Underwater's
hot new Dj Paul Woolford
Exclusive E-mail Interview
Paul Woolford is one of the hottest new
Dj signings to the Underwater label, he's
25, is the son of a jazz drummer and (apparently)
an Annie Lennox look alike - who boasts
to have appeared on Stars in their Eyes…(Hmm
not sure that sort of information should
be made public) He has been making tracks
since he was 15 and had his first record
signed when he was 20 - "This Last
Week" EP, released on Sweden's Anonym
Records.
Under his Wackdaddies guise, he then went
on to release, the "Fear of a Wack
Planet" album with Tony Senghore on
'Under The Counter' a fusion of house, electronica
and hip-hop sensibilities. It was widely
acclaimed throughout the industry as one
of the most forward thinking and innovative
albums of the late 1990's. Paul then hooked
up with Matt Playford (Snow Monkeys) and
Yousef (10,000BC) which led to a brace of
remixes under both pseudonyms, as well as
more remix work under his Bobby Peru moniker;
applying his magical touch to: Aphrohead,
Stella Browne, Meeker, Chocolate Puma, M1,
Hubert Hudson, Mystic 3, and, most recently,
Felix da Housekatt's "Harlot"
for City Rockers and DMC.
Paul has released four singles on 2020
Vision, including "It Ain't Where
You're From", and the most recent, "I
Can't Wait" leading to his critically
acclaimed debut album in February 2002
- "Death of a Player," on 2020
Vision.
He has also collaborated on studio projects
with Steve Mac (Rhythm Masters), Darren
Emerson, Yousef (10,000BC), Mazi (Audio
Soul Project), and Dano (Red Melon). His
releases on Credence, Subliminal, Bush,
Under The Counter, Ministry of Sound, Boo,
Nu Life and 20:20 Vision have cemented his
reputation as an important producer. Paul
has future releases lined up for Darren
Emerson's Underwater imprint with 'Out Of
My Life' - possibly Woolford's biggest release
to date and on Rhythm Masters' Disfunktional
label, Junior Sanchez's Cube imprint Stateside,
as Paul & Yousef's 10,000 BC moniker
and for their own label 'What Goes Around'.
After first acquiring a pair of turntables
at the age of 12, Paul has fiercely developed
his skills as a DJ and can proudly include
Resident at Basics, Leeds on his CV - playing
alongside some of the worlds finest DJs.
He then went on to (amongst many) playing
at The End (Underwater Parties) with Darren
Emerson, Subliminal Sessions/Underwater
@ Pacha (Ibiza) - with Emerson and Erick
Morillo, Cream (UK) and Cream (Amnesia,
Ibiza) with Yousef. As well as many other
guest spots the length and breadth of the
UK and gigs in Europe. He will play a large
part in the line-up for Underwater's summer
residency at Pacha Ibiza this year, which
will be held every Tuesday from June 24.
He made his debut appearance on Radio 1
in October 2001 with a half-hour guest 'Hot
Mix' on Danny Rampling's Lovegroove Dance
Party, who, alongside Tong, Fontaine, Yousef
and Lottie has played and supported Paul's
production work and remixes over the space
of his 43 release career (and counting!)...More
recently he guested as the Hot mixer for
Pete Tong's Essential Selection.
Paul is currently establishing his head
A&R role at What Goes Around - a
label in conjunction with Yousef and
Dave Beer. Paul also plays an on-going
integral role in Play Music, Leeds' leading
independent dance music retailer.
Having said all this Clubdates sent
him an e-mail interview, wanna know the
answers? Check it all out below…
1. First of all how would you describe
your music style?
PW:- Quality House Music
2. How did you first get into Dj'ing? Or
who introduced you? Or what record first
made you feel I want to be a Dj?
PW:- Started buying records
at 8, saw "Beat
Street" and decided I wanted to
be a DJ aged 12.
3. Of all the Dj's and recording artists
who do you think has given you drive and
consistently influenced you?
PW:- Various people over time but for
the last 2-3 years I've always checked
for Derrick Carter and The Neptunes'
work.
4. Of all the newer, up and coming Dj's
who do you think is going to go the distance?
PW:- Of anyone I've heard it would be
Mathew Krysko.
5. If you could be another Dj who would
you be and why?
PW:- NO ANSWER
6. What's the most extreme place or the
weirdest place you have ever Dj'd? (For
our on going article on Extreme clubbing)
PW:- The most extreme would be Romania
for the sheer difference between
cultures and people. Many places are
different geographically but you meet
the people and things are instantly familiar.
With Romania the people were
strange... I'm sure it had something to
do with this particular bunch
though...
7. Does politics or a strong belief
you have, ever influence the style of
music you play or the kind of records
you buy?
PW:- NO ANSWER
8. Where is the least most appreciative
audience you have ever played?
PW:- NO ANSWER
9. What makes Ibiza so special to you?
PW:- Combination of utter over-the-top
indulgence and total relaxation.
10. How different is the dance scene
in Ibiza to the rest of the world?
PW:- Over time it has changed but one
thing I have noticed is it has
attracted certain types of punters whose
minds and ears are maybe not as
open as in other places, especially over
the last 2 years. There are more
things to dance music than European progressive
house!!!!!!!
11. What the best after party you have
been to and whose was it?
PW:- There's amazing parties all
the time but what's important is having
your closest friends there. Whose the party
is really doesn't matter. Good times are
about friendship.
12. What the best night you have had
on the island?
PW:- Too many to pick one.
13. What's the weirdest request any one
has every asked during a gig?
PW:- "Can you get on the mike and
ask where my best friend is ?" Some
people just don't get it at all.
14. Most enjoyable moment?
PW:- Probably playing Clubland, Buenos
Aires at Pacha this year. A perfect
gig.
15. What's the loudest gig you have ever
played?
PW:- NO ANSWER
16. What age of clubbers do you think
parties the hardest?
PW:- Impossible to say....
17. What's your favourite tune to play
for 3am
PW:- Slater Hogan & John Larner " Caught
Out" on Hip Therapist Music
18. What's your most dangerous DJ'ing moment?
PW:- NO ANSWER
19. Is there life after DJ'ing? I mean
can you see yourself spinning tunes in an
old people's home with a few old mates,
tripping over their colostomy bags etc.
What do you intend to do?
PW:- Keep playing and producing records.
Probably gradually spend a lot more time
in the studio as the years go by.
20. What are you up to next ie:- Recording
wise, DJ, any new you can tell us about
projects?
PW:- Working on new material as
Bobby Peru for 2020 Vision and a longer
term LP project in collabration with Howie
B. Plus plenty more dancefloor 12s including
one for Derrick Carter and Luke Soloman's
Classic label.
Many thanks Paul for taking the time to
do this interview with us, we wish you all
the luck in the future …
