John Askew

VIEW LONDON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR GALLERY ARTISTS

1. How did you get into DJing?

I don’t recall.

2. What makes your style of DJing unique?

I play mostly my own music, remixes or reworks and I guess there is always a very rapid turn over of tracks to keep things exciting.

3. What do you like to do when you’re not DJing?

Climbing in the Brecon Beacons or Lake District with my mates. Either that or wank and watch the racing.

4. What music do you listen to?

Everything from metal to trance and techno. I like music that is hard, with attitude but also melodic and funky. Most listened to albums in my car right now are Slipknot’s “All Hope is Gone”, Leftfield “Leftism”, Activa “This World” and Queens of The Stoneage “Era Vulgaris”.

5. Who’s on your DJ dream team?

DJ Dag, Dave Clarke, Paul van Dyk, John Digweed, Activa, John O’Callaghan, Gary Maguire, Sly One vs Jurrane, Adam Foley, Simon Patterson, Sean Tyas, Matt Hardwick, Reaky, Axel Karasis, Aly & Fila, Akesson, Astrix, Sasha, Carl Cox, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Zak Frost, Lazersonic, Adam Beyer, Eddie Halliwell, Jeff Mills, Javier Bussola, Ben Gold, Plump Djs, Stanton Warriors.

6. What was the most expensive night you’ve ever enjoyed in London? And who was paying?

It was at ministry in about 2002. I think 4 of us had a bar bill at the of the night of about 1500 quid. An extremely kind friend of mine insisted on paying so I don’t spend a penny. Thank Christ.

7. And the cheapest?

Same as above.

8. What’s your favourite festival?

Nature One in Germany.

9. What’s the most unique venue in London in your opinion?

Definitely the men’s toilets on Clapham common. As well playing host to a truly delicious aroma that can only be described as classic eau de toilet I’ve heard its a great place to catch celebrities hanging out - literally.

10. Describe your perfect day and night in London, naming venues – restaurants, bars, etc.

It would need to be in the Summer and it would need to be with all of my closest crew present. Starting with breakfast at the Rapscallion in Clapham (best eggs Benedict ever) then on to Hyde park with a sack of bad things, some good friends and an ice box full of obscenely cold beers. Early evening cocktails at the Sanderson (www.sandersonlondon.com) then on to St John’s (www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk) for dinner before going to see Digweed for 8 hours at Fabric. A day like that would be pretty hard to beat. In The Bag questions:

1. 5 tracks that the John Askew recommends, with the name of the artist, the title of the song and a sentence or two of description as to why he likes playing it.

1.	John Askew “Bad Apple” – my new single – I’ve been playing both the orig and the Sly One vs Jurrane remixes loads but all 4 versions I love.
2.	Sensorica “Masta of Sound” – got sent this last week and played it at both my gigs in Australia/New Zealand at the weekend. Really uplifting track with a cool cut up vocal sample looping. Amazing.
3.	Paul van Dyk “Home” (Askew rework) Amazing track with an amazing vocal and melody. I’ve just added my own bass line, kick drum and fx + edited a few sections about to give it a more personalised feel.
4.	Adam Foley “Fourteen Falls” – forthcoming on Discover.This is absolutely massive. As featured on my new mix album which you should all obviously go and buy immediately www.enhancedrecordings.com
5.	John O’Callaghan “Don’t look Back” (John Askew remix) – another shamless plug of my own stuff but it really has been doing the damage at all my recent shows.

2. 1 track that John Askew recommends to start the night, 1 to keep the energy levels up and 1 to end the night, each with the name of the artist, the title of the song and a sentence or two of description.

Start the night track – I have been starting my sets with an intro mash up I’ve made that incorporates 3 old classics – Tim & Misjah’s “Access”, Empirion “Narcotic Influence” and Josh Wink’s “Higher State of Consciousness”
the night track – has to be the orig mix of Sly One’s “This Late Stage”. Gut wrenchingly lush melody to have people sobbing their eyes out.