Continuing his assault on the dancefloor – this time via the mighty VIVa Music – what a talent
Interview by Dan Prince
Fella welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?
Thank you Dan, right now I’m in my Hackney Wick Studio, East London.
The first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
Yesterday’s Studio piece! I was in with Jason Taylor working on a remix He was asked to do for new artist called Rasa. I love checking back on mixes first thing when you have fresh ears and fresh perception. You can spot stuff you might have missed really quickly. I don’t think my neighbours are impressed with this ritual though.
So much good music coming out of your fingers right now, before we get into that let’s rewind for a moment. What is your earliest memory of music growing up?
Memory isn’t my strong point but I think it was seeing my dad on stage with his Country band at Pontin’s holiday camp in North Wales. I also remember everyone being dressed in cowboys and indians vibe. Also pretty sure the band was called Dealer!!!
When did dance music first appear on your radar?
Early ninety’s, like ’92/’93. It was combination of watching MTV Base on a Friday night. and my Sister Faye doing an ‘all back to ours’ on a Sunday afternoon with her mates. Blasting old school piano house, I could hear it through the walls and I’d try replaying the piano riffs on my old Yamaha keyboard. I didn’t know what they were at the time but they turned out to be tracks like Congress ’40 Miles’, A.S.H.A ‘JJ Tribute’ & Brothers in Rhythm ‘Such A Good Feeling’.
The first major clubs that made an impression on you?
The first was Club 051, Liverpool. October 1994. I managed to get in with a mates driving license! Obviously this was before photo’s were introduced on them. After that it was Bowlers, Manchester. I loved it there. Everyone with their glow-sticks and tracksuits raving to bouncy piano house all night. Finally I turned 18 and could get into Cream, Liverpool. This was the reign of Paul Oakenfold ’98-2000 and the trance / progressive days. I did a lot of growing up in this club both personally and musically.
When did the idea of a career in music first start to form in your head?
I can’t pin it on any particular moment as I’ve always been into music. I got my first keyboard Christmas 1990. Hits like Little Donkey and Silent Night were the first to get the Barber treatment! I’ve been making and recording music ever since.
What did your family think of this decision?
I’m blessed to have come from a music family. Both sides for generations have fed my genes, there was never resistance from my parents. In fact nothing but encouragement.
What was the first thought – a producer or a DJ?
Producer. I actually remember having the conversation with my mum around the time of picking my high school options at 13 years old. “what do you want to do with your life son?” I want to be a Music Producer. I’m not even sure if I knew exactly what a Producer meant back then, but there was no doubt in my mind that was what I wanted to be. I could have said pop star or Keyboard playing in a band. But no, I want to be a producer.
Your first big break in the industry?
What felt like my first break was remixing Naughtical Bodies by Planet Heaven. In 1998 Paul Oakenfold was playing this track in the Cream Courtyard relentlessly week-in week-out. It was actually written by my good friend and ex-Bassheads producer Carl Daniel. When the track got signed my remix (NAB’s Remix) went on the flip side. My first ever commercially available piece of work.
You quite happily teased your fans on Facebook last week concerning a collab with Capital XTRA’s Coco Cole…what can you tell us?
Coco is a diamond, I love working with her. She’s genuine and ON IT! She’s not afraid to get on the mic either. The track I posted is called ‘Look No Further’. It’s going to be out on Her upcoming compilation ‘Say Yes Vol2’. We’ve got a couple of other nice bits brewing too 😀
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend, please give us a few words on each…
– DJ Le Roi – You Don’t Know – Been hammering this Since August and still no signs of getting tired of it. It’s the really addictive vocal loop which I could just lock on to all night (and day).
– Pacific State – Barber & Tom Finn Remix. This remake of Pacific 808 will be out on Zulu early Nov. I think we’ve struck the right balance on this one. It’s got current dance floor energy but is also really sympathetic to the seminal classic we all know and loved. It’s been great seeing videos of this being played to a packed out privilege and Space these last few weeks too.
– Los Paranos – Calm Down Baby (Oscar L Remix) again this came into my life about August this year. Really strong, tough groove but contrasted with the brassy melodic progressive vibes, it gets attention and delivers a nice moment too. I love it.
- Jaded – The Nation. A personal promo from Jaded so I’m unsure if signed right now. But it should, be it’s total weapon of a track. Tough, dark and unrelenting but done with class.
– Cali Lanauze – Tell Me Your Story (Silky & Barber Remix) I’ve had this in the bag for along time. It’s been our secret weapon. I made it with my label partner Silky and released it on our label ‘Faceless Recordings’ recently. It’s just a tight tech house groover but people go insane at the build up.
New Years Eve for many is all about coming out of a club dripping in sweat, trying desperately to flag a taxi down to head to the after party and waking up sometime in the New Year with a major comedown and all the radiators on. Yours this year I take it will be slightly different…?
Yeah sod that mate! I’m off the the Maldives!! Gimme playing on a beach at midnight on a Paradise island with my girl please. I cannot wait to be honest with you. – and plus, we’ll be so far ahead time wise if we do get home sick (which we won’t) we can get on Skype and frit in and out of all my friends parties.
What has been your anthem of the summer?
Well, one of my anthems has to be my remix for Tim Cullen and Made By Pete – Full English [Grin Recs] it’s been so good for my floors, never fails to smash it. I get loads of love on twitter and Facebook about it too. Different people liking different things about it. some love the acid, some love the vocal, some love the bassline. I find it really interesting how it hooks different folks.
An up and coming producer/DJ to watch out for in 2016?
Keep your eyes and ears out for Tom Davis from Liverpool. He’s a bit of a rough diamond but he will definitely shine.
Two of your tracks ‘Ascenders’ and ‘Phase 2 Face’ have just been released on Steve Lawler’s VIVa Music. What is it about Steve and his imprint that you love?
Straight up no nonsense house. Steve and the Guys at VIVa aren’t trying to be too clever or calve out a new genre or concept they’re doing what works, tried and tested house to make you move. You can see this by the popularity of the VIVa Warriors party’s and their label’s chart action.
Your 3 favourite DJ gigs of 2015?
– Sisyphos – Berlin. It’s rare to get nice long sets in London. So here I got to indulge for 4 hours to a seasoned crowd on a big sound system in a unique and really well run venue. Absolute satisfaction and can not wait to get back there.
– Abode – Studio 338 London. I thoroughly enjoyed this set. It was great weather with a terrace packed out. The Mistaa played before me and had the place bouncing. The crowed was well oiled by the time I came on at 7pm. I got up there and played loads of my new productions. I see this party as the next generation of clubbers coming through. A lot of fresh faces taking hold of the scene as new, so to see my music really connect with fresh ears is a great feeling.
– Motto – Baising House. proper intimate rave cave. Turned into a total sweat box. People right in my face over the decks, It was going mental. Again can’t wait till next time.
The best and worst thing about living in London…
It would be a cop-out to say the worst thing is the weather, so, property rent prices (and the weather). When it’s good weather I’d argue London is one of the best city’s in the world. People are on form, loads with great pop-up restaurants/bars, unique party locations. I don’t know, maybe we just make the most of it while we can. The best: the fact that my studio is here for one. But I think other than the obvious it would be the mix of people. I get little insight to many different nationalities. Some of my very best friends are non English and really value that.
And the best and worst thing about Berlin, a city you love…
I love their more mature approach to clubbing. They have it down so well. There’s very little of the ‘pack-them-in, throw-them-out’ attitudes we have in the UK. It’s all more relaxed. Get your stamp go in and out as you please. There’s not this pressure for everyone to get as smashed as possible in the short space of time the club is open for. It’s a very tolerant and open minded city and it’s responsible for sooo much of the music I love. The worst thing is…hmmm… I don’t know, oh yeah! They don’t sell my brand of cigarettes.
We come back to yours after the club. What is the Barber Back To Mine 10 you spin us to mellow the vibe…
I couldn’t even give you two!!! Very little mellowing goes on at Barber’s after parties!!!
An album in your collection you’d rather we didn’t know about?
A Chas N Dave’s Party LP. Had it since the 80s. Just can’t bring myself to throwing it.
Your finest piece of production to date?
Out of all these questions this one is the hardest to answer. I love different tracks for different bits. But, if I absolutely have to put one forward I’d say my remix for Depeche Mode ‘Should Be Higher’ is a highlight. It was a real challenge given the original tempo and style. But what came out of was an attention grabbing groove with a big moment but it also kept the essence of the bands musicality. Even more satisfying was that the remix was personally approved by Depeche Mode who are one of my earliest musical influences. Even the DM fans gave it glowing reviews (who are possibly the toughest critics) It was never for commercial release but for digital promo. So I was able to offer it out from my Soundcloud. It’s still up there for free download.
And finally…what else can you tell us about future studio plans…
Release wise I’m really looking forward to our Pacific State remake coming up on Zulu. There’s the remix for Arches Ft Karen Harding ‘New Love’ which Pete Tong got behind. Another release on Cubism Rec’s with Rich Wakley and Pete Madigan. A solo Track called Banger of a track called Humanism due up on CR2 Trax. That’s into early November. There’s LOADS more in the pipe I’m even more excited about, but too early to let out the bag. I guess keep your eyes on my socials for that.
https://www.facebook.com/barberaudio
