Creamfields DJ takes old school one step further

Aug 18 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

DANCE music is usually about being at the forefront of the latest technology, but one DJ at this year’s Creamfields festival will be offering something a little bit different – and seriously “old school”.

Naomi Kashiwagi is performing at the superclub’s Bank Holiday festival next Saturday armed, not with the usual turntables, but two wind-up gramophones, vintage 78rpm vinyl, and classic swing tunes.

The fine art graduate from Manchester has been honing her talent for the past year in some unusual venues, including an old Victorian swimming baths.

Big name acts including the Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada and Pendulum will be promoting their latest albums at Creamfields in Daresbury, in Cheshire.

Meanwhile, Ms Kashiwagi will be mixing the best of her record bag including Rock Around the Clock, In the Mood, and even the Pinky and Perky theme tune.

Her unusual act began as part of her MA in art, as she became transfixed with the idea of finding new ways to utilise items that no longer serve a purpose.

Ms Kashiwagi said: “Gramophones have now been replaced by more advanced technologies, and are therefore obsolete.

“The 78rpms are no longer made and therefore represent a specific era.

“People are intrigued at what is involved, so rather than just listening to the music, many people like to watch the process of winding the gramophones, changing the needles and changing the records.

“It’s my take on DJing, giving them a new, modern function as turntables.”

James Barton, CEO of Cream, said: “Its really exciting to see someone doing something different with sound and technology, and something we always welcome at Creamfields.

“Naomi came to our attention after we announced The Cream Show Exhibition.

“We always get asked by people to bring back some ‘Old School’ to the event, so now we’ve got it, its definitely something I’ll be checking out on the big day.”

The Cream Show Exhibition, to mark the 15th anniversary of the superclub, takes place at the Site Gallery at the Albert Dock for five weeks from next Wednesday.

John Byrne, curator at Site, said: “Cream represents such a cultural icon. Over the last fifteen years, their music, visuals, attitude and state of mind have been one of the biggest influences on popular culture in the UK and around the world.

“This show truly crosses over the borders between art, design and popular culture. It’s going to be so much fun.”

For the exhibition, Cream have allowed fans to make their own art from the brand’s famous logo for the first time.

It has run two online competitions, one customising the logo, the best of which are being edited into a video to be shown at Site and Creamfields; and the other inviting fans to make music videos for artists on this year’s festival bill.

NAOMI KASHI- WAGI will be per- forming in the Creamfields Res- idents’ Bar on Sat- urday, August 25.

vickyanderson