PAUL OAKENFOLD has long been one of the most important and iconic names in modern club culture. After a three-year North American touring hiatus, the master DJ and producer will return for a solid two-month trek across the continent geared to change the face of electronic music with the FACELIFT TOUR.
I had the opportunity to sit down with the legendary DJ/Producer/Remixer; Mr. Paul Oakenfold. If you been living under a rock for the past 20 years, Paul Oakenfold is hands down one of the worlds bonified musical geniuses still active! Two time Grammy nominee for Best Electronic/Dance Album with “A Lively Mind” ( 2007, Maverick Records) and “Creamfields” (2004, Thrive Records) this is a continuos force in the Electronic Dance Culture – from Massives to a Global Residency’s and Record Signings. Having just returned from Austin, Texas – Paul talks about the concept behind “The Facelift Tour” his new 33 date event with special guests and how embracing change is very important.
N: So Paul, you just kicked off “The Facelift” Tour in Austin, tell me a little bit about the concept behind the title “Facelift“?
PO: “Changing the Face of Electronic Music” is the idea of the tour, we invested half a million dollars on this 33 date tour. It’s this concept that gives the like’s of Calvin Harris, Kenith Thomas, Chukie and NERVO a platform to showcase to a new demographic what’s out there. It’s not just about one main DJ up there you know, it’s all of us. We’re bringing the fans a complete arsenal, a full production. That’s the idea, to give young, new artists – a chance!
N: What is your take on the advancement of technology within the “Electronic Music Movement”; that has caused a lot of change in the overall business today? Some artists a very uncomfortable with that, what are your thoughts?
PO: Yeah, I think it’s important to “Embrace Change”. Sometimes to get your head around it – you know everyone has a story to tell, and everyone’s trying to jump on “something”. Sometimes they don’t fully understand it, but it’s important to be open-minded and try to understand that there is big change for everyone (other then the kids that are 15,16,17 years old). It’s natural.
N: Coming from a “Bedroom DJ” background, during a time where only a handful of kids were doing it – and now with the big technology boom and social media – there are thousands of individuals calling themselves DJ’s and Producers. Do you feel your music is under a microscope now, more now than ever?
PO: As a producer, I always strive to find better talent and come up with better ideas, that’s a must for me. I’m always trying to improve myself. The difficulty is… you know, starting for the first time and realizing that socially people change. It’s very important to be locked into what’s going on…..on that level.
N: That’s exactly why we have always supported your openness to remixing. Allowing other artist to use your music and remix it. We believe it innovates the sound and creates more ideas of foundation then being a so called “White Label” DJ, where you keep everything hidden and to yourself, what do you think?
PO: Well about that, from what we were discussing before, when it comes to Newestra, if you want we can have a little competition of remixes on your site and the winner would be able to remix one of my tracks and if it’s great, we would put it out there. And That’s what we are all about! Cause I’m not precious in that respect, I embrace that side of it, you see. It’s important for us too embrace creativity and youth.
N: Oh most definitely Paul, but that’s a whole other discussion I’m looking forward to putting into play! Now, onto this highly anticipated album in 2011. I know your very eager to release this beast of a record. What separates this from the other albums you’ve created throughout your career?
PO: This one is a challenge. It was a very difficult record to make because it changes daily. What I want to make is too far ahead of the game and my fear is that it’s so left of center that I will alienate my fans. I’m no bigger, no better and no smarter then some of my fans, but if it’s so far out there – I think it would be difficult. That’s the problem I have, I mean I come from a very melodic, Trance background and now that I’m working with a completely different genre over there (UK) and I’m over here (US)…it might be too much – so I’m having difficulties finding middle ground.
N: As an Artist…are you satisfied?
PO: What you learn in life…this is probably one of the most strangest things you’ll hear, but what I have learned in life is that sometimes…”You don’t want to be first”, “You want to be second.” As strange as it sounds and I can’t believe I’m saying this cause it goes against everything society tells us. Why would you want to become second? I’ll tell you why! Because timing is the most important thing! So… If your first to put out a record with a new sound in a new direction and the timing is wrong, it’ll flop! If I come out a year later after you’ve done it, and my timings is right… They won’t remember you, they’ll remember me… So you get it really? Not a lot of people get that.
N: It’s great concept to have since as artist we are terribly hard on our selves, especially trying to find out what works and what doesn’t. With good timing you can also see what mistakes the first person makes in order to perfect it!
PO: For sure. For me, I’ve been in the pinch of it where maybe I actually have to put it on the shelf and wait for the right time. If I don’t think the timings right I’ll shelf it and move on to something else for the time being. Then let it comes with time since it is so far left from center.
N: You kind of have to be patient and look at the big picture.
PO: Exactly! And patience is not one of my strengths!
N: Well with that said, I hope you have an amazing rest of the tour. Good luck with the new album being released early 2011 and congrats with “Planet Perfecto Night Club” in Las Vegas! Cheers!
With all this going on… Paul made me feel as important as he was and I came to realize… this is what it’s all about. Paul was as Classy as anyone I’ve ever met and for that, I’ve became one of his biggest fans and would continue to carry on my beliefs as an artist for the rest of my life! Thanks Paul! Your the true meaning of what this whole thing should be about, the sharing of ideas with other artist no matter where they’re from or what they have done is priceless.
