Page 13 - Zone Magazine Issue 015

What are your feelings on the school of thought that using what is essentially computer aided DJing equipment may actually bring to an end the role of a DJ, as it is now easy for someone with enough money to just buy the latest DJ set up and pick tracks from the most popular DJ's charts and play the same thing?
You could buy a Ferrari, but it doesn't necessarily turn you into Lewis Hamilton! Yes software will hold two beats together, but to me beat matching is the least important process of DJing. Track selection and being able to read a dance floor is and what makes a great night on a dancefloor.
You have sold over 10 million albums and compilations, which is breathtaking amount. With the likes of Spotify around where people can download whatever songs they want, do you still think that there is a place in the industry for DJ compilations and ultimately albums, as the younger generation especially just create their own compilations of tracks that they want to listen to?
If anything, there’s even more hunger for mix compilations, Danny. People love playlists and sharing playlists. That’s even encouraged and built into the software by the likes of Spotify etc. But these playlists are unmixed and not programmed professionally in the way a DJ can.
You have also worked with orchestras. Did you play any musical instruments or were you classically trained before you were a DJ? Or was it DJing that lead to the musical production and scoring?
"I have no idea how to play any instruments, so no, I am not classically trained! I play my keyboard and my mouse! It was the Djing that lead me to wanting to make music".
There have been a number of DJs that have worked with orchestras in the last few years with Pete Tong's Ibiza classics and even the Hacienda touring with an orchestra. Have you any plans to bring an orchestral element to your shows?
I won’t be doing this. I work with orchestras because they bring that authentic dramatic feel to the cinematic music that I write for films. It makes the world of difference. Electronic music
works perfectly for dance floors for me.
I recently read a blog of yours about trance and its roots and you are well known for your strong views on the subject. What is your opinion on some of the more populist DJ's and producers that over the years have used 'trance' as a name that defines their style but have wavered from what some would consider the path of trance righteousness?
This is going to be a never-ending source of debate. There’s a very commercial shop front, heavily marketed by the A list DJ’s of this world. It’s down to the other specialist worlds to show that there’s also many other colours to Trance music too. Somehow we all work in harmony together, though with the odd, occasional bump!
And what effect do you think their 'clinging' onto trance as a defining genre but not necessarily playing or even producing trance music has had on the genres public perspective...or do you think that the punters are wise enough to see through their facade?
Some of the next generation have a skewed education process of what a genre should sound like. For example many think I’m a ‘Techno’ DJ, but for me and many others I play Trance. It’s the same in many genres (Progressive House), and – I’ll be honest - I can’t see a way to change this.
Finally if you weren't a DJ/ producer what do you think would have been your chosen career path?
Car designer! I was already on my road to this, getting a diploma in engineering and the next step would have had me working for Ford. Music was and still is though my first love.
Connect: www.john00fleming.com
Pics courtesy of John 00
Fleming
Words By Danny Slade
" I have no idea how to play any instruments, so no, I am not classically trained! I play my keyboard and my mouse! It was the Dj'ing that lead me to wanting to make music. "