A flyer for Overload, Dan’s night in London. (0598095)

DAN Hamill, who was born and bred in Guernsey, has taken advantage of his opportunities. Talking to him, you realise he is fully aware that the only way to continue the luck he’s had so far is to carry on working hard.

Having played the drums since he was 10, he has always had a passion for music and was offered a deal at 16 with his then band, Many Many More.

His transition from band member to DJ came while he was studying at Eastbourne College, yet he cannot quite pinpoint exactly how it came about.

‘I got lost somewhere between the drums and being a DJ,’ said Dan. ‘Although I remember Stuart (DJ Killa) selling me some crazy dance record when I was about 13. I guess I can blame him for getting me into it.’

While studying in Plymouth, he played at a club called Heroes, which became a weekly thing. When he returned to Guernsey that summer (2006), he played everywhere – Bar One, Baloo’s, Budah Bar and Barbados and he ran a weekly night at Rogues called Headfunk.

Later, Dan was invited to play alongside Roberto Mascherucci who gave him massive inspiration to continue doing what he loved.

‘I was only a nipper at the time, 18, and Roberto used to push me to make mix tapes, mix tapes and more damn mix tapes.’

Back then, Dan focused purely on house music, but over the past two years his sound has developed to electro, bassline and breakbeat.

Now based in London where he continues his university studies,

Dan is part of the I and I Collective which has been part of London’s scene for the past year. I and I is Duncan Fuller, Chris Kiddie and Mark Findlay.

‘Sounds strange, but I don’t like playing by myself,’ explained Dan.

‘I’m not into the whole back-to-back thing. I and I is more integrated stuff – we’re really taking full advantage of the technology available at the moment and trying to keep up with what’s going on.

‘There is this big debate still about CDJs and decks – the whole CD v. vinyl thing, which I avoid – and fair play to those who stick to their roots. But it works for me to use all the technology – vinyl, CDs and downloads – which I am currently studying as part of my degree, so being able to get familiar with it helps. Plus, vinyl is still pretty expensive.’

I and I works with a promoter, Union, which has helped gain slots in some of London’s most prestigious clubs – Fabric, Pacha, The Key, The Cross and a residency with Union in The Gallery at Ministry of Sound.

‘The way it works in London is that a very select few of the top promoters are chosen by the clubs,’ explained Dan.

‘So Union was one of three chosen by Fabric – that’s how we got to play there. We played in the back room a couple of times, but I got to play in the main room not too long ago with Chris – it was pretty awesome.

‘What people need to understand, however, is that we don’t play as Fabric residents. It’s all down to your promoters at the end of the day.

It isn’t as easy as it looks – it’s not just about DJing, it’s about promoting and speaking to the right people, knowing that nine times out of 10 you’re going to be knocked back.’

Overload will be launched at London’s La Scala on 26 September. With the help of the promotion team and his ‘right-hand man’, Toby, Dan has drawn in some big names to mark the occasion.

‘It’s going to be a monstrous night,’ said Dan.

‘I’m pretty nervous about the whole thing – the capacity of the club is around 1,500 people and drawing in 200-300 people to your night in London is pretty difficult. Toby knows the industry like the back of his hand and he has some sponsors on board, so it’s looking good.’

Dan plans to continue Overload as a quarterly event, as well as concentrating on his music.

‘But you won’t hear my productions until I feel they are ready,’ he said.

‘I’m still fresh into production, so I really am wanting feedback from people in the industry. First impressions in this business are important.

‘I love DJing – it’s a complete lifestyle for me. When I had just finished at Plymouth, I joked that I’d play Fabric within a year – 14 months later, I had. I have always aspired to push the boundaries and take it to the next level. People keep telling me I’m lucky, and yeah, maybe I have been – but I’m working hard to keep it up.’

• For more information on Dan and I and I, check out the Facebook group for updates.