Paul Oakenfold revisits Trance Hub – thanks to Goodgreef and Jordan Suckley
Pin ItPaul Oakenfold really needs no introduction, unless you’ve been living in a cave your whole life. You will know who he is, a track he’s produced or had the opportunity to see him live. A real founding father of the dance music scene and one that’s become so successful he’s got Grammys to his name and is still touring and releasing albums long after many of his peers threw the towel in.
Now we know Paul has been interviewed a million times, there’s countless articles about him in magazines, videos on YouTube and with nearly 11 million results on Google so we think most angles have been used but has he been quizzed by the fans before?
Probably, but we’re going with it anyway… Jordan Suckley, Goodgreef’s Label Manager and fellow February 4th DJ pipes up too.
Firstly Paul, thank you for taking the time to speak to the Goodgreefers, we’re all looking forward to seeing you at Tall Trees!
We’ll start with a few questions from Jordan Suckley.
Hi Paul! For me, when I am making a track, it has to be driven, full of emotion, high energy and have a techy edge. What elements do you try to put across when producing a track? Are there certain things that you always include?
It’s all about how the track feels. When producing, I keep in mind what’s going to make people move on the dance floor. I try not to clutter the song with too many layers. It’s all about a melodic line which augments the energy.
A lot of producers in the Trance scene have slowed down the BPM in their music considerably. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it got too full on?
Not at all. Over the years we have seen the average tempo of tracks fluctuate. So to keep current and adaptable to DJs around the world, I think it’s important to keep tempo in mind when one is in the studio.
For me, the worst thing about being a DJ is going through airports with a hangover the morning after a gig, ouch. What’s the worst thing about being a DJ for you, if anything?
Honestly, I can’t think of anything. I love doing what I do… Yeah, loosing sleep and dealing with hangovers can be a little rough. But that is the least of my worries when I’m having a blast with friends and my fans on the road.
There is a lot of new DJ technology around at the moment, such as Traktor and Serato. Have you ever thought of using any of them or do you prefer CDJs?
At the moment I’m using CDs and while I’m excited about the different programs and setups I have tried I still love the tactile feel of playing with CDs and also the scanning through CD wallets as opposed to scrolling song titles on a screen.
What where your thoughts when the weekly nights at Cream in Liverpool ended, could you see this coming at the time?
I felt like it was important to leave at the height of the residency. Cream and the fans will always be a really important part of my life and I look forward to returning then in a few months. It’s going to be very special.
Cheers Paul and now on with the fans questions!
Gerry Power: How much of your renaissance can we attribute to John Askew? And why, when many other DJs have left a specific genre behind, have you decided that the time was right to go back and bring that Goa sound that you pioneered in the 90s back to the forefront of the trance genre once again?
John is the head A&R at Perfecto and a really important part of the team. He has a strong vision and belief in trance music, which I agree with.
Oliver Bailey: Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with who you haven’t already?
Yes, I would love to collaborate with Dr. Dre.
Carl J Hetherington: Do you regard the UK clubbing scene as the best globally? Also how good was returning to see Creamfields out this year?
UK is definitely on the map as one of the top places in the world for electronic music… It’s where a lot of it began! However, I hold Ibiza as important and all eyes are obviously on Las Vegas now where all the top DJs have residencies. It’s the new hub for dance music.
Jonny Donnelly: Do you regret producing the big brother track?
Not at all. I do not regret anything I have produced. It’s now been running for 11 years and has become an iconic piece of music – so what’s to regret?
Sam Hull: As one of the old generation trance DJs do you prefer it now or back then?
Electronic music is all about moving forward, pioneering. There were great tings going on back then but I rarely look backwards. I’m focused on the future, creating new sounds and pushing new boundaries. This last year we’ve been exploring a new kind of trance which excites me as much as the Goa sound did when I first got involved with that. Trance is still huge – but there are different sides to the genre and some I like better than others.
Vikas Anaokar: Why are you attached to Goa psy trance? And if you had an offer to produce house or dubstep mix would you accept it?
Goa psy trance are my roots. I love it… That’s the best way to put it! I have done a bunch of house productions and remixes over the years. I think Dub-Step is cool and an interesting scene and you can see the appeal of the likes of Skrillex who attracts interest from the metal scene and hip hop as well as dance fans. Never say never but for now I’m focused on the styles and sounds I’m into.
Steven Kingofcool Page: What made you push Goa trance in the early nineties when everybody was playing house?
It was a fresh new sound that I found really exciting. I totally believed in it and still do. It has so much depth and intricate layering which you don’t find in many other styles of EDM.
www.trancehub.com: Where do you love playing more? Ibiza, UK or Netherlands?
At this moment in time Ibiza, but I have some killer shows coming up in all 3 over the next 12 months – so ask me that question again at the end of the year and let’s see!
Neil Bailey: What’s your greatest achievement outside of DJing?
Being made a Pioneer of the Nation by the Queen of England.
Alan Ruddick: How it feels to be, essentially, the godfather of modern clubbing?
I am very fortunate and happy to have been involved with millions of people around the world. It has been the people which have brought clubbing and EDM to the next level.
Rob Nankivell: Any tunes you wish you had never made?
Absolutely not Rob!
Danny Bland: What’s your favourite cheese?
I don’t have a favourite.
Nicki Macdonald: Do you think the Superclub days are behind us?
Maybe in the UK in the context of what they were in the 90s, but internationally I would say no. There are some seriously impressive clubs around the world that incorporate hotels, restaurants and other things all under one roof – so I would classify them as super clubs – a single venue where you can spend 24 hours being fed, entertained and party.
And lastly but of course not least! What do you have in store for us when Goodgreef returns to Tall Trees on the 4th Feb?
Full on Fluoro!!
For more info related to Paul Oakenfold check out the following links:
www.pauloakenfold.com
www.twitter.com/pauloakenfold
www.facebook.com/Oakenfold
www.myspace.com/pauloakenfold
