John Askew

Before his appearance on Friday 12th June Digital Society caught up with John Askew.

1. Hi John hope things are cool?

Do you read Viz? Your question reminded me of this funny comic picture in Viz a while ago. There was a man facing a woman and between them was an array of gym equipment with a load of strange hairy monsters lying around on the floor doing nothing. The man was saying to the woman “Things just aren’t working out between us”. I love that magazine. Getting back to the point. Yes, my things are all fine thanks.

2. How has 2009 been so far you?

It’s been great. Lots of new changes have happened recently which I’m really excited about.

3. What you been up to since you last graced the DS decks?

Well like I just said it’s been a big period of change. I’ve had a super cool new web site designed which is now live, and a new myspace, new monthly news letter, new facebook and a new monthly blog which are all in place. The blog seems to be generating a lot of feedback which is interesting because originally I wrote it as a private journal so that I had an archive of chapters covering my more exciting trips – something to look back on when I’m old and my memory has deteriorated even further. A friend encouraged me to make them public and so I have published 3 or 4 chapters so far. I have several others from the last four years that I haven’t quite plucked up the courage to publicise – the content being a bit more...”sensitive” shall we say. There’s an excellent one about an insane weekend in Egypt with Matt Hardwick that I’m sure people would love to read but I’m under strict instructions from a few of the people involved to leave that story untold.
With regards to the labels last year saw a load of changes in the Discover line up – with the departure of John O’Callaghan, Neal Scarborough and Greg Downey all moving on to other labels we simultaneously signed new headliners Activa, Sly One vs Jurrane and Gary Maguire. We’ve also more recently started workng with two new names – Spencer and Adam Foley – who I think are both lining up to be massive in the future. Matt and I have also been working hard on Kill The Lights which has been really well received since conception so I’m chuffed with that.

4. You have been busy in production and DJing wise? Have you any new material on the horizon?

My latest single “Vandalism” hit the shops last week and my remix of “The Vault” on Discover 50 came out this week. Also coming up is my remix of Paul van Dyk’s “The Other Side” – which is part of his “Volume” greatest hits album – which I believe will be out on Vandit in June. My remix of Gary Maguire’s “One Way” will be out in about 6 weeks on Discover and my remix of DJ Jack’s “Da Bomb” is also coming up very soon on Discover Dark. I’ve also started work on remixing a track from O’Callaghan’s album as well as the new Aly & Fila single. I have two new singles of my own which are about 90% done.
Dj wise I’ve just done the incredible Trance Energy tour in Australia which was literally insane with four massive events in four cities over four days and then I did an amazing couple of shows in South America – which were without doubt some of the best gigs of the last 8 months. Last weekend I played for Detox for the first time in Newcastle which was a bg surprise. It was a brilliant night - held in an old warehouse – which I think was originally a film studios. The set up and crowd were both amazing which was so refreshing because other than a small handful of select gigs (DS included!) the UK clubbing scene for trance is generally pretty horse shit right now.

5. Any producers out there we should be keeping an eye out for?

Sly One vs Jurrane, Gary Maguire, Adam Foley, Spencer – and of course DS fav Activa who is exploding right now. It’s also great to see Bryan Kearney finally getting the attention and recognition he deserves.

6. Who has been a major influence for you in your musical career?

CJ Bolland (specifically his album “The 4th Sign), Leftfield, Paul van Dyk, Sasha, John Digweed, DJ Dag, John O’Callaghan, Simon Patterson, Activa, Stoneface & Terminal, Reaky, Adam Beyer, Sean Tyas, Tom Colontnio, Underworld, The Filterheadz, Jeff Mills, Axel Karakasis, Sven Vath, Carl Cox, Kyau vs Albert, Bryan Kearney, Man with No Name, Bily Nasty, Giuseppe Ottaviani, NU NRG.... there’s more but I just can’t think of them right now.

7. How would you describe your DJ style and sound?

I like mixing different aspects of different tunes to try to create an energetic vibe. I like music that is predominatantly energetic and hard.

8. You been a regular at DS, what makes it such a special place to play?

I know this is an interview for DS so my answer may be seen as biased, but I can put my hand on my heart and honestly say that DS is in my view the best night in the UK right now. I’m in no way sucking your cocks (you’d have to pay good money for that), but you have managed to get all the ingredients just right and as a direct result you have a loyal following of the best kind of clubbers – energetic and musically open minded. The line ups, the programming of the night and the sound system are all perfect and I only hope that your popularity doesn’t seduce you into the idea of moving to a bigger venue because I think at least 50% of the attraction is the fact that DS has the same small intimate vibe that Turnmills used to have before The Gallery moved to MOS. In a sea of horrendous commercial cheese what has flooded the scene DS is an island where the lovers of undergound music can unite in safety. For god’s sake don’t change anything!

9. What is your most funniest/embarrassing moment as a DJ moment?

There have been quite a few. Ejecting the wrong CD, falling off the back of the stage or turning up to a gig all keen and ready to play only to fnd I’m in the wrong club. How long have you got?

10. And finally tell us a random/interesting fact about yourself?

I see dead people.