The breakthrough producer of 2011
Every now and again someone breaks into the dance music world you just know are going to be here for a very, very long time. Don’t get us wrong, Dan Pearce aka new underground producing sensation Eats Everything is no new kid on the block. Learning the ropes in his native Bristol dancing ’til dawn to the likes of early rave kings Easygroove and Ellis Dee in the early 90s, Dan now sights the likes of Vonstroke and Justin Martin as musical influences. A DJ in the west country for over a decade, Dan made a clear statement of intent earlier this year with ‘Entrance Song’ – his debut release on Catz N Dogz’ Pet Sounds label that was championed all summer long by the likes of Carl Cox and John Digweed and declared by Pete Tong as his runner up as biggest tune of the summer. Dan had recently set a record by being the first dance music producer to have two different tracks featured on two different shows on Radio One for seven consecutive weeks. With huge support from Pete Tong, Zane Lowe, Annie Mac and Andy George & Jaymo, Eats Everything has rapidly become the toast of the UK airwaves. Remember the name.
Dan Prince gets the lowdown…
Dan, welcome to the DMC World. An incredible year young man, a superstar in the making without a shadow of a doubt. When did you start DJing, what was the first club you played at – and did you get paid?
“I started DJing in 1992/1993 playing old skool hardcore and the like. The first club I played at was Club Loco in Bristol when I was 16 in 1996, for one of my heroes at the time, Easygroove. Did I get paid? Did I f@ck!!!!”
How has your DJing style changed over the years and how would you describe your style right now?
“My DJing style hasn’t really changed at all to be honest, maybe a little less frantic with the crossfader, but not really much difference. I like to play with the records and try and create new tracks on the fly. I still bounce around like an idiot however.”
What DJs did you look up to back then?
“When I first started it was people like Ellis Dee, Easygroove, Carl Cox, Top Buzz etc. Then when I got into house it was people like Rhythm Masters, Murk and the bigger jocks like Tony De Vit, Jon Pleased and all those guys. Legends.”
When did you first hit the studio and who would you say are your big influences in the production world?
“I first hit the studio in about 2002, but have only really been happy with my stuff for about 18 months. I take influences from all of the years and all of the different genres that have come and gone throughout those years. Not one producer has really influenced me although I would say that Rhythm Masters/Steve Mac, Murk and modern day guys like Justin Martin, Vonstroke and Catz n’ Dogz have influenced me a lot.”
Tell us about your studio set up, what’s in there equipment wise…
“Not a great deal to be honest. I have an iMac, an Akai MPK Midi keyboard, a Tascam US 600 Audio Interface and a pair of Mackie HR824 MKII Monitor Speakers which are amazing! I am looking to purchase some hardware synths but need the money and space before I do so!!!”
The new Eats Everything EP out this week on Claude VonStroke’s dirtybirds label – talk us through it…
“Well, it’s my debut full EP on dirtybird, which is a dream come true for me. It’s a two tracker, ‘The Size’ and ‘Whatever Whatever’. Both tracks are very different from each other and a lot of stuff that is out there at the moment. They have both been doing damage in the clubs and ‘The Size’ especially has been featured on Radio 1 seven times I think! Which is crazy and quite hard to comprehend!”
Why do you think your sound crosses over to both the overground and underground?
“To be honest I have no idea. Pure fluke. I make what I like and luckily people seem to like it too.”
Bristol and the west country were obviously well known back in the day with Massive Attack, Roni Size, Portishead and Tricky, but it has taken a time for the scene there to come back with a very vibrant scene that they can call their own, artists like yourself, Julio Bashmore, Redlight, Baobinga, Bowski and Waifs and Strays coming through. Why has it taken so long – and who else is coming through that we should keep our eyes on?
“I think a lot of us have been working away for a long time in the studio and are finally starting to perfect our styles. Also, it takes a long time to build the right contacts and get to know the right people, which I believe is just as important as the musicality these days. Keep an eye out for a few guys actually. Firstly a guy called Lukas. He is a super talented, has just remixed Crazy P for 20:20 and I am collaborating with him as we speak. Also, Christophe is a real talent to keep an eye on, his knowledge of house music is unsurpassed and if he likes a track I have made then I know its a winner. Then there are Rio & Prest who are making some amazing music, with real musicality in there tracks. All in all, Bristol is gonna keep growing and growing as a power within the electronic dance music spectrum, which is great.”
How does it feel to have superstars such as Claude Von Stroke, Pete Tong, Josh Wink and Groove Armada belting out your tunes all of a sudden?
“Very strange and quite surreal, but ultimately amazing!”
What is your current top 10 tunes you are playing right now?
1. Eats Everything – The Size
2. Crazy P – Changes (Lukas Remix)
3. Tripmastaz – Roll Dat
4. C.R.S.T – Feel It
5. Murk – Amame
6. Adam F – Circles (Eats Everything Rework)
7. Eats Everything – Jagged Edge
8. Subjekt – Dunky Frummer
9. Unknown Artist – Get Deep
10. Riva Starr – Jump (Martin Brothers Remix)
What is the one type of music you really hate?
“Modern RnB. The stuff that sounds like really rubbish trance electro that people are touting about at present. Makes you realise just how good RnB was in the 90’s and early 2000’s.”
You played at the big In:Motion gig last Saturday, these allnighters down at the skateboard park in Bristol are really smashing it at the moment, what’s the vibe like down there – you are providing the world with The Essential Mix on November 18th alongside Pete Tong and Calvin Harris at the venue we hear…
“In:Motion is going from strength to strength and to be In:Motion resident for the duration of the parties is a massive honour and privilege. The vibe is amazing and every party is sold out. As for the Essential Mix, I can hardly contain my excitement! It is crazy and another dream come true!”
So we come back to yours after the club – what 10 Back To Mine tunes do you play us (non bass) to chill or carry on partying to…
“A toughy Dan. But here we go…
De La Soul – All Good?
Blackstreet – No Diggity
Penguin Prison – Golden Train
Penguin Prison – Something I’m Not
Gino Soccio – Dancer
Metronomy – Heartbreaker (Discodeine Remix)
Freestyle – The Party Has Just Begun
Daft Punk – Face To Face
Outkast – Ghetto Musick
Paul Simon – Graceland
Who is the best DJ you have ever shared the bill with?
“DJ Craze. That’s all you need to say.”
What is the biggest compliment anyone has ever given you about your music?
“This is pretty lame, but anyone who gives me any form of compliment about my music is massive to me.”
Not many people know this, but Eats Everything is really good at…
“Male modelling, body building and generally looking like a million dollars at all times. Failing all that, I am not bad at football.”
What was your first big break in the music industry?
“Years ago I was resident at a massive night called Scream in Bristol which was pretty good but I was too interested in partying back then and didn’t follow it up by pushing myself. Nowadays it was Pets Recordings signing ‘Entrance Song’, that put me on everyone’s radar. Now I just have to keep delivering!”
What is your guilty pleasure song?
“Probably Paul Simon – Graceland. Absolutely amazing.”
What do you love about living in Bristol and what do you hate?
“I love living in Bristol because you know everyone and will always meet lots of people you know wherever you go. You could say I dislike it for the same reasons sometimes!!”
What has been the best gig of 2011?
“See No Evil Hear No Evil in Bristol, a massive free graffiti rave type affair. Unbelievably good.”
What has been your summer anthem?
“Shamefully it would probably be my track ‘Entrance Song’ or FCL – ‘Lets Go’.”
Who is the coolest person on your mobile phone?
“My Dad is pretty cool.”
Best festival story ever?
“At Universe’s Tribal Gathering in 1996, a girl went into a portaloo and a group of lads (I don’t know whether they knew her or not) came over and shook it until it fell over. She came out caked in shit, piss and that blue stuff. Nasty.”
What is the greatest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“I reckon it’s gotta be Gat Decor – Passion.”
What is the one club around you are itching to play at?
“Fabric! And that itching will stop on November 5th.”
If you could change on thing about yourself, what would it be?
“Lose some weight!”
A massive moment for you last month when Pete Tong featured your Eats Everything ‘The Size’ as Essential Tune of the week. Where were you listening to the radio when he played it?
“I was in my living room, it was mental!! Couldn’t believe it!”
It may not be good for my image but I really like…
“BBC 2’s The Great British Bake Off and the song ‘Love Machine’ by Girls Aloud!!! Banger.”
So 2012 is going to be an incredible year for you. What have you got lined up for touring and what’s next studio wise – the album?
“There are talks and thoughts of an album but I think it is a little early yet to be honest. I have so much stuff going on next year it’s crazy. Follow up EPs on Pets & dirtybird, a collaboration with Claude Vonstroke for the dirtybird 7th Anniversary EP and a colab with Pete Tong for his debut artist album. Gigs wise I have them coming out of my ears, so its hard to keep track!”
And finally, have you ever been mistaken for ex-Radio 1 DJ Dave Pearce?
“Namewise yes. Looks wise, hopefully not. Sorry Dave.”
Check out the free Eats Everything latest electronic groove podcast…
