George Smart

Name, where are you from? 
George Smart. I am from Oxford but currently living in Manchester.

What do you do? 
I am a fashion design student, model and DJ.

Describe your style in three words? 
Innovative, coordinated, and relaxed.

What is the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Best gig I have ever been has to be the North Quarter boat party at Outlook 2019. The sun was beaming down and Lenzman, FD and Red Eyes were playing soulful summer liquid whilst Fox was shelling down the vocals.

If you could put any three artists in history on a lineup?
This is a hard one, but I would have to put Marvin Gaye and James Brown on a set together going back-to-back. Both these icons have influenced generations of music especially Marvin’s 1971 'What's Going On' album which is a personal favourite and would be top of my list. Closing the line-up would be The Notorious B.I.G solely for his impact on hip-hop and his iconic records. 'Juicy' and 'Hypnotize' were some of the first hip-hop tracks I had on repeat.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I would say I am most inspired by a combination of subcultures. The UK rave scene because my music selection when mixing is mainly jungle, footwork and garage and these genres mainly originated in the '90s and early 2000s. The use of baggy sportswear in the rave scene has had an impact on my style and the kind of trousers I wear however, I also like to dress smart and combine
mod and skinhead styled polos and jackets with sportswear tracksuits to create my own looks.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
For me personally one of my idols and someone I have always wanted to meet would be Goldie, this is because he is one of the main pioneers of the jungle and drum and bass scene due to his iconic understanding of music. Some of the tracks that have been released on his Metalheadz label are the reason I first started mixing.

Where is your favourite independent venue?
It's got to be Tresor in Berlin. I really liked how the club makes you focus on the music and exclusivity of the night by taping your cameras up when entering the venue. Also, the underground bank volt layout is the perfect setting for the industrial techno that is played there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Sully – He is a breakbeat, dark garage and modern jungle producer from the UK. I have always loved mixing his tunes and listening to the way he produces. His use of sliced up samples and dark amen breaks make his tunes industrial and individual in the breakbeat scene currently.