Legenda elektronske scene i vlasnik jednog od najpoznatijih labela na svijetu, producent i DJ John Digweed nakon pet godina vraća se u Hrvatsku gdje će zasvirati na Sonus festivalu.

John Digweed je predstavnik generacije DJ-eva i producenata koji su zavladali u 90-im godinama prošloga stoljeća. Zaslužan je za definiranje progresivnog house zvuka u njegovim ranim danima te je jedan od DJ-eva koji su bili proglašavani broj 1 DJ-evima prema mnogim magazinima elektronske glazbe kao i jedan od onih sa mnogim rezidencijama po Londonu i Ibizi. Svojim epskim setovima, posebice onima snimljenim za Renaissance i Global Underground te onima za vlastiti label Bedrock, John Digweed je DJ koji može inspirirati svaku generaciju klabera. Uoči ovotjednog nastupa na Sonusu, koji se održava od 18. do 22. kolovoza, s njime je porazgovarala Lana Borić.

UES: Jesi li već posjetio Hrvatsku, točnije jadransku obalu, što si čuo o njoj?
Have you visited Croatian coast/seaside, what have you heard about it?

John Digweed: Da, već nekoliko puta i uvijek sam se odlično zabavio. Vrijeme i plaže su prekrasne i ljudi su uvijek raspoloženi za partijanje.
Yes I have been and played few times and always had a great time. The weather and beaches are amazing and the crowd are really up for a big party.

UES: Vraćaš se nakon pet godina na Zrće, plažu koja je često uspoređivana s Ibizom, kakva su tvoja očekivanja?
You’re coming back to Croatia after 5 years to a venue often compared to Ibiza (Zrće beach, island of Pag). What are you expecting?

John Digweed: Puno se toga dogodilo u 5 godina što se vidi i po količini partyja i festivala u toj regiji. Radi se o rastućem tržištu i to brzorastućem.
Well a lot has happened in the last 5 years. You can see by the amount of parties and festivals that are taking place in the region that it is a market that is growing and growing very fast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv6SK1BVmrM

UES: Nedavno si putem društevnih mreža rekao kako postoji samo jedna Ibiza, što je tako posebno u njoj i nakon tolikih godina?
As one of your social media posts recently said: “There is only one Ibiza.” What is so special about that place, still, after so many years?

John Digweed: To sam rekao samo zato što svi pokušavaju stvoriti neku novu Ibizu, a kad bi zapravo trebali stvoriti nešto posve drugačije od nje koja i dan-danas privlači brojne zaljubljenike u elektroničku glazbu.
The point of that post was to just say everyone is always trying to create the next ibiza, when they should be trying to create something that is different from what ibiza is, whilst still attracting a good music crowd.

[quote_center]…svi pokuÅ¡avaju stvoriti neku novu Ibizu, a kad bi zapravo trebali stvoriti neÅ¡to posve drugačije od nje…[/quote_center]

UES: Rezident si u Pachi i ovoga ljeta, kakvi su partyji?
You have a residency in Pacha Ibiza this year..how was those parties so far?

John Digweed: Još bolji negoli lani. Povećao nam se broj posjetitelja i zaista uživam svirajući. Dolaze raznovrsni ljudi iz cijeloga svijeta i time partyji dobivaju međunarodni pečat.
Even better than last year. Our numbers are up on Fridays and I am really enjoying playing this season. There is a great mixture of people from all over the world which gives it a great international feel.

UES: Neki od Pachinih rezidenata su i EDM producenti, kakvo je tvoje mišljenje o njihovoj glazbi?
Some of Pacha club residents are also EDM DJs, being called out a lot these days. What’s your opinion on their music and things they do?

John Digweed: PokuÅ¡avam se usredotočiti na ono Å¡to ja radim kao DJ i na DJ-eve koji me nadahnjuju. Dovoljno sam dugo na sceni da znam kako stvari dolaze i odlaze. Na svijetu ima dovoljno mjesta za se vrste DJ-eva – neke ćete voljeti, neke mrziti. Nitko vas ne tjera da pleÅ¡ete na nekoga koga ne volite, uvijek možete otići.
I try to focus on what i do as a DJ and on the DJ`s that inspire me. I have been in this scene long enough to see things come and go. I think there is room on this earth for all sorts of DJ`s – some you will like others you will hate. Nobody forces you to dance to someone you don`t like, as you have the option to walk away.

UES: Tvoj label Bedrock nije samo jedan od najutjecajnijih labelova već je i brand?
Your Bedrock label is much more then one of the most important global labels, it’s a brand…

John Digweed: Ove godine bilježimo 16 godina rada tijekom kojih smo izdali pregršt izvrsnih traka, albuma i kompilacija te održali niz odličnih partyja diljem svijeta. Imamo veoma odane obožavatelje koji nas istinski vole.
Well we are 16 years old this year and we just keep trying to release great tracks, artist albums and compilations as well as some stellar club nights around the planet. We have a very loyal fan base that show us lots of love.

UES: Jesi li i dalje uključen u rad labela? Slušaš li sam demo trake koje vam pošalju i ima li netko na koga bismo trebali obratiti pozornost?
Are you still involved in label management, music wise..do you still listen to tracks being send to label address. Is there some upcoming artist you would like to point out?

John Digweed: Naravno da slušam jer tek dvojica radimo na labelu, Scott i ja, te svakog dana popriličan broj sati posvetim labelu.
Yes very much so there are only 2 people working at the label Scott and myself so yes I get my hands dirty with the day to day stuff every day!

UES: Lani si izdao Live in Slovenia mix, a prije toga i Live in Miami, Argentina… koja je ideja iza tog koncepta?
Last year you released Live in Slovenia mix on Bedrock and Live in Miami, Argentina..what’s the idea of that concept?

John Digweed: Miami miks je bio peti iz “Live In” serijala koji nikad nije ni bio zamiÅ¡ljen kao serijal izdanja. Objavili smo prvi i svi su bili oduÅ¡evljeni te smo nastavili s izdavanjem. Nikad ne planiramo gdje će biti snimljeni, sve ovisi o tome kakve je kvalitete snimka. Čini se da ljudi vole takav old school način snimanja miksa, ali predstavljen u lijepome obliku.
The Miami album was the 5th in the ‘Live in Series’. It was never intended to become a series – we just put one out and the reaction was great so we continued it. We never plan where they are coming from, it`s all based on how great the recording of one of my live gigs is around the world. So we never know when it will be but try and keep them spread out.. at the moment people really seem to like the old school idea but in nice packaging.

UES: Koji je tvoj savjet mladim DJ-evima i producentima, koji je tajni recept uspjeha?
What is your advice for young DJs and producers. What’s the secret recipe?

John Digweed: Budite dobri, skromni i pozitivni. Uvijek budite pristupačni i uvijek svirajte sa srcem. Ne žurite se biti uspješni, uzmite si vremena i napravite to kako treba. Bolje biti maratonac nego sprinter.
Be nice, humble and positive. Always make yourself available and always play with 100% passion from the heart. Try not to rush to be successful. Take your time and get it right. Better to be a marathon runner than a sprinter.

UES: Jesi li vidio line up Sonus festivala, sviđa li ti se? Imaš li što za poručiti svima koji željno iščekuju tvoj nastup na Sonusu?
Did you take a look at Sonus festival line up..like it? Is there something you would like to say to the crowd that awaits your gig at Sonus?

John Digweed: Jedva čekam zasvirati na Sonusu, line up je vrhunski i sretan sam što sam jedan od gostiju. Svakako sačuvajte snage za moj set 🙂
The line up looks incredible and I am really excited to be part of the bill this year. Can`t wait to play this year at Sonus save some energy for my set 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdXS6r0x-q4