Page 34 - Zone Magazine Issue 010

feature interview - ibiza
Steve Altman has been in the events and entertainment industry for over 30 years. His excellent reputation as a DJ means that he is constantly in demand and working regularly at some of the UK’s and Europe’s finest venues and clubs. Steve’s music style is eclectic, it ranges from Tech and Deep to Retro House, but he is equally comfortable playing Indie Dance, Disco, Rare Groove, Old Skool Hip Hop, Reggae and Balearic gems.
Steve offers DJ and event management services in the UK and rest of Europe. Steve boasts an exceptional corporate portfolio including Net-A- Porter, Fred Perry, Little Brown Publishing, Deutche Bank, JP Morgan, Anax Traders, Performing Rights Society and the NSPCC. The NSPCC event took place in Russia at Catherine’s Palace, with guest of honour President Bill Clinton. Entertainment was provided by the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Elton John, Steve Altman and Tina Turner. He was recently booked for a private event for the chairman of EMI with a dazzling guest list to entertain.
Steve has worked with major promoters and venues including HMV Forum, The Egg, Aquarium, Ministry of Sound, Café de Paris, Raindance, Supperclub, The Whitehouse and Plan B London, Promised Land UK & Ibiza), Carwash (London, Ibiza & Ayia Napa), Ibiza boat parties, Delanos Ibiza, Hidden Ibiza, Mumak Ibiza, Palm Beach Ibiza, Bambuddha Ibiza, Cotton Club Ibiza, Kayna Ibiza and a residency at Ibiza Rocks. Steve has shared deck and stage space with an impressive array of international DJs and performers including Elton John, Tina Turner, Fat Boy Slim, Doorly, Joey Negro, Danny Rampling, So Called Scumbags, Terry Farley, Pete Heller, Rusty Egan (Visage), Nicky Holloway, Brandon Block, Alex P, Lisa Loud, Nancy Noise, Rocky, Trevor Fung and Jo Mills to name a few.
Steve has recently enbarked on a project, opening a new club in Ibiza called 'Alter'. Steve and Sara Altman, have seen a clear gap in the market they are posed to fill it! Steve met Sara and married his marketing strategist wife on the island. Together, they have big plans to entertain the more bohemian clubber – an intimate, boutique clubbing experience with an over 25's door policy, and a line up tailored to the musically educated.
'Alter Ibiza' are set to shift the island's focus back on true value for money, flying in the face of what they believe is “corporate clubbing gone mad”. “Super-clubs are raising the price of drinks and entry to the highest levels of all time," says Steve Altman, "it’s time for an alternative.” Their project is already starting to gain significant local industry support.
They have recently renovated the old 'Summum Club', a breath-taking masterpiece designed by Lluís Güell, the artist behind iconic Ibiza destinations 'Café del Mar' & 'Es Paradís'. The club is the transformation of a basement into a spectacular large space filled with split columns and marble staircases with angel sculptures adorning the walls and ceilings.
The Altmans don’t believe that you should have to pay to sit down. All seating areas are open, so everyone can find a place to relax in style. No cover charges, no minimum spends. At Alter Ibiza, everyone is a VIP. They are handing over every penny of the ticket money along with a statement to treat artists and promoters fairly in Ibiza’s hard to access club scene. Their promoter roster certainly impressive for a club of its size.
If you want a truly quality Ibiza clubbing experience without having to re-mortgage your home, then their are opening the doors mid July this year.
Zone Magazine's Paul Newhouse just had to have a chat with Steve about his experience and whats to come with this new project, an intriguing one at that!
Tell us a little about Steve.
I've been a DJ for over 30 years, involved in club promotions for 21 years.
Tell us about your music career, who you have played with or produced with?
I started and learnt about music while working for a very up-market party planner, when I left school, thrown in at the deep end doesn’t come close, but it gave me an understanding of many different music genres. I then worked at 'Regimes' and the 'Bank' nightclubs where I was playing to the rich and elite but I found it boring this was 1985-1988. In 88 acid house hit london and things changed.
You own and run a DJ and Management company, tell us about this venture?
I started my career in the events market, and still on occasion, do private work.
What clubs have you played over your 30 year experience?
A lot of the clubs I played, no longer exist but heres a list of some that your readers may recognise: Egg Club, Cafe De Paris, Hippodrome, Hombres, Samantha’s, Regimes in Berkley Street W.1, The Bank in South Kensington, Legends, to name a few.
Best club and why?
Ministry of sound 1991-1995. The best sound system, great line ups, the first club to introduce regular amazing DJ's from the USA playing every Saturday, even when I was working I'd always end up at Ministry, often leaving there after 9am.
Best experience in clubland?
As a DJ I'd say 2012 'Forum' Kentish town, for 'Promised land', great DJ's and PA’s from Keith Thompson (Break for love0 and Cee Cee Rodgers) who sang 'Someday' and did a great accapella of 'Promised land' by Joe Smooth. As a clubber, NYE early 90's Frankie Knuckles bringing in the new year - bliss.
Ibiza or Miami?
Ibiza
Vinyl, CD or Digital, and why?
From a technical point of view-digital rules, sound systems are now mainly digital and feeding analogue signals through digital amplifiers is kind of like putting a Porsche engine in a Ford fiesta. From a DJ point of view I learnt on vinyl, when I started there were no CDs', then I learnt the Pioneer way with CDs. I don’t use a laptop.
Tell us about Alter Ibiza, where the idea came from, and how you made it happen, and who's involved?
After a lot of due diligence we noticed that there was a lack of clubs catering for the over 25’s, unless of course you want to spend a small fortune on a VIP table.
So the idea came about really at opening somewhere we would want to go, and offering alternative line-ups to what was going on elsewhere. Now believe me I respect the super clubs here in Ibiza, they have run successfully for years, and the finest DJ's from all around the world play at them all summer, they are very professional operations and Im not going to spend interviews knocking them. I co own a brand called 'Carwash Ibiza'. Last season we did some great monthly party at 'Pikes', then got a deal from Sony and last November a CD was released of disco classics called 'Carwash'. It did OK, sold just under 40 thousand.
In January we were approached by the owners of 'Summum' (Alter) asking us to do 'Carwash' there this year. I asked what else was going on there and they said nothing, they didn’t know what to do with the club, they own a large portfolio of land, and they aren't promotors, so we came up with a plan.
What music policy will you set at the new venue?
We have seven different nights planned and the music over those nights will cover different genres. Soulful house, nu disco, and house will all be featured.
How has Ibiza changed in recent years, in regards to the people, clubs, and goverment?
I first came to Ibiza in 1989, so yes it has changed since then. Ibiza was always pricey, even in 89'. Once house music broke, clubs in Ibiza had clubbers all drinking water, often refilling it in the toilets. They put the price on the doors up to make up for what they were losing at the bars, it is my understanding. Ibiza has changed but to keep evolving you need to keep changing.
What DJ's will you be inviting to Alter, and would you except demo mixes from no so well knows DJ's to play at your club?
The different promotors are booking the DJ's and I promised them we would all announce together .
What 5 tracks can you not live without?
1. Tears- Satoshi Tomei and Frankie Knuckles 2. W.F.L. - Happy mondays
3. Sueno Latino- Sueno Latino
4. Only love can break your heart (masters at work dub) - St Eitienne
5. Let the music use you - Nightwriters
Any advise for up-coming DJ/Producers?
Stick to your guns and keep it real!
Connect:
http://www.alteribiza.com
http://facebook.com/alteribiza
Words By Paul Newhouse
Pic by Max Lawless
38 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE