Page 18 - Zone Magazine Issue 020

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A DJ who’s been spinning for over 30 years and travelled to every inch of the globe, Seb Fontaine has held down residencies at some of the biggest clubs in the World, as well as featuring on an endless list of festivals and events. I have so many memories of Seb over the years, as I was lucky enough
to witness the rise of Seb’s career through the 90’s, even playing at parties that I promoted from Boat Parties in Southampton to parties at The Cross, London, and
many times at Clockwork Orange events. Seb joined BBC Radio One in 2000 where he held down a show for four years and I remember that day very well, as he was
about to play at one of our events, so to hear he had secured such a prestigious position at the BBC was a godsend for our event!!
I always love catching up with the guys that I’ve got to know over the years and Seb is someone who has always been approachable and it’s no wonder he’s enjoyed
so much success. It’s clear to see that he’s very popular and never disappoints the crowd when he plays. It’s a pleasure to bring Seb to Zone Magazine for an insight to
his World. I caught up with him in between gigs and here’s what he had to say:
With such a huge success to shout about from a career that spans many years, what would you say was the changing point and you knew your career was heading in the right direction?
Hard to say really, Ive always been a dj that believed in residencies and I guess after having been a resident at The Cross in the beginning then getting residencies at Ministry of Sound and then Cream, you know that you’re doing something right.
There’s always a lot of press centred around the difficulties within the music industry and gaining success. Were there times when you felt like giving up?
Not really ...... When I became a DJ, it wasn’t about how much money you earn or how many followers you had, it was about how good you were at making people dance. I strongly disagree with the fact that DJs need to be producers or ViceVersa. In my mind the two are completely different jobs and you should be able to be good at one without having to do the other (sometimes badly). It has contributed to the over saturation of music and ideas. A good record should be around for ages, not just until your next one is released so that you look busy on Beatport, this is fundamentally wrong and makes music too disposable.
Having a team around you to help with every aspect of your career is so important, who would you say you couldn’t do without and why?
Friends , they keep you grounded while others are blowing smoke up areas that smoke doesn’t belong :-)
Where can we expect to see you perform during April and May 2018?
April I’m away in Asia mainly, May I’m all over Uk from Bournemouth and Southampton to Cleethorpes and beyond but with a bit of Birmingham in the middle (a nice balance)
Where in the world is your favourite place to DJ and why?
Always used to love Buenos Aires to dj, just a beautiful place with just amazing people. Have to say though that the UK has been great the last couple of years and I get to wake up in my own bed which is nice :-)
What music do you listen to when you’re completely away from clubland and which artists?
When I started Doing I was playing funk, rare grooves and hip hop. There was only one superstar DJ in my book and that was Norman Jay. I think that is where my real love of music and doing started so I definitely head there when I’m looking for an escape. Also love a bit of 10CC and Fleetwood Mac, just a great era for music. I did the Guardians of The Galaxy premier recently and had to curate a whole mix from that period. Well worth a listen.
If you were planning your last gig and you
had to choose two artists to play back to back
with, who would they be (dead or alive)?
Well Tall Paul and I have done back to back for 25 years and are planning a couple of nights where we do something a bit special. It’s odd as when we play together it’s the simplest thing in the world and we work well together, always in the same mindset. As for a 2nd DJ, I’d probably go with Roger Sanchez, technically a simply fantastic DJ or Norman Jay as after 30 years Doing I’m sure that there’s stuff I could still learn from him . One of the finest.
18 ZONE-MAGAZINE.COM