Following the recent success of DEEPER's Inauguration party in ICON last month, we decided to ask a couple of questions to Philippe Michel and Zaina S., the brains behind the company to know more about themselves. Here's their view on music, life, screaming fans and why they think Marbella can never be the Next Ibiza.
Why DEEPER?
We thought it was
time for something different. Every time we went out we were hearing
the same old commercial funky house being played everywhere. We were
totally bored of vocals and sax players, so we decided to do something
about it and that's when DEEPER was born. The name accurately reflects
how feel about house music... deep and underground!
Describe DEEPER’s sound
A
subtle fusion of deep house, tech house, tribal and techno, all with an
underground twist. It really blends well together. You just don't tap
your foot to this stuff... this is proper house music for dancing your
*** off to.
How and when did you start to become a DJ?
I
first picked it up back in 1991 at The London Pub in Fuengirola. House
music was just starting to take off in Spain. My love for the music
always kept me interested in becoming a DJ, but I spent most of the
nineties being a clubber instead of a DJ. In 2004, Mario Zarate gave me
an opportunity to play in public for the first time at the Z-Bar in Las
Chapas. I had spent about 3 or 4 years prior to that with John Dixon
and a few mates couped up in John's studio every weekend practicing.
Not long after my first gig at Z-Bar, I landed a residency with Hed
Kandi on the Coast and it just took off from there.
Who have been your biggest influences?
I
grew up with jazz, funk, soul and disco. Zaina with hard rock, punk,
rap and ska. But the first time we heard house music, we thought this
is our music, this is us. Many DJs and producers have influenced us...
among the bigger names: Frankie Knuckles, Erick Morillo, The
Timewriter, Terry Lee Brown Junior, Angel Molina, there's just so many
amazing artists out there, too many to list.
What’s playing in your car stereo at the moment
Some proper techno... André Galluzzi, Andomat 3000, Antoine Clamaran, Radio Slave... true masters of the underground scene.
What images and emotions do you want your music to invoke in the listener?
We
don't want people to listen at DEEPER... we want them to feel the
music. Anybody who is a true clubber and loves house music knows
exactly what we're talking about. It's that feeling that makes you rush
when the DJ flawlessly mixes track after track together or that monster
build-up that just sends you jumping up and down with your arms in the
air... house creates euphoria. I always said reality is an illusion
caused by a serious lack of house music.
What do you look for in a beat?
A sound that goes right through you... puts the hairs up on your arms and back of your neck.
How do you see the scene locally, and where do you see it going?
There's
so much great talent on the Coast as far as DJs are concerned. One of
the main objectives of DEEPER is to showcase that talent. There's some
very good local promoters as well. Between us, we keep parties going
virtually throughout the year. The big promoters only come down here
during the summer, as that's when the big money is to be made. I would
love to see more support for local promoters. There seem to be many
people who just wait for the summer to come round so they can go to
nights that the big commercial brands put on. In many cases, what local
promoters manage to do is far better that what the big boys can muster
anyway. And most of the ime they make virtually no money... they do it
because they love the music with a passion. The public should try
things that aren't so mainstream once in a while and give these
promoters more of a chance. You won't be disappointed.
Who would you like to work with in the future?
I
would love to go back-to-back with The Timewriter. He's my all-time
favourite DJ and producer. We actually enquired a couple of months ago
to find out how much it would be to bring him over. Suffice to say it's
a two with many zeros behind it. We're not quite there yet, but we're
working on it.
When you are up there do you have a play list or do you read the crowd?
Neither.
I honestly don't decide what I'm going to play until I step into the DJ
booth and open my CD case. It's all totally improvised and comes from
within. I play for the music and for myself. It may sound selfish, but
it's my journey and everybody is welcome to come along for the ride.
When the crowd connects with what the DJ is doing, that's when the
magic happens. When I used to go clubbing, I went to listen to the DJ,
not to what the crowd wanted to hear.
Best DJ experience?
Third Wednesday in August 2004
around 05:00 in the morning. Hed Kandi's Destination Funkytown at
Coyote Dance in Fuengirola. The club was packed with about 700 people.
There was a green laser shining on a massive mirror ball. I was about
halfway through my set. I looked up and all I could see was loads of
green reflections from the laser everywhere in the club and
everybody with their hands in the air. It was awesome... still makes me
rush thinking about it now.
"I play for myself. If you want to
hear your own music, stay at home with your Ipod."
You think Marbella can be the next IBIZA when it comes to clubbing experience?
Definitely not. The authorities down
here would never allow it. Ibiza is a 24-hour party island. Down here,
the cops show up if the club stays open five minutes past its licensed
time limit. In addition, I don't believe there's enough club owners
with vision down here... some of them certainly don't have the passion
for the music. I think the club owners need to be into the music as
much as the promoter and the DJs are. That's when great things can
happen. Often the club owners are only looking after their own
interests. A good friend of mine describes it as "fast food
entertainment"... if it doesn't work straight away, they move onto
something else. Unfortunately, good things take time.
On a fashion note: Why do you
think t-shirt and jeans seem like the “uniform” for DJs. Can’t you
guys wear anything more glam?
DJs should be judged for what they
do, not for what they wear. It's not a fashion contest. When I play I
want to be as comfortable as possible. I actually played in a club
wearing shorts and trainers once. Clothes are a secondary concern for
me when I'm in the booth.
MarbellaStyle: Lol on fashion contest. Chill, man. just asking.
DEEPER: I prefer looking at Zaina... she always looks
absolutely stunning every time we go out. She's the glam-conscious one.
M.S.: I agree.
Being a dj, do you get a lot of “propositions” from the ladies?
Most of the "propositions" come in
the form of requests for songs. I'm not very accommodating as far as
requests are concerned. Like I said, I play for myself. If you want to
hear your own music, stay at home with your Ipod.
What can we expect from DEEPER this summer?
God willing, we'll carry on with
some superb parties at various fantastic venues along the Coast. We've
got quite a few suprises up our sleeve this year. One of our objectives
at DEEPER has always been to grow the night bit by bit. Good clubnights
need time to develop. 2008 will be a continuation of this philosophy.
Zaina and I have also just signed a recording contract with Ultimate
Orange Records. As such, we'll be spending quite a bit of time in the
studio this year working on our first original productions as well as
some great remix projects. It certainly is gonna be a very busy and
exciting year for us.
The one thing you love about Marbella
It has to be the weather. Ultimately, I believe that is the main reason we live here.
One thing you hate about Marbella
The time it takes to get things done
sometimes. I've been on the Coast 26 years and Zaina 13 years. Things
have come a long way in this time. But once in a while, the 'mañana'
syndrome still gets to us.
Any last words for Marbella Clubbers?
To those that support us, a big
thank you. To those that haven't been to DEEPER yet, come and check it
out. And to everybody else... keep clubbing and keep feeling it...
house music is alive and well.
Check
out DEEPER's website: www.deeper.es for party schedules, DJ profiles,
party photos and more. Next event: THIS FRIDAY AT MAX BEACH!
BESOS!