New tune…
Spencer Parker ‘The Beginning’ out on June 15th
How you doing pal, been a while. Hope you’re well. So I remember the time when you were just starting out – undoubtedly a great talent that has now seen you become one of the most exciting DJs and producers in clubland, bigged up by the likes of Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin and Pete Tong. So what DJs and albums growing up influenced you back in the day that has made you the force you are today?
“Well, the first music I really got into in a big way was Hip Hop. I was (and am) a massive fan of acts like Gang Starr, Public Enemy, Brand Nubian, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, De La Soul, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane and Nas. I still listen to a lot of Hip Hop now as well as a hell of a lot of other music from Nikka Costa to Kanye West to Phoenix. As far as DJs go, I first started going out and listening to people like Rocky & Diesel, CJ Mackintosh and a lot of the bigger US names like Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, Francois Kevorkian and DJ Sneak. They always had great programming and mixing skills and they seemed to also make a real effort to find, champion and expose hot new records I’d never heard before – which is what I aim to do myself now when I play out. I still record shop every week and I really believe it’s the DJ’s job to push things forward by playing good, interesting new records.”
Talk us through the new tune ‘The Beginning’ – what’s it all about?
“It’s a track that I’m really proud of as it took a little while to come to fruition. I completed the original track a couple of years ago and had been playing it in my sets as a opener – hence the title – it would always be my first record and the beginning of my set – and although it got good reactions the few labels I sent it to thought that it needed something extra. After a little thought, I spoke to Francois A who records on Buzzin’ Fly and lives in France and asked him to record some keyboard parts for me and send them over. I then arranged and chopped the parts up, worked them into my original demo and the record was done. Francois is a phenomenal musician as well as producer so I was really lucky to work with him – even though we’ve never even met as the whole exchange was done via instant messenger! As soon as I had finished the original demo I always wanted the track on Buzzin’ Fly as I thought it really suited their sound and I really respect them as a label. I sent the track to Ben and after a few weeks he got back to me and said he wanted it to be my second single for them so I was overjoyed. Ironically enough, it’s now being released at a time when, luckily, things are going well for me and I’ve just moved to Berlin so it’s definitely the beginning of a new part of my life in general”!
How would you describe your DJing style – and how has it changed over the years?
“I don’t think my style has really changed that much over the years as I’ve always strived to do the same thing, which is simply play the records I love to an audience and hopefully arrange them in such a way that they have the most impact and everyone has a good night. I think the most important thing a DJ can do is to stay relevant, knowing what’s going on and adapting to the current environment is what stops you losing touch. What’s great is, at the moment, there is a real resurgence in quality house music so as well as playing music by amazing artists like Johnny D or Boola I can also play older tracks I have by people like Mood 2 Swing or Todd Terry and they all work together with whatever new house or techno tracks I have sought out.”
Your ten favourite ever labels and why?
Tribal (UK, America)
“Way too many great records on this label, that still sound amazing and current right now.
Strictly Rhythm
Of course! – The sheer scale of releases they used to put out was phenomenal and they have to be seen as one of the greatest labels for house music ever.
Roule/Crydamoure
Simple but excellent artwork, unknown artists alongside cool names like Roy Davis Jnr or DJ Sneak and home to some of my favourite records. When they came out, these labels changed everything.
Africanism
Again, a very innovative label out of Paris that really pushed their own distinctive sound – I still play records from this label out now.
Henry Street
Great NYC label that really released some huge records as well as some great functional DJ tools.
Junior Boys Own
A truly innovative label, not only understanding the NYC club culture that was so huge at the time but also releasing and promoting european artists that fitted the same mould.
Cecille
Probably one of the most consistent labels out there at the moment, wicked tracks from the likes of Kreon, Justin Drake, Anthea and Alex Celler and Bearweasel as well as label head Nick Curly keep this label firing.
Planet E
Class is probably the best word I can think of to describe the releases on this label and, in particular, the productions of Carl Craig.
Ost Gut Ton
Love the records, love the artwork – from house to techno, this label is home to some of the most innovative producers coming out Berlin right now.
Def Jam
“Don’t call it a comeback!”
Biggest Acid House, Techno and House single ever made?
“Woah! Very difficult question but today I would say….
Acid House – X Press 2 “Muzik X Press” Junior Boys Own
Techno – Paperclip People “Throw” Planet E
House – Solu Music “Fade” Wave”
Best club you have ever played at in the UK and overseas?
“In the UK I would have to say the main room of Shindig in Newcastle takes some beating as does the main room of both The End (RIP) and Ministry Of Sound. As for overseas, I’d have to give a two way tie between the new terrace playing for ‘We Love…’ on a Sunday at Space in Ibiza and the excellent Panorama Bar.”
What country around the world has the most up for it clubbers?
“I don’t think any particular country is more crazy than the next, but Russia and Germany – particularly Berlin, would have to be right up there…”
You have an affiliation with Buzzin’ Fly of course – what has been this label’s finer vinyl moments?
“I really like and respect Buzzin’ Fly as a label and the whole team there, Ben, Lizzi and Marianne are great at what they do. From a record point of view, I’ve always loved the Darkmountaingroup’s ‘Lose Control’ as well as the Ame remix of Rodmaal feat. Caludia Franco ‘Insomnia’ and the excellent Radio Slave remix of Mlle Caro and Franck Garcia’s ‘Dead Souls’ single.”
Many a release since your debut single ‘Open Your Eyes’ back in 2005, tunes such as ‘Beautiful Noise’ and ‘Neon’ followed – what is your proudest release? 2008 certainly a busy year with releases on SAW, Tsuba, Rekids, Buzzin’ Fly etc – so which tune would you rate as your best? The new one…?
“Hopefully the one I am yet to make. I’m incredibly proud of my new track on Rekids called ‘My Heart’ as I think it shows where I’m at in my production career right now and I was also really happy with my track ‘Untitled Head’ on Liebe ‘Detail’ as it kind of captured something about what I play out when I DJ – I often start my sets with a secret edit…”
The early days, as many DJs have to do, saw you having to warm up for the big boys – did you this as a frustrating time or a learning curve?
“Definitely a learning curve. I’ve never really been frustrated by doing warm up sets and still do them occasionally now. I always knew it was an important part of the night and that there is just as much skill, if not more, needed to fill a room and keep it busy without playing all the latest big records than there is to play a peak time set to a full club.”
What is next for the music world from Spencer Parker?
“I have a new single on Rekids entitled ‘Romantic’ which is coming out on Rekids with a great Djulz remix, another single on Rekids called ‘My Heart’ backed with a excellent Daniel Sanchez remix and in September, I’ll release my debut EP for 2000and One’s Area Remote label. I’ve also just remixed “Anti-Hero” by Yousef on Circus Recordings and Mic Newman’s new single on Vicious Vinyl in Australia.
DJ wise I’ve been playing all over the place, forthcoming I have dates at Panorama Bar, Berlin, Studio 80 in Amsterdam, Matter in London, Tape In Berlin and Space in Ibiza. Fundamentally, just more of the same hopefully – release more records on labels I respect and continue to be able to play the best clubs in the world.
There’s a possibility of an album in 2010 but mainly, I just hope to improve as a producer and keep doing my thing…
Good to hear from you Dan – hope all is good at DMC towers.
Speak soon
Spencer
xxx