SoundOf: Zombie Disco Squad

With an impressive CV of releases on Dirty Bird, Made to Play and Sound Pellegrino, along with a residency at Berlin's Watergate, ZDS seemed an obvious choice for SoundOf.

Mixes

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SoundOf focuses on the DJs and producers who are making waves in the dance music underground.

Each edition features an exclusive mix and interview with an artist who has been handpicked by the team at Ministry Magazine.

Zombie Disco Squad, ZDS or Nat self, is a DJ and producer from England whose been making waves since 2006. Formerly a duo, Lucas Hunter left, leaving Nat to retain the ZDS moniker. With an impressive CV of releases on Dirty Bird, Made to Play and Sound Pellegrino, along with a residency at Berlin's Watergate, Nat seemed an obvious choice for episode 6 of Spotlight.

First of all thanks for doing an exclusive mix for us, what did you go for in the mix? Is this a representation of what you play out now or more what you listen to at home?

It's a mix between both. My mixes tend to be what I want I feel like dancing to as I do it.

For those who may be new to your music, how would you describe your sound?

I would say it's house with influences from booty bass, Detroit techno, New York house and tons of swing on the drums.

How did you first get in to music, when did you know you wanted to be a DJ?

I grew up in Brixton and my mum's radio four signal was constantly being interrupted by pirate radio stations (so middle class ha!). I got a very big dose of pretty good dance music at a very young age from that and was glued to the pirates from about 9 I guess. I just decided to give it a go one day when I was about 23 and was lucky to be playing pretty steadily from then till now.

What have you got coming up on the horizon?

I have a track on a Suara comp in August, an EP on Davide Squillace's This and That Lab in September, an EP on Play It Down in October...... oh and a remix of AudioJack's "Stayed Glued", an EP for Heidi's label, Jackathon, and some more stuff I can't remember at the moment. I've been a busy boy!

What can the Ministry of crowd expect from your set at DJ Mag Sessions?

To dance! That's what I'm there for! My mix is a pretty good idea of what I play but I always adapt it a bit to the crowd.

What do you think of the state of dance music at the minute?

Since it started I don't think dance music has been ever been bad (by dance I mean house) - it's just where you choose to focus. There is some awesome music about at the minute and some right tosh - same as always. I'm interested to see if EDM lasts - I feel like that scene is pretty far removed from what I do and like however.

Who are the most exciting underground artists that our readers might not have heard of but who you think will be big names to come?

I'm into these guys at the minute -

Matrixxman

Motions

O&A

LEXXI_

Titeknots

Who are you biggest influences?

To name some off the top of my head - Green Velvet/Cajmere, Claude von Stroke, Jesse Rose, DJ Deeon, Henrik Schwarz, Derrick Carter/Luke Solomon ( all the classic music company stuff), Dance Mania, Masters at Work, Kerri Chandler - the list is massive!

What do you like to do on your day off, what’s a typical Sunday like for you?

I don't really do days off. I love playing and making music so I don't consider it work - I consider going to the airport work - everything else is pure fun. So if I'm not hanging with friends I'm making music or looking for new tracks.

How do you prepare for a gig?

I generally have a look through my music for a few hours and that's about it - I rarely know what I'm going to play.

Who are your dream collaborators, past or present?

Green Velvet, Jamie Principle, Mr White, DJ Deeon, Basement Jaxx and Prince. I already ticked DJ Funk and Omar off that list which I'm pretty happy about.

Tell us something we don’t know about ZDS?

My last landlord was one of the guys who did the song "Can You Feel It" (which is a bootleg) and released the first acid house compilation in the UK - the compilation was what gave MDMA the name "E".

Tracklist

Zoe Xenia - "You Got Me Started" (Catz 'N Dogz Remix)

Steve Strip - "Bust your Shit"

Rynecologist - "B.A.N"

Sebo K - "Avalanche"

Johnny Fiasco - "Werk It" - (DJ Sneak Remix)

Andre Abujamra - "Origem" (Claude von Stroke Rmx)

Jaxson and David Keno - "Callipo"

Gypsymen - "Hear the Music"

Sydney Charles - "Mallindi"

Claude VonStoke - "Dood" (Kill Frenzy Remix)

Sonny Fodera - "It"