Paul Oakenfold
Published Date
The story of Paul Oakenfold
Hi Paul, first of all, I have to say that it's a huge honor that comes from the heart for me and for the DJ News Magazine's team to receive an electronic music legend such as yourself.
What you've done and what you keep on doing now will leave an indelible imprint in the evolution of this music and I think that it will be forever grateful about all you gave it.
DJ News Mag : But before talking about that, how are you?
Paul Oakenfold : At this time things are going really well, I am 2 years into my residency, & with over 3,500 people attending every w/e, Also im very close to finishing my artist album called Pop Killer, with some great guests including, infected mushroom, bob, Red Hot Chilli Peppers & c-lo.
I don't know where to start Paul, there are so many things to say about you but first of all, I would like to thank two people whom are important to you I think, Suzie Del Vecchio and Robert Vadney.
Without them, this interview would have probably never existed and I want them to know that I'll eternally be grateful for that.
DJ News Mag : I usually ask those I interview to introduce themselves but with you, I believe we would need pages and pages to review your biography. What could you simply say about a man who geniously revolutionized the electronic music and above all, how did you get into music?
Paul Oakenfold : I got into music through my father & had a love for it at a very early age.
DJ News Mag : You started your career as a producer in 1988, in particular with your friend Steve Osbourne, at this moment, could you imagine that you would mark the history of electronic music forever the way you did, so brilliantly?
Paul Oakenfold : No, i didn’t. I just have a genuine love & passion for what i do.
DJ News Mag : When you came back from Ibiza in the summer 1984, you've been suffering a crushing defeat in trying to launch your own club, the Fun House, because the Balearic's mind you wanted to give was too strange at this time.
Has this failure been an electroshock that made you draw forces from yourself, which helped you not to give up and to be the one you are now?
Paul Oakenfold : Yes it has, we were too ahead of the game. Alot of the time, timing is really important.
DJ News Mag : In 1993, you did the warm up of U2 during their Zooropa world tour, breaking out stadiums full of tens of thousands people with a disconcerting insurance, did it help you to promote yourself and to be known worldwide?
Paul Oakenfold : It was a stepping stone in my Dj, career, to open for U2 & play to a rock audience. With that experience, when ive been asked to support Madonna, lenny kravitz & chilli peppers, i drew from that experience.
Perfecto
DJ News Mag : Talking about you and Steve Osbourne, you created this special label known all around the world, Perfecto Records, what is your look on your child (creation) and what about the proudness you must be feeling about it (label)?
Paul Oakenfold : I’m very proud to run one of the foremost forward thinking electronic labels in the world.
DJ News Mag : Nowadays, Suzie Del Vecchio, Sandra Collins, Jan Johnston, Robert Vadney, Adam White, Kenneth Thomas, Infected Mushroom, Joey Modus, Hernan Cattaneo, Nat Monday, Spitfire and Bad Apples work for Perfecto, what's your feeling about the evolution of your pupils?
Paul Oakenfold : It’s always good to embrace new talent & help them develop, & support them through their journeys.
DJ News Mag : You have pointed out Adam White as the revelation of the year 2009, how did he touch yourself so that you do him this honour?
Paul Oakenfold : I think he, apart from being very young, he has a lot of knowledge & understanding of what works in the studio. He’s a good dj & if he works hard & gets the breaks, he will do really well. (7&perhaps get a good agent)
DJ News Mag : From what I heard, what you've built with Perfecto Records is much more than a team of artists with promising talents, it's a real family where everyone respects each other and pushes the other to the top.
How do you feel about being that much revered and respected by people around you?
Paul Oakenfold : It’s very important to give, & thats one of the qualities of Perfecto records, that the artists help one another.
DJ News Mag : Your radio show, Perfecto On Tour is truly a breath of fresh air among the countless electronic music radio shows available today, what's this magic that emanates from it and where can our readers listen to it?
Paul Oakenfold : Its a melodic show based on music i like & music i feel the listeners/fans should be aware of. It can be heard mainly on serius Satelite radio out of the U.s.
In the privacy of Paul Oakenfold
DJ News Mag : Foremost, I would like to know who is the man behind this name, what makes you live, what makes you look ahead every day, what pushes you to go even further to keep on evolving in the world of electronic music with so much audacity and genius?
Paul Oakenfold : The challenge of pushing the boundaries of electronic music. For the last 6 years i have taken a conscious effort to focus on scoring film & a lot less djing. These are where a lot of challenges lie for me.
DJ News Mag : Is it the reason why you still have the same passion when you play in front of your public and the same love to give to your music?
Paul Oakenfold : I truly love djing & because i don’t dj a lot the passion is still there.
DJ News Mag : You, who have done much for the development of trance in the 90s and 2000, what do you think about its current trends and which new DJ/producers have the potential to succeed, according to you?
Paul Oakenfold : It’s always important to embrace new trends, & i would say Robert Vadney & Kenneth Thomas are two names to look out for.
DJ News Mag : If you had to choose the 5 most memorable moments in your professional and musical life, which ones would they be and why?
Paul Oakenfold :
1. Opening for U2. Playing in football stadiums.
2. Djing on the great wall of china.
3. Supporting Madonna on her world tour.
4. Being the 1st dj to play Hollywood bowl.
5. Doing my own show on Clapham common where 71,000 turned up.
DJ News Mag : Has the fact of collaborating with artists such as Depeche Mode, U2, Radiohead, Madonna, The Cure, Massive Attack, Justin Timberlake and many others helped you to personally and professionally evolve?
Paul Oakenfold : Yes it has, working with that calibre of artists you are bound to learn from the experience.
DJ News Mag : What amazes me the most is seeing nowadays people who were just 10 years old in the late 90s when you were number 1 in the world, saying "You know Paul Oakenfold, it appears that he is a god, he produces massive tracks and incredible compilations?".
How do you explain the fact of touching all generations and those to come?
Paul Oakenfold : As i said earlier i think it’s good to embrace change & always look forward. This is a big thing for me.
DJ News Mag : Given your impressive discography, which artwork is the one you're the most proud of?
Paul Oakenfold : Bunkka, it’s unique & stands alone.
DJ News Mag : Speaking about your tracks, you who revolutionized trance in the 90's, passing by two tracks by the best DJs worldwide on DJ Mag Top 100, there is a question I would like to ask you.
When you came back from Ibiza in 1984, your music which put together discs of rock, rap and dance did not work in the UK but finally, after the releases of Bunka, Lively Mind and your upcoming Pop Killer, aren't you back to your sources in order to close the loop even if Bunka and especially Lively Mind had more trancyl connotations?
Paul Oakenfold : Yes, in a way.
DJ News Mag : The music irremediably brought you many good things in life but what did it also take away, what are the sacrifices you've had to do?
Paul Oakenfold : They are, your living on the road not having stability & regulalarity. Not seeing my family as much as i’d like to.
DJ News Mag : Finally, I'm wondering what does an ordinary day with Paul Oakenfold look like?
Paul Oakenfold : Breakfast LUNCH & DINNER.
Las Vegas
DJ News Mag : Last year, you've celebrated the first anniversary of your residency within the club Rain in the casino PALMS at Las Vegas, a place where you play every Saturday of each week, how did this collaboration happen?
Paul Oakenfold : I was looking for a residency & I‘d offers from NY & LA but i felt Vegas was right for the kinda party i wanted to do.
DJ News Mag : You're particularly fond of Las Vegas and the American open-mind about electronic music (all genres), do you find anything more in Las Vegas that you don't find anywhere else?
Paul Oakenfold : Las Vegas is the Ibiza of America but with a lot more going on. & i enjoy the challenge of trying to start something new in America.
DJ News Mag : You came back last year on the front of the scene with an outstanding compilation mixed as only you can do. What's the story of Perfecto Vegas, was it made in order to thank those who follow and cheer you at the Rain?
Paul Oakenfold : It was to give people who couldn’t attend the club an idea of what was being played & why it was becoming so popular.
His projects
DJ News Mag : Early, we quickly recalled the impending release of your new solo album, Pop Killer, what can you tell us about this album with a little exclusive info for DJ News Magazine?
Paul Oakenfold : It’s a very melodic record. I’ve been working with a lot of soul singers & I’ve come up with a new sound that i like to call urban house.
DJ News Mag : After all you've done, how do you see the continuation of your career, are there collaborations you absolutely want to make before your retire or are you still ready to overturn us with happiness during the years to come?
Paul Oakenfold : I enjoy collaborations, theres still a lot of film work i will be doing. But at the moment i need to concentrate on finishing pop killer.
DJ News Mag : And our famous question, a quick word about DJ News Magazine?
Paul Oakenfold : Well dj news mag is the most informed & cutting edge mag available.
DJ News Mag : Thank you, really a big thank you for the time shared together and I can only wish you good continuation, hoping that your new album will be greeted with all the respect it deserves.
Paul Oakenfold : P.s. Apart from pop killer i will finally be releasing my classic Essential “goa mix” with some additional new tracks