Stevie Kotey is an innovative, original and industrious individual. From an early age Stevie caught the production bug after gaining work experience at one of London’s most famous studios Trident then renamed Audio One. He made a rather good cup of tea which in the hustle and bustle of a busy recording studio made him many friends. This lead to a full time position in which he learnt a lot about the music making process and the chance to seek advice from producers like Paul Whaler (Gil Scott Heron, Bang The Party) and Danny Poku (Dancin Danny D).
He then started playing records and mucking around with samplers with long time friends Tom Lee and Paul Mudd Murphy they went on to form Akwaaba who then signed to The Idjut Boys label Discfunction. They recorded two LP’s Do it tomorrow and Too Shiny. “Jus Pilau” became a classic at New York’s Body & Soul and Francois Kevorkian even included it on his legendary Essential mix released on FFRR.
In 2000 Stevie set up Big Bear, releasing his disco edits and also the work of The Idjut Boys and Foolish Felix Dickinson. Re-edits then made way for Bear Entertainment and Bearfunk records the later now in its 10th year of releasing the works of Lindstrom, DJ Kent, Altz, Todd Terje and more recently Bottin, Max Essa, Clap Rules, Visti & Meyland and Blakula. Not content with 2 labels Stevie had a hand in setting up labels like Hairy Claw, Full Pupp, Lipservice, Stendec and Wunderwerke. He also owns Ambassadors Reception which has releases compilations and reissues from stalwarts like Albion, Loud-E and new signing Top Secret.
Stevie began to work with Dean Meredith & Andy Meecham aka Chicken Lips; he actually joined them in 2003 and started to take the Lips sound on the road touring faraway places like Australia, Japan, America, and Dubai. He compiled Chicken Lip’s seminal DJ Kicks and Clicks Acid & Disco (trust the dj) compilations which captured his versatility behind the decks which also have gained many fans nearer to home. He is a regular at Fabric (London) Melting Pot (Glasgow) and has also played Berlin’s finest clubs Panorama Bar, Watergate with guest appearances at Dixon’s Innervisions night then at Weekend! Also (Robert Johnson) Offenbach, (Zukunft) Zurich, (Rex) Paris Propaganda (Moscow) and Space (Ibiza) have all had the Kotey’s magic. Whilst festival appearances at Lovebox, The Big Chill, Glastonbury (UK), Dublin’s Electronic Festival, Astigmatic (Poland), Metamorphose (Japan) shows he’s always been at the top of his game!
As a producer this is a guy that certainly doesn’t sleep that often. He has added his own productions to the Bearfunk catalogue with projects like Salon De le Herbe & Soiree with Max Essa, Kotey Extra Band where he worked with Chaz Jankel, Lindstrom and Crazy Girl. As a remixer he has mixed Fabrice Lig, Roberto Auser & Alden Tyrell, IIlija Rudman, Free Disco, Sare Havlicek, Son of Sound, Fernando the list could go on and on. His new production Grand Corporation sees him hook up with long time partner Andy Meecham (Emperor Machine) they made a few demos which were immediately signed by Luke Soloman & Derrick Carter’s legendary Classic Imprint.
The first single features Jeremy Glen on vocals and remixes from Chez Damier and Deetron. Grand Corporation have also made 12” for 2020 Vision offshoot Redux featuring the vocal talents of Deborah Bell. 2012 also sees the release of Soiree’s second LP Let’s Play Tennis on Bearfunk. Whether it’s A&R, production or DJ’ing Stevie has the experience and unique style that sets him apart from the rest. Quality and good times are assured.