DJ Paulette enjoys another one of her classic tea parties with an Ibiza legend
Picture the scenes – opening party Atzaro 2015, there is a traffic tail back 1.5km long to the main road leading up to Atzaro – inside Ibiza Global Radio resident, remixer, DJ and much loved island resident Miguel Garji is holding court and the dancefloor is so packed that if you have a postage stamp sized space it’s a luxury. So far this year Miguel has also played the Opening of the Ibiza Xperience in Amsterdam, the opening of Nassau in Playa Den Bossa and the Opening at Santos. Bienvenuto a DMCWORLD, Senor Miguel Garji…!
Hello Miguel, thank you for joining me for a twenty minute tea -break? Would you like tea, coffee, a soft drink or maybe something stronger?
Hahahahahaha, I prefer a cold beer. Thanks.
In the UK a cup of tea and a chat with a friend is a solution to all the stresses and strains of the day, but if you could do one thing right now to make yourself the happiest man in the world, what would you do?
I don’t need to do much. A good match of tennis and paddle board, drink some cañas with my friends or ride a horse in Can Horse for example.
I don’t like to listen to music at home, I prefer to watch TV.
Tell me a little bit about yourself? Are you an Ibiza natural or did you move here from elsewhere? What is your DJ story and how did you find your job at Ibiza Global Radio?
I was born in Madrid where I lived for 29 years of my life. In 2001 I decided move to Ibiza because I was thinking about changing my way. I worked in a lot of different places in the Island for 6 years and finally find my place in 2007 at Ibiza Global Radio.
Your radio show – ‘Deep Fusion 124bpm’ on Ibiza Global Radio won Best National Radio show 2012 in the Ibiza Vicious Music Awards. How did it feel when you won and what were you thinking when you collected your award?
I did feel great but I don’t believe in these kind of awards much.
Back to that amazing Opening party at Atzaro. After we said ‘hello’, I’m not sure whether you saw but I nearly got thrown off the stage for trying to take a picture of you. Do you often get this kind of fan attention? If so, how do you handle it? Do you have any groupies or is there someone at home for you?
First I want to tell you sorry for this situation in Atzaro, the last opening party had too many people. I’m a person who is very close with the people because it is the most important for me.
You say that radio is your preferred medium – why does it resonate so strongly with you? Is it a more personal experience?
I love my radio work and it is my daily personal experience. Hehehehe…
I’ve phoned friends and scoured the internet for information about you but there isn’t a lot of choice and most interviews online just repeat your (very short) biography. Do you dislike interviews, are there many opportunities for press interviews in Ibiza or are you simply a very private man?
I don’t like too much the interviews, I prefer speaking face to face and about my biography…I think is better kept short, elegant and direct, there’s no need to describe all your professional life.
They say that in order to keeps us interested in and enthusiastic for life, connected to the world around us and to live a healthy, balanced life we should try to go beyond our comfort zone and do one thing every day that scares us. So if you were to do that this week – what 7 things would you do?
I don’t need much in my life, just tennis, paddle board, my music but for the things that scare me? I would like to travel in a future to Himalaya, to make a journey across Spain with my next Moto. Hehehehehe…
If we had to evacuate Ibiza tomorrow – where would be your first choice of place to live and why?
I love the land of my Mother (Granada ) but I’d go back to Madrid because I have my family and my best friend there.
There is one particular interview online that isn’t particularly flattering for you. Do you still stand by what you said about the egos on this island? Are those Spanish egos or egos of visiting superstar DJs? Or both? In your opinion what is a fake DJ? And how can DJs professionalize their work?
I don’t like the ego DJs and there are a lot in this DJ world. There are too many fake DJs and big fake but famous names with a high fee. I don’t like the word DJ because everybody is DJ today, I prefer artist because this is a profession. What can we do to erase these fake DJs? Play in important clubs and beach clubs only with vinyl. And to make this work a real profession is difficult, maybe do an access test before to make a licensed artist. Then you cant play in any place without the license. I don’t know really but it’s an idea.
I believe your birth sign is ‘Pisces’ – is this correct? Pisces – as the last sign of the zodiac are supposed to be intuitive, kind, spiritual and compassionate but on the downside over-sensitive and a little pessimistic. Do you consider yourself a typical Piscean?
No , I’m not a typical Piscean, I am maybe too much of a Pisces, but I’m not completely pessimistic, hehehehe…
Piscean men are credited as being lovers of adventure and social gatherings, and whilst you have been reported as saying that you are an Ibiza DJ and that this island is the only place that you want to play, I have bumped into you on various occasions sitting on planes or passing through the airport on your way to a party off island. Where is the furthest place you have travelled to? Do you like air travel? Would you like to play more often on the international scene?
South America, Dubai, Moscow and New York are the furthest places that I have played. About travel.. sometimes I like it, others not but it is my passion and my job which makes me happy always. I play a lot in Europe too but my favourite place is Ibiza in winter, Autumn and Spring.
Can you gaze into your Piscean crystal ball for us here at DMC and give us your top 3 predictions for:
Hottest month on the island..
August as always, but my favourites are March or October.
Busiest month on the island…
July and August.
Busiest club on the island…
Difficult to choose, probably Pacha, Amnesia, Blue Marlin or Usuahia.
Aside from being spiritual and intuitive, Pisces is also the sign of excess. Do you find it difficult to say ‘no’ to things or people?
When somebody needs help I can’t say NO. When speaking about job…I’m learning to say NO too, hehehehehe.
I believe that your first job on the island was making cocktails at Café Mambo. Would you ever work in a bar again? Is it easy to say ‘no’ to alcohol when you work in a bar?
Yes, I have a beautiful memories of this stage of my life but I don’t like strong alcohol, so it is easy to say ‘no’. I only drink some cañas to go with my tapas, hehehehehe…
Do you know how to dance the mambo?
Nooooo, hehehehehe…
So to your Club residencies –
I’m not really resident of any club in this moment but I can say that Nassau, Atzaro group and Sushi Point in winter are my favourite places to play.
You’ve been quoted in the past as saying “being a DJ in Ibiza (in the summer) doesn’t mean anything for me. It has some sense only in winter – and at Ibiza Global Radio.” This month you announced a DJ residency at Sushi point Fridays – Deep Fusion in Marina Botafoch. What can you tell us about your Sushi Point party? Have these places changed your mind about dj life in Ibiza in the summer in a positive way?
No, of course the DJ summer is important for me, the problem is that the resident DJs are not valued and there are to much free and fake DJs. Sushi point is my winter residency from October until May and then I am guesting at various places throughout the summer.
What format will you be playing when you DJ? Are you CDs, Vinyl or Traktor / Serrato / Ableton?
Normally I play with U.S.B , some CDs, sometimes vinyl. NEVER SYNCRO.
2014 was a boom year for all things vinyl – but where can you buy good, current vinyl on IbIza? Was was the last track that you bought (not sent) on vinyl? And have you ever thought about opening a record shop here? Or on the mainland?
You can buy vinyl in CAN VINILLO, David Sanchez’ shop. And no, I’m not thinking about open a vinyl shop anywhere. Hehehehe…
You are passionate and intensely principled but you must surely have a lighter side? When was the last time you heard a good joke? Who told it to you? Can you remember it? And can you tell it to us here?
Buff, I don’t remember but I have a lot of funny situations in my life.
What and who makes you laugh the most at home and at work?
My partners every day at my work, Jose Maria Ramon, David Moreno, Tony, Anna Tur, Xavi etc. they are really funny guys.
And before you swim off, where and when can we hear Miguel Garji on radio; vinyl and in clubs over the coming months? (DJ dates / productions / links?)
You can hear my ‘Deep Fusion 124 BPM’ show every day on Ibiza Global Radio from 12pm to 14pm and 6pm to 7pm.
Next Dates 13th June (Pacha Barcelona) 19th (Blue Moon festival- Amsterdam) and many more…
More information in my facebook and www.miguelgarji.com
Thank you Miguel for joining me for a little tea break today. It feels good to put the world, and your words to rights with you at last. Me and all at DMC World Online wish you the best Summer yet. Oh – and if you see anyone trying to throw me off your stage, stop the music and save me like a superhero, please! LOLs
Hahahahahaha, thanks to you and DMCWORLD. Kissesssssssss…
