We’re very happy to announce the lineup for our arena at SW4 on Sunday 28th August in London’s Clapham Common.
Headlining the arena, Sasha makes a welcome return to the We Love fold. One of the undisputed kings of dance music, Sasha returns to SW4 having smashed last year’s Main Stage to pieces. He will be joined by Terrace icon Steve Lawler. A We Love party wouldn’t be complete without our residents Simian Mobile Disco and Joris Voorn. Simian make their long awaited SW4 debut this year, whilst Joris returns to the Common having played a storming set in John Digweed’s Bedrock arena in 2010. Completing the line-up we welcome Berlin’s Bpitch Control label boss Ellen Allien for her SW4 debut, alongside We Love favourites Technasia and Mat Playford.
For more info and tickets visit the SW4 website here.
Having taken more formal photos than anyone else of our favourite artists, we thought it suitable to have a nice hi-res showcase of Woolhouse Studios work with some stars of We Love. Click the pictures to view their full profiles. The company is directed by Emma J who knows the skill of putting people at ease who are probably more comfortable locked away in a studio or performing to thousands than they are sitting to pose for the inescapable press shot.
In Emma’s own words: “What makes us different? We get to know people before we put a camera anywhere near them.
As an ex model who hated having my photo taken, I understand both sides of the lens and what it feels like to have a camera shoved in your face, it’s actually a very personal experience. The other thing is I refuse is to shoot against a clock, whilst people are always busy, to get great photos of someone they must be relaxed in your company, time, patience and a sense of humour, coupled with great concepts, lighting, and editing is how to make great photos.
We never assume anything, we get any artist we work with send us visuals, make little desktop folders of images they like before we meet, that way I get to see floats their boat in terms of lighting, editing, illustrations. I try to meet everyone I work with before a shoot too, it builds trust between myself and the artist. I’m very passionate about what we do, and people always pick up on that when we meet, they can see we “don’t just take photos” we put my heart and soul into every image we produce.”
A short preview of the artwork, music and artists to expect this summer – at We Love… Space, Ibiza. Music from Omar, Henrik Schwarz, PBR Streetgang and Soul Clap & Catz n Dogz as Clapz n Dogz.
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…
