Ten years on the Terrace!! Dusted talks to Jonathan Ulysses!
On Saturday 7th April 2007 Dusted @ Canvas invites the seasoned Space Terrace Resident Jonathan Ulysses to the decks!
Regarded as one of the hardest working Djs around and winner of DJ Magazine’s Best Ibiza DJ 2003, Jonathan rose from West
End roots to become a resident for one of the greatest and most famous clubs in the world…Space, Ibiza! Jonathan now embarks
on a nearly continual international tour year after year playing some of the best clubs in the world while all the time
still keeping a huge passion for music and all things dance. We caught up with Jonathan to see what he’s been up to and
to find out what 2007 has in store.
Hi Jonathan, How are you? Can you tell us what you are up at the moment?
Hi guys, I’m fine. At the moment, I am continuing with the In Bed With Space Tour (all over the world). I’ve also finished
some production, working with Richard Grey and Damien J. Carter, Destined Records and UMM.
Describe yourself in three words?
Enthusiastic, passionate, reliable
You’ve come along way from the clubs of the West End via the mighty Space Terrace and onto your international tours, what inspired you to get into Djing?
My inspiration is the music …… but I’ve been DJ’ing long before I was in the West End. I was playing at clubs and parties and open air events in South London at the age of 14 playing rare grooves, reggae, soul and ragga but in those days you only had one turntable, one MC, one mixer, one amp and very loud speakers.
Tell us about your first set on the Space Terrace?
The first time I played at Space there were about 20 people in there. I was covering for a DJ that had not turned up. It was a Friday morning and there were more glass collectors than there were people in the club but I didn’t care because I was just happy to be playing in the best club in the world and I kept those 20 people dancing for 3 hours!
Are there any memories from the last 9 years on the Space Terrace that stick out in your mind?
Yes I have many memories….. Jocelyn Brown doing live, unscripted vocals with Skin, Jay Kay being kicked off the speaker box by the owner Pepe for dancing on it, certain celebrities releasing their sexual frustration in a small corner of the club and getting kicked out (no names mentioned), and always happy people.
2008 will be your Tenth Anniversary at Space do you have anything special lined up to celebrate?
I don’t have anything planned but you never know…….. sounds like a good idea! We might have to conjure up a party.
How would you describe the music/sound you play?
The sound I play is up-tempo, driving, big room house, with an electronic, commercial edge.
Who or What have been your biggest influences so far within your career?
My biggest influences are Fritz and Pepe of Space for making dreams come true. Ceto Geray of In Bed With Space for believing in me. Norman Jay for giving me the inspiration to hang on in when times were bad, Danny Tenaglia for advice in which way to steer my career and sticking to my principals of what I play. Erick Morillo for his adaptability and his way around his fans and other DJ’s and Matt Schwartz for his production excellence.
What exciting production projects are you working on at the moment and what do you see as your biggest production moment so far?
I don’t think it’s in my hands to say my biggest production moment, I think that is up to the people that listen to the music, but my favourite tracks that I’ve made are “Indirect Goldrush on Black Gold” 2002 and “Electrosex” on Destined in 2005. At the moment, I’m working with UMM Records, a new producer called Phil Allan on two tracks that will be released this summer, one called “Signs”, the other is as yet untitled. I’m also working with my good friend Matt Schwartz of Destined Records on a track called You Ain’t All That. I also recently released Sundays at Space a homage track to Space made with Richard Grey of Subliminal on Breathe/Cyber Recordings. Also I have released a track called This Is How We….. Rock!!! made with Damien J. Carter on Oxyd Records.
So tell us…who does Jonathan Ulysses like to be on the line up with?
I like to be on a line up with all your higher end house DJ’s from Morillo to Axwell, but I also like to be on line up with smaller lesser known DJ’s from Oliver Lang to Danny Graham.
Where do you like to party when you’re not working?
I had a great night recently at Dusted at Canvas where Hoxton Whores and Filthy Gorgeous were doing sets and followed that by going to The Egg and doing an impromptu two hour set. For me at the moment The Egg and The Cross are London’s finest.
Tell us about a night out recently?
I’m really enjoying the North of England at the moment, I played and partied at Sankeys in Manchester in December and I recently played for Mission at The Glasshouse in Leeds, and also did a Kiss Da Funk party there as well. Usually I leave the club when I finish my set but choose to hang around as I found the crowd were in real good form and really up for a good party. The promotors and the staff are so friendly – an all round excellent night.
Any tips for budding Djs trying to break it on the White Isle?
I would suggest bring a lot of music, bring a lot of money, stay focused on what your objectives are, take every opportunity to play at any given party as you never know who will be there and who will be listening. Ibiza is very free spirited and promotors, DJ’s and entertainers in the industry frequent all the parties everywhere. Try to do something different, always play new music but stay true to yourself.
One Track? This Is How We ….. Rock!!! (Ulysses/Carter) (Oxyd)
One Label? Toolrooms
One Club? Space, Ibiza
Tell us one fact we don’t know about Jonathan Ulysses?
I’m a closet MC and would one day like to take the mike with my own lyrics and musical vibe and do a mad stuntman (I like to move it, move it…….!!)
You’ve played for Dusted in the past, what do you enjoy the most about playing to the Dusted crowd?
The Dusted crowd are very responsive, musically aware, very loyal and with a good style and an “up for it” attitude. Always well presented and lots of sexy girls...
Your Top five tracks of the moment?
"Signs" (Ulysses)
"Acceptable in the 80s" (Calvin Harris)
"Snap" (Peter and Rene)
"Volta" (Robot Needs Oil)
"This is how we... Rock!!" (Ulysses/Carter)
And lastly…can you tell us a joke?
Ohhhh don’t really know any good jokes but try this one……. “Don’t panic but I’m in hospital. Ate what I thought was an onion but it was really a daffodil bulb. Don’t worry doctors say I’ll be out in the Spring!” Boom Boom.
Well that’s all for now Jonathan, thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you at Dusted on Saturday 7th April 2007
Thank you also, I’m really looking forward to coming down and playing with Norman Jay and making a good party for you guys.
If you want any more information regarding where I’ll be playing, my production or past or future compilations, please check
my website www.jonathanulysses.com or myspace www.myspace.com/jonathanulysses
