Q. You previously worked with Steve Anderson while you were forming the Brothers in Rhythm duo. How was it like to produce music as a duo? Why this project was closed, and are there any chances of its rebirth?
A. I had a great time making music with Steve. We had a lot of common ground in our musical influences but also we each liked a lot of other different things too and we seemed to really complement each other as a partnership. There was a great chemistry between us and we had a lot of success but it was just a natural thing for Brothers In Rhythm to come to an end. I started to DJ abroad a lot more which meant spending less time in the UK and while I was doing this Steve started to do a lot more songwriting with pop artists. So we just slowly drifted apart as our own individual careers took over. We have talked about doing some stuff together again recently but nothing’s come of it yet. You never know though. Maybe one day.
Q. Your last single ‘Heyaah’ produced with Josh Gabriel is a great release. Can you tell me about it and working with Josh, also does this mean you are preparing joint project?
A. Josh’s former manager is a good friend of mine and it was he who suggested we did something together. We finally got together once Josh moved over to Amsterdam which made it much easier to find time. For ‘Heyaah’ we actually did one day in Amsterdam getting the basic idea together, then one day in London when Josh was over to DJ at the Ministry Of Sound and finally finished it off in Miami when we were both at the Winter Music Conference. That’s how difficult it was to get our diaries to match up! We have just done a new track together though called ‘Vorahnung’ which we did much more conventionally in London about a month ago. It will be coming out on Josh’s different Pieces label in June. I’ve been playing it out the last couple of weeks and it’s been huge so we’re very excited.
Q. I guess, ‘This Is Audio Therapy Volume Two’ was devoted to the label’s 10th anniversary. What was special about this compilation and what was the inspiration behind the concept of revisiting the back catalogue?
A. Well the inspiration came because of the label’s 10th anniversary. It seemed like a great opportunity to look back at what we’d done over the last ten years. So we got a lot of the artists from the label to remix each others tracks and we think it worked really well. We were very proud of the outcome and the fact that we’re still going strong after all this time. It’s no mean feat running a record label for so long especially in the digital age.
Q. What’s the secret to the success of Audio Therapy and what have you achieved in these 10 years concerning the label? And of course, tell me something about the future of your imprint.
A. Well we’ve always tried to release quality tracks first and foremost and stay at the forefront of electronic music’s ever changing trends. We’re constantly on the lookout for new talent and our manifesto of giving young producers a chance has remained steadfast. But really it’s all about loving what we do. I don’t think you can run a label these days without having a real passion for it.
Q. After a hiatus of 9 years you announced about your New Global Underground compilation. Tell me more details about it. To which city it will be devoted, how about Moscow? How do you think the new compilation will compare musically to your previous mix releases for GU?
A. Hahaha.. Moscow has already been done I’m afraid. Deep dish did it. We’re currently talking to a few different cities trying to find which one will work best this time. We’re spoilt for choice to be honest. There are so many great places to choose from. But musically, it’s going to obviously be different from my last GU CDs. They were done in 1999, 2000 and 2001 so the electronic musical landscape has changed quite considerably since then. I will be taking the same approach though of trying to reflect my favourite club music around of the time and be representative of our visit to whichever city we decide on.
Q. You also did ‘The Masters Series Volume 14’ which is your 11th CD for Renaissance. Why do you think you were chosen to do such a large quantity of mix CDs for the Renaissance, and do you feel the responsibility for all the worshippers of this mighty label?
A. I’ve worked with Renaissance through thick and thin since they started over 18 ago and we have a lot of common ground in our musical philosophies so 11 CDs all happened very naturally. When you spread them out over two decades I don’t think it seems like so many. I have always been honoured to be part of the Renaissance family though. They’ve done a lot for me and I like to think I’ve done a lot for them too. it’s been a fruitful relationship for both of us. I’ve always put my heart and soul into all the CDs and am very proud of them.
Q. You have done more than 25 mix CDs since the beginning of your career. Is it just regular things for you or you add something special to each mix?
A. Well, like I just said, I put my heart and soul into every mix compilation I do so to me every single one has something special. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother doing them. They take a lot of hard work, commitment and focus but they have become a regular part of my life yes. I do tend to do at least one every year and spend a good 6 months on the project starting with finding the tracks and getting them licensed to doing the mix and releasing it with all the promotion and touring that then follows. It’s a big undertaking and not one to take lightly. They’re a big part of what I do.
Q. In 2009 you started your own Digital Mixtape podcast series. Tell me more about their concept. Why do you release them very rarely, and do you think podcasts will replace radio shows in the future?
A. The podcasts are a way of communicating and sharing my music in-between my CDs. They’re like little snapshots of my live sets and I try to release one every 2 or 3 months. Anymore than that and i think it would be overkill. They wouldn’t be that special. I don’t think they’ll replace radio shows but they will be a big part of how we digest music in the future. They are just the modern day version of mix tapes DJ’s used to make years ago. Hence the name, Digital Mixtape!! Haha..
Q. Glastonbury Festival will celebrate 40th anniversary this year. What can you say about its contribution to the electronic dance scene?
A. Glastonbury is the mother of all festivals and it’s been an honour to play there regularly over the last few years. They always have a broad spectrum of electronic acts & DJs in the Dance Village and the atmosphere the is unique. It’s one of the highlights of the summer calendar and I will be back again this year for more. Thursday night I’ll be playing at Annie Nightingale’s opening party in the Pussy Parlour and on the Saturday night I’m on last in the Glade Lounge. I can’t wait!
Q. What do you feel about the house scene at the moment in terms of the quality of musical output?
A. There’s always lots of great music around at any given time but it just seems these days it’s harder to find because of the sheer amount of releases every week. The market has been saturated by the digital age. It’s so easy now for anybody to release music. There’s no real investment needed and I think there’s a distinct lack of quality control. We seem to be living in an age of “throw it against it all against a wall and see what sticks” attitude. And that’s not good. The cream always rises to the top eventually though. I just wish we didn’t have to swim through so much shit to find it.
Q. On your website you said Pioneer CDJ 2000 are gonna make a big difference to DJing this year. John 00 Fleming recently told me that with Pioneer CDJ 2000 DJs will perform only with USB sticks! And how do you see the future of DJing, information carriers and new technologies.
A. Yeah, the CDJ 2000s are the next logical progression for me in the way I prefer to DJ. Being able to carry thousands of tracks on one USB stick is the future. No need for laptops. Just plug in and go. Perfect. And with the new Rekordbox software that comes with the 2000s you can really prepare loops and cue points on things so that remixing/editing on the fly becomes a bigger part of your performance. Not so long ago I was looking at moving over to Traktor but now the 2000s have arrived I’ll be sticking with the CDJs.
Q. What is your opinion about the new Apple tablet? Will the launch of iPad change the music industry yet again?
A. It could become a very important tool once software developers really start to use it’s full potential. Obviously the touch screen is what really sets it apart from a regular laptop and with that comes endless possibilities particularly for performance. I can’t see it having the same impact that the iPod or iPhone but I still want one! Apple always make their products very desirable.
Q. You were one of the first editors of MixMag. Where do you see the state of dance music journalism right now?
A. It’s a very different era we live in today from when I was working in publishing. Before the internet, magazines were everyone’s lifeblood of information but now, there is information overload. It’s a very different ball game. I can’t say there’s any one particular source that I can’t live without religiously as used to be the case 20 years ago.
Q. What do you read as a source of information right now? Do you think that with popularity of Internet and new iPad device paper magazines will sink into oblivion?
A. I still read Mixmag, DJ and IDJ from time to time. But as I just said, not religiously. And yes, I think eventually actual hard paper copies of magazines and newspapers will become extinct in the same way as is happening to music. I think that’s really where Apple are hoping the iPad will be a game changer.
Q. Is it correct to cancel the gig in terms of unclear death threats, like it was in Syria with Marco V in 2008? And could you say some words about security of DJs – what rules should organizers observe in order to secure them?
A. I think if I got a death threat, unclear or not, for going to DJ in another country it would certainly put me off. I mean, why even bother taking the risk? It’s not worth it is it? We’re DJs- not politicians or soldiers.
Q. Last week we had a massive inspection in Moscow within the bounds of anti-narcotic campaign. What do you think about the relations of dance music industry and authorities, lawlessness and rave persecution?
A. There is always going to be an intrinsic link between drugs and music. It’s happened for thousands of years. But where the authorities can see an advantage to be had by clamping down on this they will. They will never stop it. They’ll just divert it in a different direction. It’s all very political. But unfortunately, this is the world we live in. But people will always find a way to express themselves through music & dancing. It’s just human nature
Both parts are now available to a recent interview I did at home with the DJ Sounds website. Covering all sorts of subjects from the state of clubland and the art of mixing to the CDJ2000 and the death of CDs, check it out at www.djsounds.com
By the way, however tempting it may be, I’m afraid I can’t lay claim to having chosen the wallpaper. That slightly dubious honour goes to the previous occupiers. I’m sure I can find out where they got it though if, understandably, the need to have some becomes too much for anyone
Click here #mce_temp_url#
You’ve already had my favourite albums, club tunes and movies of 2009 and so to complete the set, here’s my top 10 pop singles of the year…
1. Lily Allen ‘The Fear’
2. Bat For Lashes ‘Daniel’
3. Nenka ‘Heartbeat’
4. Animal Collective ‘My Girls’
5. Kesha ‘Tik Tok’
6. Lady Gaga ‘Bad Romance’
7. Florence & The Machine ‘Rabbitheart’
8. Doves ‘Jetstream’
9. Empire Of The Sun ‘Walking On a Dream’
10. La Roux ‘In For The Kill (Skream mix)’
Merry Christmas everyone and a very happy 2010
xXx
Carrying on with the end of year ‘Best of’ charts. Here are my highlights of clubland 2009. My biggest tunes of the year. Everyone a winner…
1. Pryda ‘Animal’
2. Guy J ‘Lamur (Henry Saiz mix)’
3. Cirez D ‘On/Off’
4. Gui Boratto ‘No Turning Back’
5. Culoe De Song ‘The Bright Forest’
6. Guy Gerber ‘Timing’
7. Moby ‘Pale Horses (Gui Boratto mix)’
8. Popof ‘Shades’
9. Sebastien Leger ‘The People (Prydz mix)’
10. Erol Alkan & Boys Noize ‘Waves (Seaman edit)’
I can’t believe it’s that time of the year already. What the hell happened to 2009?!! And this time, not only are we reflecting on the last twelve months but have the added weight of also looking back on the last ten years! The decade that was the “noughties” (Any idea what we’re gonna be calling the next decade by the way?). As is customary at this time of year, I’d like to share some of my highlights in music and film and always look forward to getting yours in reply. After all, if you can’t spread a little happiness at Christmas then there’s no hope for you. So first up, here’s my Top Ten albums of 2009. What’s yours?
1. Florence & The Machine ‘Lungs’
2. Fever Ray ‘Fever Ray’
3. Bat For Lashes ‘Two Suns’
4. The Xx ‘The Xx’
5. Moderat ‘Moderat’
6. Doves ‘Kingdom oF Rust’
7. Nerina Pallot ‘The Graduate’
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs ‘It’s Blitz!’
9. Jay Z ‘The Blueprint 3′
10. Passion Pit ‘Manners’
50 Reasons to say a big hello to 2010.
January 5th, 2010 by Dave1. New Massive Attack album ‘Heligoland’ out Feb 8th.The single ‘Paradise Circus’ is the best thing I’ve heard in ages. Check the equally awesome video here…
http://massiveattack.com/blog/2009/12/15/paradise-circus/
2. Pioneer CDJ 2000s.
Pioneer raises the bar yet again… These little beauties are gonna make a big difference to DJing this year. Being able to turn up to gigs with thousands of tracks on a little USB stick. We’ve come a long way from carrying around those heavy boxes of acetates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTKmrv5brLQ
3. Glastonbury 40th anniversary.
The Mother of all festivals celebrates 40 years as the biggest and the best. The highlight of my summer calendar. See you there
4. Peter Kay’s The Tour That Doesn’t Tour Tour.
I already know how I’ll be celebrating my birthday this year!
5. Ellie Goulding album.
Already named as this years recipient of the Best Newcomer Award at the 2010 Brits which last year went to Florence & The Machine, Miss Goulding finally delivers ‘Lights’, her debut offering in March/
http://www.myspace.com/elliegoulding
6. Celebrity Big Brother.
The mainline program may have lost it’s mojo quite some time ago but the “celeb” version is still strangely addictive. Heidi Fleis meets Vinnie Jones meets Lady Soverign meets Basshunter. Count me in!
7. New Chris Morris film, The Four Lions.
Mr Brass Eye, the master satirist gets to grips with suicide bombers.
8. The return of Amy Winehouse.
Amidst all the furore surrounding her private life we tend to forget she is a genius artist. Here’s hoping she’s lost none of that magic.
9. The new Hot Chip album ‘One Life Stand’ out in February.
http://www.hotchip.co.uk/
10. Johnny Depp and Matt Lucas in ‘Alice In Wonderland’.
If anyone could bring Lewis Carroll’s classic to the big screen, it’s Tim Burton!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjMkNrX60mA
11. The Simpsons 20th Anniversary celebrations. Featuring guest appearances from Sasha Baron Cohen, Chris Martin, Seth Grogen & Sarah Silverman. (Starts Sky1 Jan11th)
12. Scorsese and Di Caprio team up again in Shutter Island. Out in February.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYVrHkYoY80
13. New american TV show Glee.
The huge US TV sensation finally comes to the UK. Fame for the next generation anyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Q_YmOzeU4&feature=channel
14. New MIA album.
http://www.thetripwire.com/news/2009/11/06/new-m-i-a-album-sounding-like-gucci-maneanimal-collective-hybrid/
15. Sofia Coppola’s back with a new movie called ‘Somewhere’ starring Stephen Dorff as
a bad boy actor living it up in the Chateau Marmont hotel.
16. Shane Meadows brings the characters from This Is England to the small screen.
Set in 1986 this time, We Were Faces will be shown on Ch4.
17. 24 Season 8. Starts Sky 1 January 17th.
Nuff said!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=399Hiwua0J4
18. Jason ‘Juno’ Reitman & George Clooney team up for ‘Up In The Air’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m-Da8Tz4_E
19. New MGMT album ‘Congatulations’
Oracular Spectacular is no easy act to follow but these bright young things from Brooklyn are more than capable.
http://www.myspace.com/mgmt
20. Viggo Mortensen in The Road.
It can only be a matter of time before the new ‘De Niro’ collects an Oscar. Could this be the vehicle that secures it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbLgszfXTAY
21. Delphic ‘Acolyte’ album.
The new New Order are “on kissing terms with magnificence” according to The Independent. I wholeheartedly agree. Deftly produced by Ewan Pearson.
22. Good Vibrations festivals in Australia.
So excited about my first visit to Oz in almost 2 years to join The Killers, Friendly Fires, Gossip, Bassment Jaxx and many more in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane & Melbourne. Taking the family with me too. Woohoo!
http://www.goodvibrationsfestival.com.au/
23. New Vampire Weekend album. Apparently it’s “Higher, Lower, Faster”. But can it be “better” than 2008’s outstanding debut? Out in January.
http://www.myspace.com/vampireweekend
24. The amazing Christopher ‘Dark Knight/Memento’ Nolan directs Di Caprio in ‘Inception’. Out in July.
25. Leeds Vs. Tottenham in the FA Cup 4th Round Jan 23rd.
After despatching Man Utd with style and verve, Grayson takes his mighty white warriors to White Hart Lane for yet another, “tie of the round!”
26. Meet The Parents 3, The Little Fockers
If it’s half as funny as the first two, it’ll still be a must see.
27. Marina & The Diamonds album.
One 0f 2010’s great pop hopes gets to finally show what she’s made of.
http://marinaandthediamonds.com/
28. Joy Orbison album.
Creator of some of last years finest dubstep unleashes his debut collection.
http://www.myspace.com/joyorbison
29. Zachary Galifianakis Live at The Purple Onion.
He of ‘Alan in The Hangover’ fame releases his first stand up DVD from the legendary San Francisco venue. Out now.
30. The much talked about probable Oscar contender ‘Precious’ finally hits our screens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5FYahzVU44
31. The annual Audio Therapy/ Hope party at the Winter Music Conference, Miami on Friday March 26th.
Alongside Nick Warren, D Ramirez, 16 Bit Lolita’s and more, if it’s half as good as last years roadblock we’re in for a night to remember.
32. Blur’s No Distance Left To Run documentary. The story of the comeback. It really really really did happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iYxdghpJZY
33. Brendon Burns on tour.
The boundary testing Australian stand up is back in London in March for starters and hopefully more later in the year.
http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/artist/57305/Brendon_Burns.html
34. Toy Story 3.
Any other franchise that was onto it’s third outing would usually mean a dead horse somewhere was getting a good flogging but as this is the genius of Pixar we’re talking about, what’s the betting it’s better than the first two?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_FfHA5whXc
35. Dexter Series 4
The best series yet say the reports I’m getting. I love Dexter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-rs5hQ6gpM
36. The World Cup.
We’re on the march with Capello’s army! Where there’s hope there’s dreams. The biggest and best sporting event in the world.
37. New Yeasayer album.
‘Odd Blood’ is the follow up to the superb ‘All Hour Cymbals’ out on feb 8th.
http://www.myspace.com/yeasayer
38. Plane Crash
A new twist to reality TV this year as Channel 4 crashes a jet into the desert on purpose for our delectation. Now that’s what I call proper telly!
39. The Apple tablet.
The rumours just won’t go away. Will the launch of Apples new device (apparently pitched somewhere between a laptop and the iPhone) change the game yet again?
40. Hurts album.
Much hyped Manchester duo deliver in May.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuwdw7KmGwA
41. New LCD Soundsystem album.
The long awaited follow to ‘The Sound Of Silver’ due in March.
http://www.myspace.com/lcdsoundsystem
42. Madmen Season 3.
One of the classiest drama’s ever to hit the small screen, Don Draper is back. Older but not necessarily wiser.
Starts on Jan 21st on BBC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ_CBnLD89c
43. Paul Greengrass Iraq movie ‘The Green Zone’ starring Matt Damon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F20ovcLI29s
44. Camp Bestival 30th July – 1st Aug
This is the year we’re gonna brave taking the kids with us!
http://www.campbestival.co.uk/
45. New Mike Leigh film.
Back to what he does best. Intimate portraits of several characters living in today’s London
starring Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton and Phil Davis
46. French Crime Thriller ‘A Prophet’ Out in January.
Another probable Oscar contender.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRYjm8sr-c
47. Cemetery Junction.
The Ricky Gervais / Stephen Merchant dreamteam are back together again for their first feature film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-ESq-Z8Vqc
48. Poppy And Ned & Lily Stone London.
Purely selfish this one, but as my wife’s two brands continue to go from strength to strength I’m hoping that it will allow me to do a few less gigs and spend some more time back in the studio. Fingers crossed.
http://www.poppyandned.com
http://www.lilystonelondon.com
49. New Groove Armada album.
Long awaited and if it’s anywhere near the standard of the single, ‘I Won’t Kneel’, we’re in for a treat. Out in March.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te800CeEjBM
50. And last, but by no means least, the debut album from the legendary Jedward. 2010 wouldn’t be the same without it!