Skate Lates: Meet the DJs - Five Miles

Situated on an industrial estate in Tottenham in north-east London, Five Miles is a club, brewery and restaurant that acts as a home for some of the most cutting edge labels and parties in London’s electronic music community.

Since opening in 2017 it's established itself as a venue at the forefront of the resurgence of underground nightlife in London. With a commitment to impeccable sound, inclusive and intimate parties, they bring their extended family of DJs for a three night residency on our ice rink for Skate Lates this week.

We spoke to some of the DJs playing throughout the week to get their thoughts on DJing at London's most beautiful ice rink.

NIGHTWAVE

It’s great to have you joining us on the ice for Skate Lates this winter. First things first, how are you skating skills?

I used to be quite good back home in Slovenia as a kid but I'm pretty rubbish now. 

What can people expect from your Skate Lates set?

Something a bit different to my usual high energy techno and acid vibes, I'll probably play more house and disco, some 80s classics... whatever keeps a nice and fun flow for the skaters!

Could you name one song/album/DJ that had a particularly formative experience for you growing up?

The earliest influence that started my love of electronic music was probably hearing Kraftwerk as a kid and later on the records that really inspired me to start DJing were Jeff Mills (Waveform Transmission) and Trax On Da Rocks by Thomas Bangalter.

ELIZA ROSE

What can people expect from your Skate Lates set?

Bouncy Boogie goodness babes

Could you name one song/album/DJ that had a particularly formative experience for you growing up?

Billie Holiday's Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do

What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever been giving about DJing? 

Just enjoy ya self!

Finally, what big tunes will you be bringing out for the ice rink and why...

Brenda Taylor - You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too - Just discovered this. TUNE
Toffee Apple - Sapphyre - Party starter for the rink! Get ya skates on.
Sky Tony - Loving You - Maybe my fave song of the year! Fresh yet familiar.  

Eliza Rose DJs B2B with Rachael for Skate Lates with Five Miles on Wed 28 Nov

OLLIE RANT 

First up, rate your skating skills

Pretty good, I spent a lot of time roller blading when I was in primary/middle school after watching mighty ducks, quack.

What can we expect from your Skate Lates set?

Impertinent UK garage slammers.

Name a song/album or DJ that was important for you growing up?

For dance/garage music, Cream Anthems 97 compilation has to be up there. I had to convince my parents to buy it for me because it had The Prodigy's Breathe in the mix, but on the second CD mixed by Nick Warren he played 187 Lockdown Gunman, which stole it for me. There were a few other gems that stood out that I still play now: Jaydee - Plastic Dreams, The Heartists - Belo Horizonte. 

What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever been giving about DJing?

I don’t think anyone has ever imparted any great DJ knowledge to me, but here’s mine: if you're playing digital files make sure they're high quality, save yourself a bag of time and buy a decent USB 3.0 cable rather than one you found at the bottom of your drawer.

Finally, what big tunes will you be bringing out for the ice rink and why...

Romantic Call - DJ Dellar samples Jaydee’s Plastic Dreams mentioned above and got a re-release on Dr Banana earlier this year.
Slamma Ruff (Smokey Bubblin B Remix) - Peeka - bumpy remix from Smokey out on Pogo House holding it down for the 4x4 side of things. 
Wiley - Ice Rink - how can I not??? 

Olly Rant DJs for Skate Lates with Five Miles on Thu 29 Nov

DJ MARSHAL DARLING

Skating skills?

I’m a pretty fluent rollerblader, but I haven’t been on ice skates since I was 10. Little experience on ice.

What shoudl we expect from your Skate Lates set?

Most people know me as a late 70s/early 80s kinda cat so I’m gonna lay down leftfield disco from all over the globe - Roller Disco to Flares on Ice.

What one song/album or DJ had a big impact on you growing up?

Jimi Hendrix. I discovered him for the first time watching skateboarding videos when I was 14.

And finally, what's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about DJing?

Play songs that you love!

DJ Marshal Darling plays Skate Lates with Five Miles on Wed 28 Nov

DJ KARL KARLSON 

Thanks for joining us for Skate Lates. How are your skating skills?

Pretty appalling to be honest. My hand to eye coordination is fading as I get older. I'm not clear if it's related to late nights or age, but luckily I'll be behind the decks, not on the ice on the night. 

What can we expect from your set?

Everything from proto-house through to classic hip hop and electro.

What song/album/DJ had a particularly formative impact for you growing up?

The first two tapes I was given alongside a couple of sections of my dad's old stacked up separates stereo were Chemical World by Blur and Fear of A Black Planet by Public Enemy. Bouncing on my bed to those albums not really knowing the relevance are some of my earliest musical memories. In terms of forming my own musical taste and sense of belonging, that was through skating (boarding not ice) and the videos, computer games... They always had very vast sounds - everything from hip-hop to metal, shoe-gaze, electronic. It basically set me up to have a wide open musical taste.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about DJing?

If it's nice play it twice.

Finally, can you give us a glimpse of which big tunes you'll be bringing and why...

Eddie Grant - Time Warp - released on Ice Records it's the first thing that came to mind when I thought of ice skating. 
Unlimited Touch - Reach Out - the track screams late night skate rink session. 
Herbie Hancock - Rockit - this track is stone cold.

DJ Karl Karlson plays Skate Lates with Five Miles on Fri 30 Nov