www.rinse.fm.

Why the name Scratcha DVA?

Well, I am professionally known as Scratcha and my label is DVA…… It’s something to do with those two things but I can’t quite put my finger on it lol. But yeh DVA is an abbreviation of my original name Diverse Artz. Which was something me an my friend took ages to come up with. Now I’ve just broken it down to its catalogue number.

You currently have an ep out on the legendary Hyperdub label, how did you hook up with them?

Its just a single 12″ myself an Kode put together but the other day he did briefly talk about the possibilty of a DVA ep on Hyperdub in the near future. So that makes me happy. *smiles*

Am I right to assume your still working on a CD(No right turn)? Hows that coming along?

Yeh just finishing up a video for one of the tracks called ‘Wake Up’ which heavily features Black The Ripper. Im really happy with how its turnt out and can’t wait to show it off. Im a little bit sceptical on how to promote this project though. Its different. I always have been.

How do you go through the creative process?

I work in a few different ways but when working with artists, for me most I try and find out what makes someone tick. I mean really tick. I’ve noticed the best song comes out of them when I find out what that is. When beatmaking, I could just be anywhere in the street and think of a beat. So I’ll beat box it into my phone an then try create what was in my head that day in the studio. Infact ive been thinking of putting some of these clips on “No Right Turn”, so if you hear some waste beatboxing and whistling you will know why. I will use anything to make a beat but Logic i have used since 2001.

What are your main influences?

Musically anything innovative. Foreign Exchange with Nicolay is doing it for me right now. Non music influences, Alcohol, food and quality zumpi time.

Who are you feeling in the UK right now?

There’s so many producers, DJs, MCs and Singers im feeling I don’t even know where to start. My breakfast show on Rinse will show you that. I’ve gotta say though, I’ve got extra special likings to Lady Lykez, Ms Darks, Esskay and City Boy Aks (formerly Axe Man). Those 4 MCs excite me.

Who would you like to work with/reach out to?

Foreign Exchange.

What else have you got in the pipeline?

Working on a couple projects now “No Right Turn” is out the way but I’ve been working on a project which features a musical remix of Natty and some singers on a next vibe. Something like Voice of Grime but a million times better. Its sounding sexy. It actually gives me a boner. (I’m fully cracking up).

You’ve been doing a lot of bookings, which events can we catch you at in the near future?

February is a good one. 10th in Leeds @ Wire Club, 12th @ Dirty Canvas, London. 13th live p.a of Im Leaving @ Harmony in Birmingham and 19th im @ We Are Dubists in Brixton Jamm. March 12th I will be playing Bloc Weekend @ Minehead Butlins b2b with Roska and then same night @ Plan B in Brixton, then onto Russian Bar for a night called Logik. But yeah can I have some more bookings please? email: bigtalkagency@googlemail.com

Any shouts?
Yeh shouts to Roska, Kode 9, Cooly G, Rinse FM and Square Pie in SpitalField Market.

Soule Power – Natty

DVA – Ganja.

Pre-order HDB030: Ganja/Natty 12″ http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=248036
Buy DVA004: Jelly Roll/Nasty Nasty Nasty 12″
http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=240102

For DJ bookings email: amybullman@mac.com
www.twitter.com/scratchadva
www.myspace.com/scratchadva
www.myspace.com/djscratcha
www.bebo.com/scratchad

posted by Geo on February 5th, 2010