Dj Deep Interview - Saturday 29 December 2001 The Savoy, Cork, Ireland

DHN: Dj Deep - Welcome back to Ireland.

Dj Deep: Thank You

DHN: It's your first time playing the Savoy - I've heard that Masters at Work, who plated here recently, have described you as their favourite Dj- high praise indeed. What value do you place on plaudits from fellow artists such as these?

Dj Deep: I think that was in printed in Mixmag or something. The truth about that is that once Louis said that I was Dj he liked, I don't think he ever said that I was his favourite. But that defiantly made me happy, I admire that guy so much! Let's just say he's my favourite Dj!

DHN: You began your career hanging out with predominantly techno artists like Derrick May and Laurent Garnier. What influence do you feel they had on your music, and why did you turn to deep house as opposed to techno?

Dj Deep: Well, I still love Detroit techno and electronic, it can be very creative, with lots of imagination. I just don't relate to the scene and the people. Techno is different now, and I don't play it anymore. It's not the same as mixing house, there's not the same spirit anymore. I started Djing the likes of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. Back then there was less records, less styles than there is today. I always played some deep house, as well as techno and Detroit techno, but I was naturally more comfortable with deep house. I was good friends with Laurent; he gave me my break in Djing. You see, he was going in one direction, and he was very good at it. But I was going to places, and I was unhappy with the vibe. It's like hip-hop parties for instance- I'd go to them in the US, and there would be parties, even shootings. I still enjoyed the music itself, just not the scene so much any more.

DHN: You reportedly fell in love with house music after listening to the Jungle Brother's "I'll House You". Is this true, and what are the other tunes and artists that turned you on to house music?

Dj Deep: Oh yes! There were lots of others as well of course- Marshall Jefferson, any Jovonn, any Blaze. I'm just a fan of underground deep house, it is as simple as that.

DHN: You said in 1999 that "the spirit of house music has been ruined". What is your idea of exactly what that spirit is, and has it gotten better or worse?

Dj Deep: I remember when I said that, a producer that I really admired became commercial, and in a very obvious way. House was becoming commercialised, by TV, radio and the press, and I was really pissed off. I mean, I suppose I'm a "name" Dj or whatever, and because of that I often get booked in a lot of places where the people don't know house music. They just know the very commercial stuff, they have no link with the roots of house music. I travel all over- the US, Asia, even Europe which is my favourite place to play, but it's the same everywhere. There only about 300 people who are there for the music, and know who you are- the others just want commercial hits. I wish when people talk about house music they really see the difference. But you come across these cheesy guys who just go on and on, I mean SHUT UP! They don't even know what a beat is.
For me, Kerri Chandler IS house. He's soulful, spiritual, thoughtful- he lives it. He's almost the embodiment of house music. I want people to be more humble- that's what the music is about.

DHN: You're certainly quite vocal in your criticism of the corporate influence on dance music. What are the negative effects, as you see them, which this has had on the industry?

Dj Deep: What people like Musik magazine and commercial radio define as house has nothing to do with what you or I would call house. I'm interested in a lot of music, but I hate it when people play this "bangin'", horrible music. Good Djs play what they like, but then they get no exposure. I just wish commercial journalists could get a little wiser, because they are killing the music. It is a different to be a Dj. It's a question of passion, knowing and sharing, and it's just not as easy as many other jobs. We're not reinventing the world- but you need passion in your heart, it's about sharing and exchanging things. It shouldn't be a case of "Oh, look at me, with my pink shirt, coke and horrible trance..." [Are you listening Judge Jules? - KR]

DHN: Do you see yourself as a crusader for real house music, given your sleeve notes, your involvement with "Back In The Dark" by Jovonn, etc? Would you agree with this?

Dj Deep: Well, I think if I actually said that I might sound a bit pretentious. A crusader to me sounds like a hero, but I'm not a hero, I do what I love! I'm uncomfortable if I compromise, because I've seen the people who do- not just Djs, people in every walk of life. I've seen that look in their eyes.

DHN: You don't seem to do much remixing, preferring to produce original music by yourself or with another artist. Why is this (you can't be short of offers)?

Dj Deep: Yes, I don't do any remixes. I've put out a few 12 inches, but I'm still in the process of learning how to produce music properly. I'm just at the beginning.

DHN: You have collaborated with many respected artists however, such as Kerri Chandler and Jovonn to name but two. Are there any people that you would like to work with that you haven't already?

Dj Deep: Oh, there's a bunch of people, it can be great to collaborate with others and to see them going forward with what I'm doing. At the moment, I'm happy to do what's in my own mind. It can be frustrating to come up with new ideas, and I'm finding it hard to go to the end of what I want to do. But for now, I want to start with me.

DHN: - And how's that going for you?

Dj Deep: Terrible! I've some good ideas, stuff in my head, you know? I might start with some nice loops and samples, but I've lots of trouble when I start arranging it as a track. It can be slow, but everyone has this, not just me. When you're with someone, it can be easier, but right now, I want to progress by myself.

DHN: There does seem to be a lot of co-operation between French house music artists, yourself and Julian Jabre for instance. Do you feel this has to be done to raise the profile of French music?

Dj Deep: Well, we all know each other and hang out together anyway, although Julian is working on his own stuff at the moment. We just hang with each other, there is no grand plan really...

DHN: Thomas Bangalter, in his various guises, brought French house to the attention of the world a few years back. Do you feel this movement has benefited you and French house in general in any way?

Dj Deep: Well, Thomas Bangalter doesn't have much to do with deep house. But they're good at what they do, the harder, more minimal stuff. It's just a different style, neither positive nor negative.

DHN: - But do you feel that it has helped people around the world realise that French artists are capable of producing quality music in general, especially given the fact that French chart music is notoriously bad?

Dj Deep: Haha. Yes, some people already knew there was some good hip-hop, but now finally groups like St. Germain are recognised as well, on the more soulful side of the scene.

DHN: Who are the more up-and-coming producers and Djs that you feel we should be looking out for?

Dj Deep: I would say Playin' For the City, Next Evidence, Dj Mike L, Dj Frank Roger from the Sun Orchestra, Julian Jabre, Dj Jerome and Dj Gregory.

DHN: Moving back to your Djing, I noticed from the last time I saw you play that you tend to play a few CDs in your sets...

Dj Deep: Oh yes, all the time.

DHN: Are these all your own tracks?

Dj Deep: No, not all my own tracks, I play stuff I get from Kerri and lots of other people.

DHN: Do you think that Djing will inevitably go digital at some stage?

Dj Deep: I don't know about that one. I've heard about that new digital turntable, what do you call it..?

DHN: - Ritchie Hawtin's "Final Scratch"?

Dj Deep: Yes, that's the one. That certainly sounds interesting, because it's supposed to keep the feel of playing a record as well. I'm always interested in using other techniques. I do get angry when I listen to some of my old disco records that have just died, or 1988 house that I just can't play anymore, purely from wear and tear. Then I go into record stores and see those records for £300, and I'm like "This is MY music! How dare you charge me £300 for it! Fuck!". CDs are impersonal, but the more I use them the more I think it works. If the music is there, it doesn't matter too much. I'm open to other mediums, as long as it allows for creativity.

DHN: Can we expect any new releases from you in the near future? What projects are you working on at the moment?

Dj Deep: Well, I have a mix CD coming out in March 2002 on Distance records. Hopefully then some original music in the future, just don't ask me when!

DHN: You're obviously very happy with your lot in life, but if you weren't involved in the music industry, what do you think you would have ended up doing?

Dj Deep: Oh God, I really don't know! Politics? Haha! I started doing this more than ten years ago, so it's hard to say really.

DHN: Finally, what advice would you give to our site visitors who would be looking to emulate your achievements?

Dj Deep: Hmmm, it's difficult to advise people. I will say though- it's easy to be a cynic, but very difficult to be creative. You can feel the difference between something is done with truth, vibe and soul and shit stuff that's done with no soul. Also, be open to other sounds, don't be a specialist. It's ridiculous saying that you like house music and no other type of music, when house music is basically a fusion of so many other sounds like jazz and soul music. I was with my girlfriend in New York this Christmas, and we just went around listening to all these different types of music, and we had such a great time! That's what music is about.

DHN: Yes, I'm afraid that wasn't a misprint folks- Dj Deep, that self same producer of more than a few choice house cuts says that he's just learning to make music. Depressing stuff indeed for the aspiring producers among us, but before impaling yourselves on mixing boards, you can surely find comfort in the fact that when he does come up with new material, it should be nigh on perfect. But that is what Dj Deep is all about- no compromises. So don't worry folks, the future of house music, our house music, is in very safe hands.

Ken Rooney [DeepHouseNetwork]