Interview: Adam Freeland, breaks DJ

Funny guy and breakbeat extraordinaire Adam Freeland has been labeled the pioneer of "nu school" breaks. He has a residency at Fabric in London and is the proud owner of record label Marine Parade. Somewhere amongst this he finds time to play major festivals like Sonar and Coachella. Still, he’s a regular guy who likes chilling in his Brighton home. On the eve of the Shanghai Grand Prix he played at VIP Room, his second appearance in Shanghai. Shanghaiist chatted to him about girls, street food and, erm, the Dragon Club.

What’s the attraction with Shanghai? It’s a very exciting place to be right now, there’s a very cosmopolitan vibe there, a lot of art and culture, a real buzz on the street. And I love the food!

You mentioned the chance of a monthly residency at VIP. What changes would you like to see before this happens? I’d firstly like somebody to move Shanghai a bit closer to Brighton, and secondly I’d like to insist on world peace.

What do you think about the Chinese crowd? The Shanghai scene? I don’t really know enough about the Shanghai scene as I’ve only been twice and it’s been for one night both times, but I’ve really enjoyed both the gigs. China seems to definitely have an appreciation of breakbeat.

How was the street food? What’s your favourite? Amazing!! I love the street food, had this amazing seriously spicy hot pot in Chengdu. Love the dim sum way of eating too.

Is there anywhere you wouldn’t like to play? I don’t think Iraq would be much fun right now.

What is "We Want Your Soul" (mp3) all about? Where did the inspiration come from? It's about the force fed consumer culture we live in, hegemony and corporate superpower. Inspiration: drawn from being alive in the world today, every advertisement I ever saw.

How was VIP Room? The guys in the bathroom cracked my neck while I was taking a piss which was very disturbing! And they need to move some of the tables away to make the dancefloor bigger to really get a vibe going, but otherwise I liked it.

What do you think of the Dragon Club, honestly? Dragon Club was the after party right? I liked it, cool little vibe there, people seemed to have a good time, maybe too many westerners though, but I guess I was part of that problem!

Which club are you dying to play in? I think I’ve played in every club I always wanted to play in. I’m resident at Fabric, which is the best club in the world. My favourite festival is Coachella in Palm Springs in the USA, I really want to play there again.

How did you get started? I was a student living in London, going clubbing every single night of the week. My house mate had decks. The rest is history.

How do you chill out? I sit in my front room in Brighton which has a beautiful view over the ocean.

Have you got a girlfriend? Lots thanks.

Who’s the next up and coming breaks DJ? Evil Nine are getting pretty big now, but they were always my tip. Daniel Taylor from Germany, K swing from New York, Ooh Ah from Los Angeles.

How’s Marine Parade going? What went on last year? Good! Evil Nine album doing very well, I just released my new Heel’n’Toe single with some killer remixes, signed two new artists called Stone Lions and Sly-Fi. Last year, our distributor went bankrupt which took us down with it, but I managed to get a good lawyer and re-establish the label quite quickly.

Favourite place in China? I like Shanghai as a place to live (I would like to live there at some point), as a place to party I like the south, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Check out Adam's website, Freeland.fm, and his record label, Marine Parade.

Photos from Marine Parade.

Interview is a regular feature on Shanghaiist. Know someone in Shanghai you think would make for a good interview? Email tips(@)shanghaiist.com.