Medway DJs James Hansford and Liam Heathfield have played top venues around Kent and London – but it was a garden barbecue in Allhallows that led to their big break and a world tour.

Cousins James and Liam, both 21, started honing their talents when they left school and, from playing Medway venues, were soon getting booked as house duo SoundProof for top events like the biggest student night in London ‘SNEAK’ at the XOYO, Shoreditch.

“We started after leaving school, just as a hobby, and it’s grown from there,” explained former Thomas Aveling pupil James, of Harptree Drive, Walderslade. “We played local places to start with and we’ve played at The Big Colour festival in Maidstone. We’ve played around London – pretty much everywhere.”

But the duo are now preparing to swap Kent nightclubs for venues in Amsterdam, Ibiza and Tenerife after a chance encounter with music manager JJ Williams.

“It’s quite a bizarre story,” added James. “He was my partner’s aunt’s next door neighbour and he was having a barbecue. He had quite a few famous DJs turn up and he gave me and Liam the opportunity to play there.

“He just slammed a contract in front of us. He saw our set and came up and said ‘right boys, you’re good. You’ve got a brand here.’

“We’ve been dubbed ‘the next Disclosure.’”

Now SoundProof are set to take their brand around the world, and have also secured sponsorship from Kent companies ACS Imaging and www.jobsinkent.com

“We were just really grateful for the opportunity,” added James.

“I can’t believe it. It’s just a massive achievement.

“We’re really grateful to everyone that follows us and supports us.”

Follow the duo at www.facebook.com/soundprooforiginal/