Tuesday 07th Feb, 2012

Roger Sanchez interview. "The vibe of Amnesia terrace is unbelievable".

Posted: 29/6/09 12:32

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ROGER SANCHEZ PRESENTS RELEASE YOURSELF AT AMNESIA IBIZA Few Dj's have benefitted from this islands burgeoning popularity as New York native Roger Sanchez. Thanks in no small part to the popularity of 2001 hit Another Chance, the man also known as the S man has been a mainstay on Ibizan shores every summer since, with his Release Yourself parties at Pacha becoming one of the islands most immensely popular success stories of the past decade.

These days Roger's a Grammy award winner with 1.2 million regular radio listeners as well as label head of the immensely popular Stealth Records. It's fair to say then, that Roger Sanchez is living the dream. Ibiza-Voice caught up with him to ask him what he thought about his current jet-setting lifestyle as a celebrity Dj, his controversial move to Amnesia and the story behind that infamous facial hair...

Is this your favourite time of the year?
"Definitely! The summertime is my favorite time of the year not only for the weather, but also for the fact that it is the party season. Everything sets off in Ibiza and all over Europe. Always look forward to the summertime."

Describe a typical day/night when playing in Ibiza.
"Normally my Tuesday nights will begin down at Café Mambo where we do the pre party for about an hour, see the fans and shake hands. Then we are going to get a bite to eat. After that we're driving to Amnesia, set things up and get ready for the night where I'm playing from midnight till the end. Starting very deep and emotional, getting the vibe, build it up and from around 2 it's going into a party atmosphere till the end. When it ends I drive home and just crash in bed!"

Describe your first time playing over here, you must have been nervous?
"The first time I came to Ibiza I heard some stories about the island that it would become the new party destination. That was around 1995. I played at Ku (now Privilege) and I wasn't that nervous but really excited to play in a different vibe and atmosphere."

Does it seem like a long time ago?
"Absolutely. Even though so much time has passed it just has retained its amazing vibe it's unequal by any place in the world."

The sound system at Amnesia is truly amazing and the vibe on the terrace is unbelievable.
You must have seen a lot of changes here since your first appearance?
"The crowds have become far more international and the sound has become less UK concentrated. It's getting more and more diverse with people coming from Spain, Italy, Germany and a whole bunch of different places all over the globe coming together to have a party. So it's truly the international dance center of the world."

Honestly, how many hours a day do you spend perfecting your facial hair!?
"Haha.. Well, actually I only shave about 5 minutes in the morning and use the trimmer to shave the top of my head. So I would say about 10 minutes in total. I have a lot of practice so it looks like I'm spending a lot more time. Haha."

There is a lot of mutual love between us and Pacha, that will always remain!
Was the move from Pacha to do with money or bringing the party to a new scale?
"To be honest with you the move from Pacha had very little to do with money and a lot more to with being able to expand on what we're doing. We had reached the creative point with Pacha, we couldn't go any further and I also wanted to have an environment that was more conducive to do bigger things, more decoration for example. The sound system at Amnesia is truly amazing and the vibe on the terrace is unbelievable. I played there years ago and I have an affinity to that club. They were very enthusiastic for us to move there so I'm very happy."

So you'd still be accepted with open arms in Pacha then?
"There is a lot of mutual love between us and Pacha, that will always remain! At this stage of the game they really have embarked on trying different things. I had a great history there but at this point it was time to move on."

My house sets will provide a really good counterpoint on what Armin is doing. Who's more popular, Roger or Armin van Buuren?
"Armin is incredibly popular, especially amongst the trance lovers. He generally appeals to a different crowd as I do, although there is some overlap. It is the combination of two such big nights that makes this a fantastic night out for music lovers, a true cross section for the house heads."

How do you think Roger's predominantly house sets will sit next door to AVB's trance sets?
"My house sets will provide a really good counterpoint on what Armin is doing. We both have very similar mentalities where it comes to giving 100% for our crowds, our sound is different but it is still electronic music. A lot of nights are having similar rooms where people can't choose, now people can choose and mingle."

Isn't it unlikely that much of your Pacha crowd will follow you to Amnesia with a trance star playing in the other room?
"There will be a difference in crowds but don't forget that it isn't about that on Ibiza. People are going from place to place and try new things out. The response from my fans is really positive and they will be on the terrace and the main room, believe me, as I am sure some Armin fans will come to see what is happening on the Terrace. It's a great step in a new direction."

Have you met AVB?
"Yes I did! I shared a few planes with him last year. We got along very well, he's a great guy. It's always good to do a night with someone who is committed just as I am."

Do you guys have the same vision for Tuesdays at Amnesia?
"Both of us are very enthusiastic and try to create the best possible party environment. We complement each other in terms of playing different kind of music. We both feel it is a mission to have the best party experience in one of the best clubs in the world."

Do you ever pinch yourself and think "my life cannot be real?" You must owe a lot to "Another Chance" right?
"The funny thing is that when I look back I think: WOW! This is amazing. I feel incredibly blessed to be in this position where I am. But everything starts with hard work. I did a lot of grinding and hard work for years prior to that in the underground. Another Chance was the tipping point that brought me into a wider audience. From then on my career was getting more and more international based."

I come from an era that is a bit old school where you used to play all night by yourself. How is Stealth records going?
"I have an incredible team at Every year we try to broaden our horizon. Every one at the label is really committed to our vision and we all pull together as a solid team. As you know it is a tough game out there to still sell records in this digital age but we are still come up with new ideas to get things going."

Is there a need for it now that you are so established on the dance music circuit or is it used primarily to champion new artists?
"Having a label is incredibly important. I try to do different things with the label musically. For me it's nice to have a label where you can be creative with your own productions as well as launching new music from fresh talent. Trying to create a platform for new artists."

You like playing long sets, typically 5/6 hours, what do you think the reaction of most aspiring DJ's/Producers would be if they were asked to do the same? Release Yourself On The Terrace Tuesday @ Amnesia
"I come from an era that is a bit old school where you used to play all night by yourself. I'm used to do this and I even feel comfortable playing all kinds of house in 6 hours. Nowadays a lot of dj's tied in into one sound and play short sets. I think it's a rarity to find new dj's who are playing long sets. They kind of stick to the 2 hour rule. So I think a lot of them will say: Well, this is not for me..."

Tune of 2009?
"Hmm, think it's still early to tell but for me it's my new single "Together". That's going to be big for me this summer."

Producer of 2009?
"A lot of strong talent is coming from the underground such as David Tort and Tiko's Groove who is doing some crazy stuff lately. But Laidback Luke has really hit his prime strides so i stick with Luke for 2009!"