Page 41 - DemoZone Magazine Issue 003

" In my opinion for whatever it's worth I think the scene today compared to the scene back in the early to mid-90's is totally different for a lot of reasons one of these being that the scene has lost its sense of unity and has become too fragmented both musically and socially. There are a lot of reasons for this. "
I know I’ve left out loads there's too many too remember so if I’ve left any out apologies to whom it may concern.
How does the scene today compare to the hedonistic and heady days of the late 80’s early 90’s and where do you see it evolving?
In my opinion for whatever it's worth I think the scene today compared to the scene back in the early to mid-90's is totally different for a lot of reasons one of these being that the scene has lost its sense of unity and has become too fragmented both musically and socially. There are a lot of reasons for this.
Music has become divided into too many different genres and sub genres. Everything has to be pigeon holed into one of these genres instead of just being judged on whether or not it's a good tune. Another reason for this dilution and fragmentation of the dance scene has been the rise of digital technology which while having many great uses has also brought about the demise of vinyl and that feeling of chasing and hunting down a particular track on 12”. The sense of achievement on finally capturing the prize track on vinyl as compared to now with the instant and disposable mp3 file.
I also think that the title 'dance music' has been hijacked by 95% of the rubbish that we see in the mainstream charts. I think there are signs at the moment of a demand creeping back in for not just old skool gigs/music but for that old skool feeling that people used to get in clubs and events years ago. I could be wrong, I may
be right, but either way I think the proper dance scene has to do something to stop the continual dilution of the scene.
Originally a DJ really had to put in some seriously long hours and dedication to learn the beautiful art and skills of using their ears to beat match and mix vinyl. Now with the advent of digital decks and beat matching are todays electronic DJ’s at a disadvantage?
As someone who taught himself how to mix through listening to other DJ’s and putting my own vision of how music could/ should be presented to an audience I feel and have always felt that there are no short cuts to being a good DJ. I think any and all of the skills that you acquire as a DJ come through years and years of good and bad experiences and by never thinking that you're the finished article. No matter how successful you are you never stop learning and improving and that is all driven by one's passion for music.
I don't think todays DJ’s are necessarily at a disadvantage because of technology. Technology has many benefits for DJ’s but no matter how good technology gets it can never make a bad DJ good.
I think one of the disadvantages DJ’s have today is the loss / experience that DJ’s had in the past working and learning with much more basic equipment and another one is that there are far too many of them.
DJ Pressure really was and is an apt artist title for someone who increase’s the tempo and energy in a club setting, what inspired the name and how did this help your
career?
Way back in '92/'93 I was going under the name of Rob-E (oh the shame) and I was playing breakbeats / hard-core. Around that time I recorded a series of mixes called Breakbeat Pressure 1-6 which were made for sale in Music Power records under the arch at the Halfpenny Bridge. So when I first played in the Asylum it was playing house and trance under the name Rob-E. After about two weeks my friend and manager of the club, Paul Farrell, suggested to me would I be interested in using the name DJ Pressure? I replied “yeah why not” and the rest is history. I feel that the name Pressure connected with the Dublin crowd and gave people a name to focus on back then and to this very day. It has been a great help to my career down through the years.
As one of the original DJ dance music pioneers in Dublin famous for your pulsating hi energy sets, what advice would you give the aspiring DJ / Producers on how to be creatively original to set themselves a niche in an already saturated market.
My advice to any aspiring DJ’S / Producers, for what it's worth, is to only do it for the right reasons and those reasons are:
1. Love and a passion for your music.
2. To constantly strive, learn, listen and improve as a DJ / Producer.
Remember folks there are no short cuts to being good and you never ever should consider yourself the finished article.