5 Questions December edition: DJ Hollie "Poprocks" Robson

Hi Hollie and welcome to the first instalment of our 5 questions feature. Thanks for agreeing to take part. We have had a few contributions from people (some more sensible than others) but here are the ones I have picked.

Before we kick off with the questions, can I please just ask you to tell us a bit about yourself (what you do, what you have done etc.)?

Hi, I'm Hollie Robson - I've been DJing for about 2 years, I learnt from a friend- James Boland how to. I started DJing at Revolution for a rock night called Carnage then moved on to chart and cheese Wednesdays and Fridays. I worked at the Boxx DJing indie then moved to the Gasworks doing student Thursdays and classic rock Saturdays. Now I'm at Rio's doing metal Fridays and student Wednesdays, I love DJing, it's the most fun job I've had and I do see it as a big achievement when I've done nights that are packed with hundreds of people or private parties where people are having a great night and loving the music.

Ok so the first of our questions is from Tom Marshall (Cypher / Gasworks / Mannville).

"Why the name DJ Poprocks?"

I wanted something catchy that people will recognise. The main music I DJ is Rock and Pop so that comes into it and an idea I had was giving out sweets when people made requests but it's quite hard finding popping candy these days. You hear from people a lot that it's a rare thing to see a female DJ in such a male oriented industry - it's nice when I hear supportive comments.

The second question comes from Rob 'Screwball' Holmes.

"What's the strangest song request you've ever had?"

"Head, shoulders, knees and toes" before I knew it was a new release lol.I thought someone was asking for some children's song - it left me confused till I updated my music :D

Next up is a light-hearted one from Matthew Wade (Sounds Of Swami).

"Do the bodies really have to hit the floor? AGAIN?"

Hell yeah they do! No matter what clubs I've DJ'd this song is a guaranteed floor-filler. If the people request it it must be good, I'm the same on a night off even if I've heard it 1000 times I'll still dance.

Another one from Rob Holmes

"Do you think that the Bradford music scene is dying?"

The Bradford music scene, when you compare to Leeds music scene is lacking. The main live venues with stages usually have tribute bands on instead of new, creative, artists. This years Bradford Music week showed the city has talent to be showcased. Clubs like Gasworks and Zuu bar are the perfect place for such live acts. There is no reason why the Bradford music scene cannot grow and get back on the music map, with some serious consideration and the right people at the reins, Bradford will once again be the place to come for such influential artists.

And finally one from myself (a two part question I guess)

"When you are not DJing yourself and on a night out, what qualities do you most notice in other DJs? And who is your personal favourite local DJ?"

I love seeing energetic DJ's who really get the crowd going, I really respect vinyl DJ's as it is such a difficult skill to learn but even if your a beginner, simply playing one song then the next if you build the atmosphere with the right song choice and get involved with the crowd on the mic taking time to talk and take requests- you are a great DJ, it's all about making sure the crowd are enjoying it.

It's hard to pick just one DJ as there are a lot in Bradford I think are amazing but Tim Prudames (Raetones16) has been practising for years, promoting himself, teaching others and sticking at it and is now doing big things as he is really talented, yet he is still the same person, it hasn't gone to his head and still has the time to help others, I really respect him for all this.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Is there anyone in particular you would like to nominate for the next 5 questions?

Tim Prudames, Raetones16 :D

In addition to her work at Rio's, Hollie will be taking up DJ duties at the Zuu Bar in 2010.