SOCIAL CONSCIENCE
To those of you who’ve not seen Freeq magazine before now, you might not be aware that we created a ‘social conscience’ section for each issue of the magazine and were the first publication to blend creative arts and social conscience. Over the past years we’ve proudly featured articles on ethical fashion, aid working in Sudan, democracy in the Maldives, the earthquake in Haiti, and we’ve worked with charities big and small, including Oxfam, Shelter, Christian Aid, and Cancer Research. We’re always interested in worthy causes that you know of, work with, or just want to generate some publicity for. Get in touch if you think there is something that people need to know about. In the meantime you should definitely check out an organisation called 38 degrees who work to bring important political issues to the public’s attention. They’ve been lobbying the Government to save the NHS and are currently campaigning to reduce gas and electricity bills. Founder of 38 degrees David Babbs explained his decision behind setting up the organisation. “We launched in May 2009 as there was an underlying assumption that loads of people in the UK were being dismissed by politicians as apathetic, but we felt they were just not being connected with. We wanted to set up an independent organisation that could connect with the public.”
KERRI CHANDLER
IT’S NOT EVERYDAY YOU BUMP INTO A HOUSE MUSIC LEGEND, SO WHEN WE SAW KERRI ‘KAOZ’ CHANDLER BOUNCING THROUGH THE CROWD AT CIRCO LOCO WE JUST HAD TO GRAB HIM FOR 5 MINUTES. I have read that you come from a musical family? Yes, my father was a DJ and I started DJing when I was 13. What was it like growing up in New Jersey? Everyday’s a Great Adventure - some places more than others. People from New Jersey know exactly what I’m talking about. What musicians or artists have had an influence on you? Roy Ayers, Kraftwerk, Kool and the Gang and most of my peers. I read that you built your own studio? I have been working on it for the last 25 years and it’s changing daily. If your studio was burning down and you could only grab one piece of kit what would it be? My TR909
What now for the NHS? 38 degrees exists on donations made by its members and if you’ve become disillusioned with how the country is being run then visit their website at www.38degrees.org. uk and get yourself involved.
Is it true that you pray before each set? I have a silent prayer. I’m not religious but I am spiritual. What things outside of music inspire and influence you? Lack of sleep, kite flying, skateboarding, the beach, shark fishing, biking, astronomy, physics, the Twilight Zone, electronics, robotics, AI, cooking. How did it feel to win deep house DJ of the year last year? It felt good especially to know that I’m appreciated for what I love to do. When can we see you in England again? You can check KerriChandler.com for upcoming tour dates.