Every seven days we profile an up-and-coming DJ worthy of your attention, this week, DJ Rusha.

Please introduce yourself briefly
My name is Alex Dawson aka DJ Rusha aka Jack Da Ripper. I live in London, though have lived in most corners of the UK, so I've got to see what it's like raving in a few places.

I started going to raves around seven years ago, and was listening to the odd jungle tune. Then I started to listening to old Hysteria tape packs with a few friends and got more and more involved with the scene.

I managed to blag my parents into buying me some decks for Christmas four years ago, and started going to Basement Studios, the place Roni Size learnt to mix in Bristol, with my friend and partner in crime MC Tommy D. We formed a pair called Double Trouble and we've taken bookings all over the UK.

What styles do you play?
I play mostly dirty jump-up. I've always loved the energy of it. I'm addicted to dubs and promos, I always need to be listening to something new! Most of the bookings I get are for jump-up, but I don't limit myself to just the one style. If I think it's good, I'll play it, and usually the crowd will respond in the same way. I like playing the odd bit of liquid, especially in summer.

Do you promote your own night?
I promote my own night called Deranged, it's been running for just under two years now with some big nights in the pipeline. I've taken the promotion to Bristol and London so far and it's getting bigger and bigger each time. It's good to see the hard work finally paying off.

We've had some big names pass through including Devious D, Sly, Pleasure, Bluefoot, Rowney, Propa G, Fun, Herbzie, Rhymes, Lok-I, Sweetpea and Krafty to name a few. I like to get a blend of big names, up-and-coming artists and help to support the local talent too. My last event was in memory of MC Rushman (RIP).

Tell us about your other residencies
I have residencies at Ransakd, a Bristol based promotion and another in Bristol run by Urbanfront Records. I have a residency in Birmingham with Face The Bass which is raising money for aid in Africa, which feels really good to be part of. Recently I have just been taken on by Hysteria in the Academy which is wicked, as Hysteria helped get me heavily into D&B. It's a real dream come true. I've got regular bookings each month now and am getting a few bookings coming through for next year which is really cool.

Have you got into production yet?
I've dabbled in the past with production at secondary school, but the facilities were quite poor so I didn't pursue anything back then. I have a couple of download releases available now, and have been signed to Urbanfront Records. Lately I've been helped by Shifta and Tron who have helped me get to grips with some different software, so thanks chaps! But still I want to be perfecting my own sound before I am releasing anything again.

What's the next challenge for you?
I really want to be pressing on with further bookings and getting more exposure to be where I want to be. So I will be looking more into production and getting my sound right. But the biggest thing at the moment is the launch of my artist agency 'Nu Era Artists Agency' along with a record label 'New Era Records'. The challenge is finding the balance with personal life, and working around a full time job, but it will be an enjoyable challenge.

Anything else you'd like to tell us about?

Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way, you know who you are. Thanks to all the ravers too. Big up!

www.myspace.com/rusha101

 

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