Mr ‘Bargrooves himself… providing us CDs filled with music of ultimate joy…
You have an infectious style of music on your CDs – what where you listening to as a kid jumping around in your bedroom to?
“I listened to pretty much anything and everything. I loved The Prodigy when I was young, a 13 year old running around to ‘Smack My Bitch Up’. My mum was so proud – ha ha! I was also a real indie boy so I loved Blur and Oasis, the whole Brit Pop thing. I must have always been into dance because I remember going to school disco’s when I was 10 and asking for The Source featuring Candi Staton ‘You Got The Love’. My sister was a big influence on what I listened to when I was young, so I owe a lot to her.”
How did you slot into the the DJing world in the first place?
“I guess I just put myself in the right place and waited for the right time. When I was at school, I worked for a DJ rental, sales and repair shop. From there, I got to know a load of people and get my first few gigs. After that I started working in a record shop and through there met a lot more people including Simon Dunmore from Defected Records who gave me my break by making me their ibiza resident in 2004.”
DJ heroes of all time?
“Sandy Rivera, Danny Howells, CJ Mackintosh, Pete Tong, amongst many, many others.”
Tell us about your ‘Bargrooves’ latest release…
“The latest ‘Bargrooves’ CD is called ‘Disco Heat’, with that name it’s loosely based around Disco. I’ve tried to bring together new and old and classic records and few thing’s that have been sampled by other people. For example, I’ve added Double Exposure – ‘Everyman’ which formed the basis for M&S – ‘Salsoul Nugget’.”
Favourite tunes on this album?
“For me, I think it has be Double Exposure – ‘Everyman’, Alan Braxe & Fred Falke – ‘Intro’ and Full Intention’s – ‘It’s Set To Groove’. All of them have a special place in my heart.”
Big gig of this year?
“I think my best gig this year was at the Embassy Club in Manila. I’d just done a four date tour of Brazil and then flew pretty much straight to Hong Kong and then on to the Philippines to do that gig that night. So by the time I got there I was pretty jet-lagged and not feeling tip top – but I got to the club and it was rammed. A stunning venue, incredible sound and lights and played a wicked set to an awesome reaction. It was a really great night.”
What other clubs have been ‘yes moments’ recently…
“It’s been quite a crazy year. I’ve travelled all over the the world. But, Pacha in Sharm El Sheik and The Ministry of Sound in London. That place is always wicked.”
