Music Review Interview Clubbing New Trends Most popular

Music Review Interview Clubbing Trend All News Podcast Widget

Successful at London’s regional finals for Cream, and Muzik magazine’s competition to find Cream a new resident, Demi was still bubbling under DJ wise when he, (together with partner Sian) set up his monthly London party, ‘Deeper Substance,’ back in May 2001.  Now into it's third year this popular touring night has acted as a cool platform for some seriously strong resident DJ’s, and been a quality haven for international names like Lee Burridge, Rui da Silva, Clive Henry, Paolo Mojo and Desyn Masiello. “Deeper Substance couldn't be in a better state right now, I am so excited with what’s in store for the night…” states Demi who has just added another angle to his adventures… “We now have in the second room, DJ's from ‘Good Looking Records’ running the agenda, and they will be offering a refreshing alternative to us lot.  With that in place it allows me to concentrate on the main room and we are having our first Resident’s Party this April, while the Third Birthday (already) is next month in May 2004.  We have some incredible talents featuring over the coming months...”
With an ever-expanding DJ diary that’s seen Demi warming up with Danny Tenaglia (at ‘Be Yourself’) four times, performing at ‘Deeper Substance’ Miami WMC parties (for the last three consecutive years,) spinning at the Closing Party at Pacha 2003 (on the Terrace with Def Mix’s Satoshi) and playing widely across the Far East and America, it’s evident Demi likes to keep hard at it.  Renown for his determined and industrious approach, Demi’s just taken on a brand new London night called ‘S.O.S.’  (‘Sex on Substance,’) which is a combination of the record label ‘Sex on Wax’ (Omid 16B & Desyn Masiello) and ‘Deeper Substance.’  Since Demi’s also keeping well topped up on his air miles and finely tuned to funky marathon sleazy-house sets, it’s no real wonder that he finds it difficult to find spare time for excessive studio-based knob twiddling, although his remix of David Bowie’s instructive ‘Let’s Dance’ was a deconstructed diamond.  Demi’s follow-up track called  ‘9 am,’ has also been aired, but was whisked back into the studio (for now,) despite impressing DJ dons DT and Francois K!  “That has all taken a back seat as I made a concerted effort to get a few other things under my belt.” Demi explains.  “The Bowie remix has been great in just getting more exposure as a producer, and I do have two other tracks done though I want to go back into the studio and remix them, as I am not entirely happy.  There’s been very little time really for studio stuff, what with the extensive touring and continual promotion of the nights…”

Luckily for us however, Demi did find some time out of his hectic schedule for a few of our questions - so read on to assess what this over occupied ‘champion face-puller’ had to say…  
 
Hello Demi, how are you and where are you as you write this?
“Frantically getting a mix CD ready for Steve Lawler - I have two days to turn it around…”

You must be satisfied with your fantastic successes, but what else would you like to achieve in the next few years?
“I just want to keep pushing myself as I am now, and if I do that and continue then I will be happy.”

This year DJ Magazine included you as one of their ‘Top 20 Tips for 2004.’  How do you see things?
“I am always positive about things and my situation, and I think that is taken from the satisfaction I feel when I achieve a certain level of success, or reach a particular goal after all the incredible hard work put into raising my profile.  Everything just feels right and I feel the progression is natural.” 

Describe yourself in three words?
“Clown, clown, .............. And clown :-)”

Your website  (www.deepersubstance.com) is superb!  Who did the design – its quite ‘Bond’ what with the D.S. logo?
“Ha - really chuffed you like it... It's my baby, and for me it is my portal to a lot of memories from the past three years... The design concept was done by myself but it was a guy called Shealan Forshaw who built the site, he is a genius in short and is Fabric's New Media Manager, as well as managing the websites of both John Digweed and Bedrock.”

The gallery is great fun too.  You’re apparently a champion face-puller and lady magnet, if I may say so?
“The gallery, for me, is what sells the night and what sells the site.  Pictures are fun and I wanted the gallery to be the main feature of the site.  Of course the content is important as well, but who wants to be reading streams and streams of reviews and mundane information?  The pictures tell the story!  A lady magnet? Ha no, but definitely a champion face-puller, I like that!”

If you could ask any DJ a question, who and what would you ask?
“Now that is a good question - I would ask Mr David "bufty" Morales why he has the urge to go topless every time he spins?  It ain't a cat walk up there!”

How was your WMC set with Danny Tenaglia for the 'Be Yourself' gig at Envy this year?
“Admittedly it wasn't busy, what with all the other big nights going on that Monday night in South Beach, but there were still about a hundred heads there.  As for the set itself, it couldn't have gone better - my job was primarily to set the mood, and I enjoyed the set so much as it really allowed me to experiment with a lot of different sounds.  So I always like the challenge whatever it is.  To just be involved with something so big and with Danny was a huge honour and I can't praise him enough.”

You played (over Easter) at the new London night ‘S.O.S.’ – ‘Sex on Substance’ (‘Sex on Wax’ and ‘Deeper Substance’ with Omid 16B and Desyn Masiello.)  What does your involvement in that project entail besides DJ’ing?
“Yes this I guess was one of those ‘goals and achievements’ that I have reached.  The project is a very real one – ‘S.O.S.’ can have many connotations and Des, Omid and myself prefer leaving that open to however people want to interpret it all.  Our aim is simple.  Positivity, unity and damn good house music, that we all love playing.  The first night was a massive success and they kept the club open an extra hour... nobody wanted to leave!  It was great seeing a lot of other distinguished DJ’s there too; Mr C, Clive Henry and James Lavelle came down and even Behrouz was about (so we let him spin a few records!) Besides the DJ'ing, I am heavily involved with the marketing side to things, making sure there is ample press/ media coverage, drafting out the press releases, running competitions etc.  So I guess that journalism degree did come in handy then!” 

What other gigs have rocked your world lately?
“I would have to say my new bi-monthly residency in Toronto (at this new club called Boa.)  It really is an awesome club with an after-hours licence, so I have free reign to really stretch my musical tastes over what is a monster mother of a sound system.  It's the new ‘Alpha-Sound’ system from Germany, and I believe a lot of clubs are now sniffing about over it.  Space - Miami I know bought a stack of them.”

Will you be gracing the White Isle this summer, and if so, when and where?
“Yes most definitely, there are a few things in the pipeline with Cream and with Pacha - but I can't reveal too much just yet.  Just keep your ears open and eyes on the website...”

What's your most memorable memory of recent Ibizan times?
“Ha... There’s too many... But definitely the one that sticks out is my debut at Pacha last year. With so many friends there - I think that if you have an amazing experience, you want to share it with your closest pals, and I was lucky enough to have a few of them there...  Plus there were all the management at the club who were ace that night, Danny Tenaglia was filming away with his camcorder; DJ Vibe and Behrouz were there... I could have died and gone to heaven that time…”

What specific elements make Ibiza unique to you?
“It is the people... the people make Ibiza, it is as simple as that!”

Demi’s confirmed DJ gigs!

• 24th April: Demi @ Club 69, Club Supermarket - Zurich, Switzerland
• 21st May: Deeper Substance 3rd Birthday @ Rhythm Factory - London, UK
• 29th May: Demi @ Beijing
• 30th May: Demi @ Beijing
• 12th June: Demi & Boa - Toronto, Canada
• 18th June: Deeper Substance @ Rhythm Factory - London, UK
• 2nd July: Demi @ Fandago, Turnmills - London, UK  (tbc)
• 14th August: Demi & Boa - Toronto, Canada
• 20th August: Deeper Substance @ Rhythm Factory - London, UK
• 17th September: Deeper Substance @ Rhythm Factory - London, UK
• 9th October: Demi & Boa - Toronto, Canada
• 15th October: Deeper Substance @ Rhythm Factory - London, UK (with VERY SPECIAL GUESTS)

 Demi’s portal to the world is open!
(Deeper Substance is at The Rhythm Factory, at 16, Whitechapel Road, London, UK)