TECH NEWS
PAUL
OAKENPAUL OAKENFOLD has been championing the trance
sound with his Perfecto and Perfecto Fluoro labels
for over three decades. With a career that has been
scene-de?ning, he has been credited with bringing
the Balearic Ibiza sound back to the UK — as well as
exporting EDM to the American masses — with his
weekly residency at the legendary Rain nightclub in
The Palms, Las Vegas. DJ Mag spoke to Paul about his
latest compilation ‘Vegas To Ibiza’, musical adventures
and deep-rooted passion for the dance music scene
and his long-awaited next artist album...
How do you go about putting together a compilation
like ‘Vegas To Ibiza’? Is it about taking inspiration
from the time that you’ve spent in these two
locations?
“That’s exactly right. Both of these destinations
have played important roles in my life, so making
an album that was dedicated to them was always
going to be about ?nding music that was an accurate
representation of what I play there.”
When you ?rst started to play in Ibiza, did you ever
envisage how the island and the dance music scene
would develop into what it is today?
“When I ?rst started maybe not, but when the internet
took off, there was never any doubt. Yes, the scene
has exploded in the last few years — certainly in the
US — but I think everything will continue to grow.
226 djmag.com
Everyone is connected with each other. Everyone can
share and discuss their music, their tastes and their
experiences.”
You’re still producing and remixing quite a lot of
music, has there ever been the urge to slow down
and take a back seat?
“You sometimes have moments when you are in
the middle of a heavy touring schedule with four or
?ve shows per week and long ?ights between… but
generally speaking, no. I love being on the road, love
gigging and love the sense of adventure that comes
with being in a different country every night.”
What have you been working on recently?
“Well, other than the ‘Vegas To Ibiza’ compilation that
I’ve just ?nished, most of my studio-time is being
taken up with the new album — ‘Pop Killer’ — and a
few remixes, including one I have just ?nished of a new
single from Beatman and Ludmilla, which is really hot.
Those guys are so talented. I’m also remixing Leama’s
Perfecto back catalogue classic ‘Requiem For A Dream’,
which is getting a re-release.”
Tell us about your current studio set-up?
“The studio in my house is now pretty scaled back.
It’s more of a writing suite with loads of interesting
instruments that I’ve amassed over the years. When
I do go into a studio to record I have various guitars,
amps, percussion and drums set up in a live room, and
then for the computer side of recording I use a few
different software set-ups. But 90% of the time I’m on
Logic, occasionally using Ableton for fast edits, time
stretches and cuts.”
Are you quite hands-on in the production process?
“Yes, absolutely, I’m very hands-on with all sides of the
production. In terms of the material I am working on
right now for my new album, which is mostly made up
of collaborations, the songwriting process is de?nitely
a shared input with the singer or songwriter I am
working with at that time.”
When can we expect to see the next Paul Oakenfold
artist album?
“Release date is the most common asked question
and sadly I still can’t give one, but we’re close. I’m
collaborating with Azealia Banks, Miguel, LP, ZZ Ward,
Alan Stone and a bunch of other young unknown acts
that I’ve discovered while on tour.”
What plans have you got coming up for Perfecto