Reactivate back for some 90s chaos with one the fiercest DJs of the decade
Interview by Nicky Trax
Rachel Auburn, original Blitz kid and fashion designer was raised to club stardom in the 90s by crossover singles ‘Wham Bam’ and ‘Fe Fi Fum’ under the Candy Girls alias as well as producing definitive remixes of Felix’, ’Don’t You Want Me’ and J-X’, ‘Son of a Gun’. Rachel also compiled and mixed the Freska compilation albums on React Music and held legendary DJ residencies at Taboo, Trade and Tidy Trax. After a headline set at Trade’s recent end-of-an-era 25th Birthday celebrations, Rachel returns on the mix on the new Reactivate The Years 91 01 double CD as well as powering up the decks at the Reactivate Christmas Party on Friday December 11th at Club No 65 in Vauxhall.
Hey Rachel welcome to DMCWORLD…your new album ’Reactivate’ is a monster double CD release – can you tell us how you came to get involved in the Reactivate series and what it means to you?
I had worked with React in the past releasing two ‘Fresca’ compilation albums with them as well as DJing in the House room at React’s weekly club night ‘Garage’ at Heaven in the nineties! Of course the tracks on Reactivate are seminal dance tracks. React were putting out real cutting edge music from that exciting, formative period of techno, trance, and house. I am so flattered to have been asked to mix this CD, it feels like I’m being asked to be involved in making dance music history! Well, I was there and was very much part of it!
What can people look forward to on the Reactivate album and mix?
This is an opportunity to have all of the greatest React Tracks blended together by me! Ha! Just all the best tracks from all the Reactivate series in one foul swoop!.
Any favourite track from the album?
So many ‘favourite’ tracks on the CDs, but I would go for ‘Hablando’ by Ramirez as I’m pretty sure I sampled it quite a bit! or at least took it into the studio for inspiration. I can never forget ‘Shinny’ by Blu Peter, remembering who was the track’s inspiration and how exciting it still sounds. Marmion’s ‘Schoneberg’, Li Kwan ‘Point Zero’ ,Push ‘Universal Nation’ and ‘Joanna’ by Mrs Wood…but there are so many great tracks on this release that it’s difficult to choose.
Reactivate is the sound of an era – 90’s clubbing, what were the highlights of this time for you as a DJ & producer?
I was so lucky to have been around so many talented producers, artists, and musicians at that ground breakingtime for making dance music. Again, it’s difficult to define specific events, but hanging out with producers such as Sister Bliss, John Truelove, Red Jerry, Jon The Dentist and Baby Doc who all had a similar vision and desire to make new music. Working at the SuperStar Niteclub in Hanover Square with DJs Martin Confusion, Jon Pleased Wimmin, Princess Julia and also running Club Sex at The Cafe De Paris with Wayne Shires and Martin Confusion. Going to Trade and hearing DJs like Tony De Vit and Dave Randall who were definitely taking the music scene forward in the way I could relate to! Also meeting Paul Masterson at ‘Garage’…and getting to work with him!
Who are the producers that have influenced you who are on the Reactivate album?
Wow….’Age Of Love’ was a massively influential track for me at the time, in terms of production… the hi-hat on that track is instantly recognisable and I love the way it sits on the top end. I also made a track with Scottish Billy, who was Zero B – meaning: no brass (money) – who created ‘Lock Up’, and as I mentioned I sampled from ‘Ramirez’ ‘Hablando’!
As you just mentioned, during your career you’ve worked with the likes of Paul Masterson and also Tidy Trax – you must have had so much fun!
Oh for sure! When I first worked with Paul Masterson he had a tiny space in the basement of a virtually derelict building on Curtain Road in Shoreditch. It was damp and cold and Paul lived there as well, literally in a cupboard under the stairs. The electricity was on a meter and it was always running out…sometimes right in the middle of a mix down. Crikey, even the old keyboard which I think was an old Korg was on an ironing board that kept breaking! There were bare wires everywhere and the place stank really bad! Andy and Amo (Tidy Trax) were good fun to work with too…such a mouthy couple! I remember getting on the train to Sheffield to go to their studio to work on the Tidy Girls EP and being met by Andy Pickles and then being driven off to some really naff industrial estate on the outskirts of the city wondering where on earth I was being taken to?!
For the benefit of the uninitiated, how would you describe your on the decks experience?
For me it was always about the music. I had to have an emotional, physical connection with everything I played. I wanted to make people feel happy and excited with the energy levels high – so lots of melody as well as a sexy bass line and a very driving hard edged rhythm! I always felt as a DJ I was very energetically connected to the crowd. Not dark, psychotic or minimal!
What other projects have you got coming up…
I rarely DJ these days,so am really looking forward to seeing everyone at The Reactivate Party on Friday 11th December at Club 65 in Vauxhall, London.
And lastly before you leave us what should we be listening to?
‘Reactivate The Years 91-01!’ of course!!!!!…and a bit of Chopin…and Johan Sebastian…
Rachel Auburn mixes the new ‘Reactivate The Years 91-01’ double CD featuring tracks and mixes by Armin Van Buuren, Tony De Vit, John ‘00’ Fleming, S-J, Mrs Wood, Blu Peter, Peppermint Lounge, Marmion, Jens, E-Trax, Sundance released this Friday 20th November on React Music. http://www.react-music.com/REACT259.php
Rachel Auburn headlines the Reactivate Christmas Party on Friday December 11th with DJs Daz Saund, Trevor Rockcliffe, Blu Peter, Steven Sharp and more at Club No 65, Vauxhall. Tickets £10 from www.moreonthedoor.com
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