Local Legend DJ OP1 returns to the Festival

Local hero and turntablist extraordinaire returns to the Music Barn festival in 2023. 

We caught up with him for a chat about his influences and how he creates his sets:

Hey Robin,
Thanks for agreeing to chat to us ahead of your set at The Music Barn in June. I’ve penned a few
q’s below but please feel free to ad lib if there’s anything, you’d like to talk about that I haven’t
mentioned. Really looking forward to seeing you at the event!

You are a bit of local legend in the DJing sphere always turning up with some amazing
track selections coupled with flawless turntable skills. How did you start your career?
I’ve always been a music lover so it was inevitable that I got into djing at some point (even
though it was never on my radar as a goal). I can remember listening to dreamscape tape packs
as a kid and wondering how they were making the tune all sound like one long song. I didn’t
know about turntables and mixing back then. I assumed it was all done on synths and machines
etc. It was a bit later when I discovered hiphop that I really got to see how it was done. Watching
videos on mtv with beastie boys and cypress hill opened my eyes and ears. I knew I had to get
some turntables and I managed to get a terrible pair and mixer from Cash converters. I djed with
a band for a bit then I eventually got some 1210s and it all began to fall into place from there.
Buying records all the time, playing wherever I could. Even entering the DMC dj battles (I didn’t
get anywhere though). It all helped form the dj I am today!

You have been DJing for years. What’s been your most memorable career moment to
date?
There’s been so many great moments and I’ve been lucky enough to support legends like
Grandmaster Flash, Pharoah Monch, RA The Ruggedman, Dom Letts to name a few.

You have started producing your own tracks. Who’s your biggest musical influence?
Dj Shadow has always been a massive influence. Hearing his ‘Endtroducing’ album changed my
life! I loved the moody beats and samples and scratches and the way he does his drums.

You have played many times at the Festival and you always get the crowd jumping; is
there a set formula you use, or do you just go with the flow?
I don’t have a specific formula. I don’t plan my sets too much on the whole. I have a few folders
of different vibes and genres I can draw from as well as having a few small routines with tracks I
can slip into the mix. Normally I go with the flow and try and take the crowd on a bit of a
journey through different styles and flavas.

Live music venues have really been struggling over the pandemic years. Has the scene
changed much in the wake of the pandemic?
I think the live music scene is still recovering and will be for a good while too. Venues
still don’t seem as busy as they were pre corona although I’ve noticed they are slowly
getting there. I think things like online streaming and in house entertainment has a lot to
answer for in that respect. Hopefully it’ll come full circle soon though and we can have
full venues!

Where do you love to spend time when you’re not on stage? / How do you like to relax
when you’re not working?
I’m always listening to music and searching for new stuff to play. I can’t get enough of it.
If I’m not listening to it, I’m making beats.

Marmite or Marmalade?
Neither! Both are rank!