Ryan Aitchison, otherwise known as Mella Dee, is a DJ and producer based in London. Having grown up in the Yorkshire town of Doncaster in the north of England, his musical influences come from the sounds of warehouse parties in and around his local area. He’s been in the music game for over ten years, but his 2017 breakout record Techno Disco Tool, introduced him and his multi-genre sound to a wider audience.
We sat down with Mella Dee to talk about UK music, playing a 12-hour set, and his love for tracksuits, skateboarding and Air Max 95s.
Tell me about your career, how did you get started, how would you describe your sound and what you play?
I reckon the best way of describing my sound is that it’s quite ‘UK’. It’s a mix of textures. So it includes techno, house, jungle, hardcore, garage – all sorts of different kinds of sounds. In terms of getting into music and DJing, 10 years ago I released my first single, ‘CTRL’, so it’s been quite a varied trip between DJing and trying my hand at production—it’s quite a lengthy story, 10 years worth!
What influences you musically?
All sorts of stuff. Jungle, garage, techno, Detroit techno, house, grime, dubstep – it literally comes from everything. It all boils down to the music I hear and what I like.
What are your career highlights so far?
It’s all about goals and next steps and keeping things going. In terms of highlights, that’s such a big question. I always struggle with these kinds of questions, but I love all different kinds of gigs.
I love the small, hot, sweaty packed-out clubs – as much as I love the 5,000 people ones. A big moment for me was probably last year I played a 12 hour set at the Ross Band Stand in Edinburgh Castle Gardens. I played back to back with Dennis Sulta, but I’ve played 8/9/10 hour all-nighters before. It’s a challenge, but it’s fun.
What’s the most overrated thing right now?
Coffee. Yeah, everyone gasses it. It’s alright for a little boost but that’s about it.
What’s the most underrated thing right now?
Happy Hardcore. It’s just underrated. People badmind it.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Tracksuits. I wear tracksuits and I wear Air Max 95s. That’s the most of it. Nice tracksuits and bits and bobs to try and set it off. My Slazenger Banger Tracksuit is my favourite at the minute, that’s a bad boy tracksuit. It’s really good quality. When I bought it, the woman was surprised at how expensive it was for Sports Direct, which is quite funny.
Have you always been into streetwear and trainers?
Yeah, I’ve been a skateboarder since I was 11, 12 years old, so it’s always just been a part of me. And it means you have to buy a lot of pairs of trainers. I remember before Nike SB was Nike SB and you could only buy them in certain skate shops and stuff like that.
What’s your favourite trainer of all time?
The OG Air Max 95s. They need to drop that one again. That would make this year alright.
Do you remember the first trainer that meant something to you?
Probably when I was a kid, I got a bad boy pair of Cortez.
What else is in your trainer rotation at the moment as well as the 95s?
Vapormax. I’ve got some TN Vapormax and also 720s. When I first saw them I wasn’t sure but I like that they’re futuristic. I also like the Flyknits, but they ripped which pissed me off. They were sick. But that material is just a bit of a fucking nightmare.
What’s next for you?
There are loads more music coming out. Stuff that I’m just about to start now and some more projects, but I’ve just been in the studio. When I’m not DJing I’m in the studio so I’ve always got tonnes of music, it’s just making the plans for it. A lot of it I release via my own label, Warehouse Music, so it’s just as and when.
