In the dynamic world of UK Garage, few have made as significant an impact on the global stage as Vaden, the indefatigable propagandist from Russia. Since day one Vaden has consistently been at the forefront of introducing new, fresh, and forthcoming UK Garage sounds. With a career spanning over two decades, Vaden has not only witnessed but also facilitated international spread of the genre. His tireless efforts have not only popularized UK Garage in Russia but have also made substantial contributions to the genre's global reach.
Vaden’s evolution as a DJ and promoter is a compelling narrative of perseverance, creativity, and cultural bridging in the UK Garage scene. His journey, marked by international acclaim and innovative programming, has set a high standard for artists aspiring to make a global impact.
Since his early days in Russia, Vaden has played a pivotal role in the evolution of UK Garage, using his platform to introduce new artists and sounds. His deep involvement in the scene, deep connection and friendship with most of the originators from the UK and US allowed him to build a strong foundation for the genre's growth in the region where it was previously unknown. His unique approach to curating events and radio shows has attracted a wide following, turning small local events into major international milestones. Vaden's pioneering work with local & UK radio stations laid the groundwork for his eventual international success.
Vaden is renowned for his distinct tune selection in his DJ sets, characterized by a focus on fresh and unreleased tracks. His sets often feature music from emerging artists and lesser-known labels, bringing an air of discovery to his performances. This commitment to promoting new music not only enriches the UK Garage scene but also creates a vibrant atmosphere that keeps listeners engaged and curious about what's coming next. By consistently introducing innovative sounds, Vaden plays a crucial role in keeping UK Garage at the forefront of contemporary music trends.
Each of Vaden's sets is crafted as a journey, taking listeners through a range of emotions and energy levels. He is a master at building anticipation, creating moments of suspense, and delivering satisfying climaxes that leave the crowd wanting more. This storytelling element is a testament to Vaden's deep involvement in the music and his ability to create a cohesive narrative within his sets. By weaving together diverse tracks in a seamless manner, he transforms his performances into immersive experiences.
Vaden’s journey into the depths of UK Garage began in 2001, a time when the genre was blossoming in the UK but still relatively unheard of in Russia. With a strong passion for this sound, Vaden became one of the pioneering DJs to introduce the genre to the Russian scene. Beginning with local radio spots, small local events, and the release of his first “2 STEPs to LOVE” UK Garage mix CD in 2006 followed by notable “2 Step Nights” events and second mixed CD in 2008, Vaden's career trajectory quickly ascended to notable international milestones.
These include securing frequent guest mixes on the Essential Garage radio show at Ministry of Sound Radio in 2010-2012, collaborating on a mix with the iconic MC Kie & London’s pirate radio debut in 2011, making an appearance on BBC Radio 1Xtra for DJ Q & supporting him on a party in 2012, Rinse FM debuts with guest mixes for Dappa & Garage Hour and recording a guest mix for the Grammy-nominated Todd Edwards in 2013.
Back in Russia, Vaden launched the "Garage Inflections" parties in Saint-Petersburg in 2011, which quickly became a cornerstone event for the genre. His ability to transform venues previously unassociated with Bass music into hotspots for UK Garage parties underscores his impact on the local scene. Nearly 60 such parties, including unique sold-out boat parties on the Neva River as well as UK bookings of the Garage legends like MC Bushkin from Heartless Crew & El-B, have been a testament to his success.
Vaden's involvement with the GARIDGE party promo group in Moscow further highlights his leadership. Since 2018, alongside his colleagues, he has revitalized the Garage scene in Moscow, organizing highly anticipated events including hosting Grime Godfather and Rinse FM co-founder Slimzee at one of the events.
Vaden continued to innovate and lead. In 2019 his “UK G with Vaden” All Night Long party at Tancploshadka in Saint-Petersburg attracted a brand new audience converting a leading disco house venue into a regular home for UK Garage. This initiative one more time showcased Vaden's capacity to transform the city's nightlife culture and musical tastes. The event should even get a massive UK collaboration & booking but was postponed due to COVID.
Vaden's ability to establish successful events in a new and unfamiliar environment speaks volumes about his resourcefulness and commitment to the UK Garage genre. In 2023, he relaunched the "UK G with Vaden" series at the Rafi Club inside Teder.fm in Tel Aviv, a prominent cultural hub in the region. Despite not being as well-known in Israel as in the UK or Russia, Vaden's ability to draw a crowd and create a vibrant atmosphere in Tel Aviv is a testament to his skills in event organization and promotion. By tapping into the local music scene and adapting to a different cultural context, Vaden not only expanded his reach but also contributed to the global spread of UK Garage. This achievement demonstrates his versatility and determination, showcasing his talent for connecting with new audiences and invigorating the music scene in regions where UK Garage might not have had a strong presence before.
Discussing his contributions to podcasts and radio, in 2010, Vaden was brought on to host the Trackpoint UK Garage podcast, where he consistently highlighted the finest in fresh UK Garage each month. Subsequently, he led radio shows on TESTFM and Moscow's legal Megapolis FM, featuring notable guests like Slimzee and El B.
In October 2019 Vaden had his 1st solo LIVE show on Rinse FM from London’s studio. After another LIVE in January 2020 he became regular on Rinse FM starting doing shows month by month including Lockdown Live stream during COVID lockdown as well as Christmas Garage Weekender alongside top UKG DJs from the UK. Through this temporary residency at Rinse FM Vaden had a profound impact on the Garage scene. Representing pure fresh UK Garage, he provided a platform for supporting unreleased music from international artists and labels. Over the course of more than 20 radio shows, Vaden not only showcased the latest in UK Garage music but also cultivated an environment where emerging talent could gain exposure.
His approach to curating and presenting music brought fresh energy to the scene. This influence resonated across the community with the widest positive feedback on every radioshow spreading Fresh UK Garage vibes worldwide. In 2022 and 2023 Vaden also guested Rinse France for 2-Steppers & DJ Absurd radioshows live from Paris and also took over Teder.fm radio in Tel Aviv with “UK G with Vaden” radioshow.
Vaden has significantly influenced the UK Garage scene on an international scale through a combination of global collaborations, and a deep-rooted passion for the genre. His approach is defined by a commitment to bridging cultural gaps and amplifying the voices of emerging artists, creating a ripple effect that has broadened the appeal of UK Garage worldwide.
One of Vaden's key contributions is his ability to take UK Garage beyond its traditional boundaries. His early work in Russia, including popularizing the genre through local radio shows and events, was crucial in establishing a foothold for UK Garage in regions where it was relatively unknown. This laid the foundation for his subsequent international ventures, including hosting events in cities like Tel Aviv, which further extended the genre's reach. Vaden's international touring reach is constantly expanding, with a performance history that includes London, Paris, Ayia Napa, Prague, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, and many other cities. Most recently, he has extended his gig geography to Vienna, Berlin, and Tbilisi, further solidifying his presence across Europe and far beyond.
Vaden’s recent appearance on Berlin's HÖR platform deserves a special mention. It marks a significant milestone in his career, underscoring his growing recognition and influence within the electronic music scene. HÖR is renowned for its stringent selection process, showcasing only the most innovative and impactful artists, making it a prestigious platform that many DJs aspire to be a part of. Vaden's inclusion in this roster is not only a testament to his talent but also a reflection of his ongoing contributions to the UK Garage genre. By performing on such a high-profile platform, Vaden has cemented his status as a key figure in the genre's international expansion.
2024 looks very promising for Vaden with many international collaborations in the pipeline. Following his sets in Vienna, Berlin, and Paris at the end of 2023, in 2024 he's already covered cities like Saint-Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, and Tbilisi, with more locations, mixes and radioshows on the horizon representing fresh UK Garage sound on a different angle. Vaden’s recent appearance on Moscow’s SUBJAM party showcasing more Grimey sound is a good example of his versatility on the decks.
About the author
~ Rob Thomas is a veteran UK Garage producer, better known as Phonetix & colloquially referred to amongst peers as "Mr Jazz Step" for contributions towards a niche sub-section of NUKG for which he coined the name & pioneered with seminal album 'Jazz Step FM'. Rob also owns & operates NUKG 24/7, a group of NUKG-focussed record labels who power this very site. To boot he also acts as editor for NUKG 24/7's blog, sometimes lending his writing skills to other publications (including DJ Mag).