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Through John Digweed's Eyes
Интервью · 01.04.2006
By Наташа Ростова
Hello, John!
Hello.
John, a lot of time has passed since you first appeared in Moscow, back in 1998. Tell us, has Moscow changed? In general, what has changed over this time?
Eight years is a long time. Everything is growing, becoming larger in scale and bigger, more foreign DJs are coming to Moscow clubs. The clubs themselves are becoming more interesting, there are more of them, their systems are changing for the better - club owners are starting to think properly. The people who come to parties are changing, and, by the way, you've got more dance radio stations now.
Do you feel something special during your visits to Russia? Perhaps you could say that you really enjoy playing here?
Yes, I really like it here. The people here are simply wonderful. I genuinely have a great time when I play. The energy that the dancefloor radiates is a real thrill, so I've really enjoyed playing for you all those several times I've come recently. Take Creamfields, for instance. True, the weather let us down there - it's hard to dance and have fun when it's cold and pouring with rain. But if the weather had been a bit better, people would have felt differently, and there would have been more of them.
Are there any names among the producers and musicians of Great Britain you'd call rising stars?
There are many one could name. There's Martin Garcia, of course, he's really good. Also Luke Fair. This year has been very successful for him and Martin, they've begun winning popularity on the world dance scene. Worth mentioning is a guy named Neil Quigley, I think he's one to watch. He'll make a name for himself in the near future.
All in all, the world is full of young talents, and they're sure to prove themselves.
It seems to me, and not only to me, that the vinyl market over the last two years hasn't been as successful as it was in previous years. As for the Bedrock label, do you feel that something is changing for the worse, or perhaps for the better? Do you plan to sell tracks online?
I already sell tracks that way. Of course, vinyl sounds better than CD or mp3, but right now, as the mp3 market develops, the Bedrock label has made it possible to buy music not only on vinyl but also as mp3 files. Technology has moved forward, and if you're a DJ from Russia, Australia or South America - what are you going to do, pay six pounds, plus delivery, plus taxes and so on, or pay one pound, click a button and play that track in the club this very evening? It seems to me this makes life much easier for DJs, they no longer have to worry about whether the pressing run will be enough for everyone. I'm one of the biggest fans of vinyl, and I don't intend to sell off my collection. We can't fail to notice the pace at which technology is advancing, but I'm sure a small demand for vinyl will always remain, yet still most music will over time be on digital media.
I'd like to know your attitude to machines like "Final Scratch". What do you think about this?
I think we're talking here about DJs who use a laptop for their performances. Originally things like "Final Scratch" and "Serato Scratch Live DJ" were made so that people would see the DJ playing on vinyl, to preserve the vinyl aesthetic, so to speak. But the most important thing, I believe, is what comes out of the speakers. "Final Scratch" isn't going to pick the records for you, and neither will "Serato Scratch Live DJ". The main thing is what you play, in what order you arrange the tracks, everything that a set is made of. No program will make you better or worse. It's all about the music inside the DJ, which he plays and how he presents it. It makes absolutely no difference to me what a DJ uses for his work, how he plays it - if he cracks open the crowd, then he's a great disc jockey. Although compared to CD I'd prefer "Serato", since it has a convenient system for arranging and searching for files. Far more convenient than hunting for a CD at the moment your record is running out.
John, tell us about your interests besides music and DJing. Maybe you play football or collect stamps?
I love riding a mountain bike, going to the cinema, cooking and going to restaurants, though I like cooking at home far more, because when you travel a lot, you're constantly going to all sorts of restaurants anyway. In short, when I'm at home, I prefer a home movie and cooking up something tasty.
What's happening in your personal life at the moment, if it's not a secret, of course?
I'm engaged to my girlfriend, who I've been together with for nine years, and I'm very happy. We don't have children yet.
Where are you off to after Moscow?
Tomorrow I return to England, then I'll fly to Dubai, Beirut, Paris, Toulouse, Portugal, Tel Aviv, Italy, Mexico, and then to the Winter Music Conference in Miami.
And a few words for our readers.
Thank you for the enormous support you've given me. Every time I come to Russia, I have a wonderful time. I'm very glad to be back in your hospitable country once again. I hope the party at XIII will be great, as it always is, in fact.
John, a lot of time has passed since you first appeared in Moscow, back in 1998. Tell us, has Moscow changed? In general, what has changed over this time?
Eight years is a long time. Everything is growing, becoming larger in scale and bigger, more foreign DJs are coming to Moscow clubs. The clubs themselves are becoming more interesting, there are more of them, their systems are changing for the better - club owners are starting to think properly. The people who come to parties are changing, and, by the way, you've got more dance radio stations now.
Do you feel something special during your visits to Russia? Perhaps you could say that you really enjoy playing here?
Yes, I really like it here. The people here are simply wonderful. I genuinely have a great time when I play. The energy that the dancefloor radiates is a real thrill, so I've really enjoyed playing for you all those several times I've come recently. Take Creamfields, for instance. True, the weather let us down there - it's hard to dance and have fun when it's cold and pouring with rain. But if the weather had been a bit better, people would have felt differently, and there would have been more of them.
Are there any names among the producers and musicians of Great Britain you'd call rising stars?
There are many one could name. There's Martin Garcia, of course, he's really good. Also Luke Fair. This year has been very successful for him and Martin, they've begun winning popularity on the world dance scene. Worth mentioning is a guy named Neil Quigley, I think he's one to watch. He'll make a name for himself in the near future.
All in all, the world is full of young talents, and they're sure to prove themselves.
It seems to me, and not only to me, that the vinyl market over the last two years hasn't been as successful as it was in previous years. As for the Bedrock label, do you feel that something is changing for the worse, or perhaps for the better? Do you plan to sell tracks online?
I already sell tracks that way. Of course, vinyl sounds better than CD or mp3, but right now, as the mp3 market develops, the Bedrock label has made it possible to buy music not only on vinyl but also as mp3 files. Technology has moved forward, and if you're a DJ from Russia, Australia or South America - what are you going to do, pay six pounds, plus delivery, plus taxes and so on, or pay one pound, click a button and play that track in the club this very evening? It seems to me this makes life much easier for DJs, they no longer have to worry about whether the pressing run will be enough for everyone. I'm one of the biggest fans of vinyl, and I don't intend to sell off my collection. We can't fail to notice the pace at which technology is advancing, but I'm sure a small demand for vinyl will always remain, yet still most music will over time be on digital media.
I'd like to know your attitude to machines like "Final Scratch". What do you think about this?
I think we're talking here about DJs who use a laptop for their performances. Originally things like "Final Scratch" and "Serato Scratch Live DJ" were made so that people would see the DJ playing on vinyl, to preserve the vinyl aesthetic, so to speak. But the most important thing, I believe, is what comes out of the speakers. "Final Scratch" isn't going to pick the records for you, and neither will "Serato Scratch Live DJ". The main thing is what you play, in what order you arrange the tracks, everything that a set is made of. No program will make you better or worse. It's all about the music inside the DJ, which he plays and how he presents it. It makes absolutely no difference to me what a DJ uses for his work, how he plays it - if he cracks open the crowd, then he's a great disc jockey. Although compared to CD I'd prefer "Serato", since it has a convenient system for arranging and searching for files. Far more convenient than hunting for a CD at the moment your record is running out.
John, tell us about your interests besides music and DJing. Maybe you play football or collect stamps?
I love riding a mountain bike, going to the cinema, cooking and going to restaurants, though I like cooking at home far more, because when you travel a lot, you're constantly going to all sorts of restaurants anyway. In short, when I'm at home, I prefer a home movie and cooking up something tasty.
What's happening in your personal life at the moment, if it's not a secret, of course?
I'm engaged to my girlfriend, who I've been together with for nine years, and I'm very happy. We don't have children yet.
Where are you off to after Moscow?
Tomorrow I return to England, then I'll fly to Dubai, Beirut, Paris, Toulouse, Portugal, Tel Aviv, Italy, Mexico, and then to the Winter Music Conference in Miami.
And a few words for our readers.
Thank you for the enormous support you've given me. Every time I come to Russia, I have a wonderful time. I'm very glad to be back in your hospitable country once again. I hope the party at XIII will be great, as it always is, in fact.