Interview: Hot Since 82

Barnsley boy Daley Padley AKA Hot Since 82 has come a long way since tearing up the local club scene. A residency at Cream Ibiza, DJ Award for Best Tech House and the successful start-up of own record label Knee Deep In Sound are just some of his career conquests to date. With a headline slot at CODE Warehouse coming up, we thought it was high time we heard from the man himself.

You started out playing 12-hour sets when you were 18. What was it like entertaining the club scene at such a young age? Was this the best way to learn?
That’s right, and I think it was definitely the best way to learn. Not only was l playing 12/13-hour sets week in week out, l was also being educated by the locals that came into the clubs and bars at the time. The locals were old ravers from the Manchester Hacienda days and Renaissance in Nottingham. It was the perfect time for me to learn my craft and also find those hidden gems that people my own age had probably never heard of.

Being from South Yorkshire, were you influenced by the bassline/niche scene that was taking off in nearby Sheffield?
Unfortunately l wasn’t. But that’s not taking anything away from that scene. Some of the bassline l really love. I was just always influenced by the more soulful side of music. House music and US garage was my thing. I come from a soulful background so back in the day l had to have a nice bassline but with a lush vocal.

Do you miss Yorkshire when you’re jet setting around the world?
I have to say a massive yes. I’m a proud Yorkshire man. I also love the outdoors. I’m always on planes, or in clubs, cars etc., so whenever l get the chance to get some real oxygen l do, and there’s no better place than God’s own country – Yorkshire. Even when I’m on my travels I know that whatever country I’m in, it will never really compares to the beauty of Yorkshire.

Can you remember the first time you got behind the decks?
I can, it was my 18th birthday party at a club called KGV in Barnsley. It was the first time l was going out live, but luckily I had some help from my best friend, who could mix a lot better than me. I had all my friends with me and it was a huge success. After that night l got a residency there for five years!

What’s the biggest buzz about performing?
I think personally the biggest buzz is seeing the smile on people’s faces. It gives you the most fulfilment ever. You’re in control and only you can make these people happy. I’ve always seen music as a way to express yourself, so if l can express myself musically and also make people have the best time ever then I’m happy.

What would be your dream bill of DJs to play alongside?
To be honest, I’ve already played with my heroes – Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Masters at Work. I’ve been very lucky. I would have loved to have met Larry Levan who was the resident of NYC’S famous Paradise Garage back in the day. What a hero.

Your residency at Cream Ibiza (2006) was followed by a move to Leeds. Usually you’d expect a DJ’s career to go the other way around, so what triggered the move?
I’ve spent most of my time in Leeds really. I’ve always clothes-shopped there, record-shopped there, raved there. It just made sense. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world. It’s got the friendliest people and the nightlife is always on point.

Tell us a bit about your Knee Deep in Sound record label. What’s the ethos/what made you want to start it?
I was just getting sent so much good music on social media from bedroom producers that couldn’t catch a break. I wanted to produce an outlet for these guys and put new music out. The ethos was simple – good quality underground music. And it’s still the same now. The label is doing so well and its gained its own identify which in today’s world is hard to do. From the artwork to the direction musically, it has its own character and i’m very happy with it.

How do you think you have grown as a DJ since first starting out? Have your sets changed?
If anything I’m the same person, just a little older and a little wiser. Your music taste does change, but l love what l do and I’m super passionate about dance music. I always have been. I can’t see anything changing for a while. I get paid to make people dance what a job, eh?

Have you got any exciting releases for us to watch out for?
I’m currently working on an exciting new project that l can’t say too much about. And I’m in my studio as we speak working on a really nice remix for Joe Goddard. I’ve also just launched an exciting new project on my label called “8-Track” where l choose a producer l love and ask them to write eight special records for a mini-album, so to speak. I choose Cristoph for the first and it’s out in a few weeks. He’s done a sterling job.

Catch Hot Since 82 at CODE Warehouse for Musik on Friday 28th October. Head to here for tickets and more info.

What’s on at Musik:

With an annual line-up of some of the finest DJs on the circuit it’s no wonder Code got voted Best Club at this year’s Exposed Awards. Here’s a taster of what’s coming up this month as part of their Musik clubnight…

Vibe Killers
Fri 4th Nov
This duo from Burnley have been making waves on the house music scene of late, garnering support from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix, Rinse FM, DJ Mag, Loco Dice, Richy Ahmed, Ryan Elliott and Jamie Jones. Definitely ones to keep your eyes on.

Dennis Ferrer
Fri 21st Oct
Having worked with the likes of The Martinez Brothers and Masters At Work, New York based DJ and veteran of soulful house Dennis Ferrer will bring the party to Code this month. Expect plenty of snapshots from his latest venture Objektivity – his cutting edge record label putting a uniquely American spin on the deep house revival going on right now.

Franky Rizardo
Fri 14 Oct
After catching him at the Defected opening at Amnesia in 2015 and Sankeys Ibiza, the guys at Code wasted no time in booking Franky Rizardo. A refreshing approach to house music, his insane schedule saw him recently play almost 70 gigs in the space of two months, affirming his credentials as one of the hardest working DJs out there.