Planet Notion - ATFC Interview!

ATFC is one of the biggest names in dance music; a household name who has tasted chart-topping success and is greatly admired by those around him; DJs and dance fans alike. Despite the fact you may think certain countries haven’t heard of him or any other DJs in his field, Defected Records has recently been introducing dance to India. Yes indeed, the power of the dance now has one more country under its euphoric control! Defected Records’ brand new compilation, Defected in the House: Goa 09, has been remixed by Simon Dunmore, DJ Pearl and ATFC himself. It marks Defected’s commitment to India, and highlights the fact that the label and ATFC will be visiting Goa during the New Year for the Sunburn Festival. We caught up with ATFC to discuss life in sunny Spain, his love of House music and what the big man has in the pipeline.

Tell me a few things about ATFC that I wouldn’t necessarily know?

I was a model for a knitting magazine when I was 4. I appeared on Record Breakers, but only to ask Norris McWhirter a question in 'On the Spot'. My inside leg measurement is only 29.5 inches and no, this has nothing to do with my appearance on 'Record Breakers'. I thought House Music was rubbish until I was 23. And my real DJ idols are Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay and Trevor Nelson.

You’ve experienced a bit of a renaissance lately – would you agree? What’s inspired this?

A lot seems to have happened since I moved to Spain a year ago. The pressure of living and working in the UK was lifted and I started having more fun with music. I'd left my fancy purpose built studio back in England and began working from a spare bedroom, trying new sounds and arrangements, not caring if something was thrown together in a few hours. My mix of Dubfire's 'Roadkill' attracted a lot of attention and it marked a slight change in style for me. It came together in a couple of hours and its sound gave me inspiration for a number of other successful records that followed… Ya Killin Me, my remix of Speed Up… Tribute to the JB's… Overall though, I'd like to think the sound I've fallen on is peak time house that can stand up to most Electro and even some Techno, but with a touch of funkiness to make it accessible to a wider market.

How is the house scene different now to that of the 90’s?

It's a whole lot broader musically. The boundaries are really very blurred and as DJ's we have the luxury of being able to play Techno, Electro, House and even Breakbeat in one night. The change in the way labels sell and release their music has also made the scene a lot more democratic. It's no longer possible to get ahead as a DJ by being 'upfront' or playing music that has yet to be released; unless it's your own of course. Another massive change is the shift in attention from the US to Europe. In the 90's, the States pretty much dominated the House market, both in sales and DJ's. Obviously we always had our own stars as well, but there was a time when any American could buy 50 records, call himself a DJ and tour Europe. Now it's becoming much more global; the Australians are doing really well and it won't be long before Asia starts making waves on the dance scene as well.

Do you still have the same burning passion for music and clubs?

It's always been more about the music for me rather than the whole clubbing experience. When I first started going to clubs, it really was down to who was DJing rather than whether there were hot girls there or if it was a really cool venue. When my friends and I used to go clubbing, we would simply dance, trainspot and listen to the music. I have the same burning passion for making music that makes people dance and see the music work. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if I were a millionaire or unemployed, so I guess the answer is yes, I do have the same burning passion for music.

‘Praise to the JB’s’ is a fierce track, a Beatport no.1! What is the reaction like when you drop it?

It's great! The track has been in my CD wallet for about a year now, and I originally made it as a backing to The Jungle Brothers - I'll House You Acapella; it was something just to play out and give to a few friends. When I made 'Juss-A-Beat' for Defected, we were looking for something to include on the EP and decided to take the Jungle Brothers vocals off and simply release it as an instrumental bonus track. It's crazy that an after-thought got to Number 1 on Beatport, and even crazier considering it's just a one note samba. See kids, it only takes an index finger and a keyboard in this game!

What other things is ATFC interested in apart from music?

Being a Husband and Dad and the associated pastimes that go with that. I'm in the studio Monday to Friday and then DJing Friday and Saturday. I guess my closest other interest is Photography; I love taking good photos of my kids and I’m learning Photoshop. I went to Art College too - I guess I have an eye for these things - as I also collect paintings and sculptures from our travels. We've run out of wall space now so we’ve had to slow down. Moving to Spain has also meant that we’ve suddenly become very popular with our friends and family! We need to get revolving doors on the guest room… I enjoy a good glass of wine on the Naya and simply spending time with them.

What are the other tracks that are hitting the spot for you at the moment? Are there any on the compilation?

There are three or four of mine, including one that's forthcoming on Strictly Rhythm. I'm excited about that as it's my first release for the label that’s a cornerstone in house music history. I love Mark Trophy's ‘The Ripper’ and I've combined it with a Mike Dunn acapella that gives it a real modern day, Hip-House vibe. Also, the Laidback Luke mix of TV Rocks’ ‘Been A Long Time’ is massive for me in the clubs. Oh and not to forget my new mix of Bad Habit! Again, I did a little dub edit to play out and gave it to the Shapeshifters. They requested it for their ITH album, which has precipitated an entire re-release - including 6 mixes by myself.

Are there any plans for you to play Goa or India in the near future?

It looks like I'll be playing for Defected at the Sunburn Festival in Goa around New Year. I'm really excited as it's a whole new continent for me and I've heard great things about the dance music-scene over there. Copyright came back from a tour earlier this year and were blown away by the parties and vibe they experienced, so I have it on good authority that I'll enjoy myself.

How have you designed the mix to sound?

It had to strike the right balance between a current club set from ATFC and a CD that translates well into other environments. In the club I don't play that many vocals but a CD of banging beats just won't do. I'd say it's a pretty rounded perspective of where I'm coming from as both a DJ and a producer. I guess my track-listing is naturally going to reflect my personal taste, and therefore you'll be able to hear a little bit of me in each track, even if it isn't my recording.

What are you working on at the moment and are there any gigs you can tell us about?

I have singles coming up with singers including, Mone, Yasmeen and Rae. A collaboration with Seamus Haji featuring KC Flightt - also sideline projects with Paul Harris. This week I'm remixing Chris Lakes next single and will be starting the promotion for Bad Habit - pretty soon no doubt. Toolroom Records are due to release my ‘Bad Weed’ EP in the next few weeks. And on the DJ front, I'm away every weekend from now until January visiting, amongst others, Egypt, MOS London, Vienna, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Cardiff, Belfast, Liverpool, and hopefully ending up in Goa around the New Year!