Francis Redman

Name: Francis Redman

Show: DRCTNS

When are you on?
Rotational on Saturdays from 10pm to midnight.

What type of music can we expect to hear on your show?
Soul. Ultimately we play across the board, you could divide this into hip-hop, house, beats and jazz, but (underground) soul is what links it together.

How did you get into this type of music?
I have been into hip-hop from the age of about 13. I was listening to lots of it having found artists like Nas from Tupac via Gravediggaz.

Late in the 1990s I got simultaneously into underground hip-hop with Mos Def, alongside a lot of house music and the tail-end of the New York Garage scene. I used to buy records from (the local Exeter shop owned by) Mr Onions and Michael (The Onionheart Album Show). Their insight into more subtle and deep music forms was another large influence. It never felt like ‘getting into it’, as it was (and still is) a journey where one exciting thing leads you to something else a bit different.

How long have you been DJing?
Since I was 14 (in my bedroom), since I was 18 in public. I am now 26.

How did you start DJing?
As soon as I heard someone segue one record into another I was fascinated; the way each record had added emphasis and the way the space between them placed each in a different light. That really was it; I had to do it myself.

Can we find you DJing anywhere other than on Phonic FM?
You could check www.francisredman.com,  www.likeus.co.uk or www.holditdown.org for some more info as and when its relevant. Sign up to the PLUS mailer for emailed info.

What has been your most embarrassing DJing moment?
I have been lucky – not too many shockers. DJing to an empty room is always bad? Someone asking you for the name of a record in a more discerning venue when you only know it as ‘track four off that album’ makes you feel a bit daft.

What has been your best DJing moment?
Anytime where you play a record and you actually feel the energy in the room build – not necessarily more people dancing – but the point where you feel that (nearly) everyone there is together in a moment with you, and a piece of music you love.

Who is your favourite artist?
I can’t say. Theo Parrish? Jay Dee? Larry Heard? My favourite record ever is Roy Davis Jnr,  Gabriel, a perfect moment – though by no means is he my favourite artist. Andre 3000 would be pretty close as an all round artist, entertainer and personality.

What is your all time favourite album?
Nas, Illmatic. Because of the age I was when it came out, because every track on it still gives me goose bumps. Because it’s timeless and perfectly-almost-perfect.

Where do you shop for music?
Man, I live in London, so in terms of regular trips, I usually reach Berwick St in Soho (where I work) once a week for a scoot round Soul Jazz Music, Video Exchange or Phonica. I shop a bit online, and there is a really good charity shop at the top of my road in North London. If I am in the South West and have the time, which is most times I do a show, I of course will pop into Onionheart in Exmouth.