John. You are part of the DMC crew from way back, ‘For What You Dream Of’ a Stress classic. The Film ‘Trainspotting’ with Ewan McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller still a clubber’s classic. What’s up these days studio wise?
“My Bedrock’s 11th Album. The label has had such a huge resurgence of late. I decided to scale the whole business down from London, I have been running it from home, not put so many albums out, kept my head under the bonnet if you like. So anyway, we are back with a great album. I lost some money, saying that, Pinnacle going bust didn’t help all of us.”
The superstar DJ explosion has seen DJs play at The Olympic Games, win Grammys, command £1m fees and play on a beach to over 500,000 people. How do you feel as someone who once put on gigs for a few hundred people on a pier on a sleepy south coast town playing your tunes to now commanding fees of five figures?
“Dan I am part of this roller coaster DJ ride and I can’t admit it’s not great. To get out of a small club to be part of this whole world vibe is so amazing – the sound systems I have the privilege to play today is incredible.”
What is the best sound system you have ever played at?
“Twilo, New York with Sasha. But you really have got to give props to Justin Berkman at the Ministry of Sound in London for pioneering the systems. Cream next raised the game and we were all part of it, an amazing £500,000 sound system that two young kids were shaking our heads at spinning tunes we both loved.”
Okay John – how much was your sound system on The Hastings Pier?
“Dan, about as much as the monitor.”
Growing up in a quiet seaside town John, how on earth did you find the love of dance music? – what musicians / albums were you into when you were a teenager?
“I don’t normally talk about the past, but as it’s you. I grew up listening to New Order, Heaven 17 and Joy Division. It was a guy who worked in my parents’ butcher’s shop who first got me into listening to the likes of Kiss FM and the early DMC mixes.
You are from a town with neighbours such as Emma Bunton, Suggs, Jo Brand and Simon Fuller – ever had a pint with them?
“Dan, you have been to Hastings, everyone moves as quick as possible.”
Where now?
“Kent”
What is your best ability as a DJ?
” I think I can read a crowd and adapt to what they are feeling. I think long and hard about my records and how I play them.”
Why is Sasha such a good DJ?
“We are like chalk and cheese. Opposites attract Dan. You know, he is shy, I’m not. We just click, always have from day one. He has this amazing quality to blend and build…a timeless DJ.”
What is your best ever Digweed & Sasha gig?
“Twilo, New Years Eve, 2000. End of.”
Why the name Bedrock of your night and label?
“Because it was and is a solid foundation to build on”
How did you meet your recording partner Nick Muir?
“DJing at ‘Rage’ – one of the best night’s ever in clubland. An overnight friend.”
What is your favourite ever label?
“At its peak, Guerilla, every track a joy to carefully place on a slipmat.
John, how do you feel about being placed in a box by people who simply think you are a Progressive DJ?
“Dan, there are so many journalists that really have not been in the scene and seen what we have all achieved. We put smiles on so many peoples faces.”
Check out John’s radio show, released and everything else on johndigweed.com – and also ‘Bedrock @ Matter, London with Danny Howells on October 15th. Future releases are…Christian Smith ‘Mistral’ and Traumwohnung ‘War Werden Sehen’ – the Solomon remix…
