On the heels of compilation number six for Global Underground, I:Vibes.nu talks with the legendary Nick Warren
Nick Warren is no stranger to anyone these days, he is probably in his early 40's and he has been around the scene since about 1990. He started out as a gameskeeper for the pathetic Gary Glitter in 1990 and since then, he's moved up in the world of deejaying. His first real time on the worldwide stage was in 1994, when he was the tour DJ for Massive Attack. He has done many compilations, toured the world and he's done six Global Underground compilations (003 Prague, 008 Brazil, 011 Budapest, 018 Amsterdam, 024 Iceland and the latest 028, Shanghai). He's also known as half of Way Out West with Jody Westernoff, who have released three albums. He's also someone who people love to go see because he always brings his A game.
i:Vibes: You seem to be playing the best sets of your career of late, why do you think that is? A: I think its because I am enjoying playing so much, oh and the great tunes around at the moment
i:Vibes: You seem to be even more open minded with your music selection as well, do you think that's because you have been playing for so many years or because your career seems to have hit another revival
A: Yeh I suppose you areright on all those counts, but I have always been fairly eclectic in my tastes
i:Vibes: Did you actually think of quitting, when you did not touch a record for a few months, when you got sick of music a few years back. Was it the best thing that you have done for your career and should more deejays do it?
A: Easily the best thing I have done, when you are on the circuit nonstop you don¹t have time to sit back and evaluate the music you are playing
i:Vibes: Do you think that your career would not be where it is today without your partnership with Jody and Way Out West? How has his friendship and partnership impacted your music style?
A: My djing and wow dovetail perfectly, as to whether I would be where I am now, who can say?
i:Vibes: When Way Out West's last album was put out, do you finally think that you achieved your goal of a live act or do you want to achieve more with WoW?
A: Playing live is tuff, you really need tour support financialy, and we didn't get that, we paid for everything ourselves, and that is impossible to sustain
i:Vibes: If you could only pick one, what's your favorite Way Out West track or remix?
A: It has to be domination
i:Vibes: You've released your 6th Global Underground compilation, that no one thought you would do and you say you did it because so many good young artists don't have that platform for exposure, do you think that is a result of the scene, where the same old people get the radio slots, where the same old people get the record releases or is it just a fad?
A: It really does stem from the download situation, record companies are not selling unknown dance artists because the music gets on the web so quickly
i:Vibes: Have deejays as a whole become too anal by playing the same big tunes and wanting to be popstars?
A: Yes
i:Vibes: As you said in the linear notes of GU024, the clubs will suffer their comeupance. Do you think that has happened or do we still have a majority of people that just use the scene for making big money and not put anything back into it?
A: a bit of both really saying that I really can see a resurgence around the world, clubs are very busy this year, Ibiza is packed, things are looking good
i:Vibes: As I've seen your sound change over the years, I've noticed one thing, that you seem to gravitate towards records with fierce minimal energy like no other deejay around. Is that the Nick Warren Hallmark?
A: That's what I love, you sum it up very well
i:Vibes: Do you see yourself winding your career down and maybe quitting like say Danny Rampling or do you see yourself going for another five to ten years like Tongy, Cox and Oakie
A: I am not ready to hang the headphones up yet, I feel I have a lot more to offer
i:Vibes: Anything else to add?
A: Very good questions, well done
I:Vibes.nu would like to thank Justin @ Rephlektorink for hooking this up and thanks to Nick Warren for taking time out of his schedule. Nick Warren's GU028 - Shanghai is available on Global Underground.
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