“THE year started off with a fantastic gig in Cordoba that I loved so much I released the mix as an album through my label,” says Top 100 mainstay John Digweed, whose loaded schedule has also taken him through South America, Australia, Asia, Europe and the US. Singling out Germany’s Timewarp Festival and the monthly Bedrock London residency at XOYO as 2012 highlights, he also sings the praises of Barcelona’s El Row and Saturdays at Ibiza’s Vista Club. “The costumes people are wearing and the overall vibe of the place is off the hook,” he says. Diggers has still found time to beam his weekly Transitions radio show to over 14 million people in
MARK KNIGHT
WITH his Toolroom label, Mark Knight was among the first to see the opportunities offered by the likes of Beatport. “I think you now need to look at all forms of media and be involved in as many platforms as possible,” he tells DJ Mag. “You have to be adaptable and progressive to embrace this and succeed.” Mark’s DJ sets have seen him visit new horizons in 2012. “I went to India for the first time this year, what a fascinating place!” he tells us. “I have always been intrigued by the culture and history of the
Style: “House.” Best known for: “Toolroom.” Tune of 2012: “Eric Prydz mix of M83 ‘Midnight City’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Both Wehbba and Mihalis Safras have been one-men music-making machines this year.”
country and would love to take my son when he is old enough to explore further.”
Next year is Toolroom Records’ 10th anniversary. “2013 is the year I finally drop my first artist album, along with a full live show,” Mark says. “We have some really exciting plans to mark the occasion... watch this space!” DAVID MCCARTHY
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “I quite like the idea of being Thor and whacking stuff with his hammer, and what a great name…’THOR’.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “Of course, you should play to the crowd, that’s the job of a DJ, and let’s not forget that. Obviously, don’t put yourself in a situation you wouldn’t be comfortable in, for example, don’t take a booking at Oceana in Burnley if you play minimal tech!” What does EDM mean to you? “Didn’t someone once say, ‘House is a feeling’? It’s not a name. Does it really matter what people call it, as long as they are enjoying this amazing genre we love?” Should celebrities be DJs? “Who am I to say what people should or shouldn’t do? I wouldn’t like it if someone told me I couldn’t do something I fancied trying. Should DJs be actors?” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “No, never, I take my job very seriously and I believe you’re only as good as your last gig.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “I always think DJing is 20% skill and 80% psychology. With all the technology available now, we could probably teach your nan to mix in an afternoon. But would you then put her on in the Box at Ministry at 3am? I don’t think so.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “Los Angeles, because of the explosion of EDM culture and the massive influx of artists and DJs from all over the world who have relocated there.”
tyle: “Electronic music with soul.” Best known for: “Bedrock Records and club nights.” Tune of 2012: “Diego Hostettler & Absent ‘She’s Not Worth It (Alexander Kowalski Remix)’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Jozif.”
50 countries, and put together the 14th Bedrock mix compilation. “I think [2012] has been a great year for underground music and I think 2013 will be even better,” he adds. IAN ROULLIER
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If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “Waverider: he can travel through time and predict a person’s future by touching them. I could travel to the best parties in the future but also in the past, and if it’s shit you can make yourself invisible and leave.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “You should play music from the heart first. I don’t play to the crowd, but my crowd expect to hear good new music.” What does EDM mean to you? “It has been created so journal- ists in the USA can understand a term for electronic music rather than call it club music.” Should ce- lebrities be DJs? “Give them a laundry list of the top 10 tunes to play in that order and people will lap it up.“ Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Never.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “Beat matching is only part of being a DJ, track selection and the ability to read the crowd are just as, if not more, important.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “South America.”