KnoxEDM Podcast 02 – Plus 1

Plus 1, longtime known as DJ Steve Wilson, is a progressive house and breaks veteran from Florida, who began DJing in the early ’90s, and has the music collection and knowledge to back it up. He’s played big and small shows alike, eventually settling in East Tennessee to take care of his newborn son and get a fresh focus on music. While perhaps not quite as “happening” as Orlando or Miami, nonetheless has its own peculiar charms. Steve has been a driving behind-the-scenes force in the Knoxville EDM scene for awhile, aiding and abetting a wide variety of events, in addition to slapping down quality old- and new-school tunes with the hope of broadening some minds and having a good time in the process. Plus 1 is stepping up his game and getting back into the scene, full-force and non-stop.

How long have you been DJing?

Going on 18 years now.

How did you get involved in electronic music and the scene in general? What were your early influences?

A few of my friends were already into the scene and asked if I wanted to go see some crazy stuff so I went.  And it honestly scared the crap out of me as I was only 14 years old at the time.  But as the night began to progress things seemed different and, well, I wasn’t really in a proper state of mind either.  From then I was hooked and began going out to clubs two, sometimes three nights a week.  As far as who I admired, I would have to say coming from Orlando Kimball Collins, Sasha, Chris Fortier, Jimmy Van M, DJ Three, and Stylus. Those were the most influential people at that time.

What styles do you prefer?

Tech House, Techno and Downtempo

What are some artists and labels you’re especially interested in right now?

Nikitin & Semikashev, Namito, Voodeaux, Massive Attack, Thievory Corp.

What are your top five performances/shows that you’ve played that were really memorable, and why?

1. First mini tour with Bill Hamel – Guadalajara, MX – Hard Rock Café – I had never played in another country before or for that many people. I was so nervous I almost got sick and could barely hold a record in my hand.
2. Barry Jamieson (Evolution, Fluid UK) in Sarasota, Fl – We were at Sasha’s house when they were finishing up the first Involver album and all of us played at this tiny club in Sarasota.  It was memorable because no one knew who they were and they weren’t hounded by people and we just played and had an absolute blast.
3. Club Skizzo – Monterey, MX – This was a cool place in an old bank vault.  They booked me to play for only 4 hours and someone was supposed to play after me but the guy with broken English was like “you keep play” and would bring me a “present” and before you knew it 12 hours had passed.  Missed my flight for the next 2 days and woke up going what just happened.  Classic.
4. WMC – Clevelander Hotel with Terry Lee Brown – Miami, FL – This was cool just to play with an idol of mine that I have respected for so many years and to have Carl Cox hang out and get drunk with us just one of those moments in time you never forget plus the courtyard we played at was bumping.
5. Second Saturday – Ft. Wayne, ID – This was my good friend Will Azada’s first gig out of state “I think” and he just absolutely blew me away I had never seen a person play like he did to the point that I didn’t even want to go on after him.  Quality!

What is your opinion about the local/regional Knoxville scene?

In the past year I have witnessed some growth around here people are beginning to appreciate it more which is nice.  The great thing is seeing people like you guys pushing the boundary to get away from this formulaic club culture that still exist here.

What struggles have you overcome?

Like any musician you have to overcome writer’s block and embrace technology for what it is today.  I think that would have to be it as far as music goes and DJing as a whole.

Where do you see it going in the future?

Many things, Knoxville is a cool place with a lot of talented and dedicated DJ’s.  There is this buzz that’s going on right now so I am excited to see what happens.

What’s in store for 2010? Any big projects, productions, or plans that we should know about?

Well, Will Azada (aka The Funnel) and I finished this remix of Yello’s “Bostich”  and it has done well, Jordi Riera played it on Chloe Harris’s Proton Radio show with great response and it was also played at the London Generations party so that was cool.  I see getting in the studio more and working on some tracks.  Plus getting out and playing some more gigs.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us!

Look out for Plus 1 on March 6 at the Longbranch Saloon, providing the soundtrack for a night of proper, underground techno, tech-house, and mnmlstep with The Funnel and Gregory Alan for “Don’t Techno For An Answer.”

Subscribe to KEDM Podcast

Download the KEDM Podcast 02 – Plus 1 (320kbps mp3, 115 MB)

Comment in the Knoxville EDM forum, and to check out the tracklisting.