A definite house music future legend with a big album about to hit our shelves in January…
Hi Richard, thanks for taking time out to talk to DMC. So I think it’s fair to say you are on the up and up, props flying from everywhere and an album coming out on January 12th. So it’s incredible how many people we speak to that say the reason they got into dance music is the sounds their parents were playing, I believe your mum was a big Motown fan…what sort of artists were drifting through the corridors at the family home Dinsdale manor?
“Yes, Mum was a big fan of Marvin Gaye so he was frequently spinning on the record player along with The Supremes and Tammi Terrell. I have a really great childhood memories with these songs in the background. I was also a big fan of Michael Jackson when he started out his career on Motown.”
So at what age and how did you start lending your hand to actually start or experimenting with music?
“I started actually making music when I was 18 or 19 when I was down in Brighton as I guy called James Day took me under his wing and acted as a great mentor. I had already been experimenting with music a long time before this as I used to make my own mix tapes off the radio, like so many others.”
When did you start to appreciate DJs either via the radio or perhaps older friends going to clubs – what sort of people got you motivated behind the decks?
“Pretty much straight away, when I was about 13 or 14. I used to listen to Pete Wardman on Kiss FM on Saturday lunchtimes and also Judge Jules doing his ‘Judge and The Jury’ show. Both these DJ’s really motivated me as they played the most upfront house music and that was a such a novelty at that time – something really new and exciting.”
What was your first break DJ wise?
“Of course I did my fair share of pub gigs but my main break was when I was 16 and I played at The Chunnel Club in London. For me, especially being under-age, it was amazing but also very nerve-racking – I had to throw the needle on the record because I was shaking so much!”
What has been the best club you’ve played at in 2008?
“The new Amnesia Terrace in Ibiza is amazing. I had a residency there during the summer season and the new lay-out and sound system makes for such a rocking party.”
Your DJ sets are insane. Techno grooves and spine tingling synth whooshes that have the crowd on the edge throughout – but you tell us about your DJ style?
“I like to play music which is uplifting. I do play some darker, more techy tracks but these never make up the majority of my sets as I think it can sometimes be too confronting. I do love playing playing vocal tracks as well.”
Best record ever made?
“Carly Simon’s ‘Nobody Does It Better’.”
Tell us about the new album ‘U-Turn’ out on January 9th, what can we expect?
“The new album is a real mixture of genres as I had the capacity to play around and experiment. There is everything from electro house, tech house, club hip hop, and indie – so my aim is that there is something on there for everyone.”
Which member out of Girls Aloud would you most like to take out for Scampi and a pint?
“Probably the blond one.”
What DJs have you respected this year?
“Style of Eye has done some amazing work this year, Oliver Hutment along with John Dahlback.”
What’s been the best festival of 2008?
“I did Freedom Festival in Sydney which was awesome. I’m doing the ‘Summadayze’ festival in Melbourne on New Years Day and I’m expecting that to be one of the highlights of my career.”
You were resident at Seb Fontana’s ‘Type’ night, what was that like, what were the craziest night’s and what were the big tunes from that time?
“I was very grateful of Seb giving me a residency at The Cross because I was very unknown at the time. It was really cool to play at such a respected club in London. I met some crazy people on the way and had some amazing nights there.”
What have been the big tunes of 2008 for you?
“Well in no particular order…
Richard Dinsdale ‘Sonica’ on Toolroom Trax
Chris Lake ‘Only One’ on Global Underground
Florian Mend ‘Blast’ on Trapeze
Steve Smooth & JJ Flores ‘Stay John (The Dahlback remix) on UltraR
Richard Dinsdale ‘Up & Down’ on Toolroom Trax
The Style of Eye’s remix of Fragment One biggie
Danny Tenaglia ‘The Space Dance'(Radio Slave’s Space remix) on Tommy Boy
Rex The Dog’I Can See You, Can You See Me?’ on Hundehaus
Richard Dinsdale ‘Walkies’ on Global Underground
Christian Falk Ft. Robyn ‘Dream On'(Tiger Stripes Remix) on Data”
What is on your i-pod?
“I surprisingly don’t have an ipod, but when I relax I like to listen to music which is quite different from the stuff I make.”
You have toured the globe DJ wise, Oz, Indonesia, parts of Easter Europe? Some questions about 2008…
Which place has seen the best looking girls on the dancefloor this year?
“Obviously Australia – my girlfriend is from there”
Which country was your favourite and why?
“Russia is always a good crack.”
Where would you never go back to?
“Definitely Lithuania!”
Which country really appreciated your music the most?
“Russia again.”
What new dish did you try in all of these places?
“I tend to play it safe and stick to food I know before I play- Sushi is always a favourite.”
What’s all this about a collaboration with electro king Michael Grey?
“Michael and I have a great working relationship and really bounce off one another in the studio. Expect a couple of singles in the new year followed by an album- not telling you the name yet though.”
And finally sir, what do you want for Christmas?
I collect models (geek) and put them in my studio, so this year I’ve requested a model of the Joker from Batman which is due out in January. I’d also love my album tracks to do well l- that would be the best present.”
