Refuge Residents: Nev Cottee

Give us a little introduction…
I’m a musician and songwriter who has lived in Manchester city centre for the past 20 years.

When did you start DJing – and what or who were your early passions and influences?
I started in 1998 playing records at the Rock and Roll Bar at South nightclub. Me and two other mates, Phil Beckett and Jeff Hordley felt Manchester needed a no bullshit night that played music across the board. No limitations. It was called the Rock and Roll Bar but we played equal amounts soul, disco, reggae, hip hop… You name it.

How do you prepare for a set?
I listen to a lot of radio – Sean Rowley on BBC Kent, Miles Copeland on Soho Radio, Sounds of Eighty Six on Mixcloud… And then i nick their tunes! It’s just about people introducing you to new artists, tunes and then you going off and digging a bit deeper.

Three words that describe The Refuge and what track always gets the party started during your set here?
I do Saturday afternoons normally, so it’s pretty mellow stuff. I see The Refuge as this beautiful ornate space that looks like a film set so i’m always playing soundtracks – John Barry, Vangelis, Bernard Herrmann…

Name a track that changed your life
Harpers Bizarre – Witchi Tai To

Check out Nev Cottee’s social media:
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