John Digweed is both solid and durable with unyielding precision. His sinuous dj’ing and production sound has become its own convincing dance ethic.
He is centered to the principles of life, living and friends in such a way that he generates an aura of self-explanatory excitement and enthusiasm. Without heroic pretensions, his sets are filled with moodiness and musical mystery but held down with a punchy distinctiveness and earthly rhythm. Always emanating a sense of boundlessness he overlaps dream events that spill into reality with an enormous certainty.
We had the chance to sit down with him to talk about his Bedrock XX compilation, latest “Live In Tokyo”, playing at Resistance, and other musical topics.
Electronic Groove; Hi John, thanks for chatting with us again and congratulations on Bedrock XX. How did this compilation come together in terms of artist selection and music direction?
John Digweed: It actually came together really quickly. I reached out to a select amount of artists and once they confirmed I asked a few more. I wasn’t sure how many would agree but pretty much everyone bar one said yes at the start. So then it was all about getting them in on time.
EG: The compilation is based on new material. Why did you go through this route instead of looking back at Bedrock’s catalog?
John Digweed: Harking back to Bedrock’s back catalogue would have been the obvious thing to do, but we have always been a forward-thinking label. We wanted to showcase the producers we love and music of the future.
EG: Is Nostalgia something you like to avoid?
John Digweed: No not at all but it didn’t seem right this time around. For Bedrock 10 we released an album with some classics remixed, but we didn’t want to be repeating ourselves.
EG: Is there any track from the album that touches you a little bit deeper than the rest?
John Digweed: I played them all out for so many months before release and I am incredibly fond of them all. It would be impossible to pick one as they are all very special.
“We wanted to showcase the producers we love and music of the future”
EG: What are you looking for when choosing your dancefloor material?
John Digweed: Interesting and original ideas are most important with good production.
EG: Resistance Ibiza Opening Party is a few days away. What are your expectations for playing at Privilege? Do you have any new tracks that you will be testing?
John Digweed: After last season and the impact that Resistance had on the island, I think this summer is going to be even bigger. The level of production, sound, and visuals is like nothing on the island and the lineups each week are mind-blowing. I will have new music for every show there this summer.
EG: Can you share with us some of your go-to restaurants or lounges in Ibiza?
JD: I am a big fan of the Passion Cafes that serve really healthy food and juices.
EG: Your latest “Live In” is about to come out? Why did you choose Tokyo as a destination?
JD: I never plan any of these “Live in” albums as I record every gig I do. The Tokyo party really stood out and we have never done an album from Asia before so it made sense, as it was such a great party. It was a hard decision as it’s being released just 5 weeks after the Bedrock XX release date. I think that also helps prove that we don’t plan these releases.
“I still love vinyl and you can’t beat taking the record out of the sleeve
and putting it on the turntable”
EG: The album is coming out on digital and vinyl? As a music fan, which format would you buy?
JD: I still love vinyl and you can’t beat taking the record out of the sleeve and putting it on the turntable. For playing out through these days USB is my preferred choice.
EG: As a musician and performer, what is your definition of art?
JD: Something you want to hear over and over again as it moves you every time you hear it.
EG: What is the hardest part of being John Digweed?
JD: There are never enough hours in each day to achieve everything I want to do.
