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Grum's production skills are self-taught

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Grum – aka Scotsman Graeme Shepherd – is an electro/disco/house DJ and producer. When he's not holed away in his studio in Leeds, he can be found playing out at international hotspots including Bestival, The Warehouse Project and Razmatazz.

Three singles released in 2009 received rave reviews in NME, Mixmag and Future Music, and set the blog world alight. Grum is currently putting the finishing touches to his debut album, due in April.

How did you get into producing tracks?

"When I was around 14 I got really interested in dance music and production in general. When I develop a passion for something like that I need to know everything about it, so I bought loads of Dance Nation CDs and gradually got into some cooler stuff.

"I really wanted to learn about how to make my own music, so I got a shareware version of FruityLoops and spent a couple of years playing around with that. I had always made music to learn about technique, but in around 2006 I decided I wanted to use this knowledge to develop my own sound, which is when the Grum stuff came about."

Was getting into DJing primarily a means to getting your own tracks heard?

"Actually I got myself some cheap belt-drive decks when I was 15 and got into DJing purely as an extension of my love for music. It was more just a fun thing to do at weekends with mates – playing loud music and annoying the neighbours.

"Of course, since my productions have become popular, my DJ sets have been more in demand. This has meant really getting into the role and attaining a deeper understanding of what DJing is about. When the bookings started coming in I started out using Traktor, as I wanted to use technology to enhance what I was doing. Eventually, though, I found that I preferred using CDJs and the freedom they give."

How and when did you get your big break?

"Most of my DJ gigs have come from my online production presence, so I guess when the blogs started heavily featuring me it all took off. Early on I ended up having gigs all over the world due to really passionate party promoters loving the music.

"Things aren't so quick in England, maybe due to saturation, so it's been a harder slog here to build up my profile. Having regular plays on Radio 1 has helped greatly. Really it's a constant process with incremental gains, rather than having one big break."

What are the most important qualities and skills a good DJ needs to have?

"For me, the main role of a good DJ is to play some awesome music and create a hedonistic vibe in the club. People go out to have a great time and as an escape from everyday life, so it's important to fulfil that need.

"Everyone says that super-tight mixing makes a great DJ, but for me the tune selection is just as important, if not more. I think the DJ must meet peoples' expectations in some ways; for example, I always try and play lots of my own music, and people will also expect to hear some big current tunes. However, it can be good to throw in a few curveballs by dropping tracks that would perhaps not be expected – I like to play some early 90s piano house when I can get away with it!

"Set progression is also quite important for me – I think there should to be ups and downs. The old cliché is a rollercoaster ride, but it works. The music can be used to play with the audience's emotions."

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