Say Hello to Plastic Plates aka Felix Bloxsom. We caught up with the man to discuss his incredible remix of Mark Ronson & The Business International's 'Record Collection' as featured on our brand new compilation Winter Chill. Find out where the name comes from, where he likes to spend his birthday and also why sleeping should be a career choice!


1.                  Tell us about Plastic Plates?

Plastic Plates is an alias I use for my disco productions and djing. Originally a friend of mine and I did a few dj gigs together and called ourselves that for fun. I put out a remix for the Midnight Juggernauts under PP and my friend left for NY and took a day job so PP has kind of stuck.

2.                    Where did the name originate from?

It’s a not so serious vinyl/records reference

3.                   Tell us about your live sets, are you mainly a DJ who plays other peoples music or do you incorporate your productions into your sets?

I DJ a healthy mix of mine, my friends and total strangers music

4.                   What other artists inspire you and why?

Most of my inspiration comes from my musical friends around the world. Its great to see them working hard and we all share ideas.

5.                   You remix of Mark Ronson’s ‘Record Collection’ features on our new Winter Chill release,  How did you get to remix this record?

Gildas from Kitsune contacted me about remixing the song for the release on his label.

6.                   What are you looking forward to most in 2012?

Being busy! And not knowing what,s around the corner, hopefully good things.

7.                    When all the partying is over, how do you like to chill out?

Sleeping is one of my natural talents; I wish I could make a career out of it, I'd be a wealthy man.

8.                   What has been your best winter experience and where?

Probably spending my birthday in the Swiss Alps; snowboarding, eating and having fun in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
 
5 Quick Fire Questions
 
1.       Top Track on your iPod at the moment?
Todd Terje - Inspector Norse

2.        Favourite Winter Activity?
Snowboarding

3.      If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would your follow and  why? .................Ice cream taster, Santa Clause, Pro Ice Skater
Santa Klaus, I love happy kids!

4.       Would you prefer to travel in a snowmobile or a dog sled if you lived in the mountains?
Dog sled for sure, I've fallen off a snowmobile with a nutcase friend of mine driving...

5.       If you could only take 3 things in a backpack with you to the Antarctic, what would you take?
Glühwein, Glühwein and Glühwein

Click here to buy Winter Chill!

Listen to the Winter Chill podcast...

That's right Kandies...there's only one Max Cooper! And take it from us, one is all you need to help make an incredible record. We managed to track him down and force him to hand over the secrets behind his breathtaking remix of Hiatus' 'Third' as featured on our latest release Winter Chill. Not only that, but we also managed to quiz him on all things life; from his typical day-to-day routine through to the social-neccessity of parsnips...we proudly present to you, Max Cooper.


1.       Tell us about Max Cooper and where it all began?

It's a can of worms. Did I begin when I was conceived or at some hard to define point when I first had a certain level of brain function? I don't want to offend anyone here. I'll just stick to the beginning of the music making thing, but I can't bring myself to talk about my first record and early days in Belfast, so I'll just provide the fictitious DJ fairytale story that seemed to have happened to everyone in the 90’s – I was at this massive 20,000 people festival stage waiting to see Carl Oakenfold (the biggest DJ of the time), and he didn’t turn up. Someone shouted “oi you there, with the bag of records, get on here quick because there’s no one else to play!” I smashed it even though I’d only ever used a belt drive turntable before, and within a week’s time I was touring the world in a private jet with 10 Swedish supermodels…

2.       Walk us through a typical day in your life?

Get up late (I'm completely not a morning person), work all day in the studio between short eating breaks, work all night in the studio and go to bed sometime the next morning with ringing in my ears (beware the tinnitus!).

3.       Do you prefer remixing or producing records?

I think there's a deeper satisfaction in creating your own record from scratch, but remixes can be more fun on a pure enjoyment level when you have some amazing parts to work with - you basically just get to cut out part of the initial ideas phase which can sometimes be laborious, and jump straight to the fun part where you want to dance around in the studio with a slight paranoia in the back of your mind that someone might be able to see you.

4.       What equipment do you use when you are remixing/producing tracks?

I use Genelec 8040 monitors, some controllers (midi keyboard, Akai APC40 and Kapture and Lemur apps for iPad from Liine), a focusrite audio interface and then just lots of software (no analogue gear for me) - Ableton live plus it's synths, mainly operator, NI stuff like Absynth, Reaktor, Guitar Rig, Razor and Massive, Synthogy Grands, Ableton's orchestral strings, Synplant, and Max for Live.

5.       Describe your remix of ‘Hiatus – Third’ on the new Hed Kandi Winter Chill Album

This track was a good example of how inspiration is key to good remixing for me. I was at the last ever Firefly at the Garvey in Nottingham last year,  an 11 year running techno night in the city which myself and a lot of my friends had been involved in over the years. For the event some of us rented a country house nearby to make the most of the last regular weekend in the city, and at the afterparty I put on a modern classical mix a friend (JamBon) had given me at a gig in Dublin. The original Hiatus track came on and it really grabbed me, I couldn't get it out of my head for the next couple of days, until I finally realised that it sounded very much like something by a another friend of mine. I did a quick search and discovered that it was indeed by my friend Hiatus, so I immediately got in touch asking for the parts, and stayed up for the next two days making the remix in almost a single extended sitting - I think when I'm so into a track like, catching the inspiration just at the right time, it's much easier to see what to do with a remix, and the whole process seems to flow much better. Also the original melodic parts were so strong I didn't want to change them much, all I wanted to do was try and enhance the feel and add some of my own flavour, which is always a much easier remix job than doing something where you have to change the original drastically. So I changed the structure, added a strings section midway, my drums, effects and processing, and it was almost there.  

6.       What’s been your proudest moment in your music career?

I think it was probably when I first got signed to Traum back at the end of 2008. I had been struggling for so long to learn to produce and to make my tracks of a good enough standard, and that was when I finally achieved my goal of getting good enough technically, and finding a strong label I could express myself on. From that point on I knew I could make it all work if I just put the effort in, but before then it was always a maybe.

7.       What’s in the diary for you in 2012?

I've got a US/Canada tour starting this week, then back home to work on an album, lots of great looking dates and some awesome festivals booked in for the summer which I get in trouble for talking about before they release their official lineups. I've also just finished my next EP for Traum to go out in spring, plus I have my collaboration with Michael Nyman coming soon.

8.       When all the partying is over, How do you like to chill out?

I come home and hang out with my housemates, eat good food, good wine, good craic.

9.       What is one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out the industry?

It's very easy to have your efforts lead astray in unfruitful directions by other people’s agendas, especially early on, so I find it best to work towards clearly defined goals, and put your efforts into things with tangible measures of progress if possible.

5 Quick Fire Questions

1.       Top Track on your iPod at the moment?
Vaetxh – List of lists

2.       Favourite winter activity?
Snowboarding

3.       If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would you follow and why? Penguin Carer, Professional snowboard manufacturer, Elf in Santa’s workshop?
The Elf gig would be the one as it’s the biggest mystery, who knows what goes on in the grotto when eyes are looking elsewhere for most of the year.

4.       What would be in your winter survival kit?
Parsnips

5.       What is something most people don’t know about you?
I write parsnips when I can’t think of a funny or interesting answer.


Listen to the Winter Chill Mini-Mix now!



Got your copy of Winter Chill yet??

Click Here to Listen/Buy the CD

Another year draws to a close as another festive season blissfully melts away. Last year, here at Kandi HQ, we celebrated the festive season in style. Spreading the cheer throughout the Kandi Land from Monday 12th until Friday 23rd December we decided to give away a whole range of incredible prizes every day for 12 days!

To help us celebrate this beautiful occasion we acquired the help of some of our good friends. We couldn’t have done such a great campaign without them so we’d like to take a moment to say a huge Hed Kandi thank you to everyone that supported us and got involved!


Traktor
The King of DJ software. What a privilege it was to have these guys provide one of their incredible products for the 12 Days of Kandi. Day 6, a hectic Saturday, saw the turn of Traktor Kontrol S2 as our prize. A Traktor product needs no introduction…watch the video below, this says it all.



To check out what else the guys at Traktor are up to…
Join them on Facebook
Visit their Site





Eylure
These glamorous girls have been at the top of the eyelash world for a while now and to be able to provide 5 lucky people with a set of their gorgeous lashes was a festive dream come true! Combined with a set of beautiful nails to match your dazzling look and of course the complimentary Kandi tunes!   




Join the girls on Facebook




Models Own
You can’t go to a party unless you’ve visited the girls at Models Own first. Without their incredible bespoke nail varnishes, you’re simply just not ready for the night! 5 lucky winners swooped a set of their Gliterring Collection along with some Hed Kandi tunes.



Click here to view the entire range
Say Hi to Models Own on Facebook




Miss Selfridge
Leading the way on the High Street, these fashionistas KNOW style. Giving one lucky winner the chance to win a collection of their gorgeous Winter accessories, they pulled out all the stops and delivered a beautifully wrapped parcel of pure glamour!



Click here to visit Miss Selfridge
Join the Fashion Army on Facebook





Crystal Rocked
Last but by no means least…our festive friends at Crystal Rocked provided us with a Limited Edition prize to end all prizes! Day 11 saw the chance for one very, very lucky Kandi fan to win a Swarovski-encrusted iPhone case!! With only one of these ever made, it is the ultimate in truly accessing the fabulous!



View the entire range from Crystal Rocked
Stay up to date on the world of Crystals on Facebook!



We’d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone that entered the 12 Days of Kandi. The competition had an incredible response and A LOT of festive cheer was consumed! We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Happy New Year from everyone at Team Kandi xx

OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES
HED KANDI PRESENT “HED KANDI DEEP HOUSE DJ MIX COMPETITION” COMPETITION

These “Official Competition Rules” govern your participation in the Ministry of Sound Recordings Limited trading as HED KANDI (“HK”) “Hed Kandi Deep House DJ Mix Competition” (the “Competition”).  Participation in the Competition by uploading your own deep house mix on your personal SoundCloud.com profile page (as per the instructions below) constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Competition Rules. It is important that you read and understand them.

1.   Who Is Eligible?
The competition is open in the UK and Eire only. Only persons who are at least eighteen (18) years old are eligible to enter the Competition. Any person who is an employee of HK or an immediate family member of an employee of HK or any other person who is directly connected with HK, being any advertising promotion agency or supplier of prizes for the Competition, shall be ineligible to enter.

2. How To Enter.
(a) HK are offering you the chance to play an exclusive thirty (30) minutes DJ set at the HK event to take place on 8 June 2013 at 1 Marylebone, London, United Kingdom (the “Event”).  To enter the Competition go on the following websites: www.hedkandi.com or http://bit.ly/HKDeepHouseDJ (the “Competition Pages”) and follow the directions to enter between 12:00 pm. GMT on April 10, 2013, and 23:59 pm GMT May 10,2013 (the “Closing Date”).  You are responsible for all internet and all other costs incurred by you in submitting your entry to the Competition.
 (b) In order to participate in the Competition, you must:
- upload on your Soundcloud profile page a deep house mix of minimum thirty (30) minutes (the “Entry”) and tag HK on such Entry. Entries must be the authors’ original work and not previously published. You will retain copyright in your Entry.
- have a background of playing live in venues;
- be able to mix seamlessly using either vinyls or CDs (Serato or Tracktor are allowed only without using the sync’d beat locking – no iPods, iPads or Midi mixers allowed).
- if chosen to be the Winner, as defined below, be available to:
    - attend at your own expenses at the Ministry of Sound Club in London on dates to be agreed with the HK representatives, to be subject to HK’s judges vetting process to test your live DJ skills; and
    - be available to attend at the Event.
(c) You may enter the Competition only once. By entering, you agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges appointed at HK’s discretion. HK shall not take any responsibility for any entries which are illegible, misdirected, lost for technical or other reasons or received after the Closing Date.  

3.  Your Warranties:
You warrant that:
(a) you have the right to enter into this agreement and you are 18 years old or above;
(b) you confirm that HK shall have the right to use your name and likeness in connection with the promotion of the Competition.
(c) you shall fully and effectually indemnify HK in respect of any breach of your warranties, obligations or representations made herein together with HK’s reasonable legal costs;

 4. Judging; Prizes.
(a) After the Closing Date closes, HK or its representatives will pick one (1) Winner at their own discretion (the “Winner”).
(b) Prize:
-    The chance to play a thirty (30) minutes opening DJ sets at the Event;
-    VIP access and treatment for refreshments at the Event;
-    Train travel to/from London by train to attend the Event;
-    Accommodation in London for the night of the Event.

(the “Prize(s)”)

(c)   The Winner will be selected during the week commencing on the 9 May 2013. HK (or its representatives’) decision shall be final and binding in all regards and no correspondence shall be entered into.
(d) The Winner will be notified via email no later than 16 May 2013. If a Winner cannot be contacted within ten (10) calendar days of first notification attempt, or in the event that the original Winner transpires to have breached these Official Competition Rules, HK may select an alternative Winner. The name of Winner will be available on request.
(e) It is a condition of the Winner being entitled to the Prize(s) that the HK judges will consider his DJ skills sufficient to play a live set at the Event.
(f) Prize(s) are non-transferable. HK does not make any warranty about the Prize(s) and there are no substitutions or cash redemptions for the Prize(s). HK further reserves the right to substitute the Prize(s) at any time.
(g) If, for reasons beyond the control of HK (including, but not limited to, tampering or computer virus infection or rights issues), the Competition is not capable of running as originally planned, HK at their sole discretion, reserve the right to cancel or modify the Competition, without liability. If a sufficient number of eligible entries (as determined by HK in its sole discretion) are not received by the Closing Date, HK reserves the right not to award any or all the Prizes.  All taxes levied on any Prize awarded in the Competition (including, but not limited to, income taxes) are the sole responsibility of the Winner. All entrants agree to comply fully with each provision in these Official Competition Rules.  Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Competition and any person who does not comply with these Official Competition Rules, will be ineligible for any Prize and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No cash alternative to the Prize(s) is available to the Winner. If the Winner of the Prize(s) cannot be traced after reasonable efforts having been made by HK then HK may dispose of the Prize(s) as it thinks fit without any liability to the Winner for having done so.

5. Your Release of HK from Any and All Liability.
HK shall not be liable for losses or injuries of any kind resulting from: (i) acceptance/possession and/or use/misuse of Prize(s)/loss or damage to Prize(s) during delivery to the Winner, (ii) participation in the Competition, (iii) individual, joint or collective technical malfunctions of the telephone network and/or transmission line, internet connections, computer equipment, hardware and/or software, or (iv) any delay or distortion of an entry resulting from data transmissions that are garbled, incomplete, misdirected, lost, mutilated, delayed, corrupted, mechanically duplicated, illegible or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Competition Rules. HK shall not be liable for damage to your computer (including, without limitation, any server failure or lost, delayed or corrupted data or other malfunction) due, either directly or indirectly, to your participation in the Competition or downloading of information in connection with the Competition. HK reserves the right to modify or cancel the Competition in the event that any portion of any website used to administer any aspect of the Competition becomes technically corrupted (v) the Winner shall be solely responsible for having a document valid for travel and any necessary visas and vaccinations. (vi) the Winner shall be solely responsible for their own travel insurance. (vii) the Winner may be required to provide a valid ID prior to using all or part of the Prize(s) (viii) the Winner shall be solely responsible for his travel and accommodation expenses to attend the rehearsal at the Ministry of Sound Club in London.

6. Law
These terms and conditions are governed by English law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

7. How to Get More Information.
For the name of the Winner, please visit the Competition Pages. Copies of these Official Competition Rules may be obtained by sending an e-mail to info@hedkandi.com.  Requests for Official Competition Rules must be received by November 13, 2011.
Questions regarding the Competition can be directed by email to: info@hedkandi.com.