Few points on how to be a good MC

I have been wanting to be an MC for years, how do I get my break? How do I get on the stage like you? How did you get to where you are? What makes a good MC/Host?

These are questions I regularly get asked and have been for years, its also a topic I come across on many 'scene chat' status's across social media. To me there is no right or wrong way its all about finding your own style, I just thought id share with you all what I consider the key ingredients to making you a complete performer!

1. Never MC Over Vocals !!!!

This is the #1 rule in my opinion. To me an MC/Host job is to complement and enhance the music! Have you ever been listening the radio and your singing your heart out to a great track and the radio presenter starts speaking and your like arghhhhhh!!!!! Its the same let the vocal breath so to speak, there is plenty time for you to do shout outs or drop your latest rhyme or hook line. Learn the music you are working to sing along with it yourself (albeit microphone not by your mouth) enjoy the tracks that are being played so you are together with the people in the venue.

2. Work On Your Live Voice And Stage Presence

If you want to be working in the clubs the way you project your voice is more important than having any 'sick barz' trust me. Iv seen many great MC's who can spit rhymes for days but live in a club 9/10 people don't really no whats getting said in the long rhymes. If your voice is loud and clear then its much easier to manipulate the crowd and get across your point. That being said learn what level is best for you, remember its all about the music don't have the mic to loud. It should be the same level as a vocal on a track anything louder is too much. In 11 years id say Iv seen about 4 MC's actually turn the mic down to get the right level, don't be selfish and remember your role. Move around the stage dont stand still with your hands in your pockets, look like your having a good time even if your not. People respond to your actions as well as your words, if you put your hands in the air then chances are a lot will follow. Enjoy yourself out there!

3. Learn When To Speak and If Your Hosting Less Is More

Not over vocals as mentioned or not over mixing or scratching is when i keep quiet. If you do as I said above i'e learn the tracks you will know when the drops are etc. The way everything is heading though its all about the hosting. Not just bounce either look at all the big EDM festivals across the world, most of the DJ's have a host now or even (try) do it themselves. Although I had been doing it 10 years and done multiple overseas gigs, when I did a season in Malia doing it everyday its only then your truly know how much to do. Your learn to look after your voice as your working every night. You are working to majority of the crowd who have never heard your rhymes so my favorite line somebody once told me is 'if they aint going to say something back to you what is the point in saying it?' if your hosting all night speaking a few times an hour with the odd bar here and there to enhance the track is enough. If somebody leaves a venue saying that guy on the mic was 'sick' then as a host you have done to much in my opinion. If you want to get the best experiance my advice would be go do a season overseas.

4. Be Individual

This is the a very hard facet to have. I was lucky as at the time nobody was doing the type of rhymes etc. I was doing. Not everybody took to it straight away but I kept to my own style then eventually other people started to imitate it. I would never say im a pioneer, I simply took all the good parts from a lot of people I looked up to, then put my own twist on it. If you are blatantly ripping somebody off there is a ceiling that you aint going to break through. Be different and chances are it will get you noticed, if you are talented enough and work hard enough you will succeed. You need to get to a point that when your in a club or on a cd and your performing people will instantly say thats MC B, thats MC Cover, Thats MC Efeeze etc. work on a mixture of catchy rhymes, hooklines and clever rhymes. Rhymes that have meaning and rhymes that have a good flow. Me personally now I right rhymes for mix cds etc. then just use hooklines only when im hosting events. I only use rhymes in that scenario if I know it will get a crowd reaction.

5. Don't Mic Blag, Earn Your Stripes

This is a the biggest pet hate for an MC full stop. No matter what level you are at you at dont be asking the MC for a go. Whats even worse is backing it up saying 'i blow MC such abody out the water' that to me is instant disrespect. You shouldn't be concerned who is better than who, just focus on yourself. If you think you aint getting the bookings you deserve then do something about it. Talk to people on equal terms, take constructive criticism, go to gigs and take pointers how they work, do mixes (personally handing them in as well is a big thumbs up), promote yourself on social media (big part in this day and age). Its and old cliche but it is true you only get what you put in. Another cliche is 'its not what you know its who you know' and this is true in some respects. However when I started I didnt no anybody at all. I got eventually got my break after working on u18's open mic events then took my chance when It was given. Earn your strips dont expect to be earning big bucks straight away. I worked for free for the first 18 months then eventually built it up from there. Also when you 'make it' its importnat to stay grounded and not get ahead of yourself, no what level you are at.

For me if you follow them 5 points then you have all the points to do well. Also this applies for all music genres, if your good enough for one then you should be able to switch styles and genres. As I said earlier this is all based on my own opinion and experiance Iv had. Hope it answers a lot of your questions and even if you dont agree with anything thats fine, this is just my views but always you do your own thing. Most important thing of all aswell is you got to work hard!

Also id like to thank everybody for the support in 2015 and I wish you all the best for 2016

Finchy

https://soundcloud.com/mc-finchy
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHgnZw6PzbfSjFCFRSJPMA
www.facebook.com/themcfinchy

December 2015

me and Dee Dee

Now then! November well its been a good month leading upto xmas, with some top events. Special mention to Sopranos and its main mon Cheeze, the videos from the event look banging and its great to see everybody going for it in Burnley, where it has been more of less dead for years! I was at Bowlers for Exxposure early in the month and was headlining in the bounce room with Micky B & Rob Cain. The event was being hosted by Katie Price (Jordan) of all people, unfortunately I didnt spot her in the crowd, rumour has it she wanted my autograph but thats not my kind of thing.

The following week was the trip over to Amsterdam with the BTID gang. Was great to be there again and sample the delights, if you no what i mean...thats right windmills & clogs! The boat party on the Friday was unreal, the atmosphere was electric and the DJ's where on point. Was great to see Klubfiller do hes thing iv been a huge fan for years. Unfortunately i woke up with a upset stomach which made me spend the duration of the trip on the toilet from there on so was bitterly dissapointed to miss Saturdays event, which i heard again was off the chain!

in action at Hyperactive

Following that i had my first hardcore gig in years at Hyperactive in Nantwich, Chesire. If you aint ever been a hardcore rave id highly advise you attend one, the atmosphere is second to none and the energy is unreal. It was surprising how well the crowd was reacting to me and knew alot of material and i had nothing but positive reviews from both ravers and other artists. Questions have been asked am I wanting to give hardcore a go etc. & the honest answer is YES. Iv been a big fan of hardcore since i was a teenager but my path took me into bounce. Iv have the had booking throughout the years but in all honesty couldnt fit in around my bounce & house (DJ) gigs. However iv set the foundations early this year to push myself in that scene next year and have already reached out with some key players which will all be announced in due course.

Id like to also thank everybody for liking my page on facebook. When i set this up in February I was not expecting it to give me the exposure it has & to reach 10k is a huge milestone and iv been overwhelmed by all the positive comments. The last video i posted up 'Wigan Town' has racked up 240k+ views - madness!

Its great to experiment with different music and get a wider audience viewing my stuff. Hopefully they can see all the great stuff happening in UK Bounce at the moment and attend some nights and see that this is such a great scene we should all be proud of.

Speaking of talented iv fired across a few questions to who I believe is the most talented producer we have in bounce and has been responsible for many big bounce anthems as one half of KB Project, Kenny Hayes (Starman, Left Eye, Doctor B). Here is what he had to say…

Hi Kenny although you may be new to a lot of people in the bounce scene this year, you have been around years doing different bits can you give us a brief description of what you have done musically from the start up to now?

MY FIRST STEP INTO THE INDUSTRY WAS WAY BACK IN 1993 WHEN I JOINED 2FUNKY2 AND REMIXED THE B-SIDE OF THE 7'' SINGLE TO 'BROTHERS & SISTERS'.
IN 1997 I WROTE & CO-PRODUCED 'AMOUR' BY THE PORN KINGS (UK Chart No.17) AND IN 1998 I WROTE 'CLEOPATRA'S THEME' FOR CLEOPATRA (UK Chart No.3). I STARTED WORKING ALONGSIDE AATW FROM THEN AND STILL WORK FOR THEM NOW 17 YEARS LATER! I'VE REMIXED AS KENNY HAYES, CLUBSTAR, FUGITIVE, SUNSHINE FUNK, BLUE SPHERE, SUNWALKERZ, LOCKOUT, SUPASOUND & EIGHTH DAY TO NAME A FEW AND HAVE DONE COLLAB REMIXES AS KB PROJECT (WITH BEN TRENGOVE), WAVESHAPERS (WITH LEE S) AND NORTHERN ALLSTARS (WITH STEVE COCKY & LEE BUTLER).

Kenny & Poomstyles

Taking it back to when you started who was your inspirations then? And who inspires you these days?

I GREW UP BUYING 12'' SINGLES THROUGH THE 80S & 90S SO A LOT OF MY INFLUENCES COME FROM THEN. I'M A HUGE FAN OF THE HOUSE AND RAVE ERA WHICH I EXPERIENCED FIRST TIME ROUND. CLASSIC 80S REMIXERS LIKE JELLYBEAN, ARTHUR BAKER, SHEP PETTIBONE AND PWL'S PHIL HARDING & PETE HAMMOND LED ME TO WANT TO BE A REMIXER. I PRIDE MYSELF ON BEING A LOVER OF ALL TYPES OF MUSIC WHETHER IT BE ROCK, POP, HOUSE, CHILLOUT, INDIE, DANCE AND EVEN CLASSICAL MUSIC. I LISTEN TO MUSIC FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS A DAY, 5 DAYS A WEEK SO PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING I LISTEN TO INSPIRES ME NOWADAYS.

What artists are doing it for you in the bounce scene?

BOUNCE HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH FROM WHEN I STARTED MAKING IT BACK AROUND 2003. THE SUB GENRES LIKE BUMPING, HARD BASS AND POKEY ARE ALL INTERESTING AND EXPAND THE BOUNCE GENRE TO A WIDER AUDIENCE. I LIKE A LOT OF ARTISTS, BUT THE ONES THAT TEND TO STAND OUT FOR ME ARE DAZ INMAN (POOMSTYLES), ACCELERATION DJS (HUDSON, KENTY, ETC), DJB, MOVIN (NATH BELTON), PHIL CRITCHLEY (GROOVE CONTROL) AND PHIL MAC. THOUGH FROM A DJ STANDPOINT THE BEST I'VE SEEN THAT MADE ME GO 'WOW' WOULD BE JOHN NEAL AND ROB CAIN.
INTERESTINGLY I'VE NEVER BEEN A HUGE FAN OF MCs, BUT THIS YEAR I'VE MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO LISTEN TO A FEW AND EVEN MADE A CD CALLED 'REMEDY' WITH MC LUKEY P & MC RAGE (Link on my Soundcloud).

You have been very busy in the studio churning out so many tracks. Which has been your personal favourite release this year?


OVER A HUNDRED TRACKS ON MY SOUNDCLOUD THIS YEAR (https://soundcloud.com/starmanmusicproduction). MY STARMAN FAV IS 'COME BACK TO ME' WHICH CAME OUT ON DNZ. MY DOCTOR B FAV IS FROM MY ATTACK THE TRACK EP 'TRI-HARD' OUT ON CHEEKY TRACKS. MY FAV LEFT EYE TRACK IS 'THE BEAT' WHICH CAME OUT LAST WEEK ON MY REBOUND UK LABEL AS PART OF EP#2.

You have done so many collabs also. Who have you found it easiest to work with in the studio?

Kenny & Ben Trengove (KB Project)

OBVIOUSLY THE EASIEST HAS BEEN MY LONG TERM WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH BEN TRENGOVE AS THE KB PROJECT. THIS YEARS NEW COLLABS HAVE BEEN WITH DJS AND FELLOW PRODUCERS AND EACH WORK DIFFERENTLY. I'D SAY THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WOULD BE WITH MATT CHEEZE AND IN ADDITION COLLABS WITH GLYNN FERRIS, DAZ INMAN & PHIL MAC ARE ALSO QUITE NOTABLE. THOUGH I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH EVERYONE THIS YEAR!

Going forward what can we expect from you heading into 2016? 

OBVIOUSLY I'VE HAD TO WORK HARDER THAN MOST DURING 2015 TO MAKE MY MARK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHICH MEANT LOADS OF COLLABS AND REMIXES AS WELL AS RELEASES THROUGH VARIOUS BOUNCE & HARD HOUSE LABELS.
IN 2016 I'M GOING TO CONCENTRATE MORE ON MY DJ WORK AS WELL AS TRYING TO PUSH MY OWN LABEL (http://www.rebounduk.com) WHICH IS CURRENTLY ON IT'S EIGHTH RELEASE, AS WELL AS COLLABS WITH A SELECT FEW FROM THIS YEAR.
MY LATEST RELEASE IS THE KB PROJECT ANTHEM 'COLOURS' THE REMIX EP AND COMING ON 7TH TILL 18TH IS MY '12 DAYS OF REBOUND'S CHRISTMAS' WERE I'LL HAVE A TRACK A DAY GOING OUT VIA THE WEBSITE RANGING FROM FULL RELEASES, FREE DOWNLOADS AND CD MIXES. DEFINITELY NOT TO BE MISSED!


I know this is hard to choose but what have been your favourite gigs ever and also favourite gig this year?

HARD TO REMEMBER GIGS OF OLD AS THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY SINCE I STARTED DJING (WAY BACK IN 1992!).
GOING OFF THE PAST 12 MONTHS I WOULD SAY THE HIGHLIGHTS HAVE BEEN BTID IN THE MAGALUF SUN (KBP), DESTINY IN NEWCASTELE (A B2B WITH GLYNN 'SEMTEX' FERRIS), BTID ZOMBIE NATION AT BOWLERS (AS I DID A P.A. WITH CHEEZE, MC G & NIKKI AS WELL AS A KBP DJ SET), REMINISCE 'SCREAMFEST' IN SOUTHPORT (A B2B WITH POOMSTYLES) AND MY B2B WITH GROOVE CONTROL FOR DO IT FOR DODGER 2 IN BLACKBURN.

And last can you tell us a funny story that you have heard?

I GET TOLD STORIES ALL THE TIME BUT I HAVE AN AWFUL MEMORY SO TEND TO NOT REMEMBER MOST!

I THINK MY OBSESSION WITH WINE IS A RUNNING JOKE WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME. THE GLASS PASSING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT IN THE FEW VIDEOS I'VE POSTED ON FACEBOOK HAVE HAD THEIR FAIR SHARE OF FANS AND COPIED BY OTHERS!

https://soundcloud.com/starmanmusicproduction

thanks for that kenny!

Myself and MC Skatty

So next month im busy with Throwback event at Pure in Wigan on the 5th the Pure again for Acceleration on mad Friday. We also have the Medicine Reunion in Warrington at the original venue with all the original DJ & MC's Followed by the huge BTID event at Park Hall feat one of my favorite MC's Whizzkid. Also shout out to Luke Hudson getting a gig on BTID, this guy has been one of, if not the best producers i have heard for a while- im looking forward to hooking up soon for a project. Im also back in cumbria at Barrow with Ultrabeat & Scott Rez with my old pal Zunie. Then finish the year in Glasgow's 02 Academy with Darren Styles, Scott Brown, George Bowie amongst others and my good pals in Glasgow Sparkos & Macca. Im sure ill be entering 2016 with style.

For this month there are many events to choose from so make sure you get out there in numbers and show your support

Finchy

p.s look out for my little jam I had with a good friend of mine Jake Kelly who is the front man of a great band called Marcadia

MC Finchy the year so far

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog where I will be doing monthly/bi-monthly (depending how much stuff I can squeeze in) write ups on gigs, projects, studio work and everything in and between. I will also be answering questions that people put forward and have little chats with a few artists I know across different genres of dance music.

When I went travelling a few years ago, I did this as a good way for friends and family to keep in touch and see what id been up to and it was a great success so I thought why not? I constantly get asked various questions etc. when im out doing gigs and unfortunately most times don’t have a lot of time to speak to everybody as long as id like to- but I do try my best! 

Me & Pete Monsoon, Acceleration Valentines massacre

This year so far has been amazing, some of the events Iv been involved in have been mind blowing. Its great to see so many people putting effort back into UK Bounce and I think people are starting to appreciate this by attending in huge numbers. The start of the year saw me start my residency with Acceleration, who throughout the year have continued to bring in guests from Russia, Poland, Spain and Blackburn. Kenty & Greeny and there team of residents deserve praise for keeping it going through the bad times and the fruits are bearing labour now at Pure nightclub in Wigan which is an awesome venue, Each event has been packed out! Pumpingland UK was also a huge success, the video of some guy running down king street with a hoover has given me a few lol moments (search it on youtube). Special note to Nicki B’s set he played which is one of the best iv ever seen live.

Myself with Nick Skitz (middle)

 

With me being actively involved in the scene again it was only right that I linked up with my old partner in crime John Neal (chips n fish but he don’t do seal) and get our brand Frequency back out there. The first night we put on sold out a few months before the event was being held and was a great success. We have also launched two tracks which are up on www.soundcloud.com/officialfrequency. In 2016 also see’s us link up with North East ‘Ikon’ & Sopranos as we head over to Amsterdam which will be sure to be a cracking get together in the weirdest place iv visited – after Skelmersdale. Iv just recently been to Amsterdam on this ferry with Clyde FM’s Bowie On The Boat which had 1000 people from Scotland attend the event, them guys sure now how to party. Was great to catch up with a few familiar faces from Glasgow and I cant wait to get back up there. If that boat party was anything to go by I cannot wait till February 2016. 

Ikon In The Dam feat. Frequency & Sopranos

This year also saw me on board with the BTID Events, who I will be working with a lot going forward. These guys have continued what Wigan Pier (R.I.P) started and production on these events are second to none. ‘Pier on the Pier’ was unreal, I love the outdoor day events. Park Hall is one of the best clubs iv ever worked at and is always a pleasure to head back there, Hard dance heavyweight Andy Whitby played an incredible set! BTID In The Sun was also unreal, 5 days in Magaluf with pool, foam, yacht, uv parties to name a few and was great to mingle with everybody and spend time with everybody involved in the scene- I already cant wait for June 2016! Cap it off also ill be travelling across to Amsterdam for ‘BTID In The Dam’ in a few weeks which will sure to be one to remember (if I can remember it) ill be rooming with Scot Rez so ill let you all know what we get up to on the next blog- kinky.

BTID In The Sun with Scott Rez & MC B

At the start of September saw Reminisce Festival return for its second year after the success of the launch in 2014. I thought 2014 would have been tough to beat, but this year delivered again as 6000+ people headed down to St Helens. Each tent was jam packed and the atmosphere was brilliant and all the hard work that Ste Cocky, Lee Butler, Ian Redman, Rob Cain and the rest of the team put in was definitely worth it. Also I attended Reminisce ‘Screamfest’ at Southport Pleasureland which again had people in the thousands yesterday  which had Alex K flew in from Australia was great to see him on these shores again! Speaking of Australian'sbig shout to Sanctuary for flying in for the first time Nick Skitz, he is responsable for many great tracks I grew up listning to. Was great to finally see him over here in the UK.

Reminisce Festival in St Helens, what a show!!!

Anyways that’s just a few highlights from this year I could of gone on for a while but id tried to keep it short and sweet. Now iv passed a few questions over to Acceleration main mon DJ Kenty to talk about what hes been up to:-

Now then Kenty, you have been busy with events in 2015 what has been
your highlights?
My favourite events of 2015 have to be Acceleration Valentines Day and
Pumpingland UK. The Valentines event was the first big event on the bounce calendar in 
2015 and turned out to be one of our busiest. Pumpingland UK was on another level, we concentrated more on the production side of things for this event and we also opened up the full club, including balcony which is something Ive always wanted to do since I started working at Pure.

You have done quite a few gigs overseas also, what would you say is the
main difference between gigs overseas and events here?

The main difference is the amount of clubbers which turn into events. A steady event in Poland has 1-2000 clubbers and these events are bi-weekly. The clubs are also on a grander scale than what we have in the UK. One
final thing that stands out is that the ravers in Spain drive to events get messed up in their cars and come in for the last few hours, its strange !

Your from Yorkshire where it is not known as being a Bounce threshold.
What was it that got you into the music and who was/are your
inspirations?

When I was growing up I used to listen to alot of hardhouse & speed garage. I came across Pete Monsoons mixes and from then I fell in love with the donk sound. Pete Monsoon, Nitra M & Rob Cain were my early influences, these days one person i look up to the most is Gari Seleckt he's been a mentor and a great friend to me.

What tracks, producers and artists are exciting you at the moment?

One producer killing it at the moment is Luke Hudson. We are working on an album at the moment and it is massive. He has taken the popular hardbass/bumping sound and made it his own. The release date will be
around the end of November and will be available online at acceleration digital and also as a hard copy.
Other great Uk producers are Infected Bounce, Shad Side & Brad D, all releasing on Acceleration Digital.
On the foreign side of things the best producers at the moment are, Sonic Mine, Reactive Project, Lolo, Gari Seleckt, Pascu & Veci. You can check their music on O-mode records and Restart Records. 

DJ Kenty

You have put on plenty of big events this year, what can we expect from
you and Acceleration next year and in the future?

We have 3 events left in 2015, My Birthday on November 21st, Throwback Rave December 5th and then Mad Friday Extravaganza December 18th. Without giving too much away and looking even further ahead than 2015 we have some big things planned for next year. Pumpingland 2 will happen,
This Is Hardbass will be launching and also we will be hosting a few summer courtyard parties. We will keep the B2B events going looking for new talent and also give back to the ravers with a few more Throwback
Free Rave events.

Finally can you tell us your funniest story related to music?

Iv'e loads of funny stories but hardly anyone would get the references so ill leave you with this one which is funny but fucked up at the same time. We booked a foreign artist last year for Acceleration who is known for
getting messy. He was cool in the day but soon as he got into the club it was like something switched. He was absolutely wrote off within an hour of being in the club, ran to the toilet 3 times during his set and
then after wards decided it would be a good idea to march around the club all night with his top off. When we went back to to hotel at 8am he wanted an after party, I wanted sleep so i left him in his room and told
him i would collect him at 12. The time came to get up and leave so i went and banged on his door to
get up. 1hr 30mins later after hotel staff and security had tried to break in thinking he was dead this artist opens the door in his Y fronts and just acts like nothing has happened. Apparently he was sat in the shower refreshing his Instagram.

Hope you enjoyed the first edition. Next time ill be making a few announcements, for now make sure your locked in to my social media platforms on the links below

Cheers

Finchy

https://soundcloud.com/mc-finchy
www.facebook.com/mcfinchyofficial
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHgnZw6PzbfSjFCFRSJPMA