JACK HARDIE / bolam
Photo Cred: Splang Studio
28 April 2020
Jack Hardie who goes by the name, ‘Bolam’, is a 26-year-old DJ from Shetland. Now based in Edinburgh, Jack has played in many venues across Scotland and has recently been featured in DJ Mag for one of his produced tracks.
I asked Jack, what first got him into DJing: “ I first dabbled with producing when I was around 10 years old on a program called Acid Pro…which was really good for making mashups and bootlegs, my dad showed it to me and I loved mucking around on it.”
However, it wasn’t until his college degree in computing, that he purchased his friends’ Electribe EMX sequencer which, “properly kickstarted" his, "love for making beats.”
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Photo Cred: Splang Studio
Jack began continuously, making 32 bar loops before progressing onto the program, Ableton, creating “fully fleshed out tracks” whenever he had the time. It soon became something he really enjoyed, “so it wasn’t long until I picked up DJing and, well, the rest is history.”
A central influence of Jack’s, is UK DJ and producer, ‘Lone’ who has been active in the electronic scene for over 10 years: “His tracks have a life within them, and they totally lift me up and put me in a safe place and I wanted to try and re-create that.”
Other influences include ‘Orbital’, ‘Underworld’, ‘The Chemical Brothers’, ‘Fatboy Slim’, ‘Roberto Rodriguez’, ‘Gene On Earth’, ‘iO Mulen’, ‘Adam Pits’, ‘Slow Life Records’, ‘R&S Records’, and ‘Holding Hands Records.’
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"It wasn’t long until I picked up DJing and, well, the rest is history”
One of the factors DJ’s must consider, is creating their own ‘stage name’ or ‘alias’, to allow them to stand out. So, I asked Jack, why the name ‘Bolam’?
He divulged it began as he was staying in Edinburgh college halls, “daydreaming” out of his window, thinking of ideas: “I was staring blankly at the sign by the main entrance, which is the name of the building itself in big letters; ‘Bolam House’ and it just clicked. I really like the word Bolam so I just went with it.”
One of Jack’s favourite venues to DJ is back home in Shetland at Lerwick Legion, citing it has a “special place”, where he plays at their Electric Soup nights. Another is Sneaky Petes, situated in the Cowgate of Edinburgh, known to support local and worldwide DJ’s and musicians in its tiny, and bustling venue.
“It’s such a great atmosphere in there because the booth is at the same level as the dancefloor, so it feels like a party, super intimate.”
Jack’s produced mixed track, ‘Break Yo’ Self’, was first released in 2019, gaining over 10,000 views on YouTube. This recognition didn’t stop there, as soon Jack’s track received air play on various radio stations including, Amazing Radio, Café Mambo Radio, Chill Lover Radio, Airdance Radio and Soulfly Radio, as well as featuring in BBC Introducing.
Jack gives special acknowledgment to his flat mate who helped in setting up these opportunities, as a “well connected” Edinburgh promoter: “I owe him so much for all the help he’s given me.”
Recently Jack’s work was also premiered in DJ Mag via MELD, a ‘label, collective, party and podcast’ based in Aberdeen. MELD were preparing for the official release of ‘Break Yo’ Self’ which would feature an additional three songs. The full line up would include: ‘Break Yo’ Self’, ‘Forgot My Brain’, Break Yo’ Self (Sputnik One Remix)’ and ‘Forgot My Brain (Willy Remix).’
Jack cites the article as an,“amazing moment! They wrote up a really flattering description of the track as well, I’m super gassed about it.”
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Jack describes the Scottish DJ scene as “fantastic” mentioning there are a great number of passionate Scottish DJ’s, producers and labels: “I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface on what the country has to offer…You really can’t beat Scottish crowds either, they’re so mad for it.”
Although, like any music industry, there are challenges DJ’s face. The most pivotal, is to create their own unique sound and style to set them aside from everybody else.
“Having your own sound is a big one that a lot of people struggle with; I think my tracks have my sound in them because there’s a certain kind of sound that gives me satisfaction that I always go for, so for me it’s a natural thing.”
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However, Jack admits he finds it difficult in deciding when a track is finished, describing himself as a “perfectionist, it’s never really done.” Another challenge Jack reveals, is finding the time to not only produce the physical track, but to conduct “research, admin, organising, emailing, networking, promoting, practising and tune hunting.”
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“Having your own sound is a big one that a lot of people struggle with"
Despite working a full time job, Jack explains it’s, “all part of the game though, you do it because you love it, just do what you can when you can and still keep the enjoyment in it without letting the stress take over.”
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Since the UK went into lock down in the light of COVID-19; bars, venues, and clubs have all closed their doors. Although Jack is hoping to plan another Electric Soup night this summer, it is unclear about any upcoming gigs and events. Instead, I’ve asked Jack to look back on attending his most memorable gigs and DJ sets, to get those excited for when we can finally go out and celebrate.
In response Jack recalls seeing Underworld in London which “blew him away” as well as, David Byrne in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. David Byrne is a great inspiration to Jack, describing the show as “mesmerising.”
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"Just do what you can when you can and still keep the enjoyment in it without letting the stress take over”
However, Jack cites Ben UFO and Joy Orbison and La Cheetah in Glasgow, as one of the best DJ sets he has ever witnessed, which sums up the great atmosphere electronic music can evoke: “they have this amazing skill of taking the mix wherever they want it to, and the crowd is in the palm of their hand the whole time.”
Author: Karina Caulfield