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Friday, 16 May, 2008

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Do you have more than two brain cells? So do these people.

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Designersblock

In 1998, Piers Roberts and Rory Dodd set up SAME, the first contemporary design retailer on Brick Lane in East London, selling UK and Scandinavian designs ranging from furniture to lighting. Later that year, they set up Designersblock, a creative enterprise that curates design shows in innovative architectural sites, and acts as a platform for designers both new and established to showcase their work. When Designersblock launched in London, it brought together work by 35 companies from eight countries, gained a massive following and whipped up a media frenzy. Since 2000, they have been taking Designersblock far and wide, producing and curating shows in cities across the globe, often providing a fresh and well-acclaimed alternative to major design events and trade shows. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON RECENTLY ANDWHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF 2006/2007? We've been doing shows all over this year; we did ashow in the streets of the Meat packing district in New York, we've also been in Frankfurt and Milan,and we launched Designersblock Istanbul during their Design Week out there. In September, we launched the Designersblock club in Shoreditch,which saw 15 bands, loads of DJs, and a lot ofdancing over a five-night stretch. Yr Mum ya Dadand Princess Julia DJ-ed, and Cantankerous and Paris Motel performed, who were all brilliant. We also showcased a singer called David Sugar, who'snot famous yet, but really ought to be. He doesloads of back flips and plays the Gameboy! More music-based events are definitely on the cards forus, and we'll hopefully make that a monthly event next year. We've just got back from Japan, where we have been doing shows for the past six years,and which is always incredible. Tokyo is so whatwe're about; anything and everything is possibleout there. Its so cutting edge, and we always lovefinding out what people over there are seeing,doing, and wearing, because it's just so different and amazing. As for the rest of the year and into 2007, it'll be ever more shows, ever more countries to branch out into and celebrate. ARE THERE ANY MUSICAL ARTISTS OR BANDS YOU ARE A FAN OF AND WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH? We have good connections with the music business, and we know loads of bands on the brink of massive success. We love the idea of having more bands play at our creative events. Bands love performing in unusual venues, which is essentially what we are about. We want to work with The Noisettes, and although we haven't managed to see them yet, I imagine they'd be incredible in one of our spaces. Their singer Shingai Shoniwa has got a wicked voice, and they're berserk. We also really want to work with The Mystery Jets; we very nearly had them and Amy Winehouse playing at one of our events in September, which we would've loved,but unfortunately they'd been touring for ages and needed to take a night off. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU COLLECT OBSESSIVELY? We try not to collect things too obsessively. We get as much pleasure out of throwing things away as keeping them. But if I had to say one thing, I'd say Designersblock t-shirts! DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PROJECTS YOU’VE WORKED ON OR FAVOURITE COUNTRIES YOU’VE WORKED IN? Our project in Selfridge's in 2002 was amazing. We worked with loads of designers and did installations for all 17 of their front windows, so we had our very own little Designersblock on Oxford Street. More recently, we loved working in Turkey, and look forward to doing more shows out there. Istanbul is such a vibrant city, and so geopolitically interesting, situated as it is on the brink of both Europe and Asia. Because of its situation, it’s also a place of fascinating crossover in terms of creative impulse and direction. We'd really like to do more projects in Korea, which is almost madder than Japan in a way. It's really rough around the edges, which makes for fascinating designers and shows. WHO DO YOU SEE AS YOUR CONTEMPORARIES AND WHO DO YOU RATE? There isn't really anybody else doing what we're doing. We rate anyone who tends towards creating ore exciting environments in which to promote, showcase and celebrate creativity. www.designersblock.org.uk WORDS: KATE ABBOTT

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Dougal Wilson

After studying Astro-physics at Durham University, Dougal joined the Leith Agency in Edinburgh as a copywriter. He wrote ads, won lots of awards and started to direct. Three years ago he joined Blink in London. His ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. He has won Best Music Video Director at the CADS for two years running. His eclectic slate of videos has included work for Dizzee Rascal, Will Young, The Streets, Basement Jaxx, Badly Drawn Boy and Benny Benassi through Colonel Blimp. The last year has also seen Dougal show the full range of his talents as a commercials director. His most recent work includes Becks (for Leo Burnett), Vodafone (for BBH), Amnesty International (for Mother) and Orange (for Fallon). He has recently featured in Shots, Creative Review, The Face, Dazed & Confused, Boards USA and Promo Magazine where his work made the front cover three times within the last year. Dougal's awards so far include numerous entries in the D&AD Annual, a nomination for Best New Director at the British Television Advertising Craft Awards, several CADS Awards and the Best Video at The Rushes Soho Shorts Festival for two years in a row. Dougal is the renaissance man of Blink. His work is always strongly idea driven. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF 2006? Well, I’ve only just finished two music videos - onefor Basement Jaxx - 'Take Me Back to Your House'and one for Badly Drawn Boy - 'Nothing's GonnaChange Your Mind'. I think they're just about togo on TV. The Basement Jaxx one has Cossackdancers in it, and the Badly Drawn Boy one has himdriving a car which has a piano keyboard insteadof a steering wheel. Colin MacIntyre from TheMull Historical Society kindly gave me the idea forthat one. Colin has a new album coming out soon,which everyone should buy. Now I’m "pitching"on some new jobs - a new music video, and someadverts. This involves me listening to a track andtrying to think of an idea for it, or getting an advertscript and deciding how I would film it. ARE THERE ANY MUSICAL ARTISTS/BANDS YOU ARE A FAN OF AND WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH? I've been listening to Midlake and would love to do a video for them. Would also like to do a Teenage Fanclub video. And Bjork. I think I'd be quite nervous making a video for a band I was a huge fan of, in case I messed it up and it ruined everything. I had a chance to do a Brian Wilson video once and I completely squandered it because I was so busy doing something else but also because I was so nervous. I'm not sure Brian was going to be in it though. The Durutti Column have always been one of my favourite bands, but I'm not sure they'd ever want a video. I’m a big fan of Tunnock's Caramel Wafers so I’d love to do a nice advert for them. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU COLLECT OBSESSIVELY? WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING YOU HAVE COLLECTED? I'm not really much of a collector. I used to be very into old synthesizers - I had a Roland Juno 60, a Jen SX1000, a Realistic ConcertMoog, a Wurlitzer electric piano and a Roland SH-101. Quite a few. But they took up too much room, so I sold them all. I still have a Casio VL-tone which I've had since I was nine and is what Trio used on 'Da Da Da'. I take quite a lot of photos, so I suppose that's a bit of a collection. I've got quite a good collection of Joni Mitchell vinyl. One of my favourite things is The Durutti Column LP called 'Without Mercy', which has a beautiful cover. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PROJECTS YOU’VE WORKED ON OR CLIENTS YOU’VE WORKED WITH? I really enjoyed the video I did for Klonhertz (which no one has heard of). We made everything out of paper. I also enjoyed the Dizzee Rascal video shoot because the giant puppet costumes were quite amusing. One of my friends is pathologically scared of puppets and I would have loved her to be there. I really enjoyed the Basement Jaxx video because we shot it in Kiev (where the Cossack dancers were) which was very different and interesting. They had a real Soviet T-34 tank which we drove through the wall of the set. WHO DO YOU SEE AS YOUR CONTEMPORARIES AND WHO DO YOU RATE? I saw Matt Kirkby's new short - Hard to Swallow - the other night which I thought was great. I also really like Keith Bearden's short.

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Annie Mac

It's a dreary Monday morning and I'm trying to do a million things at once before I head to my best mate's wedding in Ireland and then to Ibiza for a week of partying (and DJing). Quite telling of me which one I put first there. This weekend was nice and relaxed which was needed as I've been away a lot and DJing loads. I took advantage of my free time and went shopping. Thinking about it now, I managed to purchase two rather conflicting things: a watering can and a CDJ. Yes, I think that reflects the dichotomous nature of my life at the moment. On one level I'm potting chrysanthemums and starting to collect Dulux colour cards and on the other hand I’m DJing and now, finally, I own two CDJs. I’ve been DJing with more and more CDs and less and less records lately... to the point where I’m getting cocky and seeing how small a DJ bag I can bring with me when I play overseas. It all ended badly recently in Derry recently when I ran out of records and had to play half an hour of indie classics which sounded slightly odd after an hour and a half of banging disco house music. I learnt my lesson fast. This week started in a studio in central London interviewing Basement Jaxx. They asked me to interview them for their website around their new album 'Crazy Itch Radio'. It was cool to finally meet and chat to them. I'm proud to say that for the first time in my life I’ve got my own album coming out! It's called The A-Z of Annie Mac and it’s coming out on the Sunday Best label. It's a double album with every track representing a letter from the alphabet, ie Q-Tip for Q, Royksopp for R, The Similou for S. It was very interesting putting it together. There were many sleepless nights involved, with letters and tunes flying around my head. Trying to fit the tracks in and around each other felt like doing some sort of music crossword but with no right or wrong answers at the end. Finally it's done and out this month. I'm doing a big DJ tour around the release called Annie Mac Presents... It involves getting all my favourite DJs into my favourite clubs and putting on big parties across the UK every weekend for about three months. I did the tour last year and it was such a success, we had Stuart Price playing on Boxing Day in Belfast with reindeer antlers on his head, Erol Alkan shaking the mixer over his head in the middle of a storming set at Chibuku Shake Shake in Liverpool and Mylo DJing in a full basketball kit for a dare in Fabric. I can't wait to get back out on the road again. This year it's more of the same. I've got Switch, Erol Alkan, Justice, High Contrast, Simian Mobile Disco, Andy C, Justice, Pendulum, Digitalism and many more playing alongside me all over the UK starting this month. You can check out all the dates on my myspace: www.myspace.com/anniemac16 I am completely addicted to myspace. When I can't sleep at night I get up, switch on my computer and get sucked into a vacuum. I pimp my page, nose around people's friends, check out music and come away three hours later wide eyed and sleep deprived wondering what happened. The only other thing left to talk about is BBC Radio 1. I've been given two new radio shows which both start at the end of September. The first is on Sundays at 9pm and is going to be a one stop shop for all things "youf" culture. The second is a Friday night party show, with me at the helm playing a mash up of dance music, from d&b to disco to breakbeat to bootybass to new rave to electro house. I love being on the radio. There's such a thrill when the on-air sign lights up and you know that hundreds of thousands of people are going about their business listening to the tunes you're playing. Roll on Friday nights! ANNIE MACMANUS / ANNIE MAC ON BBC RADIO 1 THURSDAY NIGHTS 9PM - 11PM A TO Z: ANNIE MAC IS RELEASED THROUGH SUNDAY BEST ON SEPTEMBER 11TH

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Izzie Klingels

Izzie Klingels studied Fine Art at Chelsea and founded Lazy Eye shortly after graduating in 1993. Lazy Eye created films for numerous clubs and record labels including the Heavenly Social and toured worldwide with bands as diverse as Death in Vegas, The Aloof and Beth Orton. In 2002, Izzie co-founded Hey Ladies fanzine and began to illustrate around the same time. Her work has appeared in Dazed and Confused, Nylon, Elle, Carlos, Stand Off and Creative Review, and she has been featured in British Vogue. She has also been profiled in books including 'Hand to Eye' (Laurence King Publishing) a book on contemporary illustration, and the accompanying Magma exhibition. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF 2006? I've just finished an album cover for Garden, which is one of the current projects of Simon Lord from Simian. I’m currently directing a video project for Topshop and Topman, doing the sleeve art for the Ping Pong Bitches forthcoming album and making illustrations for an animated commercial. I'm also trying to find the time (and discipline) to keep working on a series of drawings that will eventually become my second solo exhibition (the first was at The Social in December 2005). At the moment I’m experimenting with technique, trying to think more about the way I draw rather than what I draw. My drawings are very labour intensive. I worked out that there are between 100,000 and half a million dots in each image. My ambition for 2006 is to pass the million mark. ARE THERE ANY MUSICAL ARTISTS/BANDS YOU ARE A FAN OF AND WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH? If I could have been around to do something withThe Velvet Underground I could have died happy. At the moment I really like the new record by The Knife and I want to work with a new band called The Black Ghosts. I also want to do the sleeve for my 15 year old niece's band called The Lipstick Killers. Her name is Sophie and I've already drawn her (the girl in stars n' stripes). She's a very cool young lady. I just saw The Horrors and I think they are the most perfect looking band I’ve ever seen. Beauty such as theirs deserves to be photographed but I’d like to draw what they’re thinking about when they're dancing. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU COLLECT OBSESSIVELY? WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING YOU HAVE COLLECTED? I don't really collect anything obsessively, but I do have a lot of books and shoes. I really like old Penguin books, especially the Penguin Classic series from the 60s. My favourite is a 60s edition of Iron in the Soul by Sartre. The cover is a detail of Picasso's The War and the book is about the point in the Second World War when France falls to the Nazis. It’s a brilliant book and a beautiful cover. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PROJECTS YOU’VE WORKED ON OR CLIENTS YOU’VE WORKED WITH? I recently designed some masks for Coco De Mer. They are basically masks for people to have sex in, which in itself is pretty cool. One is made of printed moulded leather and the other is screen printed, embroidered and beaded silk. It was amazing to see my drawings applied to something 3D and I really like the way the finished products look. I like to think that they’ve given some people a lot of pleasure. WHO DO YOU SEE AS YOUR CONTEMPORARIES AND WHO DO YOU RATE? Lizzie Finn, Nina Chakrabarti, Giovanna Cellini, Will Sweeney, Susumu Mukai, Fergadelic, Parra, David Foldvari and Cecilia Carlstedt are all illustrators that I respect and admire. WWW.PCP-AGENCY.COM

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James Joyce

James Joyce is an artist/designer living and working in Central London. He founded his own studio One Fine Day at the start of this year and recently held an exhibition of his work at the Carhartt flagship store in Central London (which ran from February to May) as well as being part of other group shows. He has produced work for a variety of clients as well as producing his own limited edition artworks. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF 2006? I'm working on an animated music promo for a track by Revlon called 'Someone Like You' (Deven Miles Edit) due to be ready at the start of August. I had this idea for a music video from a drawing I did a while ago, my friend David Oscroft is animating it with me. I'm also working on a range of T-shirts for Carhartt and am in the process of designing my website. As for the rest of the year, I'd like to have another solo exhibition of new work somewhere and continue to work on a variety of interesting projects. ARE THERE ANY MUSICAL ARTISTS/BANDS YOU ARE A FAN AND WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH? I'd love to work with artists/bands that are up for doing something creative, unusual and challenging. It’d be great to produce a classic album sleeve. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU COLLECT OBSESSIVELY? I'm not really a big collector but I do have a thing for chairs. I have two Eames chairs, not exactly a collection. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PROJECTS YOU’VE WORKED ON OR CLIENTS YOU’VE WORKED WITH? I'd have to say the artwork I produce for a monthly party called It's Bigger Than at 93 Feet East on Brick Lane. I’ve been producing flyers and visuals for this for almost three years now on a monthly basis and have amassed quite a body of work for it in that time. I have the complete freedom to come up with whatever enters my brain on a month to month basis, although having no brief as such is often difficult as the possibilities are endless. I also really enjoyed working with Carhartt earlier this year. WHO DO YOU SEE AS YOUR CONTEMPORARIES AND WHO DO YOU RATE? There are some very talented people around right now but I have a lot of respect for artists such as Anthony Burrill and Parra. It's not easy to cultivate your own unique style and these two definitely have. WWW.ONE-FINE-DAY.CO.UK

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David Guetta

We started off the year with our annual F*** Me I'm Famous party at the Miami Winter Music Conference which is where I first test-drived my upcoming release, 'Love Don’t Let Me Go (Walking Away).' It's a mash-up of the Tocadisco remix of The Egg's 'Walking Away' and my own 'Love Don't Let Me Go.' At first I was just using it as a DJ tool, but it became a favourite with a lot of people and it was then that I thought we might have something special. It's been played every week on Pete Tong's show and there was such a mix of DJs feeling it, from Deep Dish to Erick Morillo, and I really think that is a good sign. Next up was the Cannes Film Festival: we've thrown so many parties there in the past but this year was one of my happiest. Pedro Almodovar is one of my favourite directors and he was showcasing 'Volver' (starring Penelope Cruz) there this year, after the premiere he turned up at our party and I was absolutely overwhelmed. It was such an honour to have him there and appreciating what we were trying to do. The F*** Me I'm Famous parties were initially started in Ibiza, then as both myself and my wife Cathy are from France we thought we should probably put one on there. After that we moved on to Miami, New York and Monaco and now we're planning on taking them to Barcelona and Brazil. It's a really exciting time for us: last year we did our first ever London party that was totally road-blocked at Ministry of Sound and this year we took it to Café de Paris. What can I say? - it's very Parisian in there and I like the intimacy and the little corners. Earlier this summer I played at Space's opening party in Ibiza: which was amazing, I've never played the opening before and I couldn't believe the electric atmosphere. I think I was on for the last few hours outside on the terrace whilst Carl Cox was inside and people were still going crazy, refusing to leave the dancefloor. We've also had the release of the 'F*** Me I'm Famous: International' album, I think it really represents the type of set you could expect to hear me play out. There’s the Bob Sinclar track on there mixed up with a Bloc Party remix, an Arnaud Rebotini remix of Blackstrobe, then Chocolate Puma, I thrive off putting tracks together that maybe you wouldn't automatically think work. Last week was our first party at Pacha this year and we've got another three lined up with the likes of Subliminal, Pure Pacha and Def Mix. Last week was a Bastille Day celebration with the French boys, I was playing with Bob Sinclar and I'm still in shock at how busy it was. I've never seen Ibiza like that in July. There were about 3,000 people still waiting outside to get in at 4am. Throughout July I've got 28 gigs in total and they're all over the world at various festivals, big clubs, small venues. I like the idea of mixing it all up like that, it excites me more than sticking to just one type of club and having a home there. I love the danger element of playing a really underground track in a big club and vice versa. Above all I try to have an open mind, I want to try and change things and play different styles of music to as many people as possible. After their release of the single, I'm mainly going to be in the studio. I've been working on my second artist album for the past year and think I've still probably got around another six months left on it. And then I've got next year to look forward to, my wife Cathy and I have this concept going on at the moment with regards to our parties: 2006 is the year of sex and then next year is the year of love because we will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. It's a very special time for us. 'F*** ME I'M FAMOUS: INTERNATIONAL' IS OUT NOW THROUGH MINISTRY OF SOUND RECORDINGS. DAVID GUETTA VS THE EGG - 'LOVE DON'T LET ME GO (WALKING AWAY)' IS OUT ON 14TH AUGUST THROUGH GUSTO RECORDS

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Maxwell Paternoster

Maxwell Paternoster

Maxwell Paternoster studied art at Suffolk College in Ipswich on Saturdays during high school. After graduating high school he went on to do a full time national diploma art course at the same place. Having completed the course he was then accepted on the illustration degree course at the University of Westminster where he completed the three year degree course. During the course he became involved in animation, murals, painting, and video and illustrated the university magazine. Since leaving university, Maxwell has become involved in a range of projects including a double wall mural for the children at a primary school and customising trainers, which are available at Urban Species in Camden. Maxwell has created and self published a range of small press comics, which were sold at various comic shops in London. What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the rest of 2006? I am doing a few collaborative projects at the moment. I created a robot for the One Hand Art show in May and I am hoping to create another, more powerful and advanced artificial intelligence creature that is interactive or something. Other than that I could be doing any number of things. When a project materialises I commence to do it. Maybe I will do another comic as well. Are there any musical artists/bands you are a fan of and would love to work with? It would be great to find out what happened to folk rock duo Zager and Evans, they had a hit in 1969 with 'In the year 2525' I like that song loads. I saw the video of them performing it on TV and it influenced my art. Also the guys at Tone Control that would be good, and there is a couple of guys called Cat nine & Genie who do some excellent stuff. Another group called Heavy also Acoustic Ladyland. Pity Thelonious Monk isn't around anymore I would like to do something with that dude. There's also a good folk/blues guitarist and singer called Paul Pena who would warrant working with. Is there anything you collect obsessively? What is your favourite thing you have collected? I have a selection of half arsed incomplete collections. Some of the things I have collected are as follows: calculators, small musical keyboards, Sega master system and Mega drive games, records, clipper lighters, Atari vcs 2600 games, pong consoles, vintage bike magazines, and when I was a kid - Zoids. Do you have any favourite projects you've worked on or clients you’ve worked with? I like all projects an equal amount. Actually I did a Sketchel (original artwork made into a bag) for the Australian person/company Jeremyville. I liked doing that a lot because I have been looking at all the other sketchels on his online store for ages, and I am a fan of his work and all the other artists involved. Who do you see as your contemporaries and who do you rate? There are so many artists with excellent work right now. A few examples that I like are Jeremyville, Thinkmule, Luke Ramsey, too many to list. WWW.MAXWELLP.CO.UK

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Sebastian Krüger

Sebastian Krüger

Sebastian Krüger was born on June 30, 1963, in Hameln. After finishing school in 1982, he studied free painting at the Academy of Graphic Arts in Brunswick. Since 1986, the artist has been working as a self-employed caricaturist, illustrator and painter. In 1989, the first publications of his works were issued with more to follow. Krüger Art Calendars have been available since 1992. He has created cover pages for magazines such as Stern, Der Spiegel, Capital, Musik-Express/Sounds, Kowalski, Petra, L’Espresso, and has contributed featured art to Playboy and Penthouse. Furthermore, Krüger has designed covers for LPs and CDs. His works on the Rolling Stones and other stars were exhibited in Germany and abroad. Krüger has had a very special personal friendship with the Rolling Stones for many years. The artist lives near Hanover. WWW.SEBASTIANKRUGER.COM

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Misstress Barbara

Misstress Barbara

In 1996, Italian born Misstress Barbara got her first booking and has gone on to play across all the major cities from North and South America to Europe, Asia and Australia alongside respected artists such as Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath, Bjork, Thievery Corporation and Carl Cox. With a sense of maturity dawning, Misstress Barbara is the first to admit that her sound has shifted. The following is Barbara's take on her music in her own words. There is a difference between business and art.Unfortunately we call businesses most thingsthat should be artistic, like for example the moviebusiness or the music business. When things get tothis point we often forget their essence and I thinkit's very sad. When a DJ chooses to play a particularstyle of music it usually means that it's the style theDJ feels the most. Even though I'm sure that there are a bunch of people who started being DJs just because they think it's cool without ever even having any passion for music whatsoever, I think that usually the key behind the success of a DJ is their passion and honesty, because by playing what the DJ really likes the most, the DJ becomes influential and then the essential happens: the DJ becomes the means of connection between the music and the crowd. It's how passionately the DJ plays you the music that means the crowd ends up liking it too. How many times have I heard from people during my so very hard killer techno sets, "I never liked techno but you like it so much yourself that when one watches you play it's impossible not to want to dance!" Those comments I've had have always been very touching for me as well as a big source of motivation for playing such an unpopular style of music so very difficult for the masses to understand, but I've always done it because I truly liked it and didn't care if it was not going to bring me popularity. Funnily enough though, in my own style with my very unpopular hard music I developed a trademark: the most Relentless Hard Techno Queen. With my honesty and passion for the music I liked I created for myself a very comfortable place and I was loved and recognised for what I was doing. One of the oldest and most world famous trademarks of the world for its particular and recognisable taste is Coca-Cola. When you buy Coca-Cola, you want Coca-Cola, nothing else! I believe that people who buy tickets to hear Misstress Barbara also want the same thing that they've always known and recognised me for, and I can understand that. But one day, about a year and a half ago, I didn't feel as passionate for this hard techno sound anymore and I started feeling really worried, thinking, "oh no, am I going to become like all those boring DJs who don't even seem to enjoy what they do?" I had two choices: becoming an unexcited and unexciting DJ who, only to save their "business", stays true to their trademark and keeps playing the same old stuff, without any passion to it whatsoever and who would eventually end up disappointing people anyway because at some point they wouldn't find in me the same excitement as before. Or becoming exciting and excited again as my excitement when playing what I really, really like is strong enough to influence even my 94 year old grandmother and make her want to dance, just like it's always been about for me since I first fell in love with techno. Anyone can viciously think that I change just to follow fashion and to be like everyone else. But even with all the malicious thoughts and the critics, being honest as I am and never having played music just for its popularity otherwise I would have probably been a trance DJ. I chose option two, even with the risk of disappointing all my fans, because I think that music is not a business but it's an art, and that you should follow your heart and not the money that popularity brings you. You should also always remember the essence behind things and for me it has always been and always will be the fun and the pleasure of playing the music I really like, no matter what risks I run. And I truly know that whoever is open minded enough to give me a chance, will love it and will dance! MISSTRESS BARBARA'S NEW MIX ALBUM 'COME WITH ME' IS AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH CIVILISED WORLD www.iturnem.com www.misstressbarbara.com

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Adam Bartlett

Adam Bartlett is a graphic artist who lives and works in London. Having completed a degree in textiles specialising in print at Manchester he then went onto work freelance within fashion and home furnishings before pursuing a career in illustration and graphics. In the last five years he has produced work for a varied array of clients including BMG Records, Bacardi Martini, Actionaid, Digital Vision, Mixmag and is currently producing images for an advertising agency. "As well as the commercial work, I am also pushing my own self-initiated projects, which includes Uncle Meat, Droguez and Cold. I like to use a combination of pen, pencil and Mac to get the look and feel I want from my initial ideas." His most recent work will be shown at the One Hand exhibition at the La Viande gallery from May 23rd to 29th 2006. What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the rest of 2006? Right now, I'm producing stuff for galleries, my own t-shirts, a new website and some commercial work in advertising. I would love to develop some of my stuff into toys later this year but that’s a way off. Are there any musical artists/bands you are a fan of and would love to work with? The Flaming Lips. But really if I like the music that's enough - it could be anything from death metal to electro. Is there anything you collect obsessively? What's your favourite thing you have collected? I used to collect my empty Thunderbird bottles and particularly cherished the red label variety. Been collecting records for a long time now, so much good music. Do you have any favourite projects you've worked on/clients you have worked for? Each project started is my favourite until I start a new one and then that’s my favourite! Who do you see as your contemporaries and who do you rate? Flying Fortress, Jon Burgerman, Sam Green. Ooh, there's a few but these folks are rocking it right now. The Teddy Troops are well cool and Burgerman has stuff coming soon too, the whole graphics thing is massive and there is beautiful inspirational work everywhere. www.coldkrush.com

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Silvia

Silvia Prada (born in 1969), is an artist and illustrator and lives and works in Barcelona. Her work incorporates a strong ideology of movement within a broad range of cutting-edge contemporary pop culture including fashion, design, art and illustration. Following her Fine Arts degree from the University of Salamanca in 1993, Silvia continued her postgraduate studies in Visual Communication in Kassel, Germany. After attending various workshops led by artists like Juan Munoz, Laurence Weiner and Richard Deacon, she is selected for the 1994 Gallery circuit with Juana de Aizpuru (Madrid). In 1999, she contributed to various Spanish magazines, worked as interior designer for Zara and Mango and decided to go back to the publishing world where she collaborated with Colette on an exhibition project for Self-Service magazine. She dedicated 2001 to her Masters studies at the Elisava Design School of of the Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona). She has collaborated as an independent illustrator for magazines such as The Face and Dazed and Confused. She has also showcased work at Barcelona’s Alternative Fashion Week Celebration. What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the rest of 2006? This year, I'm presenting my new book, 'The Silvia Prada Art Book' Are there any musical artists/bands you are a fan of and would love to work with? I love Annie and her 'Anniemal' album. Is there anything you collect obsessively? What's your favourite thing you’ve collected? I collect all the Barbra Streisand stuff! Vinyl, CDs, photos... everything! Do you have any favourite projects you've worked on/or clients you’ve worked with? Yes, I used to work with Carlos Magazine, it's my favourite magazine, produced for Virgin Atlantic. Who do you see as your contemporaries and who do you rate? Ryan McGuinness, Brian McGee, Julie Verhoeven... not prejudiced artists.

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Paul Oakenfold

Paul Oakenfold has long been one of the most important - if not the most important - name in modern club culture. People who don't know that much about DJ culture or the music itself are familiar with Oakenfold's name and what he represents. Of course, many people who think they're unfamiliar with Oakenfold's music actually may have heard it often, thanks to appearances globally on the radio and in TV commercials. Matt Darey: Among other accolades, 'Bunkka' was the recipient of the Best Album award at the USA Dancestar Awards in 2003. The first track from your album 'Faster Kill' has gone straight in at number one in the Cool Cuts and DMC Buzz Chart. Is that kind of success important to you or is it all about artistic integrity? Paul Oakenfold: It's always nice when something you've worked on sees a lot of success but what's always been most important for me is that I’m proud of the material and I feel that I've done the best job that I can with it. That's what you get to take home with you because after that it's really not in your control how people will respond to it. MD: Back in the day you did A&R for London's Champion Records, signing among others Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and Salt n' Pepa. When you hear someone who's going to be huge, can you tell? PO: I don't know if I can necessarily tell that an artist is going to be huge but there are certain characteristics that give me a good sense of whether they have the potential to be huge such as their drive, determination, the way people respond to them and of course, if they really have the talent to make it to the top. MD: It's said that you, Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway and Ian St Paul were responsible for the birth of the modern club scene, by founding the "Balearic house" sound in this country following spending summers in Ibiza. Are you proud of that? Have there been any other revolutions in contemporary music of that size? Do you think there ever will be again? PO: I’m honoured that people feel I've contributed to such a great era for dance music. I don't know if I would consider it to be a revolution but rather the right time to give the scene something new. I think it's essential that music re-invents itself over time. When you find yourself opening new doors as an artist, there's a strong sense of gratification that goes along with that. MD: What was Ibiza like back when it all started? Do you miss those days? What are your fondest memories from those times? PO: I think the island has become more commercial over the years but that's not a bad thing in my eyes. It shows that people are hearing good things about it and they want to travel there and discover it for themselves. It still has a great vibe, exciting clubs and amazing sunsets and that will never get old. MD: Along with studio partner Steve Osbourne you produced and remixed major artists including U2, Simply Red, Happy Mondays, New Order, the Cure, Massive Attack, The Rolling Stones, Stone Roses and Snoop Doggy Dogg. That's some list. Which was the best buzz? PO: They were all great for very different reasons. I love the experience of learning from other artists and seeing how they work. For me, working with U2 is always special because I have such a strong liking for their music. I find it very inspirational. MD: You're allegedly the highest paid DJ in the world. Can you tell us the most you ever got paid for one gig? PO: A cool million dollars for a two hour set - I'm thinking about raising my fee this year... know of any offers... it'’s all gone a bit quiet. Do you believe me? MD: How do you spoil yourself with all that cash? PO: Aston Martins, private jets, hotel parties, the whole package. MD: What's the best thing about DJing besides the love of music? PO: Getting to see the world through a box of records. All the great places that you get to see and the different groups of people and friends that you meet along the way. MD: What's the worst thing about being a DJ? PO: It's funny because the best thing is also the worst thing and that's the travelling. As much as I enjoy it, after a while it gets really hard. Your body just gets tired and you really have to push yourself to keep as much balance in your schedule as possible. MD: You've worked on the scores for 'The Pink Panther', 'Shrek 2', 'Swordfish', 'Golden Eye', 'Planet of the Apes', 'Austin Powers', and 'Matrix:Reloaded', among others. Again, that's a very impressive list. You made a conscious decision to move towards scoring films and away from DJing. What attracts you to scoring films? PO: It wasn't a desire to move away from DJing as much as it was the pursuit of a desire to become more involved with the film world. I've always enjoyed film and scoring was a great way to make the transition. I find it very challenging but also very exciting to put a piece of music over a scene because it dictates so much of what the audience feels when they watch it. It can be a tedious process but when you see the finished cut of the film it’s amazing to see all the elements come together. MD: You featured in the US TV series 'The Club', following the story of a nightclub as it undergoes a makeover to compete with the gaming hotels on the Vegas Strip. Did you have fun making it and what’s being on TV like? PO: I did enjoy working on the show because the whole situation was new to me. I don't particularly enjoy being in front of the camera but the process was very interesting and I took a lot from it. MD: How do you find life in LA? Will you ever live in the UK again and what do you miss about Blighty? PO: LA is a great city if you're here with a goal and you stick by it. It's very driven by the entertainment industry which is a very cut-throat world. If you have a plan and you believe in yourself, it can be the most exciting city to find yourself. I don't know if I will move back to the UK down the line but it will always be home and there are times when I miss it tremendously. MD: You've kept your British accent. What have you embraced about American life? PO: The LA sunshine. I didn't think there could be this many sunny days in a year. THE SINGLE ' FASTER KILL PUSSYCAT' FEATURING BRITTANY MURPHY IS RELEASED ON MAY 29TH WITH THE ALBUM ' A LIVELY MIND' TO FOLLOW ON JUNE 5TH. Words: Matt Darey and Josie Harral

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