Hannah Holland Interview
The batty bass merchant gets chatty...
In this day and age of everyone and their mum being a DJ, inventing a genre is often a good way to get yourself noticed. With that in mind, Chew The Fat! hooked up for a chat with Hannah Holland, Trailer Trash resident and self proclaimed champion of batty bass...
Chew The Fat!: How do you think your early days listening to DJ Hype and Metalheadz have shaped your musical tastes?
Hannah Holland: Absolutely; the energy and bassiness of jungle got me addicted to dance music.
What was the original ethos behind starting your own night?
I wanted to start a night with fresh ideas, my co-promoter Mama Shamone is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met, we bounce ideas off each other. Anyone who’s been to Bastard Batty Bass knows what I mean. You’re just as likely to catch her singing on my sets with a toy baby around her neck to Alter Ego (you had to be there!) as you are to catch her singing with her amazing band.
It’s resulted in artwork, tracks, radio shows, the club, the label and clothing so far. Musically I wanted to do something that crossed the genres. Somewhere where people can hear a bit of old school jungle and speed garage, that incorporates new sounds coming in to London, like baile funk and Baltimore, but also has a live element, whether it’s MCs or bands. It’s very hard to include live music in a club environment but we manage to do it well. It’s exciting and a lot of fun.
Is it difficult maintaining a balance between DJing and promoting?
I like to be in control sometimes, and with BBB it’s very rewarding, I don’t find it difficult but it does require hard work.
You describe the Hannah Holland style as batty bass – for those yet to experience it, what would a typical batty bass set consist of?
Dirty bass, I am addicted to bass so each track has that element. Tough beats, whether it’s house, techno or breaks, I’ll blend it if I feel it has the BB vibe to move your batty! People say it sounds very inspired by drum & bass.
Do you find playing a sound rather than a genre broadens your horizons in terms of what sort of tracks you can play?
Yeah, I’ve never thought of playing in just one genre, that doesn’t seem natural to me.
Who’s been the most diverse producer that you’ve found fitted the batty bass mold?
Solid Groove / Switch is the obvious one. He brings his influences into his tracks to make something completely original. Bassbin Twins are pretty batty bass too!
How do you feel that previously niche genres such as booty-house and baile funk have grown recently?
I think both popped up and have influenced house producers like Crookers, Sinden, Zombie Disco Squad etc to make into there own style. That’s the beauty of London, it’s a melting pot of international sounds.
Given your prevalence for filth, what’s the filthiest thing you’ve ever done?
You'll hear it in the latest tune I have produced, which will be unleashed very soon.
And how clean is your home?
A tidy, clean home equals a fresh mind.
Tell us a secret…
I was born in a bassbin...
Published: 10/03/2008
Coming soon
