A lot of us can say that music is our life, but for John Digweed, that phrase has never been more appropriate. Since about the time he could walk, Digweed has been playing, producing, and appreciating music. Decades of DJing professionally have earned him international acclaim as the headliner at many festivals, where he showcases his unique musical style to enormous crowds during marathon sets. He has appeared in the top 100 DJs list time and time again, sitting at the #1 position in 2001, with no end to his ultra industrious professionalism and craft. Preparing for the peak party season, Digweed takes a little time out of his busy schedule to have some words with MXDWN.
In your own words, how would you define the “John Digweed” brand of music?
Consistent Quality Electronic Music.
In the past, you’ve done some marathon 10+ hour live performances. How do you go about preparing for something like that?
Well, knowing all of your music is key – I never pre-plan a set as it’s much more fun to feed off the crowd and how they are reacting. That way you seem to flow better with the crowd.
Where did you play your longest set?
Over 13 hours in Cavo Paradiso in Greece.
How do you go about selecting music for your radio show, Transitions?
I buy and get sent so much music every week, I just try and select my favorite ones for the show. I love working on the radio show as I can feature loads of great tracks that might not make it into my club sets.
How far into the future do you see yourself continuing the Transitions show?
How long is a piece of string? I love what I do. Music is something that is part of my life 24/7/365, so as long as I am having fun and people like what I do, I will continue doing it as best I can for as long as I can.
What manner of content can be heard on your new album, Structures Two?
On CD 1, I asked some of the bedrock artists to rework their club versions into downtempo, chilled out versions. I have been blown away by the versions they delivered. This is great for those long summer nights or just chilling by the pool. CD 2 is a live mix from Avalon in LA and CD 3 shows my A & R skills, choosing 10 unreleased and unmixed exclusive tracks for the budding DJs out there.
Why did you choose to include a live set at the LA Avalon? How did you choose this live session segment rather than the many others you have played?
Well I have been playing in LA for many years and have so many loyal fans that support me every time I play, The last gig at Avalon at the end of March was amazing and I had recorded it and it made sense to release a section of it for this new album as the party was really special and the vibe and atmosphere really comes across in the CD.
Is Structures a theme you plan on continuing in the future with additional albums?
I always try to keep things fresh with the projects I do at the moment. This is only the second in the series so we will see how it does and plan what to do after that.
How has the John Digweed sound evolved over the long course of your producing career?
Of course I am not playing the same sound as when I started, and if you listen to all my compilations of my career you will hear the changes in sounds and styles. I like to look to what sounds are coming next and my fan base also what to hear the latest music.
What are the latest plans that are going to be coming from Bedrock Records?
We have a busy summer of releases, plus our 100th release which is due out soon. I think the label is in a great place at the moment with strong tracks and artists featuring on the label.
Who will be the next artist you sign to Bedrock?
We are signed up right through til September. There are always new artists sending me tracks so my day is spent going through and finding the tracks that stand out from the crowd.
What do you have planned for 2011 as far as tour dates, releases, and otherwise?
Loads of festivals over the summer plus 3 big shows in Ibiza. The summer is really crazy but I love all the outdoor parties and festivals as the vibe is great. For more details check out www.johndigweed.com
What impact has contemporary technologies had in your production and live performances?
Well I just use a SD card now for playing out. It’s amazing that just a short while ago I was carrying 2 heavy record boxes with me. Now I can play for hours with a small card, the CDJ`s are amazing with all the effects!
How do you feel about the direction electronic dance music has taken in the last decade?
It goes through lots of changes all the time. At the moment it seems split between very commercial sounding party DJ`s and the more serious underground DJs. The good thing is people have a choice if they don`t like a certain sound. There is bound to be someone playing the music they like somewhere. The cooler stuff you have to search a little harder for sometimes but the rewards can be better.
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