Hard Times are back! This time it’s Ibiza set to rock to the Yorkshire house sound
Interview by Rob Chadwick
Looking back over the past couple of years your sound has changed quite a bit, is there a reason why you haven’t kept to a definitive niche?
Well I’ve always been a person who likes to evolve I look up to and admire people like Lil Louis who can go from Harder Edge’d House / Techno such as Blackout, Video Clash, to vocal soulful stuff like Club Lonely. I look at Cajmere the same way when he makes upfront house to his Green Velvet stuff I don’t really believe that we as artist and producers should be stuck in a box. I believe in creativity and nourishing it and expanding on one’s ideas and influences, so I’ve changed but I haven’t becomes I’ve always done the best dance music I could do. It’s in my nature to always curate and be a tastemaker; its in my DNA! No matter what I do or what I accomplish I’m always a House Head 1st and foremost!
You are set to play Hard Times opening party in Ibiza alongside some big names, how did you become involved with the label and what do you have planned for your set out on the white isle?
Well I’ve been a fan of the label and what Steve Raine has done. I recall buying all of the Hard Times release’s on vinyl from time to stop” to Todd’s Sound Design series that release to Michael Watford and Robert Owens. There have been so many great release’s in there honour and its a pleasure to play for them and where else than Ibiza to make this happen!
How much experience do you have playing over in Ibiza and what has been your greatest memory over there?
Well I’ve been playing on the island since 1997, and I’ve played every room on that island besides DC10, so many memories that its to much to even begin to say, but just a taste of crazy Ibiza. I recall I was at Manumission at Privilege and I was looking for a friend Phat Phill Cooper. I was with DJ Sneak and we both were looking around and asking people around us if they seen Phil. Low and behold he falls right out of a tree and lands in front of us! We looked at each other and said OK, well there he is! Ibiza is just that; how can you explain the unexplainable.
How do you feel about Hard Times heading over to Ibiza for the first time, do you think it will deliver a different experience to the other nights across the island?
Absolutely they will deliver because that’s what they do! They’ve been delivering since the 90’s so it makes no difference today! Quality is quality! I expect no less!
You have recently been pictured in the studio with Todd Terry and Chocolate Puma. What do you have up your sleeves with that collaboration and when can we expect to hear it?
HA, yes all have been working on some things, your going have to wait and see! It’ll be done soon!
Which artist, that you have not previously worked alongside, would you love to spend time in the studio with?
Sade, Kate Bush, Prince; OK I know that’s not possible but you asked.
Was there a definitive point in your life that pulled you towards working in this industry?
No it all happened organically I was 14 years old when I released my 1st record, I had no idea what would happen its been an adventure ever since.
Why did you decide to first set up your label Brobot?
It’s been a little over a year now I decided to do the label because I wanted to have a place where my friends could release music and have the creative freedom to do so. I’m not the A&R that will tell the producer what to do or how to make his or her music, I give advice but ultimately it’s up to them.
Do you feel that running a label along with Brobot Radio has improved you as an artist?
I’m always improving no matter what I’m doing, it’s good to have the label and the radio show because it keeps things fresh!
With the ‘underground’ sound becoming more and more popular, where do you see the next trend moving towards and how do you see your music adapting as it changes?
Well it’s funny because everyone who’s preaching about underground is ultimately becoming the new hot thing since slice bread! Listen everyone if you want to be underground be the “Underground Resistance” they were underground, I think everyone should stop taking this so seriously and make the best music they can, be happy your doing something you enjoy and are actually apart of a culture. There always going to be a ying and yang no matter what. If everything was cool and underground than it wouldn’t be cool and underground would it?
What is the number one goal for Junior Sanchez to achieve as a producer/DJ?
To Play and Expose and Produce the best Music I can!
Junior Sanchez plays Hard Times launch party this weekend – www.hardtimes.com
