Ibiza poolside sessions at Ocean Beach with the Soul Heaven don
Interview : Nicky Trax
Welcome to DMCWORLD, an incredibly exciting time for you right now as resident guest DJ at the Soul Heaven Pool Parties…you must be looking forward to the summer season out in Ibiza?
“Incredibly so! It’s gonna be my first time playing the white isle so I’m pretty amped and excited to be invited and being a fan of Soul Heaven for some years, it’s gonna be a very special occasion for me! I’ve seen the video of last year’s Vocal Booth session and knew I had to be there this year…playing is the cherry on the top. I’m looking forward to sharing the event with old friends and making some new one’s too! Set wise as always it’s going to be a mix of chunky new cuts, eclectic and singalong anthems with a few of my own exclusives for good measure.”
What can we expect from you musically…?
“I’m looking forward to sharing is a track I’ve recorded with Gee Morris of “Innocence”. She’s one of my faves from the 90’s and “Natural Thing” was my anthem as a kid growing up and to work with her on a track was one of my highlights of last year, especially as she hasn’t recorded with anyone for a while. I’m really looking forward to playing it poolside as it is a real sunshine record.”
What are you working on studio wise at the moment?
“At the moment I’m just finishing off 3 new projects including Part 2 of the ‘Future Divas EP’, which is out on Tony Records now so it’s great timing and it features 5 more future divas including Maya Blue, Natasha Watts, Adrienne Hughes, Tasha’s World and Tisha Monique, A mini EP With Lifford which I’m looking forward to releasing with the Circle Of Funk Boys which is a nod to the old school vibe that we don’t get a chance to hear very much these days with a full vocal. Lastly there’s a ‘Soulful Session & Friends’ album due at the end of the year featuring Bah Samba, Heidi Vogel, Mike Black, Louise Golbey, Rainy Payne and Chelsea Como. It’s a nice little journey of soulful flavours which I’m really excited about so as you can see I’m pretty busy!”
Thoughts on the sound of this summer?
“It’s been a great start to the year so far on the music front and overall I think the tempo maybe a little slower in general, but that said I think people are always up for something a little more musical but its all about timing. To really capture the crowd, it’s all about timing and more importantly the crowd you’re playing to and I know for a fact the pool party is gonna be a soulful affair so I’m sure we won’t have to worry about that.. lol. But overall I think this year the music on all fronts will be a lot more soulful especially with the extensive use of samples from classics which has made the music a lot more song-based.”
Are there any producers or tracks that you’re particularly psyched about right now?
“The last few years the scene has been opening up, bringing a new wave of talent and there are a few I have my eyes on at the moment. But in terms of consistency (and in no order) gotta shout out Detroit Swindle. I didn’t quite get the hype till now but their new album “Boxed Out” is getting some serious plays from me. It’s such a journey and I think ‘Thoughts of She’ will be played a lot throughout the summer as that baseline’s KILLER. Magic Number/Exist: Ross Hillard, Atjazz & Karizma They’re taking the game to a whole new level with their live performances. Anything that brings a live element to a DJ led scene can only be a good thing and their last 2 releases have been superb and as individuals are three people at the moment who really inspire me. DJ Spen: I don’t know what he’s taking at the moment but my man’s dropping some SERIOUS heat after so many years at the top! The last 2 years he’s produced and remixed some amazing music. Souldynamic, again VERY consistent and never know what’s coming. And finally Rhemi Music’s Neil Pierce & Ziggy Funk: These boys are on fire at the moment and are leading the revolution for the new school.”
How do you manage to keep it fresh, new and I guess, vital?
“Being in contact with DJs and Producers regularly is a great way of vibin’ and finding out what’s hot and forthcoming and that backed by the weekly radio show keeps my ear to the ground on the look out for that hot new nugget. I’m still very passionate about buying music and being at the forefront of new trends and genres plus collecting keeps things moving, along with my weekly residency at 360 and playing 2 to 4 times a week across Dubai helps to get reactions and introducing new music at any given point.”
You grew up in the Midlands and then moved to Birmingham, London then Dubai. How much of an influence did the neighborhoods around you have on your path towards music? Were there any other major that helped shape your early career?
“It would be impossible to list all the people who have helped shape my journey! Growing up in Leicester definitely was the training ground, cutting my teeth with my brother playing on our sound system in the mid to late 80’s. Then I carved out my own scene with a few huge monthly events and my Radio show, which looking back now was the pre-curser for what was to come. But I would have to say moving to Birmingham, starting Choice FM and meeting Andy Ward are really where it all took off. We’ve shared the same passion for music and what we did collectively in the Midlands mid 90s to 2000 was truly special. Kenny Dope & Louie Vega (MAW), Bluey From Incognito, Tony Minvielle, Giles Peterson and John Peel have always played a part of my journey from the beginning as musically my roots are in soul/jazz and how they’ve managed to bring it to a bigger audience and make it relevant in clubland and still keep it real music based has always inspired me to stick to my roots and what I believe in. The Southport Weekender! Wow! It elevated me and allowed me to showcase my DJ side on the biggest platform as I’m more well-known as a Radio DJ, but this allowed me to show my musical knowledge and as Radio DJs aren’t known for rocking a crowd with the exception of a few, and to be a resident for the last 18 years still blows my mind whenever I’m behind the decks. More recently The VocalBooth Weekender which has further elevated me in terms of the DJ platform and which was also the inspiration for me getting back into the studio in 2011 to make the ‘Future Divas EP’.”
And before you leave us, can you tell us something you think we should all be listening to before we head out to the Soul Heaven Pool Party on Saturdays @ Ocean Beach, Ibiza?
“Yeah: http://www.mixcloud.com/djschooly/ which is an insight into the Soulful Session experience lol. My sets are usually 4 hours and I call them journeys as we go through everything from Funk, Soul, Rare Grooves to House, as much as we love to party we also like to sit back and enjoy some music during downtime too.”
Schooly aka Soulful Session joins Andy Ward for Vocal Booth at the Soul Heaven Pool Party season at Ocean Beach, Ibiza on Saturday July 12th from midday onwards. Every Saturday, Soul Heaven features monthly resident and guests including Joey Negro, Grant Nelson, Sy Sez,and special Guest, Kenny Dope, broadcasting Live every two weeks on Ibiza Sonica Radio and check them out at www.soul-heaven.com <http://www.soul-heaven.com> ; www.oceanbeachibiza.com <http://www.oceanbeachibiza.com> http://www.ibizasonica.com
Saturday 12th July: Vocal Booth with Andy Ward
Saturday 19th July: Grant Nelson – Live Sonica Radio broadcast
Saturday 26th July: Norman Jay
Saturday 2nd August: Soul Heaven Records with Sy Sez – Live Sonica Radio broadcast
Saturday 9th August: Norman Jay
Saturday 16th August Joey Negro – Live Sonica Radio broadcast
Saturday 23rd August: Soul Heaven Records
Saturday 30th August: Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez – Live Sonica Radio Broadcast & Launch of ‘Ocean Beach Ibiza – the debut’ CD, compiled & mixed by Kenny and OC resident, Tom Crane
Saturday 6th September: Soul Heaven Records with Sy Sez
Saturday 13th September: Risk Sound System – Live Sonica Radio broadcast
Saturday 20th September: Grant Nelson
Saturday 27th September: Closing Party with Norman Jay – Live Sonica Radio broadcast
