There were two DJs that always had me trapped back in the day. A certain Graeme Park who used to send me all around the Northern disco park. Then all of a sudden a new kid appeared on the block. A young kid from North Wales. Sasha. He had ‘I’m going to re-write the rule books’ all over him, and he did. Sell out clubs everywhere, magazine front covers (well we won’t mention that) – and international recognition as the best. And that’s Sasha. The best. Number one.
I used to crawl up the M1 every week to experience this superstar put tears in people’s eyes. One young man from a little village near Stoke On Trent befriended this DJ. Became mates. Partied the world together. This friend Geoff Oakes then began Renaissance. Think of Pacha. Think of a UK version of a sunset, clubbing paradise. He saw the vision. And rocked it. And so many people have tried to copy it.
Renaissance’s Geoff Oakes starts the yellow brick road…
“Since I first heard Sasha DJ at The Hacienda I’ve always felt he had a unique way of putting music together and his musicality is so obvious in both his DJing and production. Always wanting to create something fresh and new, whether through the use of technology or the music he’s making – and also a strong passion to remain at the forefront that guarantees that’s exactly where he’ll stay for as long as he chooses. History aside, I can’t think of any DJ today who can match his continous ability to create the perfect mix.”
Geoff Oakes. Renaissance.
Dude. Massive night for Tyneside for their 18th Birthday at Digital. Eighteen years ago you brought us ‘Appolonia’ and were in the midst of of the start of a crazy decade of dance. What do you remember from back then?
“So long ago Dan, The Eclipse in Coventry, Shelleys – was that back then? The Leeds days were crazy. Tony Hannon’s ‘Soak’ and ‘Kaos’. Brilliant nights.”
You have travelled the world so much. You must be knackered. You live away from England so much. What do you miss the most about England?
“The pubs. And the banter.”
I’m getting married in eight weeks, hopefully you’ll be there. You’d better be. Give us a Sasha wedding tip as someone who has walked up the aisle…
“Look after your mother and sister-in laws always Dan. Always and forever.”
How does Sasha chill out after a club?
“A glass of wine sitting in my bedroom. Screaming at my crap football team. Cooking fish.”
You are not in London much these days. However when you do, you are obviously smashing up the big floors. What are your thoughts on the demise of UK superclub Matter?
“I never really got it. I live in the centre of London and it was a pain in the arse to get to. Not for me.”
What’s the big Sasha summer special?
“Underworld. ‘Scribble’. Can’t wait to play it at Glastonbury.”
Pick out a DJ we should be picking out this year dude…
“Berlin’s Kaci at Panorama. And Max Cooper. Always great.
What have been the big dates this year you’ve enjoyed?
“I have just done this amazing tour of India. Delhi, Mombai and Banghali. They have had so many problems with licensing laws, a lot of corporate companies involved and now suddenly it’s exploding. There’s so much music coming out of this country, I was amazed at the amount of pieces of music I was handed to by strangers whilst DJing. It was a wonderful trip, very exciting.”
Your best studio release ever?
‘Involver’. That was the most fun.
Finally, you once kicked me out of my room at my Mum and Dad’s house to go touring. when DMC managed you. How did you feel back then?
“Good at the time.”
