TextMi-Latest: Interview: Seamus Haji
The Superstar DJ and perfected producer kindly took time out of his musically dominated world of electro beats, funk and a whole lotta soul to talk to us... An educational pleasure!
Article posted on 17th May 2006 at 14:00
Ring, Ring — The lovely wife picks up, she's expecting me, thing is, where's Seamus? There's these soulful beats in the background, getting louder — much louder, its 10am on a Friday morning! I hear the hinge of the door open, now i'm getting giddy! Seamus sparing no time at all is pumping to some new tracks in his studio, the man clearly loves it!
It's straight down to business, he's eager to give textmi.com an insight into the grand creation of Seamus Haji; this is going to be good! Seamus is incredibly on the disco ball, which doesn't surprise me one bit, his focus, commitment and passion became more apparent throughout our chat. His positive attitude and hard work has secured him a top spot in the hearts of clubbers and music producers all over the world. The Brighton boy started DJing at the adolescent age of 16, then went on to bag is first residency at The Satellite; he then became a regular fixture at MOS, Code, Bed and London's Pacha. I can assure you it certainly does not stop there — Seamus has recently been nominated for "Best Outstanding Remix" at the House Music Awards for the huge more electro remix of Awell's, Feel the Vibe. He is incredibly famous and respected for his music all over the World. You'd probably find it easier to jump into the Manchester canal than not to dance to one his tracks! He's spent the last 4 years in Pacha Ibiza and globe trots on a regular basis spreading his supreme talent! He's now been running his own label for 3 years "Big Love Music" and often produces popular master pieces of the house variety! All this cast aside he is a family guy with two kids and his ideal night away from it all would be a night for him and the wife in New York, Top man!
Very chuffed to be discussing his work, I panic a little and knowing exactly what you textmi.com readers crave, asked him what he was wearing — no response, so I cleverly back track and ask him to set the scene, phew!
"Just chilling, listening to a few mixes then its plush tonight and the Amsterdam Dance Event tomorrow" Also playing at the ADE where the likes of Hardsoul, Axwell and Sharman J "The ADE (Amsterdam dance event) is very much for the DJs, everyone's really busy at the mo but i'm looking forward to seeing people I know from Sweden, Switzerland Germany and all round Europe!" But before Seamus jetted off to tear up the Dam, he had a big one lined up for his debut appearance at Plush! I was keen to get his opinion on us MADchester residents, "Defo a good party atmosphere up north, In London they sometimes try to be too cool in the clubs, in the Midlands they're cool, but up north they're just mad aren't they? I always have a great time in Manchester so I'm really looking forward to it" He knew he wouldn't be getting much sleep that night, As always Friday night Plush at Ampersand was the place to be and aired to over 250,000 listeners on Galaxy 102!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Laughing, " I wish I knew!... 5 years ago I was working as an A&R person for Defected Records where I met my wife, now I'm married with 2 kids and have my own label. Once I left Defected it meant I could do what I wanted to do, get in the Studio and make records, I was fortunate enough to earn money doing it and make a living! In 5 years time I'd really like the Label to have grown, It's organic, no hype, It's all about the music, actions speak louder than words. I want to put more music out and get different artists signed. I'd also like "Big Love Music" to be doing our own compilations — It's all from the roots up"
Plans for the rest of the year?
"I'm playing in South Africa for the first time in December and until the end of the year all over Europe, then for the fourth year running I'll be playing in Slovenia for New Years Eve!"
Cool, You Travel so much, where do you see becoming the next hot spot?
"New Yorks my favourite place. Ibiza and Italy are well known club spots but now Russia, Poland, Macedonia Estonia and Hungary are really up for it — Moscow has a really good scene!"
Ibiza in three words and can you see anywhere replacing it?
"It's sad when summer is over; Ibiza in three words for the punters is Sunburn, No sleep and dehydration! Older clubbers that discovered it will always go there and this year I saw lots of young clubbers that hear about it from the older clubbers then go to discover it for themselves. The closing parties are always packed! I don't feel there's a rave culture like their used to be but there's still a strong vibrant scene!"
His passion for music is clear from the word &qoute;remix&qoute;, I ask him about his main influences, He loves electro funk, electro boogie and can't big up Planet Rock enough, Seamus gets deep, I Love it! "In 1982 a sound came through, Planet Rock, electro funk in New York — It changed my life! Any drum beat you hear on a house record today will probably be a sample of Planet Rock craft work! After that soul music reflects a lot of my work today, I play disco, soul, electro, funk and I like vocals"
Any words of wisdom for an up and coming fellow DJ?
"It's all about making music; you have to different to make your mark you need to start producing records and the music you're into." He laughs "I don't totally agree with that though, because just because people make good records it doesn't mean they're good DJs. But that's the way it is, when I make a record it's the whole name that's advertised. You need to get in the studio; practice to make your sets interesting, you've gotta be technically gifted! Be creative and personalise what it is that you do!"
Any DJ's set to take us by storm?
"I don't get to hear as many of the residents I would like to, when I arrive I hear them and then I'm on for a couple of hours! Dave Spoon is a good DJ and Producer, Audio Fly are American and they are Hot! In the UK Filfy Rich, Dirty freaks and Mojo!"
Seamus Haji's got insane amounts of wicked records to rock out worlds for 2006 including the Massive summer hit Sunrise with Dave Stunn and Take me away with Paul Emmanuel! To keep an eye on this frisky DJ check out his website www.biglovemusic.com and be prepared for some mind blowing tracks!
