John Acquaviva speaks ahead of Electronic vs Playtime

John Acquaviva speaks ahead of Electronic vs Playtime

6 December, 2007 | 12.09PM

• Written by: bengomori
• Filed under: Music News : john acquaviva, olivier giacomotto

Mr. Acquaviva’s brings his Electronic concept to a warehouse in London this Saturday after a rocking season at Privilege in Ibiza, and parties at Paris’ Rex Club and Ministry of Sound.

Teaming up with purveyors of the wonky house sound Playtime, it promises to be a rather naughty affair.

We spoke with John in the run-up to the big night.

FROM THE REX TO MINISTRY TO A RAVE IN A WAREHOUSE: THE FIRST MONTH OF JOHN ACQUAVIVA’S ELECTRONIC

“Collaboration” sounds boring and worthy, but watching sparks fly is where the best new work happens in music. Which is why one of the world’s biggest DJs, John Acquaviva, plans to spent a large part of ‘08 to touring with up-and-coming new star producers - revisiting his early days as the man who co-founded Plus8, which helped to launch the careers of Ritchie Hawtin, Speedy J and Dan Bell; he’s also a part of Beatport, Final Scratch, Definitive Records, any number of Beatport #1s ... and he’s a killer DJ who has played to somewhere between two million and three million people across his 22-year career.

Now Acquaviva will be turning one of the best eyes for talent in the business into picking the best new producers in Europe. His new touring night, Electronic, is about sparring matches between John and the new crew - from Cocoon Recordings resident and genius DJ Karotte to Mason, Olivier Giacomotto to Mike Monday, Woollion, the Catz, Tommy Four Seven, Big Daddy, DJ Remo of Italy, and Spain’s Fresco Records crew - all of who will perform at Electronic over the next year.

But in the meantime, there’s one more Electronic party left for ‘07 - the third, Sat Dec 8. From a club whose first night was at the Rex, Paris, one of techno’s first homes in Europe, and whose second night was Ministry, the best-loved house club in the world. This time round it’s a simpler, more acid-house affair. We caught up with John to talk to him about Electronic this year and in 2008…

Let’s talk about the four John Acquavivas. On one hand, there’s the DJ – 1 million people have heard you, 2500 gigs. Then the producer, with a couple of Beatport Top 10s in the last year alone and a new collaboration with Olivier Giacomotto out early next year. Then there’s the techno legend behind Plus8, the label that launched Richie Hawtin’s career. Then there’s the innovator - you were first to catch on to new ideas with Beatport to Final Scratch, and now you’re about to become part of the Pacemaker project - a new DJing device. Which of these John’s is the important one to you - the DJ, the producer, the innovator, or the techno old hand?

Of late, it is DJ and producer, neck and neck.

The best reward anyone can get is the immediate reaction from playing for a crowd every night all over the world.

To select music and lead the celebration is one of my favourite things — it is doubly satisfying when you also have made a production and it is one of the songs that people react to.

You’re been playing for years, every weekend, headlining big festivals and big clubs. Why are you turning the spotlight from yourself to others with Electronic?

I’ve always struggled with not wanting to be a rock star, on stage and in the studio.

I don’t do it for myself really.

I love working with people.

My resurgence has been due to the productions.

Unlike a lot of top DJs, I don’t pay off my engineers and send them into obscurity for a few notes.

Instead, I openly collaborate and share the billing.

DJ-wise I feel like I can more than hold my own, but it is still about sharing.

I’ve always introduced new artists with releases, and I have so many great young people who are very good DJs who want to do the same… not just release and introduce great music, but also great up-and-coming DJs.

Why the Rex for the first Electronic? Why Ministry for the second?

How better to respect the institution of clubbing than to start something new at some of the most famous clubs in the world?

We just wanted to do a few select dates, and with our guest that night, Olivier, being French and the main act I work with, it was very special to do the Rex for the first Electronic.

You’ll be playing at the Electronic vs Playtime warehouse party in London this Saturday. What’s different about today’s raves rather than years ago? And were you there the night of the hilarious Youtube video of Richie Hawtin rapping over a Speedy J warehouse set?

To be honest, I have not seen that Youtube of Rich, so I can’t say.

Though I am not a fan of him as - and I don’t think of him as - a rapper.

Warehouses are a lot more fun these days.

Almost all are let to some degree, unlike the old days, where you would breathe in who-knows-what and often be in dire surroundings.

Though I love my familiarity week in and out that a home club provides, a warehouse is a nice change of pace for clubbers.

There’s a theory that club music changes massively every time new drugs become popular. Is that right? What’s music like to you now?

It’s true.

Speedy drugs or dropout drugs determine what parties and music people do.

Personally, I am coasting on all my years of experience and get enough flashbacks to cope with whatever fuel powers the night I happen to be at.

In your entry for DJMag’s Top 100 DJs poll this year, you said your picks for success in 2008 were France’s Olivier Giacomotto (who’s also playing at the party), Spain’s Damon Gee, and the UK’s Catz (also known as the Cheshire Catz). The Catz are a well-known London favourite, but how did you pick them and why?

These are people I have been aware of for at least a few years.

All have impressed me with their well rounded approach as DJs and producers.

For me, it is always about shopping and searching for music — the next thing.

And these guys caught my attention over the past years, with their DJing and productions and approach to bringing the party to the people.

If a new producer was starting out now, what advice would you give to them?

As much as people want to explode into the stratosphere, I’d say to take your time, learn to party, DJ and produce.

Most of the new generation are in their late 20s and have actually been at their craft for quite a while - locally and nationally.

Success at too early an age is almost is too much to handle for almost anyone.

And finally, can we get a chart from you?

Plastikman Spastik Minus
The Buddy System Heavy Duty Booty Shaka Connected
Mijk van Kijk Boa Blufin
Terry Mullan, Paul Anthony, ZXX System Buckin Definitive Recordings
Rainer Weichold Bamboo Great Stuff
Genderfix Expect Sex Bugeyed
Sinisa Tamamovic I Have Returned Patterns
Towie Mini Jack No Dough
Skauch Ipnosys & Syllabus Symphonic Digital
Shlomi Aber Diosa Be As One

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John Acquaviva performs at the Playtime v Electronic warehouse party Sat Dec 8 with Mike Monday, Olivier Giacomotto and Big Daddy.

Check out more information on this event on Beatportal.

Interview written by Big Daddy @ Playtime

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