The Pondering Blonde

BPM Mag: Pacha Ibiza in South Africa with JP Candela

PACHA: THE CHERRY ON TOP!

There’s something about Pacha; the way the word rolls off your tongue, the provocative allure of its iconic cherry logo or how its reputation as the most decadent club experience precedes it. Pacha oozes a superior clandestine club culture that only the privy, all seeing walls inside could ever truly regale. Each night at the club is a delicious topical sea of sight, sound and sexuality- the proverbial orgasm of clubs, as it were, and in June 2010, Pacha brings all its blissful hedonism to South Africa!

Pacha party perfection took off on the white isle of Ibiza many gorgeous summer moons ago. The club became a nightlife mecca and the brand has since blossomed into an empire, emblazoning cities like London, New York, Spain, Germany, Brazil and even the more obscure Egypt, Morocco and Russia with its cheeky cherries and suggestive electronic pull.

Some of the most infamous club nights have made Pacha their home, David Guetta’s F**k Me, I’m Famous party, Erick Morillo’s Subliminal night and more recently Swedish House Mafia hosted by Steve Angello, Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso. Dj Sarah Main was one of their early discoveries, whose since found global success as their brand ambassador and resident blonde bombshell dj. Pacha also boasts the best team of club dancers on the planet- Steve Lawler even said so!

A testament to their knack for knowing what incredible performance is all about; Pacha can be credited with seeing the potential in SA’s live electronic act, Goldfish and throwing them by the tail onto the global stage, and we have no doubt their chosen headliner, Guetta’ protégé, JP Candela will alight South Africa’s Spanish delight when he headlines Pacha’s first South African tour during the World Cup!

INTERVIEW WITH JP CANDELA

You’ve been a resident at Pacha Madrid for 6 years, how did you get discovered by Pacha?
I used to work at small underground clubs until Pacha Madrid invited me to open a small lounge inside the club. This space was a great success, so they thought it would be great to close the lounge and get me playing at the Main Room. I said yes, of course. Every time I recall my time at Pacha Madrid I think of it as an amazing period of my life; nights were magical… I still go there to play, once a month.

Tell us about the House Music scene in Madrid and how did you get involved?
As a main European capital, its house music scene is solid and varied. This city has given birth to dj’s such as David Penn, Dj Chus and Wally López; these are examples of the rich movement of this gender of music in Madrid.
Since I was very young I felt deeply devoted to electronic music; I used to listen to it and decided that what I really wanted to do was to play it and create it. I love to test different sounds, my sessions are very eclectic. This is something that motivates me more than anything else: different styles mixed all together (electronic, pop, rock, etc).

You run your own successful club night, Heiress that has become quite popular with local and visiting celebrities? Heiress is a party I´ve been organizing for four years; it´s now in a pause because I´ve been focused in my productions and remixes, as well as the tours for Pacha Ibiza, but I´m willing to continue it once I´m stabilized. The truth is these parties have been a great success since the beginning: celebrities like Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Hugh Grant, Kevin Spacey, Bruce Willis, Pedro Almodovar and sports people like Nadal, Ronaldo, Guti, Fernando Torres, Iker Casillas have all come to hang out. It’s been great!

As a brand ambassador for Pacha, you’ve get to travel around the world, tell us about life under the banner of the world’s most famous cherries?
I consider myself very lucky to be one of the artists involved in this brand, the most outstanding of all nightclubs worldwide. It’s also a guarantee of working in the best clubs, best professionals and the best audience anyone could desire. It’s an amazing experience

Have you ever hooked up with one of the infamous Pacha dancers?
No… And if I did, I wouldn´t say it either… My girlfriend is also my press assistant and she´s right here by my side giving me the eye, hahahaha! Anyway, all of them are great friends of mine.

Have you played at every Pacha in the world, and are they all as amazing as Pacha Ibiza?
No, I haven´t played in all of them yet. I usually play on Pacha tours which are not always Pacha clubs, but other clubs. I´ll be visiting Brazil soon and playing in several there… I think all the Pacha clubs worldwide share the essence, but Pacha Ibiza is unique. This can only be explained once you are there!

You have a remix on David Guetta’s new EP Memories; what it was like collaborating with Guetta?
The truth is it´s been incredible to collaborate with a big name such as Guetta; this is the most important thing that has ever happened to me as a producer. Pete Tong has supported this remix, this has been amazing because his radio show is a reference around the world.

Who is the one music artist you would love to collaborate with?
My favourite band is Depeche Mode… It would be smashing to remix one of their tracks. But there are many artist I´d love to work with; I´m currently new originals and remixes for other big artists will see the light mid-year. And next year I’d like to do my first artist album.

Your football team is Real Madrid, are you excited about being in South Africa over the 2010 World cup?
Sincerely, when Mark called me to tell me I´d be going to South Africa at the time of the World Cup I jumped! It will be the first time Spain will be so near of achieving a World Cup. Besides, South Africa is one of the trips I´ve always wanted to make.

Are you going to be able to watch your team Spain play while you are here?
That would be my dream; I think it will be hard to get some tickets, but I´m already working on it… It would be very exciting, indeed. I can’t wait- big hugs and see you in South Africa soon!

‘Pacha is the premium club brand hands down! They know what they’re doing when it comes to putting on a party. When you first walk into the club, the feeling is just electric- they have their own special x-factor, I don’t know what it is but  this is the real deal! Pacha coming to South Africa is just awesome and we’re really excited. JP Candela is one seriously hot dj, we’ve played with him a few times, once was the very first time we played at Pacha in Madrid and he was super cool- we rate him. And we can’t wait!’ ~ Dominic Peters, Goldfish

BPM Mag Interview with Protoculture

There aren’t many in the world who can truly say they’re ‘Big in Japan’ but SA’s pioneer of groovy intergalactic psytrance, Nate Raubenheimer, aka Protoculture is one to have chewed on some serious sound sushi up North- and a little Goldfish as it turns out; his remix of Goldfish’s Cruising Through for BPM’s first Remixed competition was picked up by Pacha Recordings last year- and nominated in this year’s SAMA Awards for Best Remix- results still to follow. But nowhere near tempted to trade up for white beaches and Blue Lagoons on tap, Protoculture’s year is going to be filled with a little more jungle fever and a whole lot of Love Technology…

There’s no other way to say it; Protoculture is one of the few South African artists to have truly broken into the global game. His rigorous tour travels take him around the world each year and see him owning the stage at infamous festivals like Glade in the UK. Just his schedule over the next 3 months reads like a dj’s dream date- Maitreya Festival in Australia, Ground Beat in Japan and Soul Vision in Brazil- where he jet sets off to in the next few days with nothing but whipping the locals into an exotic frenzy on his mind!

You’re third album, Love Technology is coming out end of March, give us the rundown.

‘Ye I’m really excited about Love Technology. My second album took a bit of an electro tangent and this album has come back to where the first album started, so it’s kind of like a full circle and I’m really happy with it. There are elements of electro, progressive and a more housey trance sound. It’s good to shake up the psy sound and keep it interesting- sometimes a lot of it does run into each other and sound the same.’

You’ve played with some of the best dj in the world- Armin, PVD, ever tempted to cash in and bang the cheese?

[Laughs] No, I can’t stand the diva vocals! I admire the likes of Armin, he has made a great a career for himself- as a business model, he’s pretty damn good and I think there’s no harm in pushing what you’ve done further if you have the platform to do so. The way he’s marketed, runs his label- he’s a professional at the top of his game.

So hanging out with these guys in the VIP room, what are they like?

They’ve always been childhood heroes of mine, so it’s great to chill and chat with them. They’re just pretty normal guys. They keep it quite tidy these days, back in the day they partied hard. Very hard. Now they play, hang around a bit and they leave. When you’ve been doing this for many years, each party is just another gig for you really.

What is it like on tour, do you get to explore much while you’re there?

Often the tour schedule is just crazy and you don’t have time to enjoy the party or get to experience the city. My wife used to come with me but now she doesn’t tour as much. It’s not a holiday, there’s an itinerary of times to be here and there- sometimes you finish the gig and come off to find a taxi waiting to take you to the airport to go to the next city. One time I was picked up by helicopter so I wouldn’t miss my flight!

You recently launched your own podcast…

Yes, the podcast is called Trance Global Express- its available on iTunes- the first episode was released in January. It’s a monthly 2 hour radio show, featuring my mixes and new tracks and having some fun with the music- I’d been thinking about doing it for a while, so excited to see how it develops over the next few months!
Look out for Protoculture’s new album Love Technology in stores from late March!

Goldfish Submerged Sundays: View From The Goldfish Bowl

Goldfish once again captivated audiences around the world with their quirky instrumental and afro-influenced electronic act this summer. The duo; Dom and Dave, also known as ‘The Fishies’ or ‘Still Cape Town’s Hottest Export’- yes that’s right, raced their own tails around the map with gigs in the UK, Russia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Egypt, and Brazil while tuning their instruments at the base camp of their annual residency on the Balearic Island of Ibiza. Their journeys saw them taint festivals and dancefloors with inspiring energy and a golden glow that is never soon forgotten…

My maiden voyage to the White Isle was Fishy from the start; with my bum in Goldfish butter I went in, notebook and pen in hand, ready to write scandalous notes and send perfectly blurry snaps to Heat magazine about the deservedly revolting high life they were living. I mean, surely? But what I got was better- witnessing Goldfish on tour from the front row and realising the boundless ambition it’s taken to get them there, and of course; my very own Perception of Pacha!

Holding down two impressive residencies on the island this year, Goldfish played weekly at The Blue Marlin, a cooler than cool beach club which lures its punters in from their yachts on the bay. Dom and Dave took centre sundeck each Thursday and indulged a free-flow performance, incorporating loops, cuts and vocals from some of their favourite music into their usual self-produced sets. The crowds applauded this rare and pleasant Goldfish sound experience by grinding designer heels into sun beds and punching champagne glasses into the air. It hindsight, it would probably have been rude not to…

Pacha, with its infamous and iconic cherry signage is one of Ibiza’s best nightclubs, and after sampling the fruits of the others on offer, I announce with glee, my own favourite too. Sure, I went four times in a week and witnessed Goldfish billed alongside electronic heavyweights Erick Morillo, Sander Kleinenberg and Faithless- the Ibiza equivalent of milk and sugar in your tea without asking. But really, it was the amicably charged atmosphere and feel good guarantee that made it the best place to party.

Rupturing the rocky, jungle like expanse of the The Main Room or stealing the crowd away into their chasm in the Global Room; this is where Goldfish brought their full Fishy assault; remixing their impressive production list live, and layering it with signature lashings of sax and a bit of double bass. The whole club would gallantly groove onto their refreshing tip and the duo no doubt lauded a precedent for live performance on the island, etching memories into the ears of everyone lucky enough to catch one of their sets.

Ibiza is a totally surreal existence; the world’s most beautiful people congregate on the most beautiful beaches and glaze their bodies to perfection by day, inevitably; reason enough to party up a storm and gyrate in unison by night.  This is the life! If it were me, I’d have a Pharel Williams lookalike topping up my pimp cup! But the Goldfish boys don’t get caught up too much in the superlatives of island life; after winding up cables and easing instruments back into their cases, the duo chase surfable waves, fish off the rocks and attempt to master the perfect seafood paella. A steady stream of their many friends and family drop in to soak it all up with them and therein lies the crux of their success: The real deal is the only deal.

And this is still their opening act. Goldfish have grown from a local South African outfit to an international sensation; exuding the effortless quality of globally recognised dance artist’s night after starry night and even piquing the interest of superstars Maxi Jazz and Sister Bliss, who made an early appearance with entourage to catch their sunset set at the infamous Cafe Mambo in Ibiza before their own big gig at Pacha. Not many people can say Faithless has come to watch their show! With their tour schedule still working the last of its 09 magic and a remix album about to launch South Africa’s soundtrack to summertime, its best to advise you to hold tight; the current is riding strong with this one and these boys are going upstream all the way!

De Puta Madre: Ibiza

Finally; my first ‘ultimate clubbing experience’ on party-island Ibiza, and just my luck the torrential rains decide to pour down for a week for the first time in 10 years! The island known for its white beaches, blue waters and beautiful people was awash with soggy socialites with nowhere to rest their laurels. Correction- escapism is what Ibiza is all about, so while the gods were not in favour of us spit-braining ourselves an exotic shade of Balearic brown; you can bet we got more than a mighty big ear full of club culture, shimmying to the select sounds of the best dj’s on the planet. Yeah, it wasn’t what they promised on the brochure, but we’ll take it…

Ibiza is certainly an existence unto its own; tailor made to wine, dine and ease the mind; it’s a life size playground in paradise and hedonism is the order of the day. Every single day. I’m told Ibiza workers tune into the news for a shot of reality TV when delusion is on the verge of becoming a K-hole of no return. Yes, I said that. Basically, it’s our answer to Vegas and whether you’re rolling with Kevin, Perry and going large in San An, or riding high on a rubber dingy to the Blue Marlin beach club from your yacht, there’s a place for you to play. Anything can happen in Ibiza… and will. So there’s only one rule; let the magical island vibe guide you and trust you will experience what they mean when they say ‘Ibiza Fucking Island!’

Island politics pretty clearly dictate the type of vacation you’re bound to have based on where you leave you luggage and you need to know this before you book. If you’re going for the cheap beer, T ‘n A and consider coming to, 6 days later with a Northern accent and an I heart Ibiza key ring pierced through your ear lobe as a successful trip- take a left and head West at the next exit. If you want to experience island style Electronic Dance Culture, West side is otherwise only a pre-party pilgrimage for a sunset showdown later in your stay- for a real underground adventure; come with me…

My theory is, if you’re going to do Ibiza, do it properly, and with South Africa’s White Isle representatives, Team Goldfish, as our guides, we indulged a front row tour of the islands best parties, people and Paella. From dancing behind the dj box with Sander Kleinenberg and Trentemoller at Pacha; sunning ourselves next to the gazelles on Salina’s beach- ‘hot’ doesn’t even touch sides in reference to these good looking humans- no wonder the place is repute for couple breakdown!- to discovering audio orgasm with James Zabiela at We Love Space and coining the expression ‘Jesus Jones!’ as the only way to fathom what he did us…

There was also being in the VIP room with Loco Dice, dancing with Satoshie to Villalobos, a tipped hat and German Greetz from Mr Vath himself outside Cocoon and tapas with Faithless while The Fish churned out their Jazzy-Afro beats at Mambo. -The only moment of being truly star stuck that I’ll ever admit to; resulting in my spilling Sangria on my leg which Maxi kindly offering to mop up with a £20 note- that man is an icon and I will forever be a slave to his music! Yes, it’s pretty safe to say we did Ibiza proper.

So, here’s a finger to the rain and sneaky low 5 to a quality bottle of fake tan; party vacation of a lifetime? Absolutely. Worth repeating? Without a doubt. Which reminds me- EDM SA needs shares in a villa- I’m coming round to do a collection. Ibiza Fucking Island indeed.

Luminocity Presents… Goldfish LIVE at Hub Club, London

Goldfish have grown from a local South African outfit to an international sensation with their eclectic live act, which blends instrumentals and sweet vocals over afro-infused Electronica. The duo held two residencies in Ibiza this summer; playing weekly at the revered Blue Marlin beach club and vibing the Main Floor and Global Room at Erick Morillo’s infamous Subliminal night every Wednesday at Pacha. Goldfish have taken the stage at some of the world’s biggest music festivals including Glastonbury, Sensation White, Ultra Music Festival and Get Loaded in the Park where they performed alongside Faithless, Basement Jaxx and Orbital; jetting off to Russia, Italy, Egypt, France and Brazil in between.

Luminocity, a new boutique artist agency, presents Goldfish LIVE in London for an intimate last summer session at Hub Club in Shoreditch, one of East London’s most novel warehouse venues. On the back of an incredible season and their anticipated Goldfish dj mix for the August issue of Dj Mag; this is set to be a special final show. With support from mobilee’s hottest new recruit Hector and the Spanish duo Sonogama, from the dynamic Sounderground Records label, the night is set to indulge an intriguing sound shakedown. Join us from 11pm onwards- early bird tickets are available from Ticketweb and RA for £12 and £15 at the door.

Mobilee’s newest recruit, Hector is a London favourite with residencies at Dig Your Own Rave, Kubicle and regular slots at Fabric. Balancing an experimental nature with a commitment to the spirit of house, his mixed up, moody sound and progressive energy creates a unique ambiance on the dancefloor. From Phonica Records to releases on Horizontal, mobilee, and Cecille among them, Hector has come an incredible way from his Mexican roots; his tunes finding their way into the sets of Ricardo Villalobos, Onur Ozer, Dinky and Appleblim

Sonogama are the Spanish duo of Ayoze Chico and Ollie Mendez. The pair found their musical future partying in the Canary Islands and went in studio together, where they founded their label Sounderground Records. The label, based in Germany has released tracks for Brendon Moeller, Dan Berkson and James What.  Sonogama have played across the UK and Spain, including residencies at London’s Kitchen Party and !KNUF. Sonogama indulge a shared passion for tribal-tinged European house and their behind the box antics are an epic energy force for the dancefloor.

Nick Maleedy has an instinctive ear for dark and dubby house that reeks of moody, intelligent and experimental flavour. His refined and unassuming manner makes for an interesting dancefloor experience whenever his sets hit the room and his residency at Excuse The Mess has seen him play alongside some of Europe’s finest acts including Pan-Pot, MyMy, Matthew Styles, and Ralf Kollmann.

Something Fishy at Pacha

If you do one thing in Ibiza- you have to see Goldfish at Pacha! Pacha seem to be dominating this season with the slew of top notch artists and event nights lining the roster each week- and taking more than a little after-sun glow from some of the supersized and industrialised clubbing abodes- or so the whispering winds tell me. Viva the house revolution!

Goldfish are two classically trained muso’s from Cape Town, South Africa holding down a weekly Wednesday residency on the terrace. Their solid live act sees them mixing their own tracks live and rocking the bones off proper instrumentals at the same time!  Yep, while they’re dj’ing they literally haul out a cello, a saxophone and a flute- well, at least I think it’s I flute- and take turns to serenade the audience over a really afro-grooved house set. – Take a moment to hear it and feel that breeze my friends…

It’s actually the second season the Goldfish boys are running the gamut at Pacha’s while isle HQ. Last year they were signed to Pacha Records- their album Perceptions of Pacha was hailed as a sort of Cafe Del Mar meets Groove Armada soiree- in other words, it’s pretty nice! Already this summer they’ve taken the stage at Glastonbury, Sensation in Amsterdam and Gatecrasher in Birmingham with Australia’s sun-goddess of house, Sarah Main and doused sold-out audiences with their sound!

I’ve seen them live several times and it’s truly a performance to be witnessed! They’re also really cool guys- I think one of them bought me a drink once, although it might have just been water… Anyway- DJ Mag also wanted a piece of the Fish and have featured the boys and a special Dj Mag mix in the August edition- it’s bound to go gold so get involved!

Check out their myspace page for a sneak peak- http://www.myspace.com/goldfishlive

FYI- Goldfish hit London Town several times over the next few months- but next up is Pacha on August 8^th, get you flippers and your favourite faces together- I hope to catch you in the mix!
Little Lexi x