The New York legend rolls up his sleeves for Def Mix at the Ministry
Words by Dan Prince
Tedd a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you at the moment?
Thanks, Dan! Right now I’m upstate NY in my studio making music and gathering tunes for the big Def Mix event coming up at MOS.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
Anane – Elements Of Life “You Came Into My Life”…it makes me smile. I put it on to lift my spirits.
Tell us about ‘Bang Me’, you finished that Dub yet?
It was a quick, last minute attempt at creating something exclusive for myself to play at WMC this year. I had know idea that it would generate the interest that it has. Quentin Harris and Hector Romero heard it and loved it. Hector dropped it at the last Def Mix party at Cielo and then all the DJs there started coming up to me and asking for it. Still working on the dub. I’m happy about this track. It’s pure, moody, funky me.
Your 3 favorite Def Mix tunes ever…
In no particular order Dan…
‘I’ll Be Your Friend’…I was at Red Zone when David played it off a Reel. He’s a good programmer, you expect that from him…I didn’t expect that fierce hot funky throbby futuristic track when it came on. It blew me away! I waited MOOOOOONTHS for it! I’m transported back to that moment every time I hear it.
“Where Love Lives”…it’s so rare that a single production produces/evokes so such emotion. The highs, the lows, the tension, the drama…It’s a stunning production. Also, Frankie played it every Friday at Factory Bar and every Saturday at Roxy and we waited for…”we gonna have a good time, are you with me?”
“The Pressure”…because I watched it ruin those kids at Sound Factory when Frankie dropped it after a 30 second dramatic blackout of the dance floor. It will always be that moment when…oh, and it’s a great record.
Can you recall the first time you ever set foot in the Ministry of Sound? What were your first thoughts on the place?
I do remember the intensity of the room. It was crazy. The sound and the clubbers were peaking. Intense, bass driven, craziness! I was impressed by the balance of the sound in the room, and the clear, crisp sound of the tweeter arrays. It was better than I had imagined it to be.
On one hand I had the music industry peeps coming back from Miami saying they are not going next year as there was no industry to do business with, on the other I had DJs returning saying it was the best in a looooong time as everywhere smashed it. What was your take on it?
Well, we all want something different from it, don’t we? Some of us want to be discovered, some of us want to showcase our music. it’s all relative, I guess. I go there for family, inspiration, and camaraderie. And it (my friends/peers/fans) reminds me of who I am, where I stand, and why I do this. It’s good enough reason for me to return.
Your tune of Miami Week?
Can I do two?
George Clinton “Ain’t That Funky Kinda Hard On You” and David Morales feat Janice Robinson “It Must Be Love”. Both amazing tunes.
Things have certainly changed from a DJs point of view looking out onto the dance floor these days. Once upon a time all you could see was a sea of hands in the air, now it’s a sea of iPhones recording you. Thoughts on this development?
It’s a bit weird for me. I’d rather see people affected by the beats I’m droppin than my physical presence…I’m easily satisfied and even more at ease when the lights and attention aren’t on me. But I get the importance of fans wanting to capture the moment. It’s what it is.
In today’s DJ world where everyone and their dog wants to play records, how hard do you think it is for an artist to break through unless they have a big tune nestling on their laptop ready to explode?
I think it’s even hard for a big tune to even break through at this point! It’s unfortunate that the DJ has become more important than the music he plays… Can’t say much else about that.
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend, please give us a few words on each…
– Manik – In Walks Bourbon EP.
That’s 3 tracks in one shot. This is proper House from the Ovum label.
– Citizen “Tied” on Crosstown Rebels. (Original and Denny mixes)
Big groovy classic house with a modern twist.
– Spellband – Project One EP.
It’s a promo that someone dropped in my inbox today. It’s hot!
An up and coming producer/DJ to watch out for in 2015?
Tommy Bones
What are 3 bucket list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime?
Alaskan cruise.
Drive from NY To LA.
Snorkel in the Caribbean
LOVED your Frankie Knuckles Tribute Mix you shared with the world. That was most certainly true Frankie! What is your favourite memory of this incredible man?
Thank you. It was a labor of love and I was moved at how well it was received. I don’t know my fave memory, I have many…he had a twisted sense of humor. He asked me to DJ his party once at his loft in NY. At the end when it was just a few buddies left and all of the “industry folks” had gone home, he brought out his new Grammy to parade around. But he wouldn’t let us touch it! He would only let us hold the box that it came in…shady. LOL It was kinda fierce and cheeky. He was really a funny guy.
What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given that you can share to the thousands of budding producers and DJs reading this interview?
Play for the people on the dancefloor, not your peers. Focus on the people.
Not many people know this, but Tedd Patterson is really good at…
Boardgames – Carcassonne. Okay, and makin’ a mean southern fried chicken.
And finally…what are your future studio plans?
To collaborate more. I keep saying I’m gonna do an album, but my attention is all over the place and its hard for me to sit in place long enough. Having said that, I wanna enjoy the process of creating dance music for the love of it as opposed to having to do it to generate some work. I’m more inspired by the freedom to do it, than the requirement to.
*****
DEF MIX
BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY 3RD MAY
NYC’s legendary Def Mix party featuring…
David Morales, Tedd Patterson, Hector Romero & Justin Berkmann.
103: Mental Genius – Dave Lubin, Tom Crane, Johnny Landers & Ollie Beavis.
Tickets:
http://www.ministryofsound.com/events/calendar/club/2015/03/18/14/45/150503-def-mix
