Finally Jungle Music Comes to the Earths Own Jungle with the Gracious DJ Alize

Hailing from London UK , DJ Alize came to Koh Phangan in April Last year for one month holiday but found himself falling in love with the island. He went back home and returned to the island in Sept with the plan to stay 6 months
https://soundcloud.com/bass-heaven-up2beat/congo-dubz-dj-alize-mc-secret...
So Alize what did you fall in love with here?
The people, the food, the atmosphere, I felt a difference in myself, to be honest it woke me up.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in North London, it’s a lot different there it's faster living, the people, the weather and food are not so nice, no one really has time for each other but here everyone is so friendly I feel more unity here.

So tell us your DJ & Music history...
I started Djing when I was about 14, me and my friends would have decks at home, a group of us would meet up and go to one of our houses and mess about on the decks and MC, we didn’t really know what we was doing at the time but we thought it was fun.

My older brother was also a DJ so we always had equipment at home, I use to nick his vinyl ha ha! As we grew older a lot of my friends started fading away from the music but a few of us carried on, we use to do sets and make mix cds, well actually tapes at the time and give them out. I started to play on pirate radio stations in London and got my first few shows through these.  

Then from about the age of 20 I slowed down a lot, you know at that age you got a lot going on especially in London, there’s so many distractions. And back then there was no money in music and there was not any UK underground artists making a good living from music, it wasn’t really a career and felt like I had to go out and face the big bad world.

But music has always been a big part of my life I’ve always had decks at home so never stopped mixing, I’ve always had a passion for music especially UK music I have always supported it 100%. Then about 6 years ago me and my friend Congo Dubz who is the son of Congo Natty started a record label together ‘Up2beat Productions’ and began to do events in London and boat parties on the London Thames with Congo Natty. We did a lot of our events in Brixton, we also recorded a 4 track Hip Hop E.P with a very talented UK artist Billy Cypher and Mazoulew who supplied us with the beats, also a very talented individual.

We shot music videos for these tracks and held a launch party for this in Highbury North London which was a real good turn out. We also got bookings such as Amsterdam music festival and other places were I would Dj for Billy while he performed his tracks and others.  

I love to mix different genres of music and like to play around with different sounds so it's not just Jungle music I mix, I love garage, Hip Hop, Reggae,  Bashment and most Bass music

So this is what you do now?
Yes we still have the label Up2beat, and are planning on some more events and music. I'm still playing sets at gigs and am lucky enough to play at festivals such as Outlook Festival in Croatia and others.

I produced some Jungle tracks with Mazoulew so I would like to get back to the studio and do some more. I also join Congo Natty for his fortnightly show on Kool London, me and Congo Dubz will also do cover shows. Kool FM has been running for 25 plus years and is the leading Jungle/DnB station in the world so for me to finally be apart of that is very special to me, I remember listening to Kool as a kid and saying I will be on this station one day, Big up Kool London they never sold out or tried to change they are a big part of where this Jungle scene is today.

We also have a clothing line L.O.NDON Clothing, we had a pop up shop in Brixton ‘The Jungle Shack’ in June which was done by us and Congo Natty. We had all our merchandise for sale, had the decks set up and so would have different artists from the scene coming to perform and do signings, it was more like a rave then a shop to be honest .

This will always be very special to us as it was the last time we got to see our brother Tenor Fly who sadly passed a few days after joining us at the shop. I can never forget this day, Tenor Fly was so supportive in everything we did, he would always have time for us and take time to give us advice and generally help us. He was the main artist to wear and push our range. We made a exclusive design in memory of Tenor Fly as we felt we had to give something  back, we donated all the profits to his family.

When you came in April last year was there DNB on the island?
Yes there was DnB at the Full Moon at Sunrise Bar, I was lucky enough to get to play a set there. I loved it as coming from London where Jungle originated from and to see so many people from around the world playing and enjoying our music this was a good feeling.

When I arrived they were playing a Top Cat track, I was excited, hearing all the tracks from artists I’m around, this was special. I didn’t think there would be a big following on this side of the world but it just shows the power of this scene.

Did you know Sunrise had stopped DnB?
Yeah I stay in contact with Dj Noize who hooked me up with the set, so he told me via Facebook . I was pissed off to be honest, it’s the same music everywhere in Koh Phangan, they need to cater for everyone.

And there are so many people that want DnB it’s ruined it for a lot of people. I actually don’t go to Full Moon much anymore because of this and have heard the same from others.

How was playing last Friday at Phanganist?
Friday was good I really enjoyed it, again it was nice hearing jungle music in Thailand. I was happy to see Phanganist had decent equipment and mainly because they had 1210 turntables.

I love how the Thai guys have vinyl, I asked them where you get them from as we even struggle to get them in London. But it shows their dedication and love for the music, they spend a lot of time and money to support, so there’s no excuses people.

Drum and Bass and Jungle has a proper community, what do you think is special about DnB?
Jungle brings people together it's all about love peace and unity. The vibe of Jungle music is different from other genres, a Jungle rave is a proper party for me.

Jungle has a bad name from back in the day, till this day we get turned away from clubs and venues because there is a stereotype around the scene, but I can honestly say things have changed a lot, I have never witnessed serious trouble in Jungle raves.

I feel like people are coming to listen to the music and party whereas a lot of other scenes such as House have a lot more trouble but they don’t get as much stick as we do. People go to these raves to party also yeah, but you get a lot of people going to pop bottles of champagne and be the big man and show off, which usually ends in trouble.  

Jungle music is about being one, regardless of what you're wearing, your age, beliefs or religion.

Tell us about your clothing line...
Me and Congo Dubz started it about 3 years ago ‘L.O.N DON CLOTHING’, we have people like Katy B and the whole jungle scene supporting it.

We have other lines under it such as our ‘Junglist Put Your lighters up’ range. We will be setting up a few more pop up shops in the Summer and dropping some fresh new bits.

What’s your plans for the rest of the year?
I’m heading back to UK around March, we’re gonna be doing some more events, boat parties,  shows and music.

Then I’m planning on coming back to Koh Phangan at the end of the year and hopefully for good.

And leave us with your music philosophy...
Music is very powerful, a song can remind you of a certain person or situation in life and you will always associate this with that song.

Music is art it goes through your ears straight to your heart, And again it brings people together.

Catch DJ Aliza here at Phanganist Hostel for our weekly Drum and Bass Night THIS Friday the 3rd of February!