As the summer of sound begins to draw to an end, we’re giving you the lowdown ahead of Eastern Electrics this weekend.
Returning to Morden Park for another unbeatable summer shakedown, Eastern Electrics showcases some of the best underground DJ’s in what has become one of the scene’s most popular all day parties. Born out of London’s warehouse party culture, Eastern Electrics launched its festival in 2007 after becoming one of the UK’s most renowned clubbing brands. Teaming up with house and techno heavyweights and grime royalty, it’s set to be an unmissable weekend of sound.
Playing at both Ministry of Sound on the Saturday and So Fresh, So Clean on Sunday, we speak to The Menendez Brothers about who they’re most excited to see, their proudest moments and life before the decks.
Consisting of twin DJ duo Eniz and Deniz, The Menendez Brothers grew up in the southern Colombian Province of Putumayo and quickly became a hit in Colombia, privately mixing for drug lord Pablo Escobar and football player Carlos Valderramma. With their blend of beats, they moved to the UK and swiftly took it by storm. Responsible for creating and holding down the hottest residencies across London, they’re among the capitals most in-demand DJs.
Their sets are high-energy and as the ultimate party-starters they’ve supported acts from Maya Jane Coles and Kenny Dope to Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. They've played on stages in Ibiza and Fabric and at festivals and clubs around the world. Take a look at what they had to say as we chat with them both as they prepare for EE this weekend.
From what I’ve heard, your backstory sounds like a Netflix series. How did you get to where you are today?
Hustling baby... All day, every day! We have always been hungry but getting our first set of decks really gave us the inspiration to make the most of what we have. We lied, hustled and stole what we needed to get things off the ground - promoter 101!
Most important moment of your careers – in Columbia and in Europe?
I think playing Fabric for the first time was the game changer. It sort of makes you take things more seriously once you've played there.
Medellin is an amazing city, we both went back over there at the start of the year and people recognised us! After all those years! El Pibe [Carlos Valderramma] even showed up.
Best artist you’ve supported?
Supporting the late Frankie Knuckles and Kevin Saunderson at the Found Shoreditch Street Party was incredible. The weather was great and the music was outstanding. Our good friends Voyeur were also supporting. It was one of the most surreal shows and sadly one of Frankie's last shows before he passed away so it is still something we hold very dear to our heart. His words of encouragement after our set still drives us to this day. Such a nice man.
Best place you’ve played for?
I think playing for Ants at Ushuaia. They look after us so well and are just so easy to work with. Brilliant team. They have really looked after us over the last 4 years!
Returning to Morden Park for another unbeatable summer shakedown, Eastern Electrics showcases some of the best underground DJ’s in what has become one of the scene’s most popular all day parties. Born out of London’s warehouse party culture, Eastern Electrics launched its festival in 2007 after becoming one of the UK’s most renowned clubbing brands. Teaming up with house and techno heavyweights and grime royalty, it’s set to be an unmissable weekend of sound.
Playing at both Ministry of Sound on the Saturday and So Fresh, So Clean on Sunday, we speak to The Menendez Brothers about who they’re most excited to see, their proudest moments and life before the decks.
Consisting of twin DJ duo Eniz and Deniz, The Menendez Brothers grew up in the southern Colombian Province of Putumayo and quickly became a hit in Colombia, privately mixing for drug lord Pablo Escobar and football player Carlos Valderramma. With their blend of beats, they moved to the UK and swiftly took it by storm. Responsible for creating and holding down the hottest residencies across London, they’re among the capitals most in-demand DJs.
Their sets are high-energy and as the ultimate party-starters they’ve supported acts from Maya Jane Coles and Kenny Dope to Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. They've played on stages in Ibiza and Fabric and at festivals and clubs around the world. Take a look at what they had to say as we chat with them both as they prepare for EE this weekend.
From what I’ve heard, your backstory sounds like a Netflix series. How did you get to where you are today?
Hustling baby... All day, every day! We have always been hungry but getting our first set of decks really gave us the inspiration to make the most of what we have. We lied, hustled and stole what we needed to get things off the ground - promoter 101!
Most important moment of your careers – in Columbia and in Europe?
I think playing Fabric for the first time was the game changer. It sort of makes you take things more seriously once you've played there.
Medellin is an amazing city, we both went back over there at the start of the year and people recognised us! After all those years! El Pibe [Carlos Valderramma] even showed up.
Best artist you’ve supported?
Supporting the late Frankie Knuckles and Kevin Saunderson at the Found Shoreditch Street Party was incredible. The weather was great and the music was outstanding. Our good friends Voyeur were also supporting. It was one of the most surreal shows and sadly one of Frankie's last shows before he passed away so it is still something we hold very dear to our heart. His words of encouragement after our set still drives us to this day. Such a nice man.
Best place you’ve played for?
I think playing for Ants at Ushuaia. They look after us so well and are just so easy to work with. Brilliant team. They have really looked after us over the last 4 years!
Favourite venue?
Glastonbury is our favourite, there is something magical about that place. For us, it is the best festival and we always have a massive crew of friends and family who we get up to lots of mischief with!
Proudest moment?
Having Suggs host our set at Secret Garden Party was very special, what a man! We had a lot of fun with him that night.
You’ve been about the London scene for a while now – how important was the re-opening of Fabric?
For us playing Room 1 in Fabric was a real milestone and confidence boost in our DJing careers, without Fabric being open the London dynamic would shift negatively. Fabric has become a cornerstone of dance music so removing that from the scene would be horrible for London!
You’ve held residencies in some of the top clubs in London. If you could have a residency anywhere in the world, where would it be?
We are currently enjoying our time with Ants. They book us alongside some great DJs and we love playing in Ibiza. I think getting a residency at Robert Johnson would be very interesting, that place is something quite special.
Best festival crowd so far?
Funnily enough Latitude festival both last year and the year before have been two of most entertaining sets we've played. The crowd is incredible and up for it from the start to the end - 100% energy which is perfect for our sets.
Favourite European city outside of London?
Barcelona does it for us. Especially going to Sonar celebrations. All round a great city, it has everything. Parties, beaches, food, can't really ask for more to be honest with you. Also, playing at Elrow for their Halloween special was a lot of fun!
You’ve been the driving force behind Found Festival and 51st state. Tell me about that.
Eniz was the head booker at Found, 51st State, Born & Bred, Ceremony and others. Before that he worked at Eastern Electrics so he's been involved in the London music scene for some time and continues to do so via Rinse FM.
Act to look out for at Eastern Electrics festival?
We're excited to see Harry Love, Mr Thing and Shortee Blitz play. We grew up listening to hip-hop in London and these guys truly are the masters. Also, CASisDead is another one that doesn't disappoint. For us, he is the best in the UK right now.
What’s next for you guys?
Next weekend after Eastern Electrics, we are taking over Ministry of Sound on Saturday 11th August with our brand Feelings which is celebrating 30 years of the Summer of Love - expect to be taken back to the acid house revolution!
Thanks guys.
Catch The Menendez Brothers at Eastern Electrics this weekend, 4th/5th August and keep an eye out for their sets across Europe later this year. In the meantime, check out their Facebook here, and Instagram here. Head to the website https://www.easternelectrics.com/ for all the info on this years artists at Eastern Electrics.
