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Liz Nicholls asks DJ Brandon Block about music & recovery ahead of Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace in north London on 12th July
Q. Hello Brandon. Are you looking forward to Kaleidoscope festival?
“Yes, so much! I was born in Hackney, and grew up in north-west London, I’ve had many ties to north London and Ally Pally over the years. If I have time – which isn’t often – I’d like to immerse myself in the festival. It looks wonderful. I’d like to catch anyone I can, Spoony I’ve known for years, from our days at Kiss FM and before, so it would be good to catch up with him, as well as Goldie who I’ve not seen for a long time either…”
Q. What’s your first memory of music? “My first memory of music is being given a small plastic record player with clicks and grooves in the discs.”
Q. What about in your teenage years – who were your musical heroes?
“All the disco and soul bands including, Slick, Francine Magee, Fat Larry’s Band, Sister Sledge, Chic, Roy Ayers, Maze, Teddy Pendergrass, Bobby Womack, EWF to name but a few, as well as Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones…”
Q. You have been so wonderfully open about your recovery from addiction & the interventions that saved your life. How are you feeling now, how’s life?
“Life is great however, if I didn’t have tools rationalise what’s going on the world, I’d be living in complete overwhelm and anxiety. It’s so tough out there. I find that gratitude is key to having a balanced life… I’m grateful for something every day.”
Q. Have you ever been star struck?
“I always get star struck, or maybe admiration is a better word.”
Q. Tough one, sorry! But what’s your favourite tune/ top three?
“Luther Vandross: The Glow Of Love. George Benson: Love Ballad. Inner City: Hallelujah ‘92.”
Q. How do you take good care of your mental health?
“I’m mindful every day, to give myself time to check in see how I’m feeling and thinking, I don’t engage with social media often and never before midday, ever.”
Q. Who would be your dream dinner party guests, alive or dead, real or fictional?
“Elvis, Dr Joe Dispenza, Heston Blumenthal, the Hulk, and Earth, Wind & Fire: the whole band.”
Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
“Peace for everyone. It may sound cliché but the world is so f***ed up.”
Now in its sixth year, Kaleidoscope Festival features an exciting line-up of live music, DJs and comedy, ready to entertain thousands, at London’s most beautiful festival site. Headlining the Hilltop Stage are dance music legends Faithless, performing their hits with a live. They are joined by pioneering drum ‘n’ bass artist Goldie, also performing with a full band, alongside BBC Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox playing an all-requests set of festival bangers, British indie staple Sleeper and the uplifting local ‘R’ Voices Choir. On the Cloud 10 stage, Eats Everything, DJ Spoony, Brandon Block, Melle Brown and Mas Que Nada Brothers form a line-up of eclectic DJs, while the Fringe Stage offers a variety of entertainment from renowned comedian and speaker Shappi Khorsandi and stand-ups Andrew Maxwell, Darran Griffiths and Alexandra Haddow, joined by diverse entertainment acts Beatles Dub Club, Hip Hop Karaoke and Four Forty Theatre.
Elsewhere, there’s something for the whole family with a variety of fantastic acts for all ages to enjoy, including Circus Sensible, Spare Room Arts, John Hinton’s Ensonglopedia, African Acrobatics Circus, Sohan Kailey and World’s Tallest Bubbleologist.
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