CLUBS

Adam Burrows looks forward to snaffling some free popcorn as DJ Cheeba launches his latest AV adventure.

DJ Cheeba has come a long way from those early Detectives of Perspective sessions at The Croft. Now Bristol’s link in the Solid Steel chain, his collisions of turntablism and technology have taken him all over the world (at time of writing he’s at a winter sports festival in the Swiss Alps). Cheeba’s new AV mixtape ‘Revenge of the Nerd’ is a must-see, blending beats and video clips into a scattershot but thematically coherent whole. As always, he casts his net wide – reeling in shoals of Ninja Tune cuts and b-boy classics, and landing the odd drum & bass monster for good measure. There’s even room for the vintage art-pop of Bowie and Talking Heads. Is there anything he won’t consider playing? “Probably not,” says Cheeba, although he’s “yet to venture into gabba or country and western”.

Rightly renowned for his musical cut-up skills, Cheeba puts just as much love and skill into the visual side of his work. He studied video at college, and has a passion for “loads of different styles of films and TV”, which has enabled him to “use technology to speak to my audience – to hit nostalgia buttons in their brains”. Reference points include kung-fu movies, skate culture, sci-fi and MTV.

While ‘Revenge of the Nerd’ is available to stream online, a DVD version is on its way. Extras include “the nerdiest DVD menu page in history”, footage of last year’s Australian tour and “a 3D mini mix complete with free glasses”. The big launch is in London, but Cheeba’s also booked The Bank on Sun 3 April. “I thought it was really important I did a launch in Bristol,” he says. “I have a massive love for the city and the community.” Entry is free, and giveaways will include copies of the DVD, hoodies, stickers and – nice touch, this – popcorn.

CHEEBA’S ‘REVENGE OF THE NERD’ DVD LAUNCH WAS AT BANK OF STOKES CROFT, BRISTOL ON SUN 3 APR.
 

Copyright Adam Burrows 2011

Tweet