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Features
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Karim talks to Insekt
Reported by Insekt
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Submitted 03-10-06 20:26
It’s been three years since hard house’s most opinionated exponent gave the HarderFaster readers a chance to get inside his head. He has proved elusive and rather difficult to tie down, preferring to concentrate on creating a vast portfolio of hard house beats and sets at the scene’s most revered events, rather than raising his profile in the press. A set at Insekt’s massive 2nd Birthday celebration at The Fridge has provided us with the perfect excuse to fire some questions at the fiery Frenchman and hear what he’s got to say!
Karim is a dj and producer who will always stay true to himself, and will never jump on any trends or bandwagons — refreshing to see in this day and age. He’s been consistently plugging away over the last few years on the hard house underground, creating a steady stream of tough-edged, funk-fuelled bootlegs and tough original material to make up his personalised, upfront sets. With his shop now online and the next volume of his ‘Unreleased Projects’ series about to drop, his material has never been easier to get hold of. His residency for Twist continues in fine style, as do his international tours that see hard NRG fanatics around the world treated to his dj sets.
You’ve given your productions some pretty amusing and interesting track names over the years. Which have been your favourites?
Amusing?? ‘Taliban’, ‘No Women Allowed’, ‘Don’t Fuck With Me’, ‘Zyklon B’, ‘Heartbreak’… these are pretty serious issues don’t you think? Also, I find it impossible to have a chart of my favourites tracks, as they were all very special to me in there own way at the time when I made them.
There’s not as much pure hard house being made as there was say, five years ago. Are the many artists that excite you at the moment?
Pure hard house five years ago? You’re not being serious are you? This is when it was at its worse — well in my eyes anyway. All this bandwagon jumping just made a mockery of a sound that is purely underground. I’m glad now they’re finished with it and must be busy at this present time ruining the techno/house electro sound… whatever they can get there hands on to make money. What you were hearing five years ago was wrongly labelled hard house, certainly not what we meant by hard house in the mid-nineties. To this day, the reason why they named it hard house is beyond me!
The afterparty scene has been suffering somewhat recently. Why do you think this is and do you think that things will chance any time soon?
Now, one has to put things into perspective. Ten years ago there were no afterparties offering this kind of sound on the straight scene and the only place this sound could be heard was at Trade at Turnmills… so we’ve come a long way! Yes, it’s been a bit quiet over the summer and clubbers usually jet off to Ibiza for the season, but it is now back to normal and the amazing busy mornings we had at Twist over the September month just prove this!
It also seems it is going strong around the country too. Just a few weeks back I was playing in Birmingham and decided to stay over after my gig and enjoy the after parties there. I had an absolutely brilliant time, went to 2 afterparties and didn’t get back to London ‘til the early hours Monday. Now who said the afterparty scene has been suffering somewhat recently?
How have you found things with your label Do Not Bend over the past year, what with all the changes in the industry?
The industry continuously changes and so does the sound. This is a very healthy thing. Do Not Bend recordings is an independent underground label which has a very loyal following.
What about your online shop? Has this given you some kinds of freedom to do what you want more now that you have somewhere to control all the output?
It definitely has, and I’m really happy with the way things have been happening since its instalment last year. No more middle man — gone are the days when record distributors would rip you off! It’s a blessing!
The next Do Not Bend release ‘Heartbreak’ is soon to be released, which you made with Captain Tinrib on your New Zealand tour. Do you find it easy to make a track wherever you are in the world? Or do you prefer to be doing it from your home base?
Teaming up with Jon again was fantastic. He always has been the only producer I can co-write a track with since the first Tinribs, we just click perfectly. So, teaming up again while I was touring down under was the perfect opportunity to do it again. ‘Heartbreak’ is now out on a 300 limited run only available exclusively through my website and I’m still astonished by the response we’ve had so far. The only difference in doing a track anywhere else in the world is the weather I suppose.
How was the NZ tour? What clubs did you take in and are there any amusing stories you can supply us with?
Exciting would be more appropriate than amusing I think. I really get a buzz from seeing all these people on the other side of the planet having it large to hard NRG, it means a lot to me. We did a Superfish in Christchurch that went down really well. I did a special 3 hour set for the event. It only got better when playing for Bezerk in Auckland — absolutely immense! I just got booked to play there again for NYD, so the madness will be back! The Adelaide crowd in Oz is to me another example that this sound is still pretty strong — these guys never get enough… and neither do I!
You’ve released a few CDs of your material now, such as ‘Horizons’ and ‘Unreleased Projects’. They are kind of halfway between an artist album and a mix CD, no? Would you ever consider producing a full-on, planned-out album project?
Well they are full-on planned out mixed artist albums! I’m continuously pretty active on the production side of things, and releasing all of them would be physically impossible. Now this is the idea behind the ‘Unreleased Projects’ series, giving life to tracks that would normally never see the light of day, or could only be heard at gigs where I play. I’ve also had constant requests from clubbers over the years who don’t own decks and would love to own a piece of such elusive tracks, so it’s my response to these requests too.
As a typical example, this week I have some studio time planned and what I have in mind is making some tunes exclusively for Twist this Sunday morning, to try out new things, to see how they go down on the dancefloor. The crowd is actually my main source of inspiration, they give me the energy to push the sound forward. Twist remains a great source of inspiration to me and I’m very grateful for this.
I hear Unreleased Projects Vol. 2 on its way, what can we expect from that? Give us a tease please Mr Lamouri!
As the title says… unreleased projects!
Insekt’s 2nd Birthday is just around the corner, where you will be rocking the main room at The Fridge? The summer saw the return of two London hard dance giants — Logic and Superfish — to their natural homes at this venue. How were the two parties for you? Did they bring back some good memories?
Definitely great memories, although I’m not the kind for reminiscing about the past and think how good (or bad) it was. I’m more of a present person. I like to make things happen now and enjoy it.
How have your experiences playing with Insekt been in the past? What have the crowd been like?
Insekt needs no introduction and every time I played there it was a special time. Friday 13th is a date I really look forward to! See you there and thanks for your time reading these lines…
www.dj-karim.com
Photos courtesy of Karim. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Insekt
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On:
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Friday 13th October 2006
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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£10 Early Bird / £12 Pre-Standard / £15 Standard / MOTD
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Website:
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www.insekt.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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Tickets avaliable from Ticketweb
www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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The very best in Hard House, from early warm up to hard as nails. Join Insekt for the first party at the world renowned Fridge! Witness Defective Audio's Abelton Live PA for the first time ever! We also recreate the magic of Paul Glazby back
to back with Justin Bourne, and if that wasn't enough we've got the legendary Karim too. With residents Marc Johnson and James Nardi, future production hero's Richard Toomz and Steve Maynard and early techno beats from
Type1, this is party not to be missed!
With the IceBox being run in association with NeverEnough on Maria's 41st Birthday!
Let the music do the talking...
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Other Features By Insekt:
Insekt preview: interview with rising hard house stars Frank Farrell and Dave Owens
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Toomz on 3rd Oct 2006 20:33.09
Go Karim.
From: dr phil on 3rd Oct 2006 20:38.33
"what I have in mind is making some tunes exclusively for Twist this Sunday morning"... darling, you just made me very excited 
From: James Nardi on 3rd Oct 2006 20:50.29
Now that is a hard working man. 
I can't wait for Insekt, bring it on!!!!
From: Aaron_Moorish on 3rd Oct 2006 20:51.21
From: Marc Johnson on 3rd Oct 2006 20:53.24
haha go karim indeed
From: Type 1 on 3rd Oct 2006 21:02.45
roll on insekt
From: Jennie B on 3rd Oct 2006 21:05.40
Great read...Karim telling it exactly how it is!
He is our main man at Twist and I personally love every set he plays. Only word to describe him is amazing!!!!!!!
Although I would like to slap him as well...cos I am supposed to be having this weekend off...and now I have just seen that he is the studio this week to make some new material for Twist so looks like I might have to go!.....Great thing about Twist...we get the road test to all his new tunes!
Love ya Karim
From: Disco Diva on 3rd Oct 2006 21:10.46
Wicked interview from an awesome dj 
Keep up the great work babes, you're the best.
Loves ya loads xxx 
From: dr phil on 3rd Oct 2006 21:16.29
Karim, looks like you pulled ms b out of the shortest semi-retirement in history
From: HorHey on 3rd Oct 2006 21:22.51
Amazing DJ, My favorite around.
One DJ that Will never stop being remembered!!!
From: katie b on 3rd Oct 2006 21:29.58
Great read hun looking forward to our next road trip!!
From: Steve Twist on 3rd Oct 2006 21:58.55
Simply the BEST.
From: TheDon on 3rd Oct 2006 22:39.24
You've got to love a bit of Karim!
From: Raf E on 3rd Oct 2006 22:58.51
A true LEGEND!!!
From: MooShoo on 3rd Oct 2006 23:41.14
I've always admired the way you have an unaltered stance on your sound, always true to yourself and the scene as a whole. Not seen you in f*?%kin ages but hope to get to one of your gigs soon to see you and the rest of the lady boys ie Tom and the crew!!! Top interview
From: Anja on 4th Oct 2006 01:33.05
Absolute star, never disappoints, hammers it just the way I like it. Only wish we saw more of him here in Oz 
From: *cheeky chick* on 4th Oct 2006 09:02.32
I don't get to hear Karim as much as i'd like to these days so really looking forward to seeing my fav dj rip it up at Insekt.
From: ~deleted5181 on 4th Oct 2006 10:09.43
Always been my favoirte hard DJ. and always will be.
From: e99 on 4th Oct 2006 10:55.23
From: MissNasty on 4th Oct 2006 11:35.50
New material to be tested at twist!!!!! OMG can't wait for it missed his last few sets so looking forward to it big time! never been disappiont from Karim each and every time i see him play he gets better and better!
Without a doubt my fav Dj who has given me inspiration to mix!
see you sunday!
From: Karim Lamouri on 4th Oct 2006 11:47.07
Awww....thanks for the lovely comments all of you....really really appreciate it!
From: Aaron Baskerville on 4th Oct 2006 17:46.52
Your a legend mate
From: Letty Bird on 4th Oct 2006 20:10.15
Karim is a legend! Come back to SF!! x
From: dimitry on 5th Oct 2006 10:54.26
good read, keep up the good work!
From: Maria on 5th Oct 2006 11:15.50
Wicked interview Benz! Karim still on my list of my favorites hard djs. See you at Insekt!!! mmmwwwhhhhhaaaa
From: anushka007 on 5th Oct 2006 11:42.01
Wicked read 
chop-chop, chop-chop, chop-chop...
I never used to liked Karim that much BUT after few visits to Twist he has completly changed my mind about hard house music and his music / mixing always got me dancing at early hours of Sunday morning.
Its time to party 
From: Andy Rise on 5th Oct 2006 14:09.45
quality read, An absolute legend in the scene
From: rossy on 5th Oct 2006 15:08.54
 to all that has been said and more..
Look forward to seein u out again mate
From: *adamski* on 5th Oct 2006 16:57.02
Karim, the mozart of hard nrg. Karim your tracks have rip roaring baselines that rip other artists to shreads. Karim can't wait to see you at insekt, the place is gonna rock. Adam
From: *adamski* on 5th Oct 2006 17:03.22
Karim, the mozart of hard nrg. Karim your tracks have rip roaring baselines that rip other artists to shreads. Karim can't wait to see you at insekt, the place is gonna rock. Adam
From: mattpickup on 5th Oct 2006 17:27.42
good stuff matey great interview !!!!!!!!!!
From: Lucy Fur on 5th Oct 2006 18:09.14
Go babe!!!!!!!!!!
From: karl davis on 5th Oct 2006 23:22.19
legend
From: Redrum on 5th Oct 2006 23:49.26
Never ceases to amaze me with his immense talent. A true legend in dance music .
From: WEBBO on 6th Oct 2006 14:09.02
"I LOVE IT "
From: Steve Twist on 6th Oct 2006 20:27.08
Awwww Anushka, that's a nice thing to say. I do wish some people would give Karim a try with an open mind. I think many have a pre-conceived idea of what he is and it's usually wrong. If not at Twist see him at Insekt or another night party!!
From: J-D on 7th Oct 2006 09:44.05
Love him or hate him
the mans a fucking LEGEND, who never fails to rip up the dance floor.
*NOTE TO KARIM*
Please just keep up the great work and never stop being you dude.
From: Jennie B on 7th Oct 2006 11:06.46
See Anetta all those times I told you to give it a go! 
Karim @ Twist is a unique experience! 
See you on sunday! even though I am supposed to be having a weekend off
From: Tom Basquil on 7th Oct 2006 16:33.10
True legend! Always look forward to hearing him play, tomorrows Twist is one I'm looking forward to even more now!
Love the black&white pic hahaha
From: Marc Johnson on 7th Oct 2006 21:02.42
Have to agree about Karim, while the moneys dried up in the hard house scene he still keeps on going regardless of profit.Theres a few that should take note and fly the flag. looking forward to the 13th and see you all there
From: Steve Gillen on 8th Oct 2006 13:52.55
great interview fella. Cant wait to hear your set at Insekt
From: J_T on 8th Oct 2006 22:56.20
Wicked interview , roll on insekt, make up for me missing you today,, oh and there better be heartbreak on friday
From: sexyminx on 10th Oct 2006 20:17.39
What a legend Karim as always you blow the roof off. Love hearing your sets especially back in the days at Viaduct and now at Twist. Can't wait for the 13th Oct. We're gonna have it large  Mass to you
From: protic on 10th Oct 2006 22:24.34
Argh, I may have to take a tiny bit of time out, get up early on Sunday and head down to Twist. Jay A is up from Bournemouth so I'm sure he wouldn't mind either. Only problem is the masses and masses of college work I've got to do, topped off by having to strip the paintwork in the bathroom. God I hate having no life!!!
Jennie, don't worry about coming out of retirement so quickly, I've not exactly been the angel I inteded when going back to uni, yet somehow I got everything done last weekend.
From: Jennie B on 11th Oct 2006 10:50.13
Ben where were you on sunday?????????????
You SHOULD have been there!!!!
Opened with Ditch the Bitch, closed with no women allowed and in the middle it was classic after classic after classic......hocus pocus, 100%....it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
From: wez on 12th Oct 2006 21:48.18
Karim.....THE UTMOST RESPECT IS DUE!!!!!
Luvya darlin and miss you big time.
Must get my ass down to see ya soon.
xxxxMWAHxxxx
From: Jennie B on 13th Oct 2006 10:13.11
YEAH SARAH YOU MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would be good to see ya babe!!!!
From: Ed Real on 13th Oct 2006 13:47.08
what a legend! hard as nails! looks like it's gonna be a rocking insekt! :-)
From: Miss Riding on 14th Oct 2006 03:05.47
Top interview Karim, love ya work. Stoked we get to party together again on NYD. Counting down now. xx the fishcookies.
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