YOUSEF Resident DJ Revolution at Space Ibiza 2011 – VMM Interview
This year Carl Cox celebrates 10 Years of Revolution at SPACE IBIZA which will take place every Tuesday from 5th July 20th September. The VMM is very excited to get the chance to speak to one of the resident DJ’s of this massive night the international superstar DJ Yousef about his residency at one of the biggest nights at the No.1 Club Space Ibiza his latest releases that will be hitting the download stores in 2011.
The Interview:
VMM Q: The VMM would like to ask you Yousef how has 2011 been for you so far and are you ready for the summer season that’s about to kick off?
Yousef: 2011 has been great for me so far. I’ve played some incredible events globally, including Warung Beach in Brazil which was simply amazing, and the Ultra Music Festival in Miami. I’ve been very, very productive in the studio too. First up I finished my “Yousef Circus Reworks” project where I’ve remixed Sven Vath, Santos, Four Tet, Giles Peterson, Moby, Kaiserdisco, Jamie T and even remixed my own track, Come Home, which was released on Cocoon last year. It’s all about to be released on my own Circus Recordings label, which is named after my successful club event, Circus, which is based in Liverpool. (There’s a preview of the EP here – http://soundcloud.com/yousef/yousef-circus-rework-8-remix) The response to the release has been fantastic, with big support from Carl Cox, Luciano, John Digweed and many more. I’m also nearly completion of my 2nd artist album which is the most musically forward thinking project to date.
VMM Q: This is the 10th year of Revolution at Space Ibiza so can you tell the VMM when did you become a resident DJ Yousef for this massive night?
Yousef : I’ve been playing for Carl once or twice a season for 7 years now. During that time he has sometimes trusted me to play all night on Le Terrazza, and during that time I’ve always wanted a residency there at Space with him. So this will be my second year as official resident where I will be playing 5 or 6 times through the summer.
VMM Q: It’s a mere dream for many DJ’s to play at Space Ibiza, so can you tell the VMM what is it like when you hit the decks as Resident DJ at Revolution Space Ibiza on the opening night do you still get a big buzz dropping that first track Yousef?
Yousef: That pretty much sums it up. I’m always so excited to play Space and am always happy to play in any room and any time of day or night. I work hard to prepare tracks and remixes specifically for Space and try to make my sets there stand out; there is no club like it really. The sound, the lights, the team behind Space, and of course the amazing and always up for it international crowd, make for a truly unique musical and social experience.
VMM Q: Can you tell the VMM what’s the vibe like Yousef from the Space Ibiza club crowd that’s different to other nights and clubs you have played around the globe and while being resident DJ for Revolution do you have any stand out memories you can share with us?
Yousef : It’s hard to exactly say what’s different. I think maybe people who attend expect the best; the best sound, best lights, best club environment, best music and, of course, the best DJs too, so you have to step up your game each time. Playing Space Ibiza is like playing in the Champions League Final every time I am there. It’s very important to me that I rock the club hard whilst introducing new music and exciting sounds to the clubbers. I’ve had some magical moments at Space over the years. The first time Carl gave me free reign to play on Le Terrazza from beginning to the end of the night and I played 12 midnight until close to 8am; it was amazing having a full room for that long and the excitement in the air was truly insane, such energy and emotion. The Space opening last year was ridiculous too, with the energy on the sunset terrace immense, and when I filled in for Carl when he was away last summer and played Discoteca for 3 + 1/2 hrs the room pretty much exploded; these are all incredible DJing moments for me, not just Space moments.
VMM Q: The VMM would like to ask what tracks have been getting the crowds moving in your DJ set’s and what names do you think are projecting forward in the scene for you at the moment Yousef?
Yousef : For me I’m supporting newer names like Tim Green, Tom Flynn, Aldo Cadiz, Gary Beck, Kaiserdisco and of course Guit (who I love!). I’m always looking for new music to play.
VMM Q: Can you tell the VMM your top 5 tracks for Summer 2011!
Yousef : That’s a hard question. I’m playing a lot of music from the above artists. I think my own For The Terraces will do well for me this summer.
VMM Q: So in the studio Yousef when you are producing your latest track what get’s the creative juices flowing first is it the rhythmic groove, the pumping bass or melody and what set up do you use currently to produce with?
Yousef : I usually start with an idea of the track I want to make in my head. If I want it to be for the clubs, or a creative idea that I’ve been thinking about, or a story I need to tell, I always put lots of effort into each production or remix. I don’t really just want see what happens anymore, I want to make each track count and mean something to me.
VMM Q: Finally Yousef will you be road testing any new tunes this summer, and what new releases can we look out for that will be hitting the download stores from you this summer?
Yousef : Yes, all the above on the Circus Reworks EP, my new single for Monique Musique Got To Be Me And You, and many of my new album tracks which all are the most forward thinking and musical and challenging tracks I’ve ever made. They will all be getting pumped out there this summer in clubs across the world. I’ve done 25 tracks but will get it down to 12 for the album, then I will have it mixed in 5.1 surround. All very exciting!
