John Digweed Structures Two Bedrock Records – VMM Album Interview
John Digweed / began his love for DJing at the young age of 14 years old.His love of promoting progressive house gave him popularity in Europe and North America and saw him release quality compilations on Renaissance, Global Underground and his own imprint, the world renowned Bedrock Records, which he launched to promote the music he was playing and is the home for this amazing compilation series Structures. Digweed is hailed as being one of the world’s best Electronic House DJ’s and you will find himfeatured in the Top 10 from 1998-2008 reaching No.1 position in 2001 and in 2010 was once again voted in the Top 100 DJs reaching No.29 in the DJ Mag poll, a spot that firmly confirms his authority as a master in his field. His music ability does not restrict him to the dance floor you can also find John not only around the world in the best clubs but also on the silver screen as a DJ playing in Greg Harrisons 2000 movie Groove, That tells the story of an all night rave in San Francisco, with critics dubbing him as the new De Nir. Digweed not only acts on screen but also managed to create a film sound tracks making him vastly diverse. His worldwide Transitions radio shows are renowned and millions of listeners tune in each week to hear his shows unfold with some of the world’s best electronic house and ambient vibes.
Structures Two: Now after months of hard work behind the scenes, the highly anticipated second instalment of John Digweed’s Structures is finally here, following on from 2010 debut, which was met with critical acclaim worldwide and also won the Community Choice Top DJ Mix at the Beatport Music Awards 2011. Bedrock is synonymous with releasing the highest qualityforward-thinking electronic dance music and has enjoyed a highly successful 2011 so far. This new compilation will further cement the label’s reputation around the globe. Structures Two is a 3xCD collection: CD1 showcases exclusive remixed versions from the Bedrock catalogue in a blissed out electronica mix created by John Digweed. CD2 is a stunning snapshot, capturing the energy of John Digweed DJing at one of USA’s finest clubs, Avalon, Los Angeles. CD3 features exclusive, full-length, DJ-friendly club tracks that showcase the sound of Bedrock in 2011. The VMM is very excited to speak to John Digweed about this second instalment of the award winning compilation series Structures 2 and what’s next for him in 2011 gig & studio wise as we are soon to launch in to the Ibiza summer season.
The Interview:
VMMQ: So John, can you tell the VMM about the name Structures – what’s your vision and idea behind this name and the compilation series that you are crafting?
The name just came to me, I was trying to think of a name that made sense with what I do as a DJ and as a project, i.e. musical Structures or the way I structure a mix or compile an album I’m very lucky that I have David Malone at Malone Design who makes the most amazing artwork for the albums. I think it’s still important to give the project a strong visual image as well as creating trying to find the best quality music to go on it.
VMMQ: The VMM would like to ask you what is the musical message you are wanting to give through this 2nd musical instalment of the Structures compilation series?
I’m not trying to put a message out there, just trying to showcase what I do as a DJ and as a label owner and compile something that people will want to have in their collection and hopefully play and enjoy many times. There is so much music out there at the moment you need to make your product stand out from the crowd.
VMMQ: John can you tell the VMM what’s was the journey like finding tracks and mixing this 2nd instalment and how many months would you say it took to finish from concept to final mix-down?
I started work on this around September last year and slowly the tracks came in, the remixes were finished and I could start piecing it together. The live mix was just a matter of finding the right gig and being happy with the set which is what happened at the Avalon show. I have mixed so many albums over the years that I don’t find them stressful to put together at all. Each one is a challenge and essentially good fun.
VMMQ: The VMM would like to know – will you be touring the Structures 2 Compilation during the summer season? Where can we catch you on the decks this Summer Season will you be at Space Ibiza this year?
I’ll be touring worldwide to promote this album and will be back at Space 3 more times this summer – July 12th, August 12th and August 30th. I love playing at Space, they have just upgraded the main room sound system and it is very, very good. For more details about where you can catch me go to www.johndigweed.com
VMMQ: So, if you’re not mixing massive compilations or producing dance music, what other music do you enjoy and get inspiration from these days?
Well, because I run my own label most of my time each day is spent going through promos. and demos from producers, so I don’t really have too much time to listen to much else. But it’s more important for me to find the next new talent out there.
VMM Q: John can you tell the VMM what do you most love about djing in the new digital age and do you still get a buzz travelling and playing live DJ sets?
I’m very lucky to have the life that I led, getting to travel and play the most amazing parties all over the world. I still love what I do and get excited about going to new places. In the digital age it’s great that you can download new tracks while on the road and play them that night wherever you are. I miss playing vinyl but my back does not miss carrying heavy record boxes!
VMM Q: The VMM would like to ask what do you think is your magic ingredient and that keeps you fresh sounding John still today and still at the Top of your field?
I love what I do and I’m always trying to stay ahead of the pack with new music. It’s also important to be consistent when you play out week in week out, so people trust what you do and want to come to hear you. There are 1000’s of DJs out there so you must be on top of your game in order to stay at the top and I give 100% every time I play.
VMM Q: The VMM would like to ask you what new releases can we expect to hit the download stores in the summer months from John Digweed?
Well, my new single with Nick Muir 30 Northeast is out now on Bedrock we have a few other projects that are nearly finished, so they will be released later this year. I have to try and get the balance right with gigs, studio and personal time, so everything comes together on time and in the best possible way.
VMM Q: Finally your award winning career spans over a decade John and your are considered an Icon in the dance music industry so can you tell the VMM do you have any more goals that you have the urge to achieve in 2011 – 2012 that you have not yet achieved?
To be honest, I’m in a great place at the moment. The label is doing well, the radio show is being listened to by over 14 million people each week and as for my gigs, they seem to get better and better. What more could you want? To be happy is the most important thing in life.
JOHN DIGWEED – STRUCTURES TWO
CD 1 Blissed Out Electronica Mix
01. Guy J – Easy As Can Be – Tom Middleton Beatless Mix
02. Stelios Vassiloudis – I Burn Like – Ambient Mix
03. Christian Smith & John Selway – Mistral – Ambient Mix
04. Vincenzo & Elon – Yarra Valley – Reprise
05. Quivver – In Your Boat – Reprise
06. Wiretappeur – My Real Name Is – Reprise
07. Guy J – Lamur – AM Mix
08. Ian O’Donovan – Aurora Borealis – Reprise
09. John Digweed & Nick Muir – Bilder – Wiretappeur Reprise
10. King Unique & Anthony Pappa – Vamoosh – King Unique Kosmische Mix
11. King Unique – 2000000 Suns – KU Heat Death Of The Universe Mix
12. King Roc & Dimitri Nakov – Jardin Nights – From Paris & Berlin Mix
13. Robert Babicz – Pink Trees – On The Couch Journey Mix
14. Alan Fitzpatrick – Involve – Ambient Mix
15. Marco Bailey – Beaming – Downbeat Mix
16. Nick Warren – In Search Of Silver – Ambient Mix
17. Suicide Sports Club – Freaky Boy From Outside
18. Bedrock Beautiful Strange – Ambient Mix
CD 2 John Digweed Live from Avalon, Los Angeles
01. King Unique & Anthony Pappa – Vamoosh – King Unique Kosmische Mix
02. Estroe – Driven – Distortion Remix 1
03. H.O.S.H feat. Mistress Barbara – Finally Mine – Gorge Remix
04. Ellen Allien – Searching – Shonky Remix
05. Stephan Bodzin vs Marc Romboy – Telesto – Martin Buttrich Remix
06. Paneoh Feat. Maetrik – Follow
07. Lewis Ryder – Kaffee-Monster – Nathan Coles & David Coker’s Spanish Fly
Mix
08. Martin Dawson – What The Fuck
09. Clément Meyer – Piece By Piece – Maetrik Remix
10. Mylo Salté – Soak
11. Maxime Dangles – Santé
12. Timo Maas – Kick 1 Kick 3 – Maetrik’s Sexy Remix
13. Philogresz – Isolated Funk Ensemble – Sarah Goldfarb Remix
14. Tom Hades – Come On
15. Ruede Hagelstein – Emergency – Super Flu’s Gentle Dental Nurse Remix
16. Emmanuel Jal – Kuar – Henrik Schwarz Remix
CD 3 Unmixed Bedrock Exclusives
01. John Digweed & Nick Muir Bilder King Unique Rebild
02. Inkfish Detroit
03. Maxime Dangles – Santé
04. Tom Hades Come On
05. Paneoh Feat. Maetrik Follow
06. Robert Babicz Two Colours
07. Oliver Lieb Parallax
08. Midnight Ramblers – Scarab
09. Dibby Dougherty & David Young Tiger Forest Ryan Davis Rework
10. Jimmy Van M Feat. Steve T We Are Children
Further Info:
www.bedrock.uk.net www.johndigweed.com www.bedrockmusic.bigcartel.com
