B2B: FLY Club's Big Miz x KETTAMA

From its humble beginnings in the cavernous basement of Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire to throwing weekly parties between Edinburgh and Glasgow, FLY Club has gone from strength to strength over the years.

But the team behind it set their sights even higher a few years ago when they launched their inaugural festival FLY Open Air at Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh in September 2016. For the next edition, they took on the regal surrounds of 17th century stately home Hopetoun House, situated in South Queensferry, and they’ve been going back and forth between the two locations ever since.

This month, the festival returns to Hopetoun House, with another huge line-up, featuring sets from the likes of Solomun – who will be making his first appearance in Scotland for over ten years – Seth Troxler, Honey Dijon, Nina Kraviz and Peggy Gou. After expanding to two days for the first time last year, the festival is set to get even bigger this year with a stage takeover across both days from Boiler Room, who will be making their Scottish festival debut.

Already counting a host of Scottish DJs, including Jasper James, Denis Sulta and Theo Kottis, who have gone on to become international successes, the FLY Club roster got even bigger this year with the team announcing Eclair Fifi and Big Miz as new residents for 2019. Here, Big Miz and KETTAMA discuss records, raves and remaining true to yourself, as they gear up to play at FLY Open Air this month.

Big Miz: What was the first record you ever bought?

KETTAMA: I only started my record collection about four years ago so I'm still chasing, but my first record was FJAAK – The Wind, bought from Rush Hour in Amsterdam and it's still class.

Can you remember your first rave – where was it and who played?

The first proper rave that really was a formative experience for me was SHXCXCHCXSH and Tommy Holohan ages ago in Hangar in Dublin, and it was the first time I ever went out in Dublin as well. I remember it just being so nuts. There was never that sort of underground music being played in such a venue where I was from in the west, so this really changed a lot for me.

Can you name the top five records that influenced your sound?

It’s hard to pick five records alone because I feel my sound is a lot more of a mash of everything, but these are some standouts:

1. Todd Edwards – Saved My Life (Grant Nelson Remix)
2. DJ Haus – Addicted 2 Houz
3. De Sluwe Vos – OG Anthem
4. Alden Tyrell – GET05
5. FJAAK – Don’t Leave Me

Where has been your favourite party this year?

It’s hard to pick one alone, but up there at the top is definitely either Newcastle, where I played at Cosmic Ballroom, or Belfast at Limelight – two top class clubs and the vibes those two nights were mental.

Have you got any tips for aspiring young DJs or producers?

The main tip I have for aspiring young DJs or producers is just make or play whatever YOU really like and are into. When I started out producing I just made whatever I wanted at that time and didn't try to fit into a certain genre or think of a certain type of label I was going to try to get the records on to. I was just making it because I enjoy it. Find what you like and go for it.

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FLY Open Air, Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, 18 & 19 May