Interview by Dan Prince
Paul Taylor and his beloved Retro brand have a long history in Ibiza. I don’t think he will mind it when I say it was a shock when Pacha came calling over a decade ago to install them as Sunday night residents. “For a while I simply wanted to stand back and indulge on our success considering it all started at a small club in a Lancashire mill town in 1989 and ended up in the most beautiful club in the world.” And what do you know, the boy is back in a Balearic town for summer 2016, taking up a Monday night slot at Es Paradis…one of the most iconic venues on the planet. DMCWORLD gets the world exclusive…
What are the plans for the summer in Ibiza…
Hey Dan! Very simply to put Retro back into one of the most loved and beautiful clubs in Ibiza every Monday.
Who DJ wise are you bringing over?
Now that would be giving the game away but I will reveal that I will be playing every Monday alongside a very special UK based talent called DAVOS, he has been tagged as “the keyboard wizard” and he will take over the reigns for a 45 minute performance during the peak of the night where he amazingly plays every huge piano classic from the history of House music in an explosive medley. He has played for Retro on many occasions throughout the country alongside the brand. He’s an incredible talent. My warm up resident jock will be Ricky Isted who has been playing for Retro for over 15 years, his knowledge of House music inspires me every day. We are compiling an ever expanding list of name jocks and performers as we speak and every week will be different, I’m hoping to involve the DJs and PA’s that have been playing and creating the vibe on the island since it’s illustrious fame for House music began over the last three decades…so that gives you a clue.
Come on Paul, wet our apetite with some of the tunes you’ll be spinning this summer?
I could give you hundreds, but here’s a good sample…
Parra Dice – “Can You Hear Me”
Shades of Rhythm – “The Sound of Eden”
Todd Terry – “It’s Over Love”
SIL – “Blue Oyster”
FPI Project – “Rich in Paradise”
ASHA – “JJ Tribute”
Jimi Polo – “Better Days”
My Friend Sam feat Viola Wills – “It’s My Pleasure”
Young MC – “Know How”
Talisman – “Only You”
Eve Gallagher – “You Can Have it All”
Loveland – Let the Music Lift You Up”
Denise Lopez – “Don’t You Wanna be Mine”
Double 99 “RIP Groove”
Joe Smooth – “Promised Land”
Frankie Knuckles – “Your Love”
Delirium – “Silence”
CRW – “Feel Love
Signum – “What you Got For Me”
…a true mixed bag of house genres Retro is most definitely non political about it’s musical choices, that’s our philosophy we believe that we have stood the test of time and feel that it’s the real reason we have been on the world circuit for 28 years now!
So, why now? Why Es Paradis and Retro in 2016?
A good friend of mine Rick Bargiel who has been a resident on the island for well over 20 years contacted me late last year to tell me that a lot of people throughout the summer had been asking why Retro wasn’t around anymore. Our office in Manchester has always been bombarded with the same question because it has had an amazing history on the island, so I felt that the time was right to make a comeback. I personally feel it in my gut that we should return too.
Why Es Paradis?
Having made a mark on Ibiza Town with Pacha and our amazing success on our first year in San Antoni, both Rick and I felt that Es Paradis is the perfect venue, we are about a true human atmosphere vibe and this venue is steeped in a wonderful history, I honestly think that we make the perfect night together – it’s that simple.
And when does it all kick off?
Our opening party is Monday 13 June and we cannot wait.
What did you miss the most from Ibiza?
You know this is an easy question – the people of Ibiza. I have had the fabulous opportunity of meeting a good deal of like minded souls who live on the island, people who have made me and my team very welcome over the many years, true friends in what can be a pretty cut throat industry over the exclusive summer period. I know I could visit in the winter months and still feel the same warmth from the same friends I dearly love to be with, particularly my long time friend Javier Anadon – the Mambo creator who has given so much of his life making Ibiza one of the best party destinations in the world.
