Steve Lawler has just released his Lights Out album on the hot Global Underground series. We catch up with him to see what he has to say about the album, his summer residency, and his upcoming productions.
To mark the release of Steve Lawler’s phenomenal “Lights Out” album, we’ve hooked up with him to see what he has to say about his CD, his productions, and what is to come from his end.
The Introduction
Steve Lawler is a definitive DJ and producer; a tastemaker whose sets combine quality house music with the power to move dance floors around the world. In the last few years, he's ignited crowds in the world’s best clubs such as Zouk in Singapore, Space in Miami, Twilo in New York, Pacha in Buenos Aires and the mighty Space in Ibiza. Courtesy of home in the summer of 1999 and 2000, he provided the groundbreaking sets of the season for many of those lucky enough to hear him. After just two months he had been crowned 'King Of Space' by the locals - a rare and well-deserved honour.
For over a year, Lawler set the capital alight with his weekly Friday night residency at Deep South at home. I f you were lucky enough to catch one of his 6 hour sets, you'll know exactly what it felt like as he weaved his magic across the club's sound system, wowing clubbers and critics alike. In February 2001, Steve decided to finish his stint at home due to overwhelming demand for his skills across the UK, and farther a field to the USA and the rest of Europe.
His own monthly night at Code in Birmingham, The Midweek Session, became one of the most important club nights in the U.K in 2001. Guests included Danny Tenaglia, Sasha and Digweed, Pete Tong, Dave Seaman, Cevin Fisher and Futureshock. As well as guest spots at every pioneering club in the UK, Lawler has fast become the DJ every clubber wants to hear for themselves.
Steve Lawler hails from the Midlands, yet there is something distinctly non-territorial in his work. Although loving the atmosphere in the big Saturday nightclubs (he's an ex-resident at Cream,) Lawler also refuses to pander to any punter wherever he's spinning. Think DJ communism, with equal treatment for all the masses.
What Steve has to say for himself?
Steve: “Well, I’m a DJ, I’m extremely good looking (joke!) and under 30 but over 20.”
Turned onto electronic music from an early age, Steve used to buy Depeche Mode records when he was young, so he obviously loved electronic sounds without even realising it. But it was Acid House that really excited Steve. Tuning avidly into local pirate PCRL radio station gave Steve a taste for house music, and it wasn't long before his mates were luring him off to warehouse parties.
Steve: "I was totally blown away by the whole experience: the dark room, the strobes and the atmosphere. The whole thing just blew me away and inspired me to do my own parties."
Which is exactly what he did, putting on a series of illegal parties in a disused tunnel underneath the M42, (between 1990 and 1994) with guests appearing on an un-advertised basis such as Tony De Vit, Anthony Pappa, Pete Gooding and Scott Bond, (whom were all friends of his) these few parties became legendary throughout Birmingham and across the Midlands.
i:Vibes: Your diverse sound can be seen in your productions and remixes and with that, you've been seen to deliver some of the best through your studio work, working on artists such as BT, Hybrid and Trisco. How do you see your own sound developing
Steve: Well it’s taken 12 years now to develop my own sound and that comes from experience and of course, a certain taste of music. Things constantly develop around me and you just develop with them, just keep moving forward but not forgetting the past. i:Vibes: You have residencies in the USA, around the UK and also each year in Ibiza at the massive Space. Having played at more locations that I can imagine, what memories have you had, and have there been any gigs or venues which rock you each and every time?
Steve: Space definitely rocks every time, but there are so many clubs that do that; too many to mention! And in turn, I’m truly happy at each of the gigs that I play at and they all rock me each time!
i:Vibes: With your upcoming "Lights Out" album, which is the new series on Global Underground aimed at the more 'afterhours' sessions, what have you gotten out of doing this compilation, any thoughts, and any highlights you feel worthy of mention? And any plans for another compilation in the works?
Steve: The Lights Out Series is my own series with Global Underground and from now on, I will be the only one doing the Lights Out Mix albums, with one coming out every 18 months or so… i:Vibes: Your Rise In has been a huge track on Bedrock since it was released in 2000 with its numerous remixes on each of the dance music spectrum. Your next track on Bedrock to be released in July is "Andante". What are your feelings on this track, and how about the Low End Specialists Remix which is said to be completing now.
Steve: Andante is a club track through and through. It’s meant for dance floors, with just 4 to the floor chunky tribal house. I was inspired when I was in South Africa where I heard this relaxation CD and there was this chanting that I thought would sound great on a tribal track, so I did it....
The Low End Specialists Mix is great, its monotonous and druggy, and there’s also a Scumfrog Mix which is amazing! I’m very happy with both of them. i:Vibes: With Andante up next, what about further into the future? What more should we be expecting during the summer period? and thereafter?
Steve: This summer I’m DJing all over Europe and have a residency in Ibiza again, so not much production, but I’m going to get my act together and spend a lot more time in the studio next year, so keep an eye out for those next year!
i:Vibes: You have mentioned recently that you have been increasingly using the CD Mixer lately. There is always an ongoing debate as to whether or not the turntables are out, and that CD mixing is the future. What views do you have of this?
Steve: Vinyl will never be out, but now it means you can use both, with the new pioneer CDJ 1000, its not that different from using vinyl and you can do some extra things like re-looping and triggering samples. It’s good to use them as well as decks
i:Vibes: And on MP3 Mixing? Views on MP3s and the continuous surge of the so-called 'digital sound revolution'?
Steve: I don’t agree with it, and this digital format will never take off, there’s no realism to it, no show, and no craftsmanship
i:Vibes: Who would you like to work with on a future collaboration?
Steve: Hmmmmm, definitely Scumfrog!
i:Vibes: Any rising stars both as producers and as DJs?
Steve: The Scumfrog for production, he’s a genius and I’ve just gotten him to remix my new single, and Marc Cohen as a DJ, I’m trying to use this guy to warm up for me wherever I can as he’s excellent!
i:Vibes: What more would you like to say about your upcoming album, single, DJ, tour dates, and to the readers?
Steve: If you like hearing me play long sets and you enjoy all the styles I go through, then I think you’re going to like the album. Hopefully we are going to cover every country possible with the tour so everyone will get to see the production. My new single will be out in July / August with remixes from Low End Specialists and The Scumfrog. Also, an unreleased mix that I did for myself for the album and an unreleased mix by Peter Bailey.
Regards and See ya!
Steve
Steve Lawler's Website
The Lights Out Site on Globalunderground
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