Amazing UK DJ smashing the shit out of Ibiza with his very unique style
Welcome to DMCWORLD dude, one of the true superstars of Ibiza with two great new releases everyone is raving about everywhere we go. Let’s first check into ‘Voyager’ out on the Pacha label, talk us through the history of this little gem…
“Well myself and Andy Lee aka Central Avenue started this is a track initially started over a year ago. It came as I was doing some warm ups for people like the Swedish House Mafia in Pacha so wanted to make some tracks that I could play in the warm ups that would suit what they were going to follow on with. Over the course of the summer it got changed a few times but finally we were both happy with it and decided to give it to Steve at Pacha Recordings and he was immediately all over it and signed it up.”
Tell us about your first trip to Ibiza. Where were the first clubs and who were the DJs you encountered on that first adventure…
“My first visit was when I came here in 97. I booked a two week holiday to give me time to find work and if I didn’t find any I could just get back on the plane with my tail between my legs. But in the end it only took me a few days and I have been here ever since! The first club I went to was Pacha and then every week I used to go to Manumission and Space for Carry On. I got to meet people like Reche, Alfredo and Daniel Klein and have known them ever since.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
“Mmm depends where I am playing and what time I am playing to be honest, so this is 10 of my best of any style and in any order that I have been playing so far this summer…”
1. Lauer & Canard – El Mundo
2. Graham Sahara & Central Avenue – Work
3. Osunlade – Envisions (Tuccillo Mix)
4. Toni Moreno & 2Vilas – Eleven (Tucci en Tusho Mix)
5. Huxley – Box Clever
6. Fisher & Fiebak – Love Train
7. So Called Scumbags ft Abigail Bailey – Dont Give Up
8. YSE ft Frank H Carter III – Magic In Your Eyes (Giom Remix)
9. Trevor O´Neil – New Era (Central Avenue & Graham Sahara Mix)
10. Tune Brothers – Knock On Your Heart Ft. Alec Sun Drea (Ralph Good Mix)
Ibiza seems to be on a real renaissance at the moment, what do you think has caused this new burst of Balearic energy on the island. Everywhere is packed!
“Maybe the dance scene exploding in the States might have something to do with it. There are a lot more Americans here than ever before. Nights like Tiesto and David Guetta are massively popular with them and then if you go to DC10 then the underground scene is thriving. It’s a lot more housey and groove orientated than a few years ago and I think that helps as well. Generally alot of the music you can hear on the island here is a lot more happier than it was a few years ago. It really helps create a good buzz.”
What are your thoughts on Ushuaia coming in and throwing their money about like the owners of Man City…?!
“Mmm well if you´ve got it flaunt it! Haha, but really I think well it’s nice there’s been a return to more daytime clubbing. It’s given more of an opportunity for all the other places in Playa D´en Bossa and further a field to have more daytime parties and make the vibe more like it was when I came here 15 years ago. If Ushuaia can do it then they can’t really not let everyone else do it can they. As long as everyone doesnt go over board with daytime parties then happy days.”
The Buzz Chart people are shouting about the new remix of ‘New Era’ on your own Seamless label. Great rework – what are the next plans release wise…?
“The next release is going to be another one from myself and Central Avenue called ‘Work’. Nice peaktime driving house track that’s been working very well for me in the last few months. It’s dropping on the 16th July on Seamless Traxx as well.”
Which producers around the island should we be looking at for possible big smashes this year?
“Well I think myself and most of the islanders really love the sound of Tuccillo and Willie Graff. They have an excellent sound which is very groovy and you can hear their tracks being played in most of the underground clubs like DC10 and Cocoon and by DJs like Luciano. It’s quality real house music.”
What one song sums up Ibiza for you?
“I think maybe Dario G ‘Sunchyme’. It’s one of the Space Terrace classics for me, from my first year on the island.”
Pacha in Ibiza is a labyrinth of different musical arenas, most people who go there don’t know it’s all there! Why is this incredible establishment still at the top of the tree?
“It’s got a very good team that run it. They know whats what and what will work and what wont. Piti and Ricardo have been very astute when it comes to the people they employ, for example Danny Whittle seems to be a bit of a genius when it comes to organising the different nights in the main room and ensuring that the club is packed everynight. There are also alot of the people who work there for so long, from the DJs like myself, Sarah, Angel, Willie and Andy. I think we have all been there for over ten years. In fact most of the key team who work there have worked there for longer. It’s just a very consistant team who run and work in the club.”
What is your all time top 5 Pacha Funky Room anthems?
“Over the years I would say these ones…”
Ambrosia – That’s How Much I Love You
Sade – By My Side (Ben Watt Lazy Dog Remix)
Fab Four ft Robert Owen – How Many Ways
Jon Cutler ft E-man – Its Yours
Masters at Work ft India – To Be In Love (Original Mix)
What are your thoughts on the Swedish House Mafia splitting up?
“They have been touring extensively for like 3 or 4 years playing all over the place doing a huge amount of gigs in that time and its going to take it’s toll. Especially if you are with the same people for that length of time. I mean rock bands don’t go touring for so long do they? They have a break and then a little while later they would do another album and then another tour to support that album. These guys have been touring none stop I am sure they need a break from each other and have some time out and do some more personal projects. They can always make a comeback.”
Where is your chill place in Ibiza…?
“In the arms of my wife! Haha…”
You have an unbelievable ability to adapt to play music to any crowd, from 100 to 1000 – where was your first ever DJ gig and did you cack it?
“My first gig I think was in Birmingham in a place called Toots, in like ’94 I think. It wasn’t a massive place but I had been practising for a while at home so felt confident and then finally got the opportunity and I think it went pretty well to be fair.”
Tell us about your early musical influences and DJ heroes?
“Danny Rampling, Graeme Park and Elliot Eastwick would be probably be DJ influences. I used to go out in Birmingham and I bought lot of house music cassettes and would listen to them in the car. Things like Hard Times, Bakers and Wobble were my favourite places to go. Those DJs and places have really left their mark on me musically.”
As a resident in Ibiza, you see so many different nationalities losing the plot in front of you. Which country’s clubber’s are the maddest?
“Mmmm. Difficult to put a nationality on them as I can never understand a word they say once they have lost the plot and the music is loud!! Hahaha…I used to work in an after hours here years ago and was trying to learn Spanish as I was the only English person in there. It was so difficult as I was never sure if I didnt understand what they had said or what they were saying didnt make any sense!”
Your other residency in Ibiza is the stunning KM5 – what makes this gaff so good and is their new Kaviar Lounge all it’s cracked up to be?!
“Well it’s a really nice place to go and chill, eat some great food, then people like to have a bit of a dance afterwards and it’s all in a very relaxed surroundings. I absolutely love the openings and closing of the place. It’s mental times 10! With the Kaviar lounge, I´ve not actually tried it. I can’t stand Caviar, but if its anything like the rest of the food there – especially the steak, it’s going to be possibly the best you will ever try.”
Who are some of the biggest celebs you have rocked on your dancefloor?
“Vin Diesel, Shakira, Kevin Spacey, Jay Kay and loads of footballers from various nations…”
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Massive Attack – ‘Unfinished Sympathy’, best song ever made FACT!”
A question that many people ask about the Balearics; why has an island the size of Mallorca not inherited more quality clubs than an average only Pacha and a commercial (but great) BCM?
“I´m not sure to be honest, but I think Ibiza has got the special vibe and it’s the original party place with all the great clubs. I suppose many other Islands have tried and not come close to recreating the vibe here. I´ve heard and seen headlines for years, is this the new Ibiza etc etc? Well none of them have been and as Mallorca is so close to Ibiza, why would you want to go to Mallorca when you could come here!”
It’s your birthday. Where do you have it and who are the 3 DJs you ask to play…?
“I would say at Babylon Beach Bar in Santa Eulalia, the beach bar from my good friend Vaughan and then I would have Willie Graff, Colin Peters and Alfredo playing. Different style musically but very cool and great music.”
For the many aspiring of thousands of DJs looking to follow in your footsteps – just how do you get your foot in the door on the biggest party island in the world?
“Save up, and come for the summer, work behind a bar or something to earn money until you get to know the right people and then wait your turn as nothing happens on this island immediately. Well thats what I did and it’s not gone so bad…”
