You’ve had four big name compilation mixes come out in the last 12 months, Cavo Paradiso , Moon Harbour 10 years , Circoloco @DC10 b2b with Davide Squillace , and 5 years Of Cargo Edition , all really well received. This must be exciting for you?
Yes definitely. Four CDs in one year, is definitely an exciting way to work and having so much good feedback is obviously flattering. We really had a coincidence with the 5 years Of Cargo Edition and the 10 Years Of Moon Harbour, we kind of had to do it. Then with the two clubs asking us to do the seasons mix, I couldn’t say no. It’s DC10 and Cavo Paradiso, you don’t say no.
How did you go about putting the mixes together, what is your selection process?
For the club mixes you’ve got to look at what are going to be good tracks for the season. It’s kind of difficult as you have to do the CD months before the season even starts, so you’ve got to look at what tracks are coming out soon and fit them to DC10 club for the season. The challenge with mixes like this is predicting what people will be playing in a few months.
With the labels we just tried to give a nice review of what is in the labels history and go back through what had been released and find the stand outs.
So two extremes?
Exactly. It’s like the two ends of a line. One is supposed to be predicting [the] future and the other is looking back on the history. So if you look at it that way it was like two CDs of each type. One [is] forward thinking and the other [is] remembering the tracks…that have really identified people with the label.
The two club mixes are B2B with Davide Squillace, how would you compare yours and Davide’s styles?
I don’t know really, we have different backgrounds. He used to be more a techno DJ, where I was more a deep house act. Then we came together five years ago at DC10 and became good friends. We have this kind of friendship that we’re always kind of taking the piss. You can see that when we’re playing. It’s never to serious with us, we kind of push each other and this all brings together an interesting mix and performance that really adds to what would be your solo performance.
How did your work with Circoloco first come about did, you seek them out, or the other way around?
That was quite funny actually, I’d never been to DC10 before I played there. I’d been to Ibiza only a few times in 2005 and 2006. Then in 2006 they approached me because of some productions and DJ mixes I had done. They had investigated my music, which is what they told me later. They were asking guys like Ricardo for his opinion on: Would I be fitting for DC10? So 2006 they approached me to see if I was interested in playing DC10 and it’s like… wait…ah…yes! Of course I’m interested it’s DC10.
The guys who are doing Circoloco are Italian so we did try out some gigs in Italy. My first time being booked at DC10 was for New Years Day 2007. For the one party on New Years Day they open DC10. So picture this is my first ever gig at DC10, I had played in London New Years Eve, then my flight was delayed and I was late, then they lost my luggage so I then had to make this statement to try and get my luggage back. Still without luggage I had to go straight from the airport to the gig because I was late and all that. So with no luggage they brought me in the back door straight into the DJ booth and I had to start immediately. I didn’t even get a chance to check out the club. Maybe it was the best thing to do just get thrown in the cold water, I didn’t get time to get nervous about it.
So you were thrown in the deep end?
Exactly, It was daytime. I was so impressed, it was the first of January, when you would expect the island to be empty because it’s not summer, it’s winter in Europe, but it was full. People had flown in from all over Europe and the world. It was full and the atmosphere was as if it was summer. It was nice weather and the atmosphere was just amazing.
You’re flying to Australia soon. Is this your first time in Australia?
I think it’s my third or fourth time. I haven’t been to Australia in three years.
Is there anything else you want to share with us?
Just that I’m really looking forward to coming to Australia and I hope everyone can come down and enjoy. There will be good times.
