By all accounts a great night up North. However, we’re aware that some of you (Fatneck) chose to spend all night the in upstairs room with disco doyen Greg Wilson, the boogie boaters PBR Streetgang and er… Fatneck.
Worry not though fellow disco lovers if you missed out on the house house and more house provided by Heidi, Tristan da Cunha, et al in the main room. Backtobasics resident Burnski has recorded his set, featuring his own productions as well as some up-front sounds from the likes of Subb-An. It’s pretty much that quintessential house sound of the moment, looking back whilst always being innovative with labels such as Hypercolour, 2020Vision and even Morris Audio being all over this jackin’ type of racket these days.
Another fine article from our guest writer Jonty Skrufff, find him on facebook here. Click the record stickers to listen…
Digging deeper
“Fellow DJs take note – if you end up stranded in some country due to an airline fuck-up, find your own accommodation or sleep in the business lounge – you’ll thank me.”
16 years after he started his career spinning warm up sets at John Digweed’s fledgling Bedrock nights in his home town of Hastings, Danny Howells knows more than a little about travel snafus including his latest incident which saw him missing a headline slot at Ibiza superclub Space last weekend.
“It was a complete fuck-up and I’m gutted,” says Danny.
“I was flying in from Tunis, via Nice, and my outward flight was delayed by almost four hours. There was absolutely no other way of getting into Ibiza therefore I ended up stuck in Tunis for the night; in a -2 star hotel provided by the airline that was so vile I had to sleep with my shoes on. Stuff happens like this sometimes that there is absolutely no control over and it is an absolute pain in the arse,” he complains.
“On this occasion, it was my only Space gig for 2010 so it’s even more depressing,” he complains, “I’m not really an ‘Ibiza DJ’ and I probably don’t draw many punters to the club so I doubt I’ll be getting booked again next year after this.”
Grumbling (and false modesty) issues aside the progressive tech-house star is endearingly down to Earth reflecting his first job working as a psychiatric nurse in a semi-secure ward treating patients suffering from serious psychiatric disorders, including some who could be violent. 16 years on though, all is forgiven, he smiles.
“Whenever I go back to Hastings, I always bump into at least one of my old patients. Some of the younger ones always tell me how happy they are for me, that I managed to get out of nursing, or that they’ve bought one of my CDs etc,” he says proudly.
“There’s even one that I once made a mix-tape for, and he always tells me that he’s gutted that he lost it, and can I make him another one. That’s really nice, and I’m always so happy to see them all doing well. There are a few who on occasion threatened to kill me if ever they saw me outside, but now we see each other and have a hug and a chat. I’ve never ruled out the possibility of going back into that profession one day – I won’t be DJing forever, and doing something like nursing is so rewarding, even though it can be so stressful.”
Death threats aside he has no immediate plans to retire, however, despite admitting he’s been suffering from an unusually intense bout of writer’s block.
“This year has been a strange one so far, gig-wise it’s been pretty fabulous, but production-wise I’ve been in a bit of a six month funk. I produced so much stuff over the last few years, and kind of worked myself into a block, so to speak.”
“But it’s a cloud that really does has a silver lining, as it’s given me the chance to open up the Dig Deeper label to producers other than myself, and right now I’m buzzing over some of the forthcoming tracks that I’ll be releasing. We put out a message for producers to send in their demos, and honestly it was quite overwhelming, both in terms of the quality of the material that was sent in, and the love that some people have for the label.
I never really think that many people are paying attention to what I do, but then something happens which comes as a shock – for example, finding out that Juan Maclean was into the label, and was going to use my “Laid Out” track at his DJ gigs was amazing.”
Laid out
Jonty Skrufff: You mentioned being gutted about missing Space, though chatting to Time Out’s Steve Swindells about your gig at the (tiny) Notting Hill Arts club last year you said about playing in superclubs, ‘it is sometimes difficult to maintain the interest over a longer period with larger crowds, and can feel forced into playing more uptempo than you want to’, what prompted that comment?
Danny Howells: “I think these comments stem from my own insecurities, as playing to large crowds definitely does scare me. I have found in the past that it can be difficult to hold the interest of a large crowd over a long period of time, especially as a lot of my peak-time music is so dark. But sometimes things happen that can change my own perspective of what I can do. Bonnaroo was a great example, because due to various circumstances I ended up playing the final four hours, which is very long for a festival set as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think I did a bad job to be honest. It worked out a lot better than when I had to follow David Guetta at Creamfields last year – that was harder for me than when I had to follow Dave Clarke or Jeff Mills.
Jonty Skrufff: In the same Time Out article last year you reminisced of the joys of ‘chatting up birds, and being rejected’ at the club, whereas the last time we spoke (in 2005) you’d just fallen in love and were talking babies and a shared passion for easy listening gods the Carpenters: what happened, are you still together with the same girl?
Danny Howells: “I still love the Carpenters . . . our relationship didn’t work out though, sadly, but we’re still the very best of friends. I think our continued friendship comes from a shared loved of animals. After the break-up she ended up with one cat and two guinea pigs, I held onto one cat, three guineas and a bunny (rabbit), who sadly recently passed away. I don’t even vaguely consider going into another relationship now. My relationship is with my pets; in a non-sexual way of course.”
Jonty Skrufff: How much of a problem is it meeting girls who want to be with you for you as opposed to ‘Danny Howells- international DJ’?
Danny Howells: “I’m so aware of that whole thing where people who would never look twice at me in normal situations suddenly want to hang out – that whole side of DJing is so fake and I’d rather stay celibate for the rest of my life than shag some bird who likes me because I play other people’s records. That was one of the key reasons my last relationship lasted nearly five years – she thought I was “OK” as a DJ but was so far from being a fan. I did try and seek her approval at times, but we would never have become serious had she been a fan.”
Jonty Skrufff: Space chatted about James Zabiela being swamped with psycho groupies at his recent gig: how difficult is it to resist temptation night after night, year after year?
Danny Howells: “He’s much younger and better looking than me and the girls absolutely love him. Even I can’t resist grabbing his dinkle whenever I see him. I have never really noticed many females stalking me though, either I’m completely oblivious to it, or I’ve just never been a heart-throb. I think the latter is probably more accurate.”
Jonty Skrufff: Have you ever encountered problems from jealous boyfriends?
Danny Howells: “No, because I have never put it about. That’s just not the way I was brought up. When I have spare time on tours, I’m on my laptop trying to get ideas for tunes, or trying to find new music for my sets. I really try and get my full amount of sleep whenever possible too – not very rock n’ roll, but I’d rather sleep than shag right now.”
Landing on planets
Jonty Skrufff: Wikipedia says ‘At performances, he is well known to interact personally with the audience’: have you ever had problems from drunks/ people competing with you? (e.g. over-pushy DJ request people?)
Danny Howells: “Oh definitely. One of my earliest DJ memories was in the early-mid 90s, down at the Crypt in Hastings. Some girl was banging on at me to play M-People and I was really kindly telling her that I didn’t have any. I went to mix the next track in and she grabbed me by the T-shirt, yanking me onto my back and snapping my headphone cable. She then told the club manager that I’d been rude to her, so I ended up being threatened with the sack. I still get it now, people approaching me, being really friendly and after I’ve given them a beer out of my rider, they come out with “You got anything harder?!” Please, dearest, piss off!”
Jonty Skrufff: Looking at your tour schedule you’re playing every two or three weeks as opposed to two or three gigs a weekend: have you taken a conscious step back from playing so much?
Danny Howells: “It’s actually a lot more than that, but I think part of the problem lies in the fact that I don’t keep my online diaries very up-to-date. I am, however, making a very big effort to take more time off, as I honestly enjoy it much more when I’m not touring relentlessly. There a other guys out there who are much older than me and can stay away from home for long periods, but I really find it hard. There’s no point in me being away from home for 3-4 weeks: I’m not promoting a major record, I’m not chasing fame or looking to build up my bank balance.
I get so homesick when I’m away for too long, and my body doesn’t cope with lack of sleep any more. Age affects us all differently, and I really can’t go on pretending that I’m 24 when I’m pushing 40. I’ve been doing this for a long time now, and I know what I enjoy, and I’m fortunate to be in a situation where I can be a bit more picky about how much time I spend away from home. The whole airport-hotel-car thing takes it’s toll on me so I have to take things a bit more gently now.”
Jonty Skrufff: There are thousands of tracks released each week now and more and more all the time: how much is information overload a problem? what do you think are the implications for DJ culture longer term?
Danny Howells: “I have my own routines for sourcing music. I check my promo inbox all the time, and there are always a few nuggets in there. I also rely heavily on Juno too, for finding all the really deep and more eclectic bits. I still buy vinyl from there, but not as much as I used to. As far as long term implications go, well the scene has definitely changed a hell of a lot. Seeing someone like Deadmau5 headlining Ultra in Miami over Orbital goes to prove that. There’s a lot of very disposable music out there which outsells everything else, but I’m pretty hopeful that there’ll always be a little niche for old fogeys like me.”
Jonty Skrufff: What made you leave Hastings a few years ago for London?
Danny Howells: “It was when I moved in with my then fiancee. I actually was living outside of Hastings, in a remote village with nothing but a pub and a village shop/post office. She’d moved over from Amsterdam and I couldn’t make her live in a place like that. I loved that whole village life-style, but I love being in London now – even though I’m still pretty reclusive.”
Jonty Skrufff: What do you make of British society today: is it in any way noticeably more dysfunctional than 15 years ago? Does it cause you any alarm? (eg the ubiquity of binge drinking?) What should be done?
Right off
Danny Howells: “I haven’t got a clue what should be done – I’m a DJ not an MP. As far as drinking and drugging goes, I think we’ve always been a bit off the hook in Britain. I doubt that the crowds in the 60s going to Pink Floyd and Hendrix gigs were exactly sober. I find the knife/gun culture more alarming, rarely a week seems to go by without some horrific news. The whole instant-celebrity thing is so annoying too – so many people who are famous for absolutely nothing other than shagging some crap footballer. Please, fuck off!”
Jonty Skrufff: How important is it for DJs to personally keep up with Facebook/ Twitter today; how much time do you spend on it?
Danny Howells: “I am a Luddite as far as technology goes – my DJ technical rider is so straightforward, my Nan could be my tour manager. I think the whole Twitter/Spacebook thing is really important now. I have someone who does my fan page for me as I cannot do that whole ‘come to my show’ stuff. I can’t bring myself to big myself up and re-tweet things like ‘your set was so great’, which so many other DJs do non-stop. I think it’s actually fun to chat with people on Twitter though – it’s my way of interacting with people, now that I don’t have a message board. It’s good for the banter and I love stalking the (TV show) Dragon’s Den crew on there – Bannatyne is such a legend. I try not to follow people who just use it for self-promotion though – you know the people who have 10,000 followers yet don’t follow anyone themselves. What’s that all about? The whole status-updating thing is rubbish to me, but the whole talking bullshit element is a lot of fun.”
Jonty Skrufff: You mentioned on Twitter being rejected by a superstar techno DJ recently: did/ do you take it personally?
Danny Howells: “A little bit, I suppose, yes. I’m always so happy to see another producer/DJ reach out to me, regardless of their genre or how cool they are. There are definitely some people out there who have a raised opinion of themselves, and don’t want to be seen to be connecting with some supposed old “progger” (progressive house DJ) like myself. Yet there are others who show true warmth and appreciation for the fact that I play their records and support their labels etc.
The techno DJ in question, I was actually trying to get in touch as I’d re-edited two of his tracks which have been a regular staple of my sets over the last ten years, and I wanted to give them to him. That was all. I’ve been playing his tracks for nearly twenty years, and have nearly everything his label has put out on vinyl. But at the same time, I got a personal message from Keith Chegwin, thanking me for bigging him up on Twitter – a true legend in my eyes, and he’s still taking the time to thank me. Thank you Cheggars. I love being able to connect with random people I admire .. Dragon’s Den stars, Eastenders actors, Big Ben clock etc – so I always reciprocate and take the time to connect with people that admire me.”
Jonty Skrufff: I haven’t asked yet about cosmetics: when was the last time you wore eyeliner? How important is image for DJing these days? More or less than before?
Danny Howells: “I have a certain identity crisis right now – my image has gone stale and I always feel so old when I walk into a club full of 18-24 year olds. I should tart myself up more and would definitely benefit from a bit of slap, but I don’t really have the confidence right now. You should style me!”
Jonty Skrufff: How about ditching the stubble?
Danny Howells: “I can’t shave! It makes me look like Freddie Mercury; just before he went!”
Thanks to both Jonty and Danny find their respective official websites here and here.
The Black Rabbit gang are descending on the White Isle for a summer residency with us at We Love. The idea behind the move is for all their guests to play alternative and unconventional sets in El Salon throughout the summer. Expect the likes of Shaun Reeves, Pete Herbert, Thomas Gandey (Cagedbaby), Luca C, Ali Love and a slew of other established and upcoming producers and DJs to be gracing the decks. El Salon (by day, an unassuming white lounge bar / back room, but the minute the sun starts to fade, it turns into a retro-inspired groove-tastic rave space for the Black Rabbit crew) will be swaying to the sounds of leftfield disco, analogue house and live vocals once a month starting on our opening party and ending fortuitously at our closing. In rabbiting style, expect the odd bit of 80′s party pop thrown in for good measure.
Bones and Guy, balearic bunnies
Formed in 2006, the Black Rabbit contingent of Chris Bones, Kelly Love, Justin Robertson and Guy Williams quickly gained appeal by their renowned residents Bones and Guy playing a refreshing, uplifting mishmash of musical styles. Highlights of the summer look to be Luca C and Ali Love live on the 13th of June, there’s sure to be a few unreleased licks from Chemical Brothers collaborator Ali Love’s anticipated new album. The 4th of July aptly brings Detroit native Shaun Reeves of Wolf + Lamb out to play his distinctive mix of American and Kraut House, both classic and contemporary. On Sunday the 1st of August be advised to expect the unexpected with Paradise 45, brainchild of Thomas Gandey (Cagedbaby) and Guy Williams dropping everything from italo, dub, funk and beyond. Also out that day will be disco king Pete Herbert – a constant force in dance for the past 15 years. The Rabbit’s final date, 5th September brings fellow Londoners DDD Simon Morell and Ryan Shaw, as Kelly says it’s going to be “fun, messy and Balearic all the way!”
Guy Williams has kindly provided a mix to give a taste of things to come this summer. You can download it here. Thump thump thump.
Over the past decade, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have established themselves among the planet’s most loved dance acts, storming charts and stages across the world. Through the years Groove Armada have moved through moody ambient electronica, urban riddims’ and with their latest offering, the album Black Light a sort of new-wave mesmeric pop. They find a fanbase in everyone from angst ridden youths to parochial minded adults and admiration from other musicians for their uncanny ability to create music that can live on radio and music television while still be able to get guys and girls boogieing on the dancefloor until the break of dawn.
There is an unusual blend of influences in each of their albums, spanning house (of course), big beat, reggae, disco and funk. Production wise they definitely have the knack of combining a traditional range of instrumentation with modern rhythms and technology. Their DJ sets however are most definitely rooted in house. Cato and Findlay remain two of the most passionate and knowledgeable fans of the genre you are ever likely to meet.
Although they have played in venues as diverse and remote as Romanian beaches and WW1 aircraft in Los Angeles, the duo always return to Ibiza. With a prodigal sons type vibe in the air, it’s promising to be a special season on the Terrace at We Love.. Space this year for Groove Armada as DJs and as live performers when their Black Light show rolls into the cavernous Discoteca.
Take note in your diaries ladies and gentlemen. Groove Armada will be DJing at We Love on the following dates: 20th June, 18th July and 19th of September. Expect that spectacular live show on the 15th of August.
For now we’ll leave it to Andy Cato (he’s the 6ft 8 Yorkshireman) to give us some insight to his musical history and hopes for the future. Genuinely interesting and insightful – thank you Andy.
Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?
Several. On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Chronicles by Bob Dylan, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, The Manual by Bill Drummond, The Revenge of Gaia by James Lovelock, etc.
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
My dad was a blues player so he got me playing blues on the piano as soon as I could sit up. He also rigged up a bag of nails hung over a hook in the roof so I could start playing the trombone before I was old enough to lift it.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
I was doing jazz gigs, weddings, funerals and the like from age 13 onwards. When I could get out of school, I used to spend afternoons in a studio underneath Wakefield Snooker Club, working out how it worked in exchange for releasing the tunes via the son of the club owner.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
I can’t tell you which bit of my musical life I’m drawing on when it comes to sitting down to write a song. I’m sure it’s all in there somewhere. But when you walk out to play to 50,000 people, it helps to have spent most of your life on stages, however small they were. And as far as DJing goes, there’s a big part of the sound at the moment that’s rooted in where it all started for me. The sound of Basics, Kaos, Soak and DiY parties in ’89/’90. A lot of the old tunes are coming back up from the basement. There was also a real importance back then in working your tunes in the right order – before fx and loops could cover the gaps – and that’s stayed with me.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
It’s in an old cowshed. It’s actually the first proper studio I’ve ever had. I’ve been quite nomadic and have had studios in various cellars, bedrooms and boats up until now. It’s got some nice gear and pair of speakers I bought from Mike Oldfield that could rival the Terrace soundsystem.
Black lights
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
It’s been more lack of marketing issues for us. Until recently we were stuck on a major with Britney and NSync, with little attention coming our way. This meant we put a lot of work into the live show, the DJ sets, things we could get out there and do ourselves without hanging around waiting for answers from the label. In this way, GA has always been a DIY project. It’s meant less time for studio work over the years, but given that making a living in music is all about the gig these days, it hasn’t worked out too bad.
How would you describe your work?
A game of four halves. A lot of people only know the big singles and have no idea about all those deep and weird album tracks, the GA house sound, the amazing vibe of the live show, or the fact that Black Light (the new album) is the best music we’ve ever made. So we’ve still got a way to go.
Who were your teachers?
Studio-wise I just went for it from the off and worked it out. It takes a long time but it’s the best way to do it. DJ-wise, Sasha at Shelleys was one inspiration, and my cousin, Digs DiY the other. As a result I’ve always been sowewhere between the big breakdown and the hypnotic groove. In terms of playing instruments, it was my dad and Grimethorpe Colliery Band for the trombone, Stan who now plays with Faithless on the bass, and a woman down the road whose name I can’t remember for the piano.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
Carry my records back upstairs.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?
It would have to be the mosquito, but you can bet that there’d be an unforeseen outcome and we’d lose all our chickens or something within the year. That’s the thing with species. Once they start going, the rest follow.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
I’d repeat the 13th – 21st July, 1991 at the DiY free party, Morton Lighthouse. It doesn’t get any better.
Thanks again to Andy Cato for taking time out of his busy touring and production schedule to answer our 11 Questions, you can find the archive of everyone else who has kindly answered here. Check out the video below for a taste of Groove Armada live incase you haven’t witnessed it before. And remember, the full Black Light live show will be out in full force for We Love… Space on Sunday 15th August.
A genuine part of the We Love… family, a child of acid house and a man who’s been busy with beats since genres were but a twinkle in clubland’s eye. He is an electronic artist who defies generic boundaries ever since his days organising the now infamous raves underneath the M42 motorway in the UK. As an artist his releases and remixes have been signed to some of the world’s most established labels such as R&S, Drumcode, Rekids, Cocoon and of course his own imprint VIVa Music. As a label manager Steve has quickly given VIVa a reputation for breaking new talent and has featured music from the likes of Reboot, Audiofly, Peace Division, Livio & Roby as well as Lawler himself receiving heavy patronage by many house and techno luminaires.
Dynamic, driven and drastically obsessed with performing – Steve’s passion for electronica has seen a career spanning almost two decades, from the aforementioned illegal raves to residency at superclub Cream throughout the 90s and of course his residency at We Love… Space in Ibiza. By pushing boundaries, technically and creatively as both artist and businessman – we’re left in no doubt as to why We Love… Steve Lawler.
Steve has kindly provided a mix from a recent “after after-hours” session in a Moscow nightclub, something he rightly predicted we would personally love. He explains it thus: “On the Sunday night after two days no sleep in a very small, very strange, low lit, sleazy restaurant called ‘Ketamina’ – honestly. The decor is made for being out your mind, everyone sits on top of or under giant mushrooms… Anyway, I played there, I played very deep, trippy, slow, beautiful house music… and this mix is an hour of it…” Download it here.
No not at all, quite the opposite actually, I constantly heard the sentence ‘Get a proper job!’ I dont hear that any more.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
My first job really I suppose was playing some records on pirate radio although I never got paid, and promoting illegal party’s, they cost me money.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
The main past experience from my life that I constantly apply is atmosphere, and dare I say it, it’s not all about the music. I grew up in a time when things blew you away – not just that they would suffice. I started DJing when it wasn’t about DJs it wasn’t just about the music, it was about the party, the vibe, the sound, the lights, the friendliness, the ‘atmosphere’ and this is something that I always apply when DJing. This is why its more than just playing a selection of records, you have to play them in such a way you bring and experience.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
I have two studio spaces, one is in my basement at my house where I write and compose most of what I do and also where I generally put idea’s together. The other studio is a room at Abbot Street Studios in East London. I share this room with my engineer, this is where we finish projects most of the time.
Long arm of the Lawler
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
Unfortunately it’s a big part of a DJ’s career now, something that has been abused by certain people and used to almost even create a career, which I dont agree with. But it’s part of the game now, some for more than others. However this isnt something that we as DJ’s get massively involved in, this is what managers are for, so in answer to your question no it doesnt effect my creativity.
How would you describe your work?
Not really a question I can answer. I dont want to sit here and big my self up or put my self down. My work is my life long love and passion. My work is my life.
Who were your teachers?
No one, there are no such things in music I don’t think. I had influences like everyone else, Doors, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Scott Walker.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
It depends on the circumstance of the culprits in question. Are they scum, aggressive thieves or are they desperate people caught in a bad time with no help. I think everything in life should be judged with integrity and acted upon in the same way.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?
Lizards without a doubt, and this whole thing about they eat mosquito’s… well they don’t eat enough of them! Not in ibiza anyway.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
Without a doubt the 60′s… the birth of new.
Many thanks to the Steve for taking time out of his ridiculously busy schedule to answer our 11 Questions, you can check out our other artists who have answered here. Don’t forget to download the live mix and have a look at the video below to see Lawler an interview with Lawler at our closing party from 2009…
A crucial part of the We Love… residents team Alex Wolfenden has been entertaining the Space crowds for many years. With all his sets this past summer taking place on La Terraza his mix of house classics old and new has set the stage for many a memorable night. At his summer long Cafe Mambo residency Alex takes the chance to showcase a different side to his musical tastes with sets journeying through chill out, classic rock, ambient techno and beyond.
Having migrated south for the winter to the sunnier pastures of Australia, Alex has found time along side working on the Acid Mondays project with Garry Todd and Dan Ward to answer our 11 questions. He has also provided an exclusive mix for We Love… available for free download here
Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?
I am not a big reader but one book I did manage to read was the biography of Quincy Jones. It is a inspiration for life not just music and is a must read for anyone.
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
I was never was encouraged to work in music but I was never stopped. We used to have a piano in the house which I learnt on and when I was growing up I played different instruments from guitar, saxophone, drums but could never choose one, I even have a grade 4 in trumpet.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
My first professional gig in music was when I used to go on tour with Yousef as Moral Officer and I got flown around Europe to do it, i was just 18. While doing this I did everything from warm dj, do the visuals, and start the odd food fight or two. But realistically it was playing in the Annexe in Cream in 98/99 where I used to play the warm up set. This is where I learned my trade. It was a magical time and a place that changed my life.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
I have had so many jobs from delivering booze, bar work, even a fairground attendant. Djing around the world of the last 10 years has opened up my eyes, but the job that gave me the most important life experience was when I got payed £1 an hour for 40 hours a week in a nursing home. This job helped me get my first decks. I met so many amazing people who had some unbelievable life stories, and the funniest characters which taught me so much about real life.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
My studio is my pride and joy, I have been colleting hardware equipment for the last 9 years. I have Emu sp1200 sampler which used to be DJ Sneak’s, Emus 6400, Akai S300XL. I have a juno 9 classic synth and a Yamaha O1V digital desk I don’t want to list off all my equipment as it’s quite boring for most people and I can’t give away all my studio weapons but i have just bought a 501 Roland space echo’s which warps up anything played through it and linked up to my Vocal Harmonizer I will be making some twisted futuristic sound for my tracks this year. I lesson I have learned is it’s not what you have its what you make with what you’ve got. And as if I’m gonna tell you where it is!
The Wolfen-dos and Wolfen-donts
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
The technology available to music producers and dj’s has advanced so much over the last 40 years, as back then studio time was so precious and would cost lables thousands of pounds, needing lots of people to work them. Where as now you can make a hit record on a plane with a computer, some software and a pair of head phones. This together with the power of the web such as myspace and youtube has shaped the creativity of all up and coming artist. Even though times change marketing issues still have the same principles as you should contantly keep pushing your skills to like minded people, keep intouch with music trends past and present and it should always be about the quality of what you are making not about the quick buck.
How would you describe your work?
Like painting musically swans in space.
Who were your teachers?
From 94 to 99 I never missed a Cream in Liverpool and DJ’s like Roger Sanchez, C J Macintosh, Steve ‘silk’ Hurley, Justin Roberson Green Velvet, Derrick Carter, Paul Bleasdale, Danny Rampling, and seeing the uk debut of Juniour Vasquez, and Daft Punk.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
Lock them up in a container in Liverpool docks with Celine Dion’s greatest hits on loop.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?
There’s enough of that going on without me joining in
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
1969 - 15/08/1969 in fact the 14/08/1969 i would need a day to get ready…
What better way of following We Love… Space on sundays than with Acid Mondays. Acid Mondays are Dan Ward, Garry Todd and long serving We Love… resident Alex Wolfenden. This week saw their debut release, aptly titled The First One, go out on 2020Vision. Described by 2020 as twisted excursions into percussive, sprawling, sleazy house music; we have to agree. A release from a relatively young outfit that sounds as succinct and together as some of the longest serving production teams. Being based in Ibiza over the summer months the Balearic influence is clearly visible in The First One whereas I Married A Pineapple represents a more trippy excursion into house. With 2020Vison’s reputation not just for putting out great music but also music which stands the test of time we’ll have to wait a few years to make sure that Acid Mondays have managed to maintain the level which they have reached with this first release.
The First One is available on beatport and direct from 2020Vision where you can also find an Acid Mondays podcast available for free download which alongside some of their own production features tracks from Spencer Parker, Ricardo Villalobos and may more.
A worldly man indeed – Abe Duque has been from playing organ in his father’s church and serving time with the US Marine Corp to founding record labels and a residency at New York’s infamous and notorious club-kids hangout Limelight. The first releases on his own imprint Abe Duque Records were released with no labels, no promo – just music one one side and a message from Abe scratched by hand into the vinyl on the back. Dark acid bass lines, latin percussion, house grooves and piano instrumentals characterise Abe’s live show which he has been bringing to both the Terraza and Discoteca at We Love… with a thump we are becoming accustomed to. He has released on everyone from International DJ Gigolos to Warner Bros. His new album “Don’t Be So Mean” is available from Process recordings. All album tracks have also been released on vinyl on Abe Duque recordings.
In March, Abe Duque and his longtime art partner Andy Orel will resurrect their dirty little slice of club history – the club night Abuse Industries, first in New York on March 20th, and then at a showcase at the Winter Music Conference in Miami on March 23th. It’s a throwback to the old days of club-kids, Tension Records, Kirilan, and New York at its most surreal. Andy and Abe worked together for years promoting the Limelight – and also on museum shows, runways with Helmut Lang, pages in Hustler, the early days of International DJ Gigolos, and running one-offs and short, sharp, freaky promotions at one of the most notorious clubs of all time…
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
They encouraged me to learn and venerate music. They discouraged me from working in it.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
It all came with a decision. I one day told myself I would quit my truck diriver job and live from music from then on. It wasn’t until years later that I made any money.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
I always say I am the sum of my experiences. Live and learn. Sink or swim.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
It is in a basement in New York City. It is rather small for all it’s history but sounds fucking great. I have lots of old gear. And that makes it feel like home.
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
Oh, what a question. Yes this has been a big one. It was not until I realised the importance of targeted marketing that I ever started making money on my productions. It would be sad if I did not figure out a way to market myself that was not true to my music.
Duque and cover
How would you describe your work?
I work hard. No chance to get anything out of this if I did not. Hit or miss, I need to keep on striking. Fortunately God blessed me with a little talent, which I take as far as my energy will let me.
Who were your teachers?
My father, my mother, Arthur Weinstein and the little man in my head.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
To the stocks with them! Yes, the pillory and pranger will do.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?
I am sick of unicorns.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
Depends on what I will be doing when I get there. I’ll go anywhere in time where I can be king. EMPIRE!
