The last interview before the Shoom adventure starts all over again
Welcome back to DMCWORLD Danny. An incredible anticipation must be running through your veins with only three days until your Shoom 25th Anniversary this weekend. What are you feeling right now?
“Very little sleep right now Dan, feeling much anticipation excitement after working nearly a year to make the party happen. I also feel very much as I did when it all began 25 years ago – the feelings are the same knowing something magical was happening and is about to happen right now. It’s uncanny the duel circumstances.”
You could have done a Shoom 20th, you could have done a Shoom 30th – why now?
“May well do a 30th – great idea! The End nightclub in London hosted a Shoom 20th anniversary party which was an intimate event. Shoom 25 is a major milestone and a greater cause to celebrate our music heritage and culture. The event is about bringing past innovators with the present. Shoom 25 is focussed on this rather than a reunion as such, of course it’s wonderful to have so many original members coming along as the club and scene made such a profound positive impact on peoples lives. Also, many new clubbers are attending to soak up the vibe and sample a touch of what it may have been like back then. It was a very special unique time for all who contributed.”
Why Cable?
“Cable has a great sound system, great lights and is about going clubbing to dance, enjoy and get lost in music rather than velvet ropes, champagne and sparklers. The team who run the club are very passionate about electronic music. Cable is also in SE1 south London where my DJ career began and the original home of Shoom was close by. Shoom has come home to its roots and that is important with historic relevance.”
The whole of clubland are licking their lips about the party – how long ago did you have your set ready?
“I do not have a set ready as yet, I’m too busy with logistics. I have put an outline of a playlist together at this stage and will start a set with a 105 bpm track as I always used to and build it up from there onwards. I will also feature much of the original sound from Shoom, on the night there will be also much new music played from DJs like Mat Playford, James Priestly, Matthew B, Ilona Inc, Mark Moore and Kris Di Angelis to name a few.”
Why is Shoom still so special?
“Shoom stayed true to the underground and changed so many peoples lives in a positive way – friendships were made for life. There has been a tremendous response for the two parties, we are hoping people have much love for what happened through the club as it influenced so many people and sent an inspirational message for people to become who they wanted to be in all areas creatively.”
The weekend isn’t so much a reunion, as you say, it’s a celebration of music. Have you spoken to all of the Djs and stressed you want it to be a mix of old and new tunes, or have you just given everyone a free rein?
“Yes every DJ can do as they wish. I would never instruct any DJ that I booked to play a certain way as they are all talented in their own right .It’s annoying at times when occasionally a promoter will instruct request a DJ to play a certain sound. Incredibly, it still happens out there.”
Let’s talk about some of your beloved DJs at the party. Why did you want some of these guys to play…
Alfredo?
“My greatest inspiration as a young DJ. Without Alfredo there would not have been Shoom. He was my mentor.”
Derrick May?
“Probably one of the most important influential DJs and producers ever. ‘Strings Of Life’ still stirs emotions on the dancefloor even today. Derrick is an amazing DJ who makes it look effortless and rocks the floor every time with so much energy.”
Bushwacka?
“One of the best UK electronic tech DJs who delivers on point time and time again. A very talented producer, so much fun to be around and Matthew was also part of the original acid house scene.”
Farley & Heller?
“Good friends who always opened up at Shoom. They know how to build a room with the right music at the right time. Great team work and a real passion for House Music.”
Mark Moore?
“One of my fave DJs before I became professional with Shoom. Mark is a star and has great music selection spirit when he plays.”
Leo Mas?
“Leo is one of the Amnesia Ibiza DJ innovators from Italy, who has a wealth of experience. Enough said!”
Larry Tee?
“A showtastic NYC fashionista. There is never a dull moment around Larry. I used to frequent his club Love Machine in New York, heard him play and booked him for a party in London in 1989. Always an innovator who created the electroclash sound.”
Trevor Fung?
“Trevor is one of the original wave of DJs who inspired me unwittingly to call the club Shoom – a term he used regular on the dancefloor in the open air Amnesia in 87.”
Cool. Is there a DJ you wanted who wasn’t available?
“Maceo Plex.”
What DJ are you REALLY excited about seeing and dancing to on Saturday and Sunday?
“I will attempt to have a dance to everyone who is on the bill. I will be on the dancefloor through Derrick May and post 5am for Alfredo later on for sure.”
What are some of your big Shoom tunes from back in the day?
Mr Fingers ‘Stars’
Inner City ‘Big Fun’
Nightwriters – ‘Let The Music Use You
Ten City – ‘Right Back To You’
Kenny Jammin Jason – ‘Can You Dance’
A Guy Called Gerald – ‘Voodoo Ray’
Raze ‘Break 4 Love’
Black Riot / Todd Terry ‘A Day In The Life’
Mr Fingers ‘Can You Feel It’
Rolling Stones ‘Sympathy For The Devil’
Boytronics – ‘Brilliant’
Ce Ce Rogers ‘Someday’
S-Xpress ‘S-Express Theme’
Tell us about the artist album you are currently working on?
“I am about to work in 2013 on an artist album with my wife to be Ilona Inc, the talented USA born DJ who is also playing at the events. We inspire each other greatly and are getting married in January.”
Are there any plans for future Shoom adventures?
“Right now I am totally focussed on making the main event enjoyable and memorable for all involved. I am thinking about little else right now.”
And finally Danny, are you still amazed at the amount of people who claimed they were on the dancefloor at Shoom, knowing the capacity of the different venues you held the legendary night at?!?
“It’s wonderful. Many did attend and occasionally the odd individual will say ‘oh yes, I came there – it was that club upstairs’ or a description of somewhere completely different. That aside, Shoom has that mythical magic in stories of many who say they went to see the Beatles at the Cavern type of thing. Brilliant.”
“Danny Rampling – Thursday December 6th at 2:25am signing out…”
http://dannyrampling.com/shoom-25-official-promotion-video/
|
|
|
