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 i:Vibes sat down with one of the new upcoming faces on the trance scene. Where we discuss everything from Charlyz Angels, Judgement Sunday to her new tracks to being able to deejay in Ibiza 4 months a year.
Vicky Devine is young, in her mid 20's and she's hit the trance scene with a huge smash. She's come a long way from her humble beginnings in the UK to playing for the huge Charlyz Angels to Judgement Sundays with Judge Jules. She's even done work on television as a host and she's got to interview the likes of Tiesto, Armin and others. She's toured the world over and she's kept true to herself and i:Vibes.nu likes people who are unique like her, so i:Vibes.nu sat down with her to discuss her career and other musical things.
i:Vibes: How did you decide to go into deejaying?
A: I've been involved with the club scene in one way or another for years. I worked for two dance music magazines doing interviews and reviews and as a dancer when I was at university. I always wanted my own decks but couldn't afford them when I was a student so I used to cycle to my friends house every day and practice on his. Further along the line I became involved with a group of people who were all DJ's some of who were playing out. We used to have little jamming sessions and afterparties and I used to get on the decks with them all. They encouraged me to take it more seriously and I eventually bought some decks of my own and it went from there.
i:Vibes: How easy is it to get a decent following for a woman in a traditionally male dominated occupation
A: I'm not sure it makes any difference if you are male or female to be honest. I think being recognised and building a following boils down primarily to your love of music, and then what kind of person you are, your drive, determination and strength of character and of course having good friends and family to help you through the tough bits. Pretty much the same as in any occupation really.
i:Vibes: Do they treat you differently since you are a woman? Do promoters ask you stupid requests since you are a woman?
A: I'm not sure who you are talking about when you say "they"!!!! LOL ..... however, in answer to your question again - I don't think it makes any difference whether you are male or female. Ultimately what I do is about music and most people respect that.
i:Vibes: Do you think your looks have helped you out? Do you think that we are too much of a looks oriented society?
A: I want to be recognised as a DJ in my own right because I love music, work hard and love being out there involved with the people in the scene and playing at the gigs. However in order to do that then you obviously also need to market yourself, and I use as much as I can to do that also in as positive a way as I possibly can
i:Vibes: What's it like slogging it out, playing in sweaty non descript venues, trying to work your way to a decent living?
A: My, what a positive outlook on clubbing you have!!!!!!!! I'm not sure I'd call anywhere I've played as a sweaty non descript venue!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've always tried to treat every gig the same and approach it with the same enthusiasm whether it be big or small - I'm going there to DJ and have a party which is what I love doing at the end of the day!!!! Obviously its nicer to play to a packed club and fortunately for me that seems to be occurring more and more frequently as time goes on.
i:Vibes: How have your residencies at Judgement Sunday in Ibiza, and Charlyz Angelz helped your career.
A: Charlys Angelz was a massive stepping stone for me really and opened many doors that maybe I wouldn't have even had the chance to get to had I not been involved with it from the beginning. I was incredibly lucky to be able to be a part of it at such an early stage in my career, but I worked hard and have always loved the brand and I still love promoting it and DJ'ing at it to this day. It definitely helped establish a name for myself and gave me a home and something to be associated with which has obviously helped me on to do other things.
I went to the opening party of Judgement Sunday when it opened in Ibiza in 2000
and always said that I wanted to play there from that day. It was therefore a dream come true when I got offered that residency and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there this year playing alongside DJ's that I have looked up to and respected for years. I would say I have learnt an awful lot from being a part of that which is also helping me on to do other things now.
i:Vibes: It must be nice to be able to live a few months in Ibiza every year, how has the Island changed over the last few years? Is it as good as they say it is? What's unique about it?
A: I love Ibiza - its like a second home to me now and yes I feel incredibly lucky to be able to go out there and live doing the job that I love. This summer was my fifth so yes, I've seen some changes, but overall it is still the party capital of the world! Nowhere else do you get such a concentrated number of nights, DJ's, music genres and clubbers extending over a four month period. Once the season kicks off that really is what its all about - plus you've got the benefit of the sunshine and the beautiful island itself. The only change I've seen really is in the length of the season as its definitely not as long as it used to be a few years ago which is a shame, and in the popularity of certain resorts and nights - particularly to the English. Even so, people still come from far and wide to experience everything that is good about the island and I'm sure that will continue for years to come.
i:Vibes: You seem to do everything media these days, you were a daytime presenter for Holiday FM in Ibiza? Who did you get to interview? and who stood out in your mind?
A: Radio is something I have been working on for quite a long time now. I was Ibiza correspondent for a small station in England called Fire FM for three years and then was made Ibiza correspondent for Kiss 100 FM in London. I did weekly reports for them basically updating on what was going on on the island, gossip etc etc etc. From that I was offered a daytime show on holiday FM this year and I basically did the same. Chatted about what was going on on the island and played Ibiza tunes as that is what the station is all about. I would say one of the most memorable days was when we had Girls Aloud in - they were doing a gig at Eden so they came down to the station half way through our show for an interview. It was great to have another five girls in the studio!!!!!! I also ended up doing a report on Majorca where I also have a residency (at BCM) for BBC radio one and that went out on Fergie’s show so I would say that is one of the ones that stands out too. And then finally at the end of the season I was asked to interview Tiesto for an Australian television network at the Cream closing party where he is obviously resident. For me, as a trance DJ, that has got to be one of my biggest highlights to date for sure
i:Vibes: How do you see the face of deejaying changing with more and more women getting decks and learning to play, with Abletron, with computer software to make tunes? Do you see it getting more digital?
A: I think that it is good that more and more woman are learning how to mix and that healthy competition is good for any market because it will weed out the good from the bad, and the ones that are interested in being a DJ for the money compared to the ones that are in it for the music. I'm managed by an all female DJ agency www.flipsidedjs.com and I run an all female event - www.charlysangelz.com, so I have always worked alongside other female DJ's and have seen the increase over the years in female DJ's. Technology like Ableton live is exciting and can only add to what we have already. Its certainly something that I hope to incorporate into my sets in the future alongside other digital technology.
i:Vibes: So you are back to the UK for the next few months? Do you go back to working a part time normal job or is deejay, your fulltime occupation
A: I'm in the fortunate position at the moment whereby I can survive on money that I earn from DJ'ing which is great because it means I can dedicate 100% of my time to music. This hasn't always been the case though. During the last six years since leaving full time employment I've done everything to make ends meet from waitressing, to handing out leaflets in the street to working in a clothes shop. I would go back to doing that again if I had to if it meant I could still buy my vinyl!!!!!
i:Vibes: I heard your most recent track, that came with an Andy Bagguley mix called Entravanse? When did you decide to make it and what was the goal when you made it?
A: I finished the original mix just before I left to go to Ibiza this year. The remix was indeed written by Andy Bagguley over the summer when I was away, and then when I returned back to the UK we did the mailout and the track has subsequently been signed to Drizzly and will be released in February 2006 on one of their sublabels. I have actually been involved in making tunes before - I had made three before Entravanse in collaboration with other artists, but this is my first solo effort. I think its important as a DJ to be involved in making new material as well as playing it, plus being in the studio is something I love. I've always been a bit of a music writer anyway stemming from the days when I used to play the piano (I reached grade six) so this is just a natural progression for me.
i:Vibes: What's next for you? Where do you see yourself in a few years, do you see yourself going back to medical technician in a few years?
A: Wow you have done your research haven't you? I actually have a degree in Biology and Masters Degree in Medical Microbiology - I think its quite common these days to see people starting to DJ when they are studying for such qualifications but then following their dream once its all over - look at Judge Jules for example who has a degree in Law. I again feel very fortunate that I have these qualifications behind me, and yes, I guess one day I may need to fall back on them. But for now my sights are set firmly on being as successful as I can in a career I not only love but have worked so hard for, and I will continue to strive to become better in what I do.
i:Vibes.nu wishes Vicky Devine all the best with her career and everything that happens in the future.
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