To continue our Where Now featurette we look towards a man who now calls Ibiza his year-round home. Mr Doris is a true original, coming up through the unwavering ranks of resident Ibiza DJs with his true to the new school sound of global funk and breaks. His diverse selections have landed him sets in venues as diverse as The End and fabric to Koko and even the Royal Albert Hall, where he has supported the likes of The Cinematic Orchestra and Kruder & Dorfmeister.
Since dropping a promo mix on the desk of our chief booker 5 years ago, Mr Doris has grown in stature to play extended back-room sets for Carl Cox, Pacha and of course We Love. Last summer his star was burning bright when he was given a promotion of sorts to host the Sunset Terrace weekly for We Love from midnight until close, some might say a risky move with a crowd more accustomed to a classic high-energy house sound. It turned into an unexpectedly pristine display of musical knowledge and brought some much needed dubby light-heartedness to a time of day when things can get a wee bit moody. Give that mix a listen and you’ll know exactly where we’re coming from. Mr Doris, take it away…
Over the past few winter seasons you’ve set up shop everywhere from the East End of London to Bahrain. This year you seem to have settled down in Ibiza, you’ve even got a cat. How is that working out for you?
It’s true… I have led a bit of a nomadic lifestyle (or a hobo’s, depending on the way you look at it) for the last 11 years. The only recurring destination seems to have been Ibiza – and over the last 5 years myself & my partner in grime (fellow We Lover… Roxane Barcelo) have realised that this is the place for us (for now at least). This winter is turning out to be the most productive (literally) in a long time as I have finally got back in the studio after a 5 year hiatus, collaborating on many different projects with many different artists. I’ve also had time to compile and mix a new compilation album ‘El Chiringuito‘ that will be released at the start of May in CD format in stores as well as through the usual online sources (iTunes, Beatport etc).
Productivity aside I have never felt more at home (hence the new cat) as I do at the moment here in Ibiza, it’s a truly beautiful island with a nice year-round climate. However like any island I do believe it’s possible to go a bit stir crazy so I’ve been lucky enough to have a few great gigs in the “real world” to keep me sane.
Our house, in the middle of our street
The last 3 summers in Ibiza have been incredibly hectic – I got Tony Hart & Neil Buchanan to create a life-size cardboard cut-out of myself (complete with puppet strings) so I could keep up with the work load… luckily it seems that only you noticed.
Seriously though, after 6 months of pretty much non-stop music going through my ears it’s been nice to have a break from the DJing for a while but I wouldn’t change anything for the world, it’s just nice to do something I love and be appreciated for it at the same time.
Doris n' Mo'Funk
Last year on the Sunset Terrace for We Love… was one of the highlights of my summer and my career as a whole – added to the fact it was a completely unplanned success made it all the better. When Mo’ Funk & I do our 4 deck show we really do bring out the best in each other – although I still have a few things to teach him… ;-)
When it comes to being different it’s just the music I enjoy mixing the most and if that’s any different from anyone else then it’s unintentional. If it’s been successful then I would probably contribute that to the fact that the musical scope of the average Ibiza club goer in general has seriously expanded in the last few years.
Next years plans are hush hush but big nonetheless… all I can say is that there will be a lot of incredible artists (including a couple from my mix playlist) making their Ibiza debut at We Love… Sundays at Space.
Many thanks as ever to the consummate professional Señor Doris. Check out his official website, here.
