The Squatters

The Squatters

The Squatters are a duo made up of Oliver Portamento and Alex Powell. They work as DJs, producers, promoters and event organisers, and have been active together for many years. Their sound draws on old school hip hop and rave, then mixes those influences with house, electro, dubstep, drum and bass and trance. They describe this approach as a cut-and-paste style built around chopped vocals and large breakdowns, giving their music a dense, high-impact club sound.

Style and output

The Squatters’ music sits around house and electro house, with punk and “pogo punk” also listed among their tags. Their productions and remixes receive regular play from club DJs and radio presenters, including Judge Jules on BBC Radio 1, Kiss100, The Loose Cannons and Galaxy 105 presenters Riley & Durrant.

DJ work and live appearances

Between them, Oliver Portamento and Alex Powell have more than 15 years of DJ experience. They play as a duo internationally and have appeared at clubs, events, warehouses and festivals including Global Underground, Ministry of Sound in London, Mixmag Warehouse, Afterparty Castle Party, Electrik Playground, Privilege in Ibiza and Reclaim The Dance Floor at Eden in Ibiza. They have also worked alongside Tiesto, 2ManyDJs, Annie Mac, Kissy Sell Out, The Scratch Perverts, Utah Saints, Fake Blood, Jack Beats, Dave Spoon, Riley & Durrant and Doorly.

Other work

Alongside their DJ sets and studio productions, The Squatters also perform a live show with vocalist and beatboxer Dutch Courage. At the time described in the biography, they are working on new productions and remixes, with tracks intended for a forthcoming album.