Jonathan, over ten years as a resident at Space – the world’s greatest club where you simply bring people the love. How did you first begin playing on the island?
“I first came to Ibiza in 1993 and on my arrival I was hooked, I loved the freedom and the spirit of the place. My first job was in a club called Exstarsis as the resident DJ, but I did not last long as my mixing at that time was not the best and I really was more into Hip Hop, R n ‘ B and Drum n’ Bass, so I got another job working in one of the local bars DJing for around six years plying my craft and started to bring DJs like Sonique, Brandon Block, Alex P, Biko , Norris Windross and many more jocks into the bar for different nights during the summer. I also took advantage by playing in all of the clubs with different promoters building my reputation in Ibiza as one of the new DJs on the scene putting my name on as many flyers as I could – to be sure I would not be forgotten.”
What are your early memories from Ibiza?
“Well during my first few years, I discovered Space. At their opening party in ’94 they had little dwarves running around the club on stilts giving everyone fruits, kisses and flowers. From this moment I new then that I would be in Ibiza for a lot of years to come.”
How the island changed since you first started playing?
The island had changed a lot over the years. There are more people and more promoters, more bars and a lot more different kinds of fashion being worn from when I first started working in Ibiza. The main roads have all been re-designed and rebuilt, there are a lot new buildings and a lot bigger companies, but also the vibe is as strong as ever – the people like to party and enjoy the sun and like to be different from the rest of Europe.”
What are the biggest 10 tunes you have played over the years on this magical party island?
Rej ‘Ame’
Sebastian Ledger ‘Knight of Jaguar’
Jonathan Ulysses ‘Be Free (Peter Brown & Jonathan Ulysses)’
Mojo – ‘Lady (Here Me Tonight)’
Brand New Heavies ‘Back to Love’
Tori Amos ‘Professional Widow (Armand Van Helden & MK mix)
Stardust ‘Music Sounds Better With You’
Calabria ‘Rune’
Mambana ‘Libre (Axwell mix)’
Lionel Richie ‘All Night Long’
You have rocked up many Ibiza comps over the years…Clubbers Guide To Ibiza with the Ministry of Sound, the i-tunes Ibiza Opening Party, Gateway to Ibiza with MTV and three highly acclaimed Space releases – what do you think has been your best release?
“I would like to say that I love them all the same, but I think the first Space compilation that I ever mixed in 2000 for the club would be my favorite as it was my first ever compilation and it was mixed live on the Terrace. The label recorded it in a way that you could hear the crowd in the background cheering and screaming every time I dropped a track, this left me with a great feeling of togetherness and on listening to the compilation every time, it brought me directly in the Space Terrace dancefloor. It was such a big boost to my career.”
Tell us about your very cool ULYBUG brand, a clothing brand launched in Ibiza and then parties around the world in places such as London, Belgium, Dubai, Germany and Greece…
“The ULYBUG clothing label has been received well. The t-shirts are flying out of my website. www.jonathanulysses.com. Check it! I’m in talks with a larger men’s clothing company about getting ULYBUG throughout the UK and opening up the range incorporating jeans, jackets, hoodies and men’s scarves. The ULYBUG parties are getting bigger also, we have had some parties in different destinations around Europe and always give free CDs and certain clothes to the clubbers, giving something back to the clubbers. My next party will be in Belfast at Kinetik on the 29th of May and then parties running throughout the summer of 2009.”
You have worked in the studio with the likes of Tom Neville, Prok & Fitch, Richard Grey and Filthy Rich also releasing tunes on labels such as Oxyd, UMM, Big In Ibiza, Destined, Arts n’ Krafts and Nukleuz. What’s been your best piece of work?
“For me, my best piece of work must be my new release ‘TIME’ made with DJ Peter Brown released via BIG IN IBIZA. The track has a message behind it with very strong production and a big room sound that rocks the dancefloor. The follow up mixes from Nino Anthony are also great. The track has energy and a pulsating beat, I look forward to dropping the promo at the Opening Party of Space on May 31st/”
What is the best and worst thing about working in Ibiza?
“The best thing about working in Ibiza is working for the best club in the world, Space. Breaking new boundaries every year and I’m glad that I have been a small part of its growth. There is no worst thing about working in Ibiza, the sun shines every day, there are sexy ladies walking around half naked everywhere, the food is healthy, the beaches are beautiful and the club nights are the best!!!! What’s not to like?”
Over the decade that you have DJ’d at Space, what have been the best parties at the club?
“For me, the one party would be ‘WE LOVE’. The promoters Darren, Mark and Sarah have really changed the face of clubbing in Ibiza on a whole by always looking forward by bringing the best DJs, concepts, decor and fresh ideas to keep people coming to Space on a Sunday instead of staying at home having Sunday lunch. Week in, week out for the last 10 years they have kept Sundays alive – that’s why you gotta love ‘WE LOVE’.
Tell us about the NYE Tour a few months back?
“I have recently returned from a huge festival tour encompassing, Bali, Korea, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Singapore and Bahrain. My highlights include headlining High Life’s NYE 2009 party playing at Matakana Country Park, New Zealand to a frenzied crowd of over 10,000 people which was amazing and the MOB Boat Party in Brazil – held on a ten storey cruise liner spinning to the most beautiful Brazilian ladies and totally up for it party crowd – all dressed in white, while the sun shone.”
Biggest 10 tunes in your box right now?
Jonathan Ulysses and Peter Brown ‘Time Big In Ibiza’
Jonathan Ulysses and Reza ‘We Shall Prevail’
Union Jackers ‘Drop’
Jonathan Ulysses and Juan Kidd ‘The Knock’
Jonathan Ulysses and Ingram ‘Come Baby’
Axwell, Ingrosso, Angelo, Laidback Luke ft. Deborah Cox ‘Leave The World Behind’
Menini & Viani ft. Christopher Key ‘La La Land (Matteo Marini mix)’
Tim Anderson ‘Pick Me Up’
Hatfield & Fusco ‘Take You Home’
Codec Shift ‘Mean Motion’
Tell us about what 2009 Ibiza will bring?
“I have recently mixed the 3rd in the series of the Opening Party Compilations, which is produced in conjunction with Big In Ibiza and available to download exclusively on i-tunes from June 1st. My Space residency will continue for the 11th year as well as other parties in and around Ibiza and Europe and Brazil. Also many production work with artists like Reza, Beatthiefs, Union Jackers, Juan Kidd, Peter Brown and Tristan Ingram all coming out this summer.
The album…’Ibiza Opening Party 2009′ mixed by Jonathan Ulysses will bring you…
01) Jonathan Ulysses & Peter Brown ‘Time – Original Mix’
02) Brazen ‘What’s Love? – Filip Le Frick Dub’
03) Charlotte Narni ‘Fucking With The DJ – Big In Ibiza Tribal Dub’
04) Fonzerelli ‘Dreamin’ – Big In Ibiza Dub’
05) Psyklon ‘Beats & Pieces – Tribalizm Mix’
06) Chris MiMo ‘Pick Me Up – Tim Andresen Remix’
07) Filthy Louca ‘Believe In Me – Dub’
08) Tim Andresen ‘Do Your Thang – Original Mix’
09) Chris MiMo ‘Purple People – Original Mix’
10) Filthy Rich ‘Music Is Moving – Original Mix’
11) Chris MiMo ‘Bounce – Original Mix’
12) The Mitchell Project vs Ibiza Knights ‘Alive – Terrace Dub’
13) Zed’s Ded ‘Pulp Fiction – Big In Ibiza Dub’
14) BK ‘Revolution – Big In Ibiza Dub’
15) Jonathan Ulysses & Peter Brown ‘Time – Peter Brown Rmx’
www.jonathanulysses.com