If you have ever wanted to be a superstar DJ, playing the likes of Ibiza Rocks then you have come to the right place.
We caught up with DJ Dan, creator of DJ collective Propaganda before his slot supportng The Kooks at tonight's Ibiza Rocks gig to seek his advice for how to make it behind the decks, what it is like playing in Ibiza and which particular lady and her machine he wants see throw on some tunes at one of his club nights...
Q: Have you been to Ibiza before?
A: I have been to Ibiza probably about 8 times this season, bringing Propaganda out to Ibiza and here at Ibiza Rocks. I came out in June when Soulwax were playing live and had an amazing time. Tonight, I am playing before The Kooks and it should be really good.
Q: What’s the best thing about Ibiza?
A: There are so many good things about the island. It has such a party vibe and everyone is out to have a good time and when we are djing with Propaganda out here the dance floor is amazing and everyone is looking to celebrate. With the gigs at Ibiza Rocks, they are really special and you don’t have it in any other country that a band plays by a swimming pool and it’s a unique and special setting. It’s just an incredible place.
Q: Why would you tell other people to come to Ibiza? Would you recommend it?
A: I recommend coming to Ibiza to anyone as it’s a real party island and you get to see bands that you would normally see in a lot larger venues in an intimate setting by a swimming pool at a hotel. They have had The Prodigy this year who normally play to 65,000 people in England but here they were playing to 2,000 people in the Ibiza Rocks hotel its very special.
Q: Do you have your essentials for Ibiza this summer?
A: Unfortunately, I haven’t put on any suntan lotion and I really need to put some on as the sun is out in full force today. I have brought my sunglasses and I think that sunglasses and suntan lotion are essential when coming to Ibiza. Not forgetting a short sleeve shirt as well, it has got to be done.
Q: As you are regular on the white isle, do you have a song that reminds you of Ibiza?
A: If I had to think of a song to describe Ibiza it would be Noah and the Whale Five Years Time for the line ‘Sun, sun, sun’ as I think it really describes the beautiful sunny atmosphere.
Q: As you mentioned The Kooks are headlining tonight, are you looking forward to seeing them?
A: Yes, I will be djing just before The Kooks, which I am really looking forward to and I am also playing their aftershow party and I have never actually seen The Kooks live before so it should be quite good.
Q: You are part of DJ collective Propaganda, can you tell us a little bit more about it?
A: Propaganda is UK and Ireland’s biggest Indie night we have over 10,000 people coming to our club nights across 10 cities. We are fortunate enough to come out to Ibiza to DJ over summer and I will be djing tonight with Dangerous and we are really looking forward to playing and to be out in Ibiza to play somewhere a little bit different. It is great djng for Propaganda at club venues but it is really nice to play outdoors like Ibiza Rocks and play somewhere a bit special.
Q: You have been djing for a long time, is there any advice you would pass on to new aspiring DJ’s?
A: It’s quite funny as I never intended to become a DJ. Obviously, I always wanted a job in the music industry but I never saw myself becoming a full time DJ. I started Propaganda in a tiny 200 capacity club and never thought it would become my full time job but since then it has become not only my full time job but other peoples and I think it worked because I was doing something I really believed in and was passionate about music and launched Propaganda in a tiny venue and it grew and I think any DJ should get themselves out there and be heard and start doing their own thing and hopefully it will grow from that. You need to find somewhere to play, start your own night and promote it yourself and hopefully it will just grow.
Q: Is there anyone out there in the music scene that you would really like to work with?
A: We have a lot of guest DJ’s at Propaganda. Lily Allen has dj’d for us as well as Alex Zane, Zane Lowe, Pigeon Detective, Vampire Weekend but I would really like to get Florence and the Machine to DJ for Propaganda as she is big character and I think she would be really good behind the decks. Also Mumford & Sons, they haven’t DJ’d for us yet and I would be really interested to see what they
Watch MTV News on the hour every hour on MTV - Sky Channel 126 and Virgin Channel 311