Switch (DJ)
Encyclopedia
Switch is a UK-based DJ, songwriter, sound engineer
and record producer. He is best known for his work with M.I.A.
and Santigold.
In the fidget house genre, Switch runs his own music label "Dubsided", as well as the label Counterfeet, established in 2006 with fellow producer Sinden. He has released various singles under his own name, and is also well-known for remixing and producing many major artists.
Most notably Switch has worked extensively with UK artist M.I.A.
co-producing tracks on her albums Arular
and Kala
. For the latter, he travelled to work with M.I.A.
in A. R. Rahman
's Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios and other locations such as Kodambakkam
, Chennai
and Trinidad and Tobago
. He says "When you go somewhere like India, and especially Jamaica, it puts you in a different train of thought, outside of your usual working conditions. They use music as their voice; they use it for politics, for religion. So, I think for people that are struggling, they can use it to vent frustrations, or to celebrate.”
He has also produced tracks for artists like Beyoncé, Santigold, Amanda Blank
, Nicola Roberts
and Christina Aguilera
.
In 2009 Switch collaborated with fellow producer Diplo (whom he met through artist M.I.A.
) to create the album Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do
under the name Major Lazer
.
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
and record producer. He is best known for his work with M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
and Santigold.
In the fidget house genre, Switch runs his own music label "Dubsided", as well as the label Counterfeet, established in 2006 with fellow producer Sinden. He has released various singles under his own name, and is also well-known for remixing and producing many major artists.
Most notably Switch has worked extensively with UK artist M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
co-producing tracks on her albums Arular
Arular
Arular is the 2005 debut album by British musician M.I.A. Originally set for a September 2004 release, the album was delayed due to problems obtaining permission to use samples. Arular was finally released in the US on 22 March 2005 and a month later in the UK with a slightly different track...
and Kala
Kala (album)
Kala is the second studio album by British musician M.I.A., released in August 2007. The album features musical styles ranging from dance music to alternative hip hop and makes extensive use of South Asian music such as that of the urumee, a drum used in gaana music native to Tamil Nadu, India. It...
. For the latter, he travelled to work with M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
in A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
's Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios and other locations such as Kodambakkam
Kodambakkam, Chennai
Kodambakkam is a residential neighbourhood in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. It is famed as the centre of the Tamil film industry known as Kollywood.- Location :...
, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
and Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
. He says "When you go somewhere like India, and especially Jamaica, it puts you in a different train of thought, outside of your usual working conditions. They use music as their voice; they use it for politics, for religion. So, I think for people that are struggling, they can use it to vent frustrations, or to celebrate.”
He has also produced tracks for artists like Beyoncé, Santigold, Amanda Blank
Amanda Blank
Amanda Blank is an American singer and member of the performance art band Sweatheart based in Philadelphia.-Early life:Amanda Blank was born in Germantown, a neighborhood in northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
, Nicola Roberts
Nicola Roberts
Nicola Maria Roberts is a British recording artist and entrepreneur. In 2002 Roberts auditioned for the reality televisions series and competition Popstars The Rivals which saw her finish in the final line-up of a girl group named Girls Aloud...
and Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
.
In 2009 Switch collaborated with fellow producer Diplo (whom he met through artist M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
) to create the album Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do
Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do
Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do is the debut full-length album by Major Lazer, collaborative music project from DJ/Producers Diplo and Switch. The album is heavily influenced by Jamaican dancehall music and features guest appearances from Jamaican artists on every track.-Reception:Rhapsody...
under the name Major Lazer
Major Lazer
Major Lazer is a collaborative musical project from DJ/Producers Diplo and Switch.-Background:Made up of DJs Diplo and Switch, the two were introduced after working with M.I.A.. The duo's first album Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do was released on June 16, 2009, on Downtown Records. It was...
.
Singles
- 2003 "Get Ya Dub On"
- 2004 "Get on Downz"
- 2005 "Just Bounce 2 This"
- 2006 "A Bit Patchy"
- 2011 "I Still Love You"
Mix albums
- 2006 House Bash-Up Mix (given away free with MixmagMixmagMixmag is a British dance music and clubbing magazine. It styles itself as "the world's biggest selling dance music magazine", with an Audit Bureau of Circulations audited circulation of approximately 21,250...
) - 2008 Fabric Live.43 – Get Familiar (Mixed by Sinden)
Production discography
- 2005 M.I.A.M.I.A. (artist)Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
"ArularArularArular is the 2005 debut album by British musician M.I.A. Originally set for a September 2004 release, the album was delayed due to problems obtaining permission to use samples. Arular was finally released in the US on 22 March 2005 and a month later in the UK with a slightly different track...
": Pull Up The People, Bucky Done Gun - 2007 M.I.A.M.I.A. (artist)Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
"KalaKala (album)Kala is the second studio album by British musician M.I.A., released in August 2007. The album features musical styles ranging from dance music to alternative hip hop and makes extensive use of South Asian music such as that of the urumee, a drum used in gaana music native to Tamil Nadu, India. It...
": Bamboo Banga, Bird Flu, Boyz, Jimmy, Hussel, 20 Dollar, World Town, XR2, Far Far - 2008 Santigold "Santigold": You'll Find a Way, Shove It, Say Aha, Creator, Starstruck, Anne
- 2010 Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
"Bionic": Bionic, Elastic Love, Monday Morning, Bobblehead - 2010 M.I.A.M.I.A. (artist)Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
"MayaMaya (M.I.A. album)Maya is the third studio album by British-Tamil recording artist M.I.A., released in July 2010 on her own label, N.E.E.T. Recordings, through XL Recordings and Interscope Records. Songwriting and production for the album were primarily handled by M.I.A., Blaqstarr and Rusko...
": Steppin Up, Teqkilla, Born Free - 2011 Beyoncé "44 (Beyoncé Knowles album)4 is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, released through Columbia Records on June 24, 2011. Three weeks before its scheduled release, 4 leaked in full. The twelve-song set marks the first release by Knowles since separating professionally with father and manager,...
": Run The World - 2011 Alex ClareAlex ClareAlex Clare, formely known as Alexander G. Muertos , is a British singer-songwriter composer from London, UK...
"The Lateness Of the Hour" (album) [with Diplo]
Remixes
Songs that Switch has remixed include:- 2003 Audio BullysAudio BullysAudio Bullys are an electronic music group from London, consisting of Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale. The group were once managed by DJ and presenter George Lamb....
– "Way Too Long" - 2003 The Chemical BrothersThe Chemical BrothersThe Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background...
– "Get Yourself High" - 2003 Futureshock – "Late at Night"
- 2004 Basement JaxxBasement JaxxBasement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
– "Right Here's the Spot" - 2004 The Chemical BrothersThe Chemical BrothersThe Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background...
– "Galvanize" - 2004 FaithlessFaithlessFaithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
– "Miss U Less, See U More" - 2004 Half Pint – "Red Light Green Light"
- 2004 JentinaJentinaJentina Rose Chapman professionally known as Jentina, is a British Hip hop/R&B singer, rapper, songwriter and model of Gypsy descent.-Biography:...
– "French Kisses" - 2004 Shaznay LewisShaznay LewisShaznay Lewis is a British female singer-songwriter and a former member of All Saints.-Biography:...
– "You" - 2004 Mondo GrossoMondo GrossoShinichi Osawa , also known as Mondo Grosso, is an artist currently signed onto Avex Trax's "Rhythm Zone" label. Previously he was signed to Sony Music Japan's FEARLESS RECORDS division and released albums under the title of 'Mondo Grosso', which is Italian for "big world". He was born on February...
– "Fire & Ice" - 2005 Basement JaxxBasement JaxxBasement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
– "Fly Life Xtra" - 2005 BodyRockersBodyRockersBodyRockers were an electronic music act, consisting of Dylan Burns and Kaz James. They are best known for their 2005 single, "I Like the Way".-Background:...
– "Round & Round" - 2005 Dubble D – "Switch"
- 2005 Evil NineEvil NineEvil Nine is a DJ duo comprising members Tom Beaufoy and Pat Pardy. Their musical style is primarily classified as breakbeat, although it additionally encompasses other influences.- Biography :The pair first came together in 1998 after meeting in Brighton...
– "Pearl Shot" - 2005 InfusionInfusion (band)Infusion is an Australian electronica band from Wollongong who are known for their energetic live performances and long résumé of remixes. Founding members Jamie Stevens and Manuel Sharrad met in Wollongong, where they both went to high school. Though third member Frank Xavier also hails from...
– "The Careless Kind" - 2005 Les Rythmes Digitales – "Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat)"
- 2005 X-Press 2X-Press 2X-Press 2 is an English electronic and dance music duo. The members are DJ Diesel and DJ Rocky . Ashley Beedle left to pursue solo projects in 2009.-History:...
– "Give It" - 2006 Lily AllenLily AllenLily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
– "LDN" - 2006 ColdcutColdcutColdcut are an English dance music duo, comprising Matt Black and Jonathan More. Their signature style is electronic dance music, featuring cut up samples of hip hop, breaks, jazz, spoken word and various other types of music, as well as video and multimedia.-1980s:In 1986, computer programmer Matt...
– "True Skool" - 2006 Def Inc – "Waking the Dread"
- 2006 Fatboy SlimFatboy SlimNorman Quentin Cook better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, electronic dance music musician, and record producer. He is a pioneer of the big beat genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s...
– "Champion Sound" - 2006 The FutureheadsThe FutureheadsThe Futureheads are an English post-punk band from Sunderland. consisting of Ross Millard , Barry Hyde and David "Jaff" Craig...
– "Worry About It Later" - 2006 JaydeeJaydeeJaydee is a Dutch/Italian house music producer and DJ duo. The original name was Jei D, which Robin Albers changed to JayDee, after teaming up with Joseph D. a DJ and dance music producer from Rome Italy...
– "Plastic Dreams" - 2006 KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
– "Bossy" - 2006 MYNC Project feat. Abigail Bailey – "Something on Your Mind"
- 2006 Sharon Phillips – "Want 2 / Need 2"
- 2006 PlaygroupPlaygroup (band)Playgroup is a British dance act. Basically the project of musician and designer Trevor Jackson, they were associated with the electroclash movement.Jackson has also performed under the names Underdog and Skull.-Albums:...
– "Front 2 Back" - 2006 Spank RockSpank RockSpank Rock is an American hip-hop group consisting of rapper Naeem Juwan and producer Alex Epton . Their style is generally described as a mix of underground alternative rap and electro and rock.- Biography :...
– "Bump" - 2007 Basement JaxxBasement JaxxBasement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
– "Hey U" - 2007 The Black GhostsThe Black GhostsThe Black Ghosts are a United Kingdom-based electronic music duo composed of Theo Keating and Simon William Lord, formed in 2006. They are currently signed to Southern Fried Records in the UK and IAMSOUND Records in North America. Keating and Lord had previously been in the bands The Wiseguys and...
– "Face" - 2007 KlaxonsKlaxonsKlaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
– "Golden Skans" - 2007 P. DiddySean CombsSean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
– "Tell Me" - 2007 Freeform FiveFreeform FiveFreeform Five is London based DJ, producer, songwriter Anu Pillai. It was his remix of Isolee’s “Beau Mot Plage” in 1999 that alerted many to this production outfit....
– "No More Conversations" - 2007 Just JackJust JackJack Christopher Allsopp , known by the stage name Just Jack, is an English musician from Camden Town, London. He first came to prominence with the release of his 2007 single "Starz in Their Eyes", which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart...
– "Glory Days" - 2007 DJ MehdiDJ MehdiMehdi Favéris-Essadi , better known by his stage name DJ Mehdi, was a French hip hop and electro producer of mixed French and Tunisian origin.-Biography:...
– "I Am Somebody" - 2007 MikaMika (singer)Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
– "Love Today" - 2007 Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
– "Capital GCapital G"Capital G" is a single by Nine Inch Nails, the second from their 2007 album Year Zero. A promo CD of the track was released through Interscope Records on April 2, 2007, and a vinyl was later released through What Records on June 11...
" - 2007 Simian Mobile DiscoSimian Mobile DiscoSimian Mobile Disco are a United Kingdom-based production and remix team formed in 2005 by James Ford and Jas Shaw of the band Simian. Musically, they are known for their analogue production...
– "I Believe" - 2007 Speaker Junk – "Foxxy"
- 2007 Ben WestbeechBen WestbeechBen Westbeech is a male DJ, singer and producer originating from Bristol, but who now lives in London, UK. Trained as cellist and vocalist, his influences include House, Soul, Jazz and hip hop.-Beginning Carrer :...
– "Dance with Me" - 2007 Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
– "Never Touch That Switch" - 2007 Jacknife LeeJacknife LeeGarret "Jacknife" Lee is an Irish music producer and mixer. He has worked with a variety of artists, including The Cars, U2, R.E.M., Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, AFI, The Hives, Weezer, Vega4 and Editors.-Biography:...
– "Making Me Money" - 2007 Radioclit – "Divine Gosa"
- 2007 Armand Van HeldenArmand Van HeldenArmand Van Helden is a record producer, DJ and remixer whose biggest commercial successes came from his remixes of the 1996 Tori Amos song "Professional Widow" , which reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1997, and his own track "U Don't Know Me ", which went to number 1...
– "Je T'Aime" - 2007 Santogold – "You'll Find a Way"
- 2007 Santogold – "L.E.S. Artistes"
- 2008 BlaqstarrBlaqstarrCharles Smith, better known as Blaqstarr or DJ Blaqstarr, is a Baltimore, Maryland area rapper, singer, producer, and DJ...
feat. Rye Rye – "Shake It To The Ground" - 2008 Late of the PierLate of the PierLate of the Pier are a four-piece dance-punk band from Castle Donington, England, currently signed to Phantasy. Their debut album Fantasy Black Channel was released on 11 August 2008 by Parlophone produced by Erol Alkan.- History :...
– "Space And The Woods" - 2008 Laughing Boy and the Wrath of Khan – "PM Chalkman"
- 2008 Santogold – "Shove It"
- 2008 UnderworldUnderworld (band)Underworld are a British electronic group, and principal name under which duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have recorded together since 1980.- Early years: 1979–1986 :...
– "Boy, Boy, Boy" - 2008 Mystery JetsMystery JetsMystery Jets are an English five-piece indie band, formerly based on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, London. The band was formed by Henry Harrison , Blaine Harrison and William Rees when the boys were still at school and would send each other songs on cassettes...
– "Hideaway" - 2009 BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
– "NáttúraNáttúra"Náttúra" is a song written and recorded by Icelandic singer Björk. The track was released as a single promoting the protection of the Icelandic environment. All proceeds from the single will be donated to the Náttúra Foundation, the environmental preservation campaign after which the song is named...
" - 2010 SugababesSugababesThe Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
– "Wear My KissWear My Kiss"Wear My Kiss" is an electropop song performed by English girl group Sugababes. It was released on 21 February, 2010 as the third single from their seventh studio album, Sweet 7. "Wear My Kiss" was written by Fernando Garibay, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and brothers Carlos & Steven Battey and...
" - 2010 Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
– "Bionic, Monday Morning, Bobblehead, Elastic Love" - 2011 TV on the RadioTV on the RadioTV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
– "Will Do" - 2011 Ke$ha – "Animal"