The Pondering Blonde

BPM Mag Interview with DJ Sasha

Sasha came into being during the era of Manchester’s iconic Hacienda days. Pioneering the Northern Soul sound and jumping head first into the Acid House movement, Sasha transformed The DJ Life as we know it today with a relentless progressive grace and a partner-in-crime-called Digweed. One would think the man who gave Renaissance Recordings gold status and Global Underground it’s 90’s cool would be too big to tweet ,but that’s exactly where our banter kicks off, after catching wind of a live Twitter interview with one of Ibiza’s well known bloggers the day before we chat.

‘It was pretty good, I’d never done an online interview like that before- the interview (by @Blogibiza) was for Pacha magazine, which is published annually each season in Ibiza. -I’m booked to play several times there this summer.’ Does he like being on top of new marketing and communication trends? ‘I was a bit slow on the upstart to get involved with some of these social networking channels to be honest, I thought it was a lot of people telling everyone lots of trivial things about themselves, and was kind of mundane, but I’ve found it to be a really great way to communicate directly with fans- I can tell them what I’m up to, what I’m listening to- and what I’m eating every now then. ’ [laughs]

A big Football fan, Sasha’s tour to South Africa in July coincides with the final week of the World Cup and he’s keen to get involved and catch a few games while he’s here.  I teasingly ask about England’s performance in the Finals so far and he’s quick to jump into a well-opinioned discussion about the team and various players. ‘Well, I hope they can get their heads together in the next game and click; it would be great to see England still in the running while I’m out there. Really great that I got booked to play in SA over the World Cup- I’m excited to come and be part of it!’

Sasha’s last album, Involver Volume 2 on Global Underground came out in 2008 and the dance world is undoubtedly waiting with bated breath to see in which direction he’ll lead the dance culture heathen next. ‘Yes, I’ve been making new tracks and have a load of new music that I’ve already been playing out at the clubs and festivals… so good news; I’ll have lots of fresh stuff to play out in SA. In terms of releasing an album, I’m not sure when or whether it’ll be full of big, banging club tracks or something a little different, we’ll see…’

Sasha has always been a purveyor of progressive dance and has stood by the darker European house sound from early on in his career. ‘It’s important to believe in your sound. Over the years I’ve trained my ear and honed a certain musical taste.’ His reputation with the older dance heads to this affect is unwavering, although recent years have seen him indulge a more housey tip with elements of electro, breaks;  essentially breaking out of his ‘proggy’ pigeonhole,  inspired by the likes of, Leftfield, UNKLE, BT and more recently James Holden, Tiefschwartz and Swayzak.

Having discovered the likes of BT and James Zabiela, I ask how it is he has such an eye for spotting talent, his management agency Excession is one of the biggest in the world today and manages a top selection of electronic music artists. ‘I don’t know, I suppose they had some kind of X factor or wanderlust; James was so full of energy and so driven, both by the music and how to make it. There are a lot of good dj’s, but they need to have that hunger and desire, be able to make the leap from being a bedroom dj to playing in front of 5000 people. Also, not everyone is cut out for the party lifestyle. There’s a lot of pressure, long nights and of course, a lot of time spent on your own away from home.’

Although notoriously shy about his personal life, I ask how he’s got on, living the ultimate party lifestyle? ‘I’m married and have a little boy, yes you definitely need a strong woman to handle and understand the pressures of this career and I definitely have a one behind me. Over the years I’ve lived quite a nomadic lifestyle- between London, New York, Amsterdam for a bit as well and many airports feel like homes at times. I still have an apartment in New York but I’ve settled in London now.’

To wrap up, I ask what he’s up to this weekend, as you do.. ‘I’m playing at Glastonbury festival this weekend; we’re doing a special Vortech Lighting Show, which I’m really excited about! I only hope that everyone comes to check it out and are not holed up in a pub somewhere, drinking beer and watching the World Cup!

BPM Mag: Interview with Dinky

Dinky is an electronic diamond. From humble beginnings, dancing to Techno with Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano in Chile;  penetrating New York’s underground with her esoteric essence; to discovering her production fingers, moving to Berlin and finding love with Crosstown Rebels star, Matthew Styles, Dinky is the epitome of living the dream. Joining the ranks of Anja Schneider and Magda in the female powerhouse with releases on the best electronic labels, it’s no surprise she quickly blossomed into her role as the youngest female resident for Cocoon. Ahead of her visit to South Africa in June, we visited Dinkyland to find out more!

Where did your fascination with electronic music start?

Modern electronic music came to me when I was only 12 years old. My sister was going out with Dandy Jack [of Perlon fame] and living in Berlin at that time. At a family dinner he gave me a CD and I got instantly hooked on this music. It seemed so futuristic for me, compared to what we had in Chile at that time. Thanks to both him and my sister, I would always receive goodies – music from Kraftwerk, DAF, and house tapes from Doctor Motte. And then later on, things like the early Plastikman CD. I was really lucky!

How did you get into producing?

I guess it came when I was 21 or 22, and I moved to New York. At that time it was really difficult to DJ because the police were really tough. There were no clubs, there were places shutting down, so if I was going to get into music I really wanted to produce. I asked for some advice from people; for example Dandy Jack convinced me to buy a MPC 2000. So I bought that at a very young age and I started to learn that and sampling; it’s a very basic thing!

You’ve lived in Chile, New York and now Berlin; you restlessness has prevented each from ‘claiming’ you to a certain scene or genre of music; how have all 3 influenced your character and music over the years?

I lived long enough on each country to find myself very influenced by the music of each . I was born and raised in Chile and lived there until my late teens , so I feel mostly influenced by my Chilean roots than anything. In New York I found House and some techno, so I have a big influence from that city as well , I was in body and soul every single Sunday dancing to house music. And finally in Berlin where I moved in 2003, I got very much influenced by German electronic dance music specially in Panorama Bar and Berghain where I have a residency.

You originally went to New York to study contemporary dance- have you always had an interest in dancing itself, and how did this lead you to electronic music?

I started to dance when I was around 10 years old , before that I was doing rhythmic gymnastics.  I was very flexible and musical as a child and me and my family thought it was a good idea to start with dance. Dance did not lead to electronic music at all, they didn’t have much to do with each other for me back then but I used some electronic music for choreography .

You’re first record was released on Traum, and you’ve since released on some of the best labels in electronic music- Wagon Repair, Cocoon, Crosstown Rebels- a world first for any female producer, what made you want to make music?

I studied piano when I was a little girl so I always felt like composing songs or scores , I would read music or invent my own scores in the piano when I was little so I guess it was just somehow natural for me to start making music.

As a self-confessed gadget girl- what are your favourite new toys at the moment?

My acoustic guitar! Actually, I haven’t invested much in the studio this year because I have already at the moment all I need so I’m enjoying playing classic guitar mostly.

When producing, your music has been described as a beautifully intricate and layered work of art- a very evident aural expression. Do you have a strong visual tangent that goes with the sounds you create?

Yes I do ,Im very into esoterics and art , I actually also paint and I’m quite extreme when it comes to how my house looks in terms of decoration and space. I’m very visual. I also see sound as colours , I think that has a name in psychology but I don’t remember now..

You’re also an instrumentalist- you play the piano, guitar and strings- how important is being able to play proper instruments for you to ‘compose’ quality music electronically?

I think it’s somehow good for someone to know or to have the ear to play music , to makes music in tune or out of tune on purpose. I think when you start reading and recognizing music from an early age it never goes away (unless you never had the ear) but I also think there is no rules and maybe someone who does not know anything about harmony or pitch can be more free than someone who  is subject to his or her knowledge and academic rules.

Who are some of your favourite producers at moment/ who’ve influenced you?

I really like Tensnake at the moment because I’m a huge fan of Disco music and his tracks are very different but with the disco roots.

Being resident for Sven Vath’s Cocoon party in Ibiza- some would say there are not many dj dreams bigger than that- how does it feel to have your talent recognised on this level and to become part of the Cocoon family?

I could not believe it when it happened in 2004 but I had my fears and some people were a bit… ehm… jealous.  I was also much younger so it was all quite over-whelming , a mixture of excitement and fear at the same time! Now that I finally joined the agency and I am older it feels really natural because I been in contact with them for so many years and know them well … but yes it definitely felt huge back then and I was a bit unsure of everything.

You’re first night as Cocoon, how was that? / Which has been your favourite night at Cocoon and who did you play alongside that night?

It was with Miss Kitten, it was great , really great! I did the warn up and enjoyed it very much  and even though it was around 2004, I think that was my favourite night.

Tell us a bit about the Cocoon club concept and why it has the reputation and following it has…

I guess is very modern and artistic but with a great concept of marketing as well.  Sven supports music that normally would not get exposed because it’s very underground and sometimes experimental , so he uses his popularity and brand to expose very avant-garde artists like dj’s, musicians, dancers and designers. It’s a very visual and complete experience!

Dinky tours South Africa with Ibiza’s Cocoon Night in June.

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

Wikki Wikki Ching Ching!

Many dj’s would have you believe they were birthed with their fingers melded to a turntable. They weren’t. Very often when their mothers tried to enrol them into Rocket Science School after matric graduation, they said ‘Nah, I don’t wanna go to space anyway, I just wanna party with my friends.’ And as if by some holy transference from God is a Dj himself, it dawned on them; they could indeed make a living from clubbing like a lunatic.

Dj’ing isn’t rocket science. At the very least, it’s a sport, and at the most; a well layered art form. But somewhere in between someone realised it’s a damn good way to make easy money, doing, well- very little. And why not? When the good times are rolling, they can spin right up your alley! Big brands fall over themselves to dish out car endorsements and sneaker sponsorships (‘I just wanna hola to my aMaZiNg hairdresser in Sandton for my aWeSoMe hair extensions!!’ (Sorry about that, it’s in the contract.)) -to latch onto some cool-by-association cred from these ‘major music personalities’.

So some have cracked the code and entered this irrevocable system that is life on the top shelf of SA DJ land- and who’s to say they haven’t worked damn hard to live the local dream? But what about when it comes at the expense of the music industry itself? I’m talking about people with the money to buy their way in. Only in South Africa is it possible to buy- yes buy- yourself gigs at big events and blag your way to some contrived feeling of electronic accomplishment. But then, this isn’t new- it’s just becoming more obviously anti-progressive for the club scene itself.

Money can buy you the marketing, the management- what the hell; the whole friggen hype machine and a stupid kid to make a few tracks with your name on it so you can say you’re ‘IN the music industry’. In fact, make it two; you might need an edgier, techy alter ego, right? Money can also buy you a ‘tour’ to Ibiza, a VIP ticket for Cocoon, and a few shots of liquid courage before walking up to Loco Dice himself and giving him a demo of your skillz. It’s like a bad mafia movie only the ‘stash’ is the coveted disc of crap tunes, the accents are from District 9- and nobody says a thing.

Let me tell you what money can’t buy you. Money can’t buy you originality, style, a rad personality and that coolness that cool people emulate without trying. It sure as hell can’t buy you good taste in music. -For the sake of the ear drums of clubbing societies at large, I wish it could. Mostly; money can’t buy you the insatiable hunger a starving artist feels for his craft, it can’t buy you a genuine thirst for creative success. (And as it turns out, you perverted, mumbling idiot; it can’t buy you groupies or a sex life.)

Hunter S. Thomspon epitomised the situation when he said, ‘The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. [There’s also a negative side].’ Of course; Hunter was being his eloquently sardonic self; he no doubt had friends who ‘gave it all up for music’- sometimes at the expense of common sense- and witnessed their frustration and hardships, while pompous fat cats mowed past their genuine resolution after their own selfish crusade.

There’s a difference between simply dj’s and musicians; the calling for this music life is not a gamble easily satiated by winning a popularity contest, a jackpot payout and a feature on the Ultimix@6. Ultimately the painstaking journey; at times choosing music over food, fashion and fun, are what shapes a true artist; an unwavering passion purged into creative genius. The music always finds its way to the top and will be remembered long after the men who simply played it are gone.

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.

BPM Mag Interview with Erick Morillo

There’s only one question I can ask Erick Morillo when I finally get him on the line, ‘Dude, you are living the dream- how does it feel?’ It’s taken two days and two trips to Defected HQ to get him on the phone; ‘It’s his first day in Ibiza and he’s on his yacht- with some girls,’ -and he basically can’t get to the phone- or so his people tell the Defected people, who tell me. Villa’s, yacht’s and shiny disco balls; man, its tough being at the top!

Erick Morillo really does live it up in style- P.Diddy ain’t got nothing on this man, I’m telling you!- but then, he’s worked his ass off to get there and still is one of the hardest working artists in the business. Erick lives on world-wide gig rotation, produces up a storm, pops out record-breaking albums and has just kicked his record label, Subliminal, back into action after a two year hiatus. Hell, I hope those girls lathered him in sunscreen and fed him chilled fruit with a spoon!

Morillo’s ready for my call the next day and he’s back in business mode, doing last minute preparation for his opening night at Pacha that evening where he presents the labels awakening with a banging launch party for Subliminal Sessions Summer 09. The Erick-mixed, double disc album promises to entertain you with an invigorated subliminal sound and is already receiving rave reviews. ‘This is my new favourite compilation to date, its balls to the floor and sexy!’ He says.

Erick put the label on hold when digital download took the world by chaotic storm- a clever move that possibly saw him save face where other labels lost strength during the trepid technology transition. ‘The music business was in a bit of a flux, nobody knew what was going on, people were downloading music for free everywhere. I made a decision to slow things down as it just didn’t feel right and album sales weren’t good.’

He’s now gone into partnership with Strictly Rhythm and Defected Records, Erick’s label home for years before he started up Subliminal in 1997. ‘I love what Defected has done the last three or four years, they’ve become one of the greatest imprints around the world and Mark Finkelstein, on Strictly Rhythm, has been my business mentor for many years. It just works and we’re back on track.’

To answer my first question; ‘Yes I’m living the dream- it’s really unbelievable that after all these years I’m still doing this, and enjoying myself, so I’m really grateful.’ He tells me, and sweetly apologises. ‘I was having lessons on my boat!’ Morillo doesn’t think the world economy is going to stop party-chasers from getting their sun, sea and disco this year and is looking forward to a great summer on the island.

This year’s theme is ‘Be Bad’ and Erick is all about bringing out the bad-ass in everyone at his weekly Wednesday residency under that red-cherried roof. ‘It’s about forgetting about all the problems in the world, coming in, closing your eyes and letting go. It’s really cheeky- like when you’re doing something you know you not meant to but it just feels so good!’

And Erick knows all about that- I ask him about his favourite not musical indulgence; ‘Well, I’ve recently been enjoying playing Backgammon.’ He says, ‘Backgammon and sex.’ And with that he’s off to ignite Morillo mania on the dancefloor, a very bad boy indeed!

DC 10- Blink and You’ll miss it!

It’s incredible to believe that after an entire season of non-action, DC 10 in Ibiza is still the club everyone’s talking about. Rumours have strategically persisted all summer-long that the infamous warehouse venue was going to throw the bash of all bashes and drop one last closing party- technically an opening and closing party in one!- and in true rebellious style, earlier this week, Circo Loco announced the line-up for its one-off event.

The club was shut down and fined €300,000 by the Spanish government last year for allegedly running with only a restaurant and bar license to their name, and ordered to remain closed for one full year as punishment. Talk about whipping the clown about town! Apparently, the licensing issue is yet to be resolved but, the ban lifts exactly one day before the scheduled event on October 6^th and the Circo Loco crew are throwing caution to the wind; going full throttle and giving the party-island people what they’ve been harking on about all summer.

SO, there’s been a clamber from coast to coast as the good people have postponed their departures and several clubs and bars have extended their own closing events to be able to sufficiently milk the extra masses of people still around, as Ibiza’s annual season of mayhem traditionally ends at the end of September. The local’s more than likely welcome the extra mileage they’re getting although the weather has been turning dramatically- with torrential showers literally raining on many vacationers parades for the entire past week.

Well, lets hope October 6^th is greeted with an incredible sunrise and that legend of DC10 is restored in the nick of time. Ricardo Villalobo’s leads the pack with sound support from Circo Loco favourites, Tania Vulcano, Clive Henry, Jamie Jones, Dan Ghenacia and Matthais Tanzmann, and making his first and only Ibiza appearance this summer is Crosstown Rebels’ Damian Lazarus. It sounds like a bloody good show- and what a way to show ‘em!

Here’s to DC10 in 2010!

Little Lexi x

Faithless Are Back!

So there I am; sangria sipping and waiting for a little sunset action on the other side of the island at Cafe Mambo… Anticipating that momentous daily occurrence when the sun dips coolly beyond the blue waters prompting the crowd on the bank to wave their bottles of San Miguel and cheer in delight at the signalling of another epic nocturnal adventure on the White Isle…

Yep, life doesn’t get much better than this! And who should suddenly appear to take the seat next to mine, but Mr Faithless- Maxi Jazz himself. Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and entourage had arrived to indulge a little dinner and drop a teaser set at the infamous sunset-side restaurant, before making way to headline at Pacha.

Later, Bliss dropped her usual moody, banging set to the main room, while Maxi eased out a deep trip-hop set in the Global Room, seemingly quite content playing separates! But as it turned out- the twosome were flecking new material into the tunage and testing it out on the unexpectant audience- and you guessed it; the crowd went wild!

So I did a little investigating; seems the group have been holed up in studio for quite some time and a new album is officially in the works! Their first single ‘Sun to Me’ was released mid-August and while the hot remixes pour in, the group, which includes Rollo Armstrong on production, are hoping for a little ‘Faithless fest’ when they head back to the island for the closing parties next week.

I have no doubt they’re going to lay it down thick and fast this time! If you’re not there in the flesh for the all exclusive album preview- keep an eye on their website which re-launches in October with all Faithless 2009 seriousness! Or get into the new single- it’s going to be all about Faithless on rotation all winter long!

http://faithless.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S9aeyamIPw&feature=related

Little Lexi x

We love La Roux

I loved the sound of La Roux before I’d even heard one of her songs; a magazine interview several months ago got to grips with the up-and-coming vocal starlet, Elly Jackson’s quirky, androgynous style- she has an incredible- and expensive- penchant for all things vintage- and revealed a heady fresh attitude not seen since possibly Madonna’s early music career rebellion. La Roux does not conform to the Pop-tart norm and as it turns out- the woman can seriously sing!

La Roux is essentially Elly Jackson on vocals and synths with Ben Langmaid on co-writing and production for an electro-pop sound infusion that runs comparable to the likes of The Eurythmics, David Bowie and Prince. Her debut album went to number 2 on the charts earlier this year and her singles Bulletproof and In For The Kill reached number 1 and 2 on the singles chart respectively. But, In For The Kill has tickled the dance communities’ fancy in a big way- with more than enough bedroom producers bootlegging their own electro-tinged spin on it.

Skream’s Dub Step remix is the one on serious club rotation, the ‘ravey remix’ is being dropped from London and New York, to being the most appropriate soundtrack to many on the White Isle’s disco-vacation. Sander Kleinenberg dropped the tune to a heaving 2 000 strong crowd at Pacha Ibiza last weekend and the audience went into a leisurely 6 minute euphoria!

La Roux makes her first Bestival appearance this Saturday before embarking on a worldwide tour that takes her from Japan to Australia and the US, returning to the UK for a full tour in November. Look out for her next single ‘I’m not your Toy’, to be released in late September- no doubt there will be a sexy slew of dance remixes bouncing off the club walls near you soon enough!