Mr. Scruff

Before Carthy delved into his musical excursions he studied fine art at the Psalter Lane campus of Sheffield Hallam University and worked as a shelf stocker for his local branch of Kwik Save. The name Mr. Scruff derives from his ‘scruffy’ facial hair and appearance and his signature loose-lined drawing style. Carthy started DJing in 1994 initially to Manchester, UK audiences then nationwide who would go to hear his eclectic mixes of funk, soul and electro, and apt use of samples.

Around this time Mr. Scruff released his first 12” vinyl “Hocus Pocus” on the small Manchester label Robs Records and soon after the EP “Sea Mammal” which created a small around the artist. The releases set the scene for Carthy’s debut self-titled album which was released May 12, 1997 which along with “Sea Mammal” incorporated the DJ’s fondness for the sea and marine life. The DJ has also made a name for himself with his notorious all-night DJ sets with his genre-blurring style.

Mr. Scruff's two follow-up albums “Keep It Unreal” and “Trouser Jazz” were released on the bigger label Ninja Tune. “Keep It Unreal” features a variety of samples from wildlife narrator David Attenborough to T-Bone Walker’s “Hypin’ Woman Blues” and vocals from Roots Manuva. The DJ and music producer’s three subsequent albums “Ninja Tuna” (2008), “Bonus Bait” (2009) and “Friendly Bacteria” were all released on the label Ninja Tuna – a collaborative label of Mr. Scruff and Ninja Tune, and saw the DJ collaborate with a number of artists including Alice Russell, Agent K and Robert Ownes.

Carthy’s most recognisable hit “Get a Move On” has its sample roots in Moondog’s famously-brassy “Bird’s Lament” and has been used in commercials from Volvo to France Télécom and GEICO insurance. Mr. Scruff’s laundry list of popular singles and mixes speaks volumes to his quality and respect in the industry, and are almost as popular as Carthy’s own tea company affectionately named Make Us a Brew.