Bedrock 10 Feature: Part One / Jim Rivers

With the 10th anniversary of Bedrock´s parties in London looming (being celebrated with an event at new venue Matter), and the upcoming release of ´Bedrock 10 : Past Present And Future´, we are proud to present the first in a multi-part series of features to celebrate the label´s anniversary. To kick things off, Bristol´s Jim Rivers, on the heels of the release of his ´Empathy EP´ on the label talks about his working relationship with Bedrock, his own career and much more. Watch out for Part Two soon..

1. Progressive-Sounds: What was your first experience or association with Bedrock?
   Jim Rivers: I suppose the first thing was the music. Hearing some of those classic Bedrock records when I was developing my taste was a real eye opener. Tunes like Repercussion, Rise In and Stoppage Time all had a big impact on me.

2. Progressive-Sounds: How would you describe the track or reinterpretation you have presented for the Bedrock 10 album project and how do you feel it compares to the original version of the track? What other tracks from the label would you revisit if given the chance?
   Jim Rivers: Well in the end I did the Morgan Page & Gregory Shiff track ´All I Know´. I did it after the main Bedrock EP that I was working on and I wanted to do something a bit different from that. The track has a nice vocal and to me really suited a kind of laid back housey take. Its almost jazzy in places and bumps along using different parts of the vocal. I was short on time on this so I´m really pleased how it turned out and feel it shows a bit more of what Im into and what I can write. If given the chance to reinterpret some of the other tracks from the back catalogue it would definitely be Repercussion or Stoppage Time due to the influence they had on me.

3. Progressive-Sounds: How did you feel when contacted to be asked to contribute to the 10th anniversary project?
   Jim Rivers: John has been supporting me more and more this year and when he asked I was really excited. To be asked by someone who is right at the top of their game was amazing. In fact after we talked it ended up that I would do the EP and the remix, so for me it was a fantastic opportunity and I feel proud to be part of the project. Bedrock has certainly been an iconic label so to be personally asked by the main man was a great moment for me.

4. Progressive-Sounds: What are your thoughts on the new venue Matter where the 10th Anniversary party is being held, and what do you feel a state of the art live music venue such as this brings to the global club scene?
   Jim Rivers: I was invited to the opening midweek party a couple of weeks ago, so I got a good look around. Its certainly an impressive venue, and I think it will be a special night it there on the 10th. Being a sister club to Fabric stamps quality on the project and I think it will evolve into a key venue in London over the next couple of years. The obvious fusion with live acts as well gives the venue a different edge with broader appeal. I would love to play there, so hopefully I will get a chance at some point soon!

5. Progressive-Sounds: What other projects have are you currently involved with and what are your plans for the coming months?
   
   As I mentioned I have an EP on Bedrock, that has 2 tracks, Empathy and Revolver, so Im really excited to have that out soon.
   Jim Rivers: As I mentioned I have an EP on Bedrock, that has 2 tracks, Empathy and Revolver, so I´m really excited to have that out soon. Also finally a track I did with Paolo Mojo called ´Ron Hardy Said´ is coming out on Eric Prydz´s excellent Mouseville label with a great mix from the man himself. Im currently working on an EP for one of my fave labels Four:Twenty as well as remixes for Oliver Moldan on Faith Music and Tomoki & Noba on Kingstreet. Theres a few other remixes that are waiting to come out as well on We Love Muzik, Urban Torque and Forensic. So plenty of Rivers stuff to watch out for!
   Im also working on another exciting project - more to be revealed very soon as well as DJing here, there and everywhere! You can check my new myspace page for all the latest shizzle! http://www.myspace.com/jimriversdj