The man who took Mixmag Right To The Top
David, you are the Editor that transformed Mixmag from a ‘cool clubbing bible’ into the biggest music magazine we have ever seen. How did the whole Editorship at Mixmag happen?
“Dave Seaman chose me. And despite me taking them to a restaurant they didn’t like, Tony and Christine Prince and Susan McLintock still had enough faith to give me the chance.”
What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Final?
“Watching it on the telly! And the moment James Brown walked on stage at The Royal Albert Hall.”
I know, a great night. I was fined £200 for the state of Second Tier Box 77 after some incredible celebrations that night. So, what during your days at DMC, was the most memorable final/DMC event you witnessed – which artist stands out?
“I think it was Moby trashing the synthesisers we had hired for him at the DMC/Mixmag Dance Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. And then ever so sweetly apologising afterwards.”
How do you think the art of Turntablism has changed over the years – technical/props/music used/precision etc?
“It goes in phases. We’ve had showmen. We’ve had stunts and entertainment. We’ve had incredible precision. We’ve had instruments. But my taste is strictly old skool and I love the scratching and watching someone make something brand new with just a couple of decks and a box of records.”
Who do you think has been (in your time at the finals) was the best DJ we’ve ever seen?
“Cutmaster Swift.”
What was the most over played record you heard mixed and scratched at a Final?
“That’s an easy question Dan! ‘Funky Drummer’.”
Who (other than me) was the best journalist you have had the pleasure in working with at so many incredible magazines?
“I think we had a brilliant team at Mixmag in the mid-90s. You, obviously! Dom Phillips is an excellent journalist, a real professional and he now crops up everywhere from The Times to Radio 4. Alexis Petridis went from writing about a clubber who used to go clubbing in a suitcase to becoming Music Editor of The Guardian. Frank Tope knows more about music than I ever will and is now obviously one of the UK’s finest A&R men. And Andy Pemberton wrote my favourite Mixmag feature of all-time: ‘Would You Let This Horse In To Your Club?’ and dressed up as a pantomime horse. Then he went to America and won Launch Of The Year editing Blender.
The planet now sees America, France, the UK and Japan vying for the title most years – how has DMC inspired/spread the word of the art of Turntablism?
“It is impossible to imagine Turntablism without DMC. The World Championships have so obviously inspired different generations from all over the world.”
Who was the biggest star you interviewed whilst Editor at Mixmag – and also, tell us a snippet of gossip surrounding someone you interviewed…
“I met pretty much all of the dance and DJ stars of the time because we were all just living the life in those days. In terms of the biggest name, it was probably The Prodigy and the only reason I did that was because Dom Phillips had pissed them off too much. Dom interviewed David Bowie once – he’s quite famous. I once flew all the way to Minneapolis to interview Prince but unfortunately he was out when I got there…”
What are your thoughts on the demise of the dance music magazine world – magazines have hit high times and then folded such as Muzik and Ministry – is the on line magazine world the way forward or do you think there is always a place for a magazine placed in your hands?
“I think brilliant magazines will always have an audience – whatever the format.”
What do you think is the most important album in dance music history?
“A bootleg of Paul Oakenfold at Cream from about 1995.”
Who are your favourite DJs in the world ever?
“Danny Tenaglia, Sasha and Paul Oakenfold.”
Best club you ever went to whilst jumping around the floors at Mixmag?
“Danny Tenaglia at Groovejet at Winter Music Conference 1997. That Rimini Mixmag party you organised at Peter Pan with Laurent Garnier, Dave Seaman and Masters At Work sending everyone loopy. Dorian Gray in Frankfurt airport. Venus in Nottingham. The Hacienda. All of the Mixmag Christmas parties, especially the first one where Dan, you got John Digweed to play for a fiver.”
And finally – what do you think is the biggest achievement that DMC has brought to the world of the DJ?
“DMC is DJing. DMC has been a tireless ambassador and promoter of DJing since it began and it has gone about its task with great enthusiasm, style and energy. Its very greatest achievement has been to make DJs famous.”
Piers Morgan – another huge name in the world of Editorship. A genius – yes or no?
“No.”
