Both Azuli
Records and Dave Piccioni are two names synonymous with house music.
What began
as a hobby soon turned into a full time job, a DJ career, London’s leading
record store and one of the leading dance labels in the world!
On the eve of the
release of Dave’s latest mix album ‘Azuli Presents Space Ibiza’ we caught up
with man behind the label to get an insight into the history of one of the
greatest labels in house music, their plan for Ibiza 2007 and of course the new
album! |
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First of
all - Azuli presents Space Ibiza 07 – features the biggest tunes for Summer
2007.
Can you explain how you picked the tracks for the album?
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I go away
to a hot climate, spend all day on a beach drinking and imagine what it will be
like in mid summer Ibiza, and then it all seems to fit into place! (In my
dreams…) Actually it’s a combination of word of mouth and keeping a close ear to
the ground. Records that break in Ibiza have usually been bubbling under or even
lying dormant since March/ April and sometimes before. |
What is
your favourite track on the album? |
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Guy J -
Agent Blue - I’m loving the warm electro sound at the moment |
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What was
your first taste of the DJ lifestyle and why did you decide to make it your full
time career?
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I don’t
think anyone can make such a decision, it just happens, a hobby turns into
something better! |
Azuli is
one of the most prolific labels in dance music, when did you start it and did
you ever think it would become such a benchmark for dance music? |
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I started
it in 1990 and always expected it to last ‘just another year’; in fact I
probably still think that now! |
Do you
still actively get involved in the day to day running of Black Market Records
and if so, do you find it difficult juggling the shop, label and hectic
world-wide DJ schedule? |
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I just
recently sold my share of the shop to my friend and the manager Goldie. It was
hard juggling it all and did get too much after 16 years but than all the
DJ’ing/ shop/ label stuff is all linked so the info and knowledge you get from
one helps the other. |
As
mentioned, Azuli label has been around for a while - how do you and the business
stay successful? Any tips for the next few individuals hoping to open a record
label or become a DJ? |
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I think
with music you have to have one eye on the creative, have creative principles
and put out what you know and love. On the other hand, you have to have one eye
on the commercial realities of the situation and always adapt a bit or bend to
what people want. It’s a tough balancing act but can be done. Advice is to do it
because you love the music, and treat it as a sideline, if it grows and you can
pack in your day job, great! |
Do you
think it is viable for new labels to start in the current market?
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It’s all
different now, it’s easier to set up from your home on a computer but I couldn’t
imagine setting up a new dance label with offices and all that stuff |
What does
your mum think about your career choice? |
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She keeps
asking me where all the records are made when my office is so small and has no
machines in it. I think she’s still waiting for me to get a proper job. |
You have a
summer residency at Space in Ibiza this summer; tell us more about what you have
planned? |
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A fairly
diverse but cutting edge schedule of DJ’s and lots of light-hearted fun! |
Do you ever
get DJ fright and if so, what happens to you? |
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Not any
more – with maturity comes the realisation that you do your best, and if some
people like it that’s great, but there will always be people that don’t, and
that’s fine too. |
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What made
you decide to move to Ibiza?
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It’s my
spiritual home. (And I have a great motorbike there!) |
How would
you describe yourself in 3 words? |
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Pretty damn
cheap |
What is the
worst DJ experience you have ever had? |
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In my
dreams actually, I have this recurring dream that I am playing to loads of people
and I cant decide what to play and the record finishes, I continue to look
through my records furiously but everyone leaves. Can’t say it’s ever happened
though! |
Where is
the most enjoyable place for you to spin? |
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Familiar
places where you know the crowd and they know you – for me Azuli at The Cross/
Echoes in Riccione/ Alter Ego Verona and Cavo in Mykonos |
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What are
the future plans for you and Azuli?
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To make it
to 20 years for Azuli (4 years left!) |
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Finally...
anything else you would like to plug?
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www.kiva.org
its good to give something back – and there is no better way to do it.
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Thanks Dave
for your time! |
