We recently connected with Jennifer Andresen, Matt Bigham N/A and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer Andresen, Matt Bigham, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Jennifer (Pinky): I was invited to be part of a girl collective in Dallas. I misunderstood the purpose of the group and was thwarted in my efforts to teach or mentor other dis within the group. I decided to go off on my own and start my own collective called 3Kings Texas which is comprised of experienced and unexperienced dis of all ages and focused on three genres (albeit encouraged to explore more music) hardcore, hardstyle, and drum and bass. Within the group we included veterans of the craft to input and teach and mentor newer djs. I encouraged community mindset rather than competition and we pool our assets to help one another in our journey as an artist. Before starting this group I had noticed that the presence of hardcore at electronic music events around the DFW area had dwindled into nothing, but that the interest and the djs were huge in numbers. As a veteran dj from 1999-2003 (during the heyday of happy hardcore) I felt like it was my responsibility to pursue the idea of 3Kings collective in it’s early original form (this was to promote happy hardcore music throughout the US). So I reformulated 3Kings Texas to be a mirror of the original format and purpose but with some additional bonus content and material. It has become more of a learning opportunity as well as a support group for these djs to help them get around brick walls they might face in getting their foot in the door or knowing the right people in order to play regularly. I teach 24/7 whenever they need me and mentor every person involved. I expect professionalism and community based behavior from all of my dis and our supporting community. I also expect dj pay from promoters who hire us. Our brand has reached thousands of people and has an impact on the hard dance community globally as well as locally. It continues to be my pride and joy despite any obstacles we face. There are more than 25 dis at any given time from which any promoter in the area can hire. I give them the tools they need to succeed and guidance along the way. They are my family.
Matt Bigham (Big Techs) After 20 years in the Punk Rock circuit playing in multiple Bands a very good friend of mine from the UK threw a CD at me in 1992 from the Artist “Goldie”. It was my introduction into the World of Drum and Bass music. I had never heard anything like it and was immediately hooked. A huge fan of the music for many years it wasn’t until 5 years ago that I made the decision to gear up and start making my own tracks.
It took 2 years of being a student of a new style of music to even attempt to let anyone hear a track that I had produced. Since then I have released a full album “Unrested” released August of 2023 and recently a Single “Float Away” with my partner in crime “Pinky. Pinky and I found a commonality when listening to each others music online. Later we would perform together and work together. Although we have our own projects and go out on our own we always stay in contact, daily. It is important in todays difficult music scene to band together to create interest in your craft. It is very tempting to jump into a local music scene and start performing locally but it’s not what I’m looking for. This is a small World with reach overseas instantaneously. I prefer to catch the attention of a Global Audience instead of the World just within site. I’ve never felt more alive than I do now being able to write, produce and master my own music whenever I want. This is the most meaningful project I’ve ever created for myself.My new single “We are who” featuring Brad Taylor on Trumpet is set for release on all platforms July 17th.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Jennifer; I am a born and raised Texas girl, what some people would call a educational nerd, whose passion for music and artistry brought her to a community built around inclusion and self expression. Within that community I found a community based family type atmosphere that made me feel included and loved just as I was. I wanted to be a part of it in a big way. So I learned how to dj to be a part of the experience and make an impact on others discovering electronic music.I was absent from the scene for twenty years when I had to focus on finishing college and then had a family. Now that my kids are out of high school and doing the young adult thing I had time to pursue my own interests and hobbies and remembered I was pretty happy when I played music for electronic music events. So I was going to do that again. I never thought it would lead me to where I am now. I am what I consider to be an anti-gatekeeper. This means I find talented individuals who might not have the tools they need to be able to play whether it be knowledge on social media or content creation. Or who the promoter groups are, or even history of electronic music. I provide consultation, direction, tools, mentoring, practice sessions, and support to many different artists. I work tirelessly connecting and networking with people across the US, not just for me as an individual artist-as PINKY-but for everyone in 3kings so that I can find the right opportunities for anyone who might need connections or help. I have 238 mixes recorded and put on the platform Mixcloud. 7 of those mixes have made it to the number one weekly spot on a global charting rank. Which means I have been number one in a global mix cloud ranking system multiple times. I have met a ton of people who have contributed to my journey as an artist through this platform. What sets me apart is my back story and “legend” status which allows me to make an impact on the local music scene despite my the difficulties I have faced and however many times people have tried to cancel me. I just released my first collaborative track with Big Techs and I am starting on my producer journey in the next few months with Flexxas, a producer of 5 years, who will be teaching me all there is to learn about the software programs involved. I will be working on some creative projects hopefully with him as repayment for the lessons. What sets me apart from other artists in my area is the sub-genre of drum and bass that I like to play and the record company Rolled up Records out of Orlando FL who sends me tracks to play and promote. These sounds are unique and it is what has developed me into the artist I am today. My brand is all about being yourself no matter how quirky you are, being authentic is more valuable than any facade you could put on. I speak what I mean and I do not allow negativity in my circle I address it immediately and I am misunderstood for doing these things and kind of ostracized in Dallas for doing that. I am most proud of the brand 3kings and its ability to make an impact for the hard dance genre globally. I am also super proud of the song Float Away that I did vocals on. Big Techs wrote it during my struggle with a relationship ending and I wrote the lyrics. It really metaphorically shows what people feel as they separate from someone who becomes an entirely different person. I would like potential fans or promoters to know I am interested in playing wherever this journey takes me if given the opportunity both Techs and I are. We are best friends and looking forward to the growth of our partnership in promoting liquid drum and bass. 3kings Texas is also continuing to build and become more professional and built at as time goes on and as I learn more about website building and content creation.
Matt Bigham (Big Techs) Punk frontman from 1980 to 2009 “Assassins” “X’s for Eyes” and others. Went for opening for the Ramones to being the new guy again and love it. Been writing music since forever and just needed the ability to do it all on my own without outside influences. My previous musical peers are confused by my change in genre and even go as far as to project prejudice against electronic music altogether. What they don’t realize is the difficulty involved in creating this music. I alone write, produce and master my own music. I’m extremely proud of the last 2 singles produced this year. Float away w/Pinky and my upcoming single “We are Who”. The thing I love most about this project is the fact that every time I produce a track it’s better than the last one.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Jennifer: I had an experience of in appropriate behavior coming from another dj and a close friend of ours. I wanted to address this issue privately and resolve it privately. However, when I woke up after having an unresolved conversation with the couple the night before, I discovered they had not respected our privacy and had contacted people that I played regularly for at the Green Elephant. In this process I heard from many women in our community had experienced similar problems and were actually avoiding events this couple I had problems with attended. I did not think this was right at all, that it had not been addressed properly, and I wanted to talk about this with a larger community so I talked about it on social media which is a big no no as an artist. This created a whirl wind of conversation, some of which got out of hand, and personally impacted my life in such a way, from the backlash of the offenders, that I have lasting ptsd symptoms because of it. I have to be aware of my surroundings at all times and have experienced threats of harm, rumors and shaming, and in the moment of talking about this online was taken off a lineup by a group called Repercussions who is a leader in the dab community in Dallas. They said I was trying to use their event as a platform for my cause (women speaking up against misbehavior without retaliation) when I was simply saying any event that I am playing at Is a safe space for women to talk about it or report when their are issues. Two other djs separated from that group during this happening in support of me-my boyfriend at the time and the very legendary Dj Titan or Gilbert Najara of Dallas Texas, who to this day Is still a confidant and dear friend of mine. I focused on drum and bass a little too much to show them how these actions only inspired me and motivated me, and within 3 months had drawn attention of the US and global drum and bass communities by having 3 number one drum and bass mixes. I worked on being better than the people talking smack. The only way I will ever play for that group in the future is as a headlining act and paid appropriately. The 25 dollars they offer visiting artists to play for them is not appropriate for the effort put into creating a set. Even as an artist manager I would not accept a gig for any artist payingn that low of a fee. In the US I am known for Dnb and well liked. In Dallas Pinky cannot play drum and bass unless she throws the show herself. I am basically blacklisted. No one will hire me, if they do there are repercussions. Which might be why that promotions group chose that name. You never know.
Matt Bigham (Big Techs) I love the game. I enjoy keeping my mouth shut and letting my craft do the talking.
My resilience lies in the fact that I enjoy this so much no amount of Negative feedback can stop me. It will only inspire me
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Jennifer: What society needs to do in order to support artists and artistry, is to realize where you put your money is what survives just like a brand will retire a flavor of coffee when it does not do well in sales, or if a new product does not take off or hit the market as predicted it does not survive. Artists are your product and your money and presence are helping us survive and continue to participate. We get paid 1 out of every 5 bookings some months. We have to fight for pay at times depending on how much turnout is at an event. We need the support on social media and most definitely need it when we are playing an event. I will tell. you an artist has many different types of events they do, if they are fully into being a professional artist. Whether it is showing up in their twitch stream that week rather than making it out to a live event it still matters so much that you tune in-and that is totally free to do! This will help the artist with showing they have support and people enjoy watching us. Some platforms pay out, Follow all our socials help us with numbers, financially support with tips if you can every little bit helps and counts! Just talking about your experience at an event will help artists and promoters and continued growth of electronic music. Giving smaller events a bunch of extra support also is KEY in community growth for electronic music, that is where your really talented artists and most creative people are. Research what you are supporting as well. Support ethically what is in line with your ethics. The true authentic good vibes are not at stereo live or at a concert type setting. The people doing things by coming together and throwing an event on a shoestring budget are the ones who need the most support because that is where the heart is .
Artist grants from government agencies to support the arts is also a way I know that many djs are able to sustain their craft and help throw events. I do not know of Dallas doing this currently but San Antonio does. I think the Dallas and Fort Worth areas should consistently offer this as it would help artists who put endless hours and time in for non paid gigs to help us sustain our music and livelihood.
Matt Bigham (Big Techs) Collaborate Collaborate Collaborate. My last two releases have been through collaborating with other artists. Twice the talent packed into one product helps the culture. Artists working together create bonds that last forever therefore creating a healthy Culture. I recently spoke to another DNB producer in London “Spikey Tee” and together we’ve devised a plan for him to come to the U.S. to collaborate on a track with us and to schedule U.S. dates that will include Pinky and myself. Work together and create friendships is key.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinky_333_music?igsh=MWF1eHgzcjB0cHJ0Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.instagram.com/bigtechsdnb?igsh=eTFwcHJhbDYyc3Rs&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinky333musically?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://www.facebook.com/Thirdcoast62?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@pinky3332?si= https://www.youtube.com/@Mattspleen1
- Other: https://bigtechs.hearnow.com/float-away/
Image Credits
N/A