'We both still get nervous' - Slam Interview

Glaswegian Duo Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle, otherwise known as Slam, joined forces over 25 years ago to combine their production and create one of the most globally renowned labels ‘Soma Records.’ Still in the midst of celebrating a quarter of a century of bringing their boundless energy to sweaty underground spaces and headlining festivals worldwide, Slam show no signs of stopping.

Supporting talent from both established and developing artists, Slam Radio remains a highly respected platform for DJs and producers to showcase their sounds to a musically educated and loyal audience. Artists like Sunil Sharpe, Dax J, Gary Beck, Regis and Rebekah have had the honour of mixing for Slam Radio, much to the delight of dedicated techno devotees across the planet.

Holed up in the studio for the last few weeks, MOTZ managed to contact Slam despite a typically gruelling schedule to talk about the early days of their career to where they stand now, in their sturdy Slam Radio and Soma Records empire. Not forgetting the endless touring and lengthy hours producing on top of that…

In November, Soma Records celebrated its 25th anniversary at the acclaimed Concrete club in Paris in November. How were you both feeling on the night?

We were both feeling great - thanks!! Concrete is one of our favourite clubs to play at. Their line ups are always excellent throughout the year. It was a real honour to be asked to bring our Soma25 night there, we had a great time.

Looking back to the early days when Soma Records was just a twinkle in your eye, how did you both met and what spurred the two of you on to produce and DJ together?

The Soma crew all met in the West End of Glasgow at a bar that some of us worked in - that's where the record label was born. Slam arose from our love of very similar types of music, which is still the same today. It always seemed a to be a very natural progression for us to move from playing music to making and producing it.

You both regularly play at Sub Club in Glasgow where you’re based at the moment. What’s so special about Sub Club?

We play once a month at the Sub Club on our Friday night called "Return To Mono”.

It was the place where we all started our clubbing experiences in Glasgow and to our eyes still is the perfect blue print for a small underground venue. Slam has now outlasted four different owners.

Slam Radio has developed a loyal following over the years and has provided a solid stream of the finest techno to its listeners. How did Slam Radio come about?

Slam Radio was a response to the ever-growing list of new producers and DJs we came across on our travels and through our record buying - that we loved - they seemed to be being ignored by some of the bigger and more commercial shows. We had to start a platform to showcase that talent, hence Slam Radio.

Have you got a favourite set from the show to date?

No, that's impossible - we've enjoyed them all and always a different guest every week. There are so many more on our list still to come.

Considering all the years you’ve spent producing with Soma Records and headlining an overwhelming amount of festivals and clubs, do you still get nervous before playing a set?

Yes, we both still get nervous. It’s a bit of a cliché now but if there weren’t some nerves then something would be wrong - maybe they're not quite as bad as at the start of or our career - but still there!

How have you both managed to stay focused and endure viscous touring schedules over the years? 25 years on, it looks like there’s no stopping you…

Our focus has never wavered - just to produce and release forward thinking music regardless of commercial consideration, which is an attitude that many more artists and promoters seem to be adopting these days, we’re glad to say. They’ll be no easing up on the touring schedule for us - we still love DJing to much. The travel can wear you down a little from time to time - but that two or three hours behind the decks is still the best feeling!

Slam plays Fubar, Scotland this Friday alongside Charles Fenckler, Silicone Soul and Petrichor for Zeitgeist005//Soma 25. https://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?90176