The master delivers another Full On Fluoro piece of perfection. World exclusive
Interview by Dan Prince
Welcome back to DMCWORLD Mr Oakenfold, where on planet earth are you today?
“Hi Dan, I’m in LA about to head to my gigs in Vegas and Chicago.”
A big month for you with the release of ‘We Are Planet Perfecto Volume 4’ on the mighty Armada label, 42 monster tracks including seven exclusives – a big job!
“It was. The album took a long time to put together, we went out to a lot of labels, friends etc. I’m really happy with it, showcases where I am at the moment.”
It has been 18 years since you first released ‘Fluoro’ – a ground breaking compilation that introduced the futuristic sounds of Goa trance to the world. December 29th-31st sees you join 150 artists at the Sunburn festival in Vagator…artists such as Sander van Doorn, Michael Woods and Knife Party are on the bill. How does it feel as one of the pioneers of this beautiful part of the world to now see and take part in such a large commercial event?
“Really looking forward to Sunburn, it’s one of the best in the world. They really do try and give something back tot he community. They go to schools to educate kids about electronic music. For me to go and play in Goa is going to be really exciting.”
Loved that cheeky throwback to the early 90s magazine feature you printed on your Facebook last week. Sasha already telling everyone he was working “on my own album”, Darren Emerson mentioning some new band called Underworld and yourself enjoying A&R life working with megastars such as Arrested Development and Neneh Cherry. The clubbers of today have no idea of the lives of some of our superstar DJs back then, some of you had proper day jobs with lunch breaks and everything! What was your proudest achievement artist wise back then?
“That’s a tough question, there are a few. I’ve been very lucky. DJing at Madison Square Garden, Mainstage at Glasto and playing the Great Wall of China. Those are strong memories. Opening for U2 and working with them on a lot of remixes. I would have to mention Ibiza though and the Acid House boom that we started in London.”
Nice to see you back at one of your old residencies a few weeks back with your set at Cream’s Birthday in Liverpool. Back in those days it was a journey up the M6 with a boot full of vinyl every week, must have been great to be back in Nation towers for the birthday?
“Playing Cream always brings back fond memories. It’s good to see some of the old faces that come out to party.”
It was the annual DJ Top100 Poll last month, and boy has it come in for some criticism yet again: “It is not a DJ contest it is a producer contest”, “it is all about buying votes”, “it is all about how big your PR machine is these days”, “there are too many genres of DJs nowadays and unfair on the real DJs” etc. etc. – just some of the comments flying around. What is your take on what was once a real important part of our club culture?
“I’m not too aware of the criticism. I presumed it would be full of EDM DJs. The majority of votes come from America. The chart really means a lot to the current generation of DJs.”
An interview with Paul Oakenfold wouldn’t be complete without a question regarding your beloved Chelsea. The Premiership has started well for you, Jose looks more content now that he has his ‘own’ team playing for him…the writing is on the wall for the rest of us this season huh?
“I think we all feel Chelsea are very strong at the moment and will do very well in all competitions. Lets just hope that the team can stay fit and in form. Otherwise I might have to dust off my shirt and get on the pitch.”
What are the big 3 tunes in your box this weekend…
“Calvin Harris – ‘Blame’, Paul Oakenfold ft. Angela McCluskey – ‘You Could Be Happy’ (any of the remixes) and Hot Since 82 ft Black Box – ‘Everybody’.”
What has been your tune of the summer?
“Great question, I’ve had a lot of gigs all around the world and have been playing so many. Too many to name.”
And favourite festival moment?
“I really enjoyed EDC Vegas. I worked really hard on my residency in Las Vegas in 2009 where we really did put electronic music on the map. Since then, a lot of DJs have picked up residencies in Las Vegas and Insomniac moved EDC there. It’s the perfect place with amazing production and great sound. I would recommend it to anyone that has never been.”
The EDM scene in America is now thankfully fragmenting as the kids start to grow up and enjoy new areas of dance music. One such area is the genre that has been coined ‘new skool trance’…who are some of the young and up coming DJs spinning this sound that we should be looking out for in 2015?
“New school trance is more about the tempo and the familiar big riffs. If youve noticed, AVB and A&B, are now recording at 128 bpm. It really seems to me merging EDM and trance together. Its becoming more popular with some EDM DJs moving to trance.”
What is the No. 1 night in Los Angeles right now?
“Has to be the Avalon. They re-did the sound system and the club is packed all the time.”
ADE must seem like a distant blur now, hats off for the excellent party with Paul Van Dyk! Is this the most important industry led event on the clubbing calendar now?
“ADE for me over the years has become very important. It gives you a chance to meet up with a lot of people from all over the world in the industry.”
You gave the Nervo girls a big thumbs up in an interview earlier this year. With all your experience over the last few decades, have you had a word with them about their partying?!?!
“They are very talented and I’ve always felt they can go far in a male dominated industry. They deserve all the success.”
We hear Pop Killer is all done and dusted. Azealia Banks, Miguel, ZZ Ward, Alan Stone and Wallpaper all feature, you have promised us a melodic treat…WHEN IS IT COMING OUT???
“Yes it is finished but we are focusing on singles. It’s a singles driven market as you know. The decline in albums just gets worse.”
Where will you be on New Years Eve this year…and any idea what you’ll be spinning at midnight?
“I’ll be playing in Dubai on NYE. Really looking forward to that. Last year I DJ’d at the biggest fireworkd display in the world. Let’s see what happens this year.”
What is the next studio project you’ll be getting your teeth stuck into?
“Not spending much time in the studio. Just enjoying DJing and traveling.”
And finally as you sit in your rocking chair drinking a glass of red wine by the fire at Christmas, looking back at 2014…what has been your biggest achievement of the year?
“I don’t have a rocking chair Dan! I think Trance Mission was a big achievement, myself and the whole Perfecto Team worked really hard on that album so I’m very proud of what it did this year.”
Thanks Paul. See you soon dude.
“Stay well Dan, love to the family as always.”
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