ArtistInfo

DJ Vibes

voc, GB
of Dance
A.k.a. Shane Levan

Born in Ireland, raised in Croydon until the age of 10 before the family moved to Stanford-Le-Hope. DJ Vibes is an Essex man who has been DJing since 1991. He was first inspired by his Father who DJed Country & Western. He began DJing soul DJ Navigator before he changed name to become Sur Vibes (then just Vibes) after being inspired by Roy Ayers playing the vibes (the xylophone). He decided to start his own radio station (Elite FM) with Terry Hardy & Barrie Jay based in his mum's garage. he then started getting bookings in youth clubs and small clubs playing soul. He would offer advertisements to promoters that would let him play at their events. His first proper gig was at Rush at the Pyramid Centre in Dalston, London after being booked by the promoter, Sting (Kenny King, also the promoter of Telepathy (2)). He was also sending out tapes to promoters as well as attending raves with his records, even when he wasn't booked, in case DJs didn't show up. He also used to hand out flyers for raves.Unfortunately the radio station was busted after he put on an illegal party called the Teddybears Picnic in 1991. They got raided and lost all of their equipment and given a £1200 fine. His real big break came when he released his first single Obsession (Music's So Wonderful) which sold 10,000 copies. He borrowed the £800 it cost from a relative to put the track out. The record was released on his own label Asylum Music Inc which was in partnership with Wishdokta who he had met through Remo Don at a Roast event. Latterly had a residence at The Pirate Club and radio shows on Cyndicut FM, Eruption FM & Kiss FM. Corresponding entry for company-type credits: DJ Vibes.