Headline DJs come and go, as we’ve seen before and will definitely see again in the future. But then some manage to span decades on top of their game, straddling both international repute and the underground with enough balance to get the best from both worlds.
Even without name dropping it’s easy to tell which ones we’re talking about. They’re the subject of heated debate as to whether or not such and such a release is a genre-defining mix, and people tell tales of sets that equate to devastation on the dancefloor and an overwhelming feeling of disorientation. OK, so that might be the strobe lights and those blue-gelled spots, but we’re not convinced.
Needless to say John Digweed fits this criteria, and after stealing the show for 20 years or so really should need no detailed introduction. The Bedrock chief continues to impress with sounds that still reference house’s progressive edges whilst firmly suiting the current sonic modus. His new double mix album, Live in Cordoba, and recent label compilations like Underground Sound of Miami and Collaborations: Oliver Lieb and Jimmy Van M as The Audible Suspects, all prove this.
Those two albums remain firm office favourites, and memories of a rather driving, drummy, and relentless two hour set inside the impressive, industrialist Room Two at The Warehouse Project in Manchester are still fresh in our minds (despite the event taking place earlier last month). As such it seemed a good time to fire over a few questions to the man himself in the hope of learning a little something about his forthcoming plans.
Hi John, how are you today? What's been going on in the last few weeks?
I’ve been very busy, we are releasing my new Live in Cordoba album this
week, so just finishing the last minute bits of promotion that goes with a
big release like this. It’s my first double live CD and the reaction so far has been great.
We're still enjoying Bedrock's Underground Sound of Miami compilation. Now the dust has settled with that one are you satisfied with the results compared with what you were trying to achieve?
It was our first attempt at doing an album like this for Miami and the
reaction has been fantastic, so we’re all really happy at the label and looking forward to working on similar projects.
It's going back a bit now, but how was your WMC experience this year?
Really good, I had some amazing parties at Cameo, The Vagabond and the Space Ibiza arena at Ultra. We also did an amazing boat party this year, which went really well.
There are criticisms that the Conference is all about partying, and not enough about business anymore. What's your take on that?
I think for many years now the focus has been more on the parties, but that’s not to say that there isn’t any work being done. Sometimes just putting a face to the person you have only spoke to on email is a good way to make that relationship stronger.
Back to camp Bedrock, and the Collaborations project that began in
February- where did that concept come from?
I think when you run a label you are always looking at ways to keep moving forward and keep the fan base interested in different kinds of projects. Oliver Lieb and Jimmy’s album sold out of the physical copies and is only available on download now, so we’re really happy with the launch.
Who's lined up next for the series?
We’re still working on ideas for this, but an announcement will be made when the time is right.
As for your own plans, we imagine summer's already looking pretty busy - any standout dates you're already looking forward to?
There’s a very busy summer ahead, with some great gigs and festivals across Europe and the huge Electric Daisy Carnival festivals in the USA to look forward to too.
And finally, when will we be seeing you out in Ibiza?
I have a few shows lined up with Carl at Space, which I really love, so look
out for all future dates in Ibiza.
