With a career spanning nearly two decades, it is little wonder that Slacker was usually one step ahead of the game; this was more apparent than ever after the introduction of Ableton Live into the marketplace has finally given him the technology to produce the live show he has always wanted. With a back catalogue boasting over 50 original tracks, and in excess of 100 remixes under his various guises as Streets Ahead, Nation 12, Ramp, Live It!, Head Honcho and Slacker, Shem was busy developing a new “laptop live” show which enabled him to make every performance unique, remixing live any element of each track as he chose and giving him the ability to incorporate the many quirky samples and secret riffs that up until now have been locked away in Slacker towers. Throw in a frenzy of scratching and effects from Shem on the CDJ and you have a heady brew indeed.
A DJ for over 16 years, the words “been there, done that!” spring to mind. The world map on his website pinpointing the multitude of cities he has played testifies to his global popularity. Originally as DJ Streets Ahead, Shem was one of the pioneers of the UK Hip Hop scratch scene, playing alongside the likes of Tim Westwood and picking up production and remix credits beside Roxanne Shante and Public Enemy. As a student in Brighton, England he established various sound systems alongside fellow South Coast boys Norman Cook and Carl Cox. Production success followed first as Nation 12 with “Listen to the Drummer”, and then after setting up stall with musician and producer Simon Rogers as Ramp, with the singles “Rock the Discotek” and “Stomp”. Both became international club classics.
Looking to establish himself further, Shem created a hybrid of his own funk roots with more contemporary house sounds under the moniker of Slacker. The first Slacker single, “Feel Space”, a track that sounds as fresh today as when it was made, became an instant club hit. Shem’s third single “Scared” re-wrote the rule book on progressive house, a haunting anthem with enough funk to rock any dance floor. A record deal with XL followed and “Scared” along with follow-up single “Your Face” went top 40 in the UK and achieved major international success.
On the crest of this wave, Slacker established a live show and heavy touring alongside label mates The Prodigy ensued. It was while touring that Shem rediscovered his love of Djing, and in 1998 he hit the road properly again. He has been criss-crossing the globe ever since. In this time he has enjoyed residencies at Groovejet in Miami, Orbit in Lima, Peru, Slinky in Bournemouth and Fierce in Hong Kong, earnings platinum helpings of air miles throughout the world, especially across the U.S and Asia.
During this period Shem successfully juggled his travelling with further productions, ably assisted by studio partner Simon Rogers. A slew of remixes, such as Junkie XL, Trancesetters, Breeder and Bedrock - many still viewed as classics today - made the Slacker sound the most respected in the business. “Essential New Tunes”, dance chart Number Ones and features on top compilations became the norm. Eager to develop their release schedule, the decision was taken to launch Slacker’s own label, Jukebox in the Sky, and the singles have come thick and fast. Alongside their Northern Exposure classic, Head Honcho’s “Walls of Jericho”, came Slacker’s “Looky Thing”, played by a diverse selection of DJs from Seb to Jules to Seaman to Ivan Smagghe (of Black Strobe). Head Honcho’s “Medicine” is still being hammered by DJs, most consistently Sasha, a year after its release. The decision to concentrate on furthering the label has paid huge rewards, setting the imprint up as one of the strongest of its genre and enjoying regular licenses from the likes of Global Underground, Bugged Out! and Ministry of Sound.
The label continues to go from strength to strength with numerous Slacker original productions ready for release in the coming months, in conjunction with the recent launch of the label’s comprehensive website and webshop. Slacker’s next single, “Best Boyfriend”, will be out mid-November, packaged with remixes by The Scumfrog and Steiger. Currently Shem is back on the road and covering the globe with more than ever to offer, not only as a DJ but now also performing one of the most exciting and revolutionary laptop live shows on the market. Slacker? Far from it!
A Million Dreams
Slacker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My ideas?
Oh man I got a million dreams
It's all I do is dream, all the time
I heard you play piano
No, no this is not piano, this is dreaming
In the song "A Million Dreams," by Slacker, the artist is explaining his love for dreaming and the many ideas that he gets from doing so. He is asked about where he gets his ideas from, and he simply replies that he has a million dreams. He spends all his time dreaming and this is how he comes up with his ideas. When asked if he plays piano, he clarifies that he is not playing piano but rather he is dreaming.
The artist is trying to convey the message that he uses his imagination and dreams to come up with creative ideas. It is through this process that he is able to be productive and make music. He is not sitting down at a piano, but he is instead allowing his mind to wander and create. The lyrics are inspiring and convey the idea that we must follow our dreams to be able to achieve success and greatness.
In summary, the lyrics to "A Million Dreams," by Slacker highlight the importance of dreaming and using one's imagination to come up with ideas. The artist believes that his success is solely based on his constant dreaming and that it is through this process that he is able to create music.
Line by Line Meaning
Where did you get your ideas from?
How did you come up with your thoughts and beliefs?
My ideas?
The concepts and ambitions I possess
Oh man I got a million dreams
I have countless aspirations and fantasies
It's all I do is dream, all the time
My mind is constantly occupied with imaginative and idealistic visions
I heard you play piano
Someone has mentioned your musical abilities on the piano
No, no this is not piano, this is dreaming
This is not just about playing an instrument, it's about creating and living in a world of my own imagination
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sam Black
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jaxx Von Fun
Shem, my boy - i wish you were here still, so i could tell you, that i finally found that one missing piece in my musical influence, which lead me to become a DJ. banging your tunes in Lima Peru when i was just 17, and so forth.
We miss you so much Shem.
(Photo credit - Slacker @ home Lima Peru) just google it.
Bless.
Dj Luminol
Same here. Slacker - Flying and Head Honcho - Water of Jericho
Roberto Carlos
Que DJ eres, también fui a esos tonos en HOME donde Slacker era residente, aquellas épocas.
Eugenio Herrera
saludos de argentina brother!
SCO77BROWN
A beautiful song by a fantastically talented producer, who's musical journeys into the sonic realm. Will be sadly missed... RIP Shem
Langbanger Garage
This guy came off the hill in spring green, pouring rain, mud, waiting for the lasers to come down, had a life talk with me, we continued talking for years, I wish he'd stuck around but I hope he found peace. ❤️ Miss you Shem.
Langbanger Garage
I keep coming back here. I wish I could go a little further back, but perhaps things happened how they were meant to. R.I.P. Shem Macauley, you made a difference in my life. I too have a million dreams.
Mykel Martyn
What a tune! Shem your heavily missed. Thank you for your music.
BreakBoy45
thanks for making such beautiful music.
Eduardo Vásquez
Qué lindos momentos!!! 2001 fácil en Lima Perú ... Descansa en Paz Shem!!