Jonathan Ulysses
Interview with Jonathan Ulysses
THE INTERVIEW
Quite simply Mr Space Ibiza himself, Jonathan Ulysses has spent the last 11 years bossing the Terrace at Space, touring the planet with the prestigious brand and mixing the In Bed With Space compilation for the past 9 years. He's got his own record label, his own clothing label and has collaborated with some of house music's finest producers. The behemoth that is Jonathan Ulysses is here and ready to rock us to the core.....
1. You'll be making your Shiva debut with us at The Lightbox. What do you know about the night? Are you looking forward to it?
Yeah I WILL be looking forward to Shiva!! I know that you launched at Canvas in London a few years back and that you have a great up-for-it crowd that are up for a dance! The Lightbox is really getting a reputation as one of London's hottest venues at the moment. So, it's looking good!
2. How does Jonathan Ulysses spend his days when he’s not DJing?
I like to spend my time at home chilling out - when I'm not travelling the globe on missions to heal the world with dance music(!) Also, when I'm not overseas I like to spend my time in the studio working on tracks for the following summer.
3. What do you love about DJing in London?
I love playing in London because I'm a Londoner myself and it's my city. It's also nice playing here because I don't have to travel too far or go to the airport or sit in strange hotels overseas somewhere! I love the vibe of the clubbers in London, too, and the atmosphere in the clubs. In London, the promoters and the club owners are groundbreaking with music. The sound systems and the designs of the clubs in and around London are just superb.
4. Where do you see dance music going in 2010?
I see dance music going back to its roots a little; going back to the underground like drum 'n' bass did. I say this because you just have to look at DJs like Luciano and Ritchie Hawtin to see the way the sound is going but, in addition to that, everything is going digital. On the technological side of things, everyone's using laptops to DJ and this will have an effect on EVERYTHING - including dance music. I still use CDs myself, but I'M from that old-skool side of clubbing and DJing!!
5. What are the hottest three tunes in your box right now?
The Union Jackers - 'Drop'
Ulysses and Ingram - 'Come Baby'
The Temper Trap - 'Sweet Disposition'
6. What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you in a club?
The weirdest thing that's happened in a club for me was very early on in my career. I took a booking in Berlin from a guy called Clark Kent(!) I was unaware of the style and type of music that I should play for the event, so I just kept my eyes open for a reaction from the crowd. But on arrival, I noticed that everyone in the club was dressed in leather and PVC. All the girls were wearing three and a half inch heels, were overly made-up in make-up and looking like they were out for a different kind of fun. I was lead to the decks and proceeded to start my set when I noticed an older-looking chap bent over with his pants down by his ankles. He was putting his hands and head into a wooden head strap with a lock on the front. Another younger-looking lady continued to pull his pants down and started to whip his bottom with a leather strap. The older chap seemed to be enjoying himself and from then on I understood that this was a fetish party where I had been asked to make an appearance!! But staying true to my art, I played my set - although I'm not sure if anyone at the club noticed as I think they had other things on their minds!!!
7. What is your finest trait as a person? Your finest quality?
My finest trait is that I am a good guy. I always try to give respect to all man, woman, child, animal or plant. I think that if you're good in life then all good things will come back to you. In regards to my finest quality? Well, I'm not sure that's for me to decide - but I DO think that I have a talent for making people dance and bringing people joy and happiness when I get on the decks!!
8. It’s rare that you see DJs throwing a few shapes on the dancefloor, pre/post their set. Why is this? Can DJs dance? Discuss.
I think this is because DJs are concentrating on the next move behind the decks, thinking about what they are going to play and how they are going to rock the crowd or..... because they aren't very good at dancing!! I still have a dance before, during and after my DJ sets. I still enjoy the music and love what dancing can do for your health and your wellbeing, as well as your sanity! House music is an expression for dancing to come alive and I think more DJs should take part as people love to watch a DJ enjoying him/herself in a club after a set.
9. What little things in life irritate the hell out of you?
The only little things that irritate me are the large cockroaches that you get when you're in Ibiza. It's really hot and you're about to eat a meal and one of the little blighters pops out of a drain or flies past your table! I had this happen to me while having a meal with friends in Ibiza Town. The waiter said that it didn't happen much but I didn't believe him and left. Although, it WAS funny watching some of the girls at the table scream their heads off and stand on the tables in a packed restaurant!
10. What can we expect of you ahead of your set with Shiva at The Lightbox?
You can expect to hear big tunes with a happy vibe and a positive ride through two hours of quality house music. I'll have upfront, remixed classics with some cutting-edge new stuff in the set to leave the Shiva crowd begging for more. I cant wait!!!!m.....