Jim 'Shaft' Ryan
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Interview by Carl Marsh - April 2014
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Thanks Jim for doing this Q&A with me, one I am looking forward to seeing as we have known each other for a good few years now!
Most people will know you as a pioneer of the dance music scene, club promoter with 'Miss Moneypennys' & 'Chuff Chuff', remixer, radio host, the list goes on and on and on... As you know Jim, I promote reading, by asking inspirational & motivated people from all areas why reading is important. So Jim, why do you think it is important that reading is something we should all do? Reading is a gift, it’s a never ending source of education. I am fortunate as well as being a DJ/Promoter, I also teach English. I studied English at University so I have always had a passion for reading, even though over the last 20 years the time spent with a book is not as consistent as I would like. What is/are your favourite book(s) and why? Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger & On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Catcher in the Rye - I love because of it sense of alienation. On The Road – just love it, brilliantly written and thematically so inspiring. Whenever I go back to it, it makes me feel the urge for youthful adventure!! Are you reading anything at present, if not, what was the last book you read? I am attempting for the umpteen time James Joyce’s ‘Finnegan’s Wake’. It’s a book I never put down, because it is such a challenge to read. One day I will finish it. We all know you are a prominent DJ, and have been so for over 20 years, I hear though that you are involved in a clothing label, is that true? My first business was a clothing shop with my brother Mick, called the Depot. We designed our own clothes. So to get involved again in clothing is going round full circle with the label called 'Hunter & Nelson'. What do the next 12 months holds for Jim Shaft Ryan? Still play records regularly, get back into producing, keep pushing forward with Heroes Of House. Get 'Hunter & Nelson' into the High Street, finish writing my musical ‘Ibiza the Musical’ Have you any big DJ music events coming up that you are involved in? Next Heroes Of House Events are 7th June in Birmingham and 5th July in Bowlers Manchester. Random question time! If you could be an animal, what would it be, and why? A cat, just to get pampered all day! Lastly Jim, if you were not a DJ, what would you like to have become? God knows! I have had so many career paths and I have been very lucky, possibly an actor or director!! Thanks Carl, Jim www.jimshaftryan.com www.hunterandnelsonbrand.co.uk www.moneypennys.comwww.myspace.com/jimshaftryan www.celestialrecordings.net |
Occupation: DJ / Music Producer
Country: UK |