LargeUp Mix Series: Swing Ting’s “UK Carnival Bubblers” MIx

Notting Hill Carnival is nearly upon us, and to get us ready for this year’s celebration, we’re passing the aux cord to U.K. sound crew and record label Swing Ting. Led by producers Platt and Samrai, DJ Joey B and vocalist Fox, Swing Ting are in the midst of a strong run, dropping regular heat from the likes of Equiknoxx, Devin Di Dakta, Blvk Hero and more of late. We knew they’d come strong, and they do not disappoint on Vol. 20 of the LargeUp Mix Series, running through dancehall, soca, afrobeats, afro bashment. Grab the mix below, and scroll on for the track list and an interview with Swing Ting’s Samrai.

What would you like the people to know about Swing Ting?

Swing Ting are a crew of DJ, producers and vocalists based in Manchester, U.K. The name was originally a little tongue in cheek but here we are almost a decade later! Platt and Samrai initially began Swing Ting as a specialist radio show before becoming a party in December 2008. In 2011, the dances moved to Soup Kitchen, where they take place every third Saturday of the month with crowd favourites Fox, Murlo and Joey B joining the resident team in 2012.

Winter 2014 saw the inception of the Swing Ting label, a platform to release fresh music from the family as well as from friends, peers and like-minded producers. Since then the releases have flowed, with Brackles, Fox, Madd Again! (Zed Bias, Trigga, Killa Benz & Specialist Moss), Famous Eno, Florentino, Trigganom, Equiknoxx, Devin Di Dakta, Alexx A-Game, Epic B, Flava D, RTKal, Shanique Marie, Blvk H3ro, Gemma Dunleavy, Tyler Daley, Sharda, Samrai & Platt all releasing on the imprint. The crew have built a strong reputation of rocking parties beyond just the U.K. taking the Swing Ting sound on the road with bookings across Europe, Central America and the Caribbean.

What were your inspirations and thoughts in making this mix?

From our end, we tried to do an honest reflection of tunes we’ve enjoyed hearing from soundsystems and floats at various UK carnivals (Moss Side Manchester, St Paul’s Bristol, Huddersfield and Notting Hill, London) along with a few personal favourites as well as what looks set to run it this year and a few predictions. Drops throughout the mix come from ST member Fox, and friends/peers Gavsborg, RTKal, Shanique Marie, Lady Ice, Alicai Harley, Charley Black, Trigganom and Blvk H3ro.

Any Notting Hill stories you’d like to share? Any recommendations?

We’d recommend always heading out early (before midday) and only to roll with a small like-minded crew or you’ll end up having a stressful day. Don’t try to move around too much as the afternoon sets in. So hard to pin down a particular sound but find a spot that’s catching the vibe that day – Nasty Love, Volcano, Saxon, Glady Wax, Block Party, Soulution, Aba Shanti are just a few. These days we hit soundsystems on a Sunday (family day) and follow floats on a Monday (generally a busier day at the sounds).

What’s next for Swing Ting?

We’ve just dropped the video with Blvk H3ro, “Can’t Wait,” shot in Jamaica earlier this year. “Can’t Wait” is taken from our Junction EP out now on 12″ vinyl and digital. Catch us in London around carnival weekend throwing our Daylight Ravings Carnival Warm-up party on Saturday 25th August with Hipsters Don’t Dance at Ace Hotel. It’s free with RSVP. We also have several label projects to drop before the end of the year as well as celebrating our 10th Birthday this December.

Upcoming Swing Ting Dates:

Swing Ting & Fox / Flava D (All Night Long) at XOYO, London Friday 24th August

Swing Ting & Hipsters Don’t Dance present Daylight Ravings at Ace Hotel, London Saturday 25th August

Swing Ting & Fox at Tun Up! The Attic, Bristol, Saturday 1st September

Swing Ting & Trigganom at Festival No. 6, Portmeirion, Friday 7th September