The Art Of Rave

While Becky Hill has an irrefutable aptitude for writing chart smashing pop music, her roots are firmly ensconced in electronic music - from listening to Trance and Drum ‘n’ Bass as a child, through becoming a ‘professional’ clubber in her teens to collaborating with some of today’s most renowned DJs and producers (such as Wilkinson, Tiesto and MK) in her twenties. Art of Rave provides the perfect platform for Becky to delve deep into the dance music scene she is so passionate about.During the course of the series Becky will explore electronic music, its culture and how it has changed over the years. She will be talking to icons such as DJ Zinc, Pete Tong, Andy C, Roni Size and more to discuss their music, their careers and their influence on the scene. Each of Becky’s guests will be bringing along three records that mean or say something to them, whether that’s because they’re by an artist that influenced them, remind them of a specific place or time, or feature a beat that changed them. Meanwhile Becky will be bringing along one of their records that defines why she has handpicked them as a guest for the series.Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindTW

Episode one of Art of Rave will begin with Becky talking with DJ Zinc about a wide range of topics including: Pirate Radio, how technology has transformed the rave scene, the evolution of Drum ‘n’ Bass and Jungle, being ‘a human Shazam’, the definition of a ‘golden era’, genre bending and hopping within the scene and how Zinc’s ‘Creeper’ (ft. Dynamite MC) changed Becky’s life. Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindFollow Becky Hill: https://www.instagram.com/beckyhill/

In episode two of The Art of Rave Becky and Andy C cover a wide range of topics including: Andy’s first rave experience (curtsey of his sister), the effect of technology on the “classic” and “happy accidents” in the studio, how a passion for sci-fi (and a disinterest in studying at school) shaped Andy’s early days of making music, setting up RAM records, legendary club night AWOL, pirate radio, cutting dubs at Music House and how the rave scene is in a better place than it’s ever been.Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindFollow Becky Hill: https://www.instagram.com/beckyhill/

In episode three of The Art of Rave Becky and Roni Size cover a wide range of topics including: how the ‘Size’ in Roni Size came from “a dating game vibe”; the 90s Bristol music scene, the evolution of Reprazent and their groundbreaking ‘live’ sound, winning a Mercury Music Prize, why Roni’s first record was released under someone’s else name, how Margaret Thatcher killed the free party (with the criminal Justice and Public Order Act in 1994), ‘digital reggae’ and David Rodigan, how the rave scene has moved on and ravers’ dancing has moved on with it (from “giraffes” to mosh pits).Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindTWFollow Becky Hill: https://www.instagram.com/beckyhill/

In episode four of The Art of Rave Becky and Pete Tong cover a wide range of topics, including: concerns about where electronic music is heading now amid the industry’s current ‘factory farm’ approach to songwriting; Robbie Williams, Goldie and John Niven’s Kill Your Friends; how the criteria for being a successful DJ has evolved over four decades; how A&Rs should sign records ‘from their heart’; Pete’s times as a ‘trainspotter’ working his way up through the ‘soul mafia’ hierarchy; Ibiza and Ibiza Classics; and whether or not the house scene is still as inclusive as it used to be.Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindTW

In episode five of The Art of Rave Becky and Sister Bliss cover a wide range of topics, including: Faithless’ upcoming album release; raving and illegal raves both now and back in the day; working, creating and parenting during lockdown; the essentiality of performing live; on being a woman in the music industry and on the dance music scene; how Bliss’ love affair with electronic music began and how she got together with Rollo and Maxi; the early days of Faithless and their debt to Donna Summer, Pete Tong and Leftfield; and Bliss’ aspirations to be like Prince when she was younger. As with all Becky’s guests on The Art of Rave, Sister Bliss brings along three records that mean or say something to him, whether that’s because they’re by an artist that influenced him, remind him of a specific place or time, or feature a beat that defined his sound. These records are: ‘Open Up’ by Leftfield; ‘Windpower’ by Thomas Dolby; and ‘I Feel Love’ by Donna Summer. Meanwhile, Becky selects the record that exemplifies why she handpicked Sister Bliss as a guest for the series: ‘Insomnia’ by Faithless.

In episode six of The Art of Rave Becky and Fabio & Grooverider cover a wide range of topics, including: the racism that persists in nightclub scenes around the UK; what it was like growing up among soundsystem culture in south London; why dance music (and their careers) owes its existence to pirate radio; their thirteen year residency on Radio One; the resurgence of illegal raves in the era of Covid-19; the early days of RAGE, and how it evolved into the experimental space that birthed jungle; the countries where drum'n'bass is experiencing a revival today, and why the genre continues to endure, always feeling fresh and captivating the underground decade after decade.  Each of Becky’s guests will be bringing along three records that mean or say something to them, whether that’s because they’re by an artist that influenced them, remind them of a specific place or time, or feature a beat that changed them. Meanwhile Becky will be bringing along one of their records that defines why she has handpicked them as a guest for the series.Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindTW

In episode seven of The Art of Rave Becky and Groove Armada cover a wide range of topics, including: the surprising roots of the name Groove Armada; how they composed ‘At The River’ using a 50p compilation CD they picked up while buying beer; writing ‘I See You Baby’ in a basement in Ibiza; the origins of Lovebox festival; the impact that smart phones and social media have had on rave culture, and the making of their upcoming ninth studio album, Edge of the Horizon.Each of Becky’s guests will be bringing along three records that mean or say something to them, whether that’s because they’re by an artist that influenced them, remind them of a specific place or time, or feature a beat that changed them. Meanwhile Becky will be bringing along one of their records that defines why she has handpicked them as a guest for the series.Listen to Becky Hill: https://beckyhill.lnk.to/HeavenOnMyMindTW

In episode eight of The Art of Rave Becky and Basement Jaxx’s Felix Buxton cover a wide range of topics, including: Rugby tackling Prince Harry on stage live at Hyde Park; performing his first ever DJ set alongside a teenage Thom Yorke; taking Ecstasy for the first time and dancing in Sainsbury’s carpark; being part of the “mongoloids” with Daft Punk and Armand Van Helden; and rearranging naked body parts for the sleeve of Basement Jaxx’s debut album.