On Saturday DVS1 returns to fabric's Room 2, along with Ben Klock, for a full on, high energy techno assault (if you've been lucky enough to see DVS1 play you'll know just how much energy the guy displays during a set). But before that he took some time out to record a mix for the fabric blog and do an interview to accompany it. You can download or stream the mix from the player below.
And here's the interview
You’ve probably lost count of the hours you’ve DJ’d for since we last spoke – can you tell us what have been your stand out records over the last year?
Wow...that’s always hard for me. I’m one of those guys who tries not to get stuck in what’s new, what's hot, what’s this and that. I don’t do charts and I try not to get to wrapped up in keeping up with trends. It’s hard, cause there is so much information and great new music out there lately, but I’ve been on a mission to re-discover lots of music in my own collection this last year. I've started pulling out and playing things that just fit again into the vibe I’m going for right now. I’ve also been lucky to be finding tracks from unknown producers that send me their music. I’ll listen to their tracks and if I hear something close to the vibe I like, I dig a little deeper and can usually find 1 track from them that matches perfectly.
These tracks might not do much on their own, but in the mix just come alive. I’m a big fan of playing music that my crowd might not know or aren’t the obvious ones they’ll hear every other techno DJ play at the moment. I remember back when I spent more time on the dance floor than in the booth, that’s what always blew me away, the DJ who played tracks I didn’t know or b sides. We live in an age of information where everybody knows everything. Sure it’s nice to hear something on the dance floor you have a memory attached to, but it’s also nice to hear things you have no pre-conceived notion about.
More than ever you’re in Europe for gigs, have you found it to be a drain on your energy traveling between Europe and the US so frequently?
I made a decision about a year ago to stay living in the US. I started to realize the importance of being reminded why I’m doing this. Sure the flying is a bit difficult, but every time I’m on the flight over to the EU I’m reminded that someone is flying me half way around the world to play music! I’m beyond lucky to be able to do this and if the long flights are the worst thing I have to do, then I’ll take it.
How’re you finding the demands of being active with your shows versus studio time?
That’s probably been the hardest thing to figure out. Finding a balance with these 2 things has been an ongoing struggle for me. I always say that I’m a DJ first, producer second, which puts me at a bit of a disadvantage to knock out tracks quick. After not touching your gear in 2-4 weeks, it's hard to just come home and jump into being productive. Other times you might be inspired, but are halfway around the world and nowhere near your studio. I’m starting to figure out what works for me and I’m close to getting it worked out. It's helped that I’ve slowed down with doing remixes for others, so that when I’m home I can focus on my own productions again.
It’s been a while since your last release, but I hear that’s set to change this summer?
Yeah... the last 2 full EP’s I did were back in Dec. I released Klockworks 08 and the first HUSH record. If all goes as planned and I keep getting closer to the balance I’m looking for, I should have more original EP’s out towards the end of the summer. I’m slated to do a full 12’ on Ostgut, which I’m really excited about. I’ve also got the last few remixes I did finally dropping. REKIDS -Nina Kraviz – Best friend (dvs1 Forever mix Feat Naughty Wood on vocals), plus a remix on PrIme Numbers for Trus me’s - in the red – DVS1 (gotta get out of the red mix)
How have things been progressing with your label Hush?
Slow! But that’s my fault. The first release did really great... we sold out of the 1st run of 600 in the first 2 weeks and did another press right away that has almost sold out. My DJ’ing got really busy after the new year and I didn’t get things organized the way I would have liked, but once I get back in the swing of things Hush will start moving faster. I’m planning to release 4-5 records a year of my own material.
What else are you planning for the rest of the year?
I’m taking a chunk of the summer off to be at home and work on music. Come September I’m back on the road and crazy! So I need to get to work and get some music done!
Tickets for Saturday's event can be purchased from the fabric website. If you want to know more about DVS1's upcoming gigs and releases you can find it all out on his Facebook Fan Page
No comments:
Post a Comment