We took a moment on our private jet from The Social Festival to Elrow in Rotterdam to talk all things music, fashion, summer and what’s in store for 2017 with DJ and producer, Santé.
Who influences you musically?
Wow, there’s so many! A huge musical influence of mine is definitely New Order, I can remember exactly when I first discovered them. I’m also heavily influenced by a lot of older house and techno acts from Detroit and Chicago, obviously legends like Frankie Knuckles.
Name three artists you had on your playlist growing up…
Kerri Chandler, Robert Hood, and Frankie Knuckles.
When was the pinnacle moment you realised you could make a career in music?
It was pretty early on for me. As soon as I got my first guitar I started teaching myself and very quickly knew that I wanted to make music. I would write songs that were mostly guitar based, because at that time samplers were really expensive. So I worked in a supermarket during every school holiday, stacking shelves in order to save up enough money to buy my first sampler. When I finally bought it, I couldn’t put it down, and this was the moment that I knew I wanted to be a music producer. The desire to become a DJ came later on.
What’s been your biggest career highlight so far?
One of my biggest highlights was definitely playing the legendary Space closing in Ibiza! That was a really, really big moment for me.
If you could collaborate with one other artist, past or present, who would it be?
Well, if I could collaborate with anyone at all, I would have to say Michael Jackson.
Where is the most memorable venue you’ve ever played?
The first time I ever played in Russia, It was in a city called Perm. I had to fly to Moscow, and then get another 4 hour flight over to the East to get there. It was immedietly very strange, because the airport was really tiny and it was absolutely freezing, and literally no one spoke a single word of English! The town itself was quite run down, we even drove past an old tank on the side of the road at one point! I was really concerned by the time we reached the hotel, because I can only describe it as looking like some sort of prison, there were bars on all of the doors and windows. So, I was taken to the venue, and still no one had spoken a single word of English. The venue itself was also weird, it was inside some sort of old gym / sports hall like the one you would see at school, but it was completely full of people! And as soon as I arrived, the DJ stopped the music, the whole room turned around to face me and immediately made a huge parting in the crowd for me to walk straight up to the DJ booth, and then they clapped for me the whole way up to the booth. I will never forget it, it was such a surreal experience. I started playing music and it ended up being a really great show, I got so drunk that I completely forgot about the time, played way over my planned set time, and almost missed my flight!
What/Who/Where is the most memorable performance you’ve ever seen?
When I was about 15 or 16 years old, I snuck into a club back in my hometown, and saw Filippo Moscatello who was on DJ Hell’s International DeeJay Gigolo Records at the time, and when I saw him playing for the first time, especially at that age, I knew that DJ’ing was something that I wanted to pursue. It was a hugely influential performance for me.
What do you enjoy most about playing festivals?
I like the energy of the big crowd, especially when you have 5,000 / 10,000 people lifting their arms up in the air and going crazy over the drop in a track. The collective energy from the crowds at festivals is absolutely amazing, I love it.
How does the UK crowd differ from other countries?
I think the UK has always had one of the best rave scenes in Europe, because house and techno evolved pretty early in the UK. The crowds know a lot of the music really well so I feel as though sometimes they have a very deep appreciation of what we’re doing.
What song are you playing on repeat at the moment?
One song that I am playing in every set at the moment is Proudly People – ‘Give Me Gimme’ on Moon Harbour Records.
What’s been your summer highlight of 2017?
My main highlight from this summer was having my first appearance at CircoLoco at DC10.
What’s your guilty pleasure track?
If we’re talking in a general sense, then my guilty pleasure track would have to be Talking Heads – ‘This Must Be the Place’.
How do you spend your down time when you’re not performing or in the studio?
At the moment, I use every single minute of my free time to go surfing. It’s a lot of fun but is also so relaxing, and it’s kind of like meditation for me, I can release all of my stress whilst I’m surfing. As soon as you dive into the ocean you can forget everything, because you only have to struggle with the waves and yourself!
Favourite film/TV series?
I’m not really sure what my favourite film is, but my favourite TV show right now has to be Vinyl.
Drink of choice on a night out?
Mostly I like white wine.
Can you explain your fashion sense? How would you describe your style?
Casual, sporty, streetwear.
Describe yourself in three words?
Funny, egocentric, and lovely!
What’s next for 2017?
Coming up next is our AVOTRE show at ADE this month. We’ll be celebrating the label’s 5th birthday, so it’s going to be a very special night for us. I’m also looking forward to the big USA tour at the end of this year, it’s going to be amazing!
What advice do you have for aspiring DJs?
First of all, I would say be patient. I think this is the most important quality that any DJ needs to possess in this game. Of course practice, and believe in yourself, but patience is the number one priority. If you are patient, it will happen for you.
Have you seen our trip to Elrow with Santé & Sidney Charles? Check it out here.
