The Brighton superstar just keeps banging out the absolute classics…
Welcome back to DMCWORLD young man – what a year you are having! Let’s kick off with your new project Big Bang Theory and ‘God’s Child’ that has got The Buzz Chart crew well, buzzing! Talk us through it…
“Big Bang Theory was a moniker I used to record under from around ’96 onwards and each release was a nod to disco or boogie track that I was influenced by. I produced God’s Child when I was working for Defected records. I always had an idea of using the Jesse Jackson speech ‘I Am Somebody’ as it’s so emotive and I thought it matched the energy of the disco sample I used. It hit the top 50 UK national charts which is not bad for a disco house track. I got the rights back to the track so we thought we’d celebrate 10 years of the release on my Big Love label and I wanted to re-work it for today’s dancefloors. I did the remix with Rising label artist Nelski as I wanted to bring some fresh ears to the project and we did 2 remixes. One which as more of a tech edge and really cuts up the sample and is just full on energy all the way and another called the Old School Mix which is a much more faithful re-work of the original which has proved really popular with those who remember the original and entered the top 50 House chart on Beatport. I’ve been playing both mixes out and they both been getting fantastic reactions.”
You are just back from Ibiza, how was it?
“Amazing! Played on the Pukka Up boat party which was brilliant. 1000 people spread across 4 boats and I was on the main boat with resident Sam Walker. Then I headed over to Amnesia with the Pukka Up crew where all played on the Terrace alongside Annie Mac & Eric Prydz. I think has to be the busiest night for them as it was the opening night for the Together night with Chase & Status and Sub Focus in the other room and the whole club was completely packed. The energy was ridiculous! I started my set with a special edit of my new single with Cevin Fisher “I Love Ibiza” and it was a perfect moment.”
How do you think the island has changed in recent years?
“I think there are a lot more people coming from different countries around the World. It used to be mainly the British, Italians & Spanish but now it’s becoming much more varied and brings a new generation of people to the Island. Also, new music like dub step hitting the island brings another younger generation out also and festivals like Ibiza Rocks should also open the doors to people who may not usually go to Ibiza.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Eric Prydz – Mighty Love
Elton John Vs Pnau – Sad (Seamus Haji Remix) – Universal
Seamus Haji Presents Big Bang Theory – God’s Child (Seamus Haji & Nelski Remix) – Big Love
Avicii & Lenny Kravitz – Super Love – Big Beat
X-Press 2 feat Alison Limerick – In The Blood (Seamus Haji Remix) Skint
Seamus Haji & Cevin Fisher – I Love Ibiza (Special Edit) Strictly Rhythm
Those Guys – I Walk Alone (Romain Curtis 2012 Remix) Big Love
EDX & Seamus Haji – Love Express (Original) – Big Love
Let The Music Play – Don’t Weigh Me Down (John Dahlback) MOS
Seamus Haji & Nelski – Hey Boy Hey Girl (Original) Rising
Tell us about your ‘I Wanna Go Back’ 80 mix tapes you’ve been working on…
“Ahh..you know about those! Well, my Dad has finally had enough of me storing 15,000 records at his house which I haven’t touched for around 15 years. I spent around 10 years off & on working in record shops so I acquired around 20,000 records in total. I used to buy funk, soul, disco, jazz funk, hip hop and house and was definitely a vinyl junkie spending most of my money of records. I’ve been going through them and I’ve actually got somebody who’s selling off stuff that I don’t want anymore. I’m streamlining my collection so I can have the ones I really want to keep around me at home and that are accessible to me and not stored in cardboard boxes out of sight! once a week I try to spend an hour digitising some old favourites and I just put together a few mixes for myself and then decided to share with a few friends on mixcloud & it kind of spread from there. Each mix takes in different influences and features classics, underground anthems & some more obscure. I’ve been amazed at the amount of people who’ve been digging the mixes getting lovely messages from friends & fellow DJs like Pete Tong, ATFC & DJ Chus. It’s just for the love of music!”
What do you think is going to be the anthem of the summer?
“That’s a hard one! There’s a lot of EDM around at the moment…basically progressive & electro house so I’m going to choose something lighter for Summer. I think Eric Prydz “Mighty Love” could be THE disco moment we need and I also think Elton John vs Pnau has strong potential. I’ve just finished a remix for the latter and whenever I play it it’s as if people already know it. It goes off!”
You are renowned in the industry as someone who just knows really good music. Tell us what artists you listen to chilling out on a Sunday…
“Why thank you. If it’s new stuff then I love albums by Lana Del Ray and Friendly Fires. As I live Brighton and try and tune into Juice Brighton for Mick Fuller’s soulful house show and Russ Dewbury’s who plays some really good soul, funk, boogie, jazz & latin stuff which is perfect for a Sunday.”
Who are the young producers you are giving high fives to this year already?
“Obvious choices would be Maceo Plex, Madeon, Nicky Romero & Shadowchild.”
What is coming next studio wise from you…
“Far East Movement have a great track called “Turn Up The Love” which I’ve just remixed and then there’s the Elton John vs Pnau “Sad” which I mentioned which I think will be a big Summer hit. I’m also working on a new track with ATFC, another with Nelski which should both be for Big Love and on a more commercial level I’m writing and producing tracks for Tara McDonald and Cassius from The Voice.”
What are the big Summer events you are looking forward to spinning at?
“I have loads of festivals abroad this Summer. Effot Festival in Hungary, Nature one in Germany, Azov Festival in Russia and as I live in Brighton the big one is the Pride weekend.”
“It may not be good for my image, but Seamus Haji really loves…
“Offal.”
Looking back, what is the greatest club you have ever played at?
“Probably Pacha Ibiza. It holds many special memories for me when I first started playing out there over 10 years ago.”
Guilty pleasure record?
“Barbara Streisand – ‘Guilty’.”
And finally, what is the greatest piece of production you have ever brought to us out on the dancefloor?
“A strong contender is Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” album. One of Quincy Jones’ finer moments.”Out now…]\
Out now…http://www.beatport.com/release/gods-child/922600
http://dj.beatport.com/seamushaji
www.facebook.com/seamushajifanpage
www.twitter.com/seamushaji
www.youtube.com/user/seamusmate
www.soundcloud.com/seamus-haji
www.mixcloud.com/SeamusHaji
itunes podcast: http://bit.ly/rrfrbX
Bookings: http://mn2s.com/dj-roster/seamus-haji
Remix enquiries: matt.mwr@music-house.co.uk
