“I really can’t see ‘hordes’ of Americans coming to Ibiza myself. I do hope a good few thousand come, but come on, the ‘hordes’ you’re suggesting don’t even have passports, mate.”

Chatting to Skrufff this week about the upcoming season of Sunday night parties at Space, We Love main-man Mark Broadbent is on typically feisty form, chuckling when quizzed about how he’ll be attracting American EDM fans flocking to the island for the first time.

“I don’t have any problem with Americans and in fact I even like a few of the ones I’ve met,” he jokes.

“There you go, Jonty, that’s how I’m going to target them. Let them know they are welcome at our party,” he laughs.

With We Love’s 2012 lineups involving the return of regulars such as Paul Woolford, Carl Craig, Derrick May and James Zabiela, alongside relatively new faces including Scuba, Oxia, and Appleblim, more than a few fresh faced American clubbers are likely to flock to the club, though any expecting EDM will be in for a let down.

Firstly, because Mark points out ‘it’s not what we really do’ and secondly though he claims ‘not to have too much of an opinion on it to be honest’, his next sentence suggests otherwise.

“I don’t like ‘pop dance’,” he explains, “and I fucking hate the term EDM.”

“I also think people who jump on bandwagons for cash and do things they don’t really believe in by booking ill placed and badly programmed acts should take a long look at themselves and ask why they are doing this,” he suggests.

“Dumbing down audiences and pandering to the masses has no place on Ibiza in my opinion,” he continues.

 “It has taken the people who care on this island a long time to change perspectives about what the island is really like and booking “pop” acts puts us back years and potentially shortens our shelf life as a serious music brand.”

Click on the picture for opening party details

Launching We Love at Space 14 years ago, he’s helped build the Sunday night weekly into the Ibiza’s most credible brand, attracting thousands of clubbers each week to dance to DJs spinning- broadly speaking- underground house and techno.

Highlighting We Love’s strength on the island, the party will be celebrating Space’s official 23^rd birthday celebrations on Sunday August 12, headlined by Chemical Brothers, Simian Mobile Disco and Joris Voorn.

Though he’s deadly serious in his warning of commercial house threatening the island’s longer term night life future he’s hilariously indiscreet when asked whether he agrees with Pete Tong’s recent assessment that ‘big business’ is threatening ‘the scene’. (Music Week: http://bit.ly/HNHaTW )

“Well he would know, right?” Mark laughs again.

“| didn’t hear what Pete Tong said specifically and in what context but Pete IS ‘big business’, in my opinion,” he asserts.

“He is a director of big businesses within our scene, plays a part in the biggest agency – WME (William Morris Entertainent) – in the world right now and DJs on our oldest national radio station – the BBC – so what is/was he saying? Did he sound threatening?”

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): Another year; another new season; what are the key changes We Love have planned for this year?

Mark Broadbent (We Love): “There are never any key changes at We Love… I think that one of the secrets to our success is that things have evolved rather than changed drastically over the last fourteen years. With ears and eyes closely focused on the street we take direction from what feels right to us, what we think will translate well on Ibiza and with this in mind we have introduced some really great new blood to the family this summer, acts we are excited about ourselves.”

Skrufff: I read on Ibiza-voice recently :’refurbishments could take place at space too, with the club’s worst kept secret, the vehemently underground red box, possibly making way for – you guessed it – another vip area.’ (http://bit.ly/wpirVx ): has that happened?

Mark Broadbent (We Love): “Space always make full use of the winter months to fully refurbish the venue so that returning customers are always welcomed with new ideas and themes. The sound and lighting systems are replaced with the latest innovations and a huge amount of time is spent on the general decor to ensure the customer feels like he/she has entered somewhere very special.

This year Space have decided to return the area where the Redbox was back to how it was five or six or seven? years ago. People who have been coming to Space for some time will remember the open terrace above the main-room (discoteca) with it’s decidedly dark corners and even darker seating.

I am told by the management that this will not be VIP but will be open to anybody who wants to enter on most nights with the possibility of table service for a fortunate few.”

Skrufff: Also on Ibiza-voice, I read your recent comment on their latest Berlin feature; ‘it’s  all about grozny now anyway so who cares?”  what prompted that? What’s your view of Berlin’s club scene- I guess pretty negative?

Mark Broadbent (We Love): “I absolutely loved clubbing in Berlin but am so bored of reading about it. Come on, move on, find a new city to fuck up.”

Skrufff: DJ Sneak has been criticizing Swedish House Mafia widely on twitter in recent weeks- blasting them for being fake (‘for the record, they do not play house music’): how much do you consider their music to be ‘house’? under what circumstances would you book SHM? and/ or Tiesto?

Mark Broadbent (We Love): “I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that I have never knowingly listened to “the Swedes” but years ago I was offered them for our sunset terrace. The agent suggested to me that we could have all three of them for a very, very low price as they really wanted to play for us and the agent thought it was the perfect fit for their first Ibiza residency. I didn’t like the name or the implications that they were some kind of house music gangsters, I mean, what can you expect if you invite that kind of person into your life?

Anyway, we didn’t book them and three years later they are the biggest act on Ibiza, making Pacha a fortune. Ah well, never mind, right!  I still wouldn’t book them for Space, but not due for the same reasons Sneak is talking about. After all, we have booked acts in the past who have since turned out to be pretty “fake” but for us it’s important to be able to get along with the people we work with and I just don’t think we would get along very well with those guys.

Acts like this are best booked when you can keep them at arm’s length, for a festival, for example. When you need to sell a shit load of tickets and it’s a broad demographic of people being targeted then you need acts like the Swedes and Tiesto for the most part and we have booked this type of act in the past to do just that at our festivals. We call this “the big swinging dick effect”: get a few bookings like this and the rest of the lineup comes together easily.”

Having said that, I don’t know, there seems to be enough room for everybody to do what they want right now.

Why is DJ Sneak even bothered by what they do? What does he want them to do? Lose the word “house” I suppose? But then the Italians might have problems with them right? The poor guys can’t win. ‘The Swedes’ just doesn’t sound right, does it? It makes you think of greengrocers not nightclubs and disc jockeys. I don’t suppose they give a shit about what he has to say anyway.”

http://bit.ly/GW7Td4 (We Love @Space opening party details: June 10)

http://www.welove-music.com/

Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff

Click on the picture to read the statement in full

DJ Danny Tenaglia has announced he is taking an indefinite break from DJing, via a statement posted on Facebook in which he spoke candidly about being deeply unhappy.

Admitting he had long been ‘yearning for something new and different besides music’, the 51 year old New York star said he decided to stop after enduring a miserable trip to Canada.

“I was traveling back to Miami alone as my co-workers flew back to NY and I was just looking out the window the whole flight and for 3 hours I was just thinking HOW AM I EVER GOING TO PROPERLY RESIGN (not retire),” he said. . . . And when I got home I realized I left a small carry on murse bag with many personal things, keys, passport and so on and at first all I could feel was FURY!!”

click to watch

Six days later, and still without his passport and wallet, he described experiencing an epiphany or revelation, of what to do.

“LADIES & GENTLEMEN: As of this day, I am “resigning” (not retiring) and all future gigs will sadly BE canceled except for My Belated Birthday @ Pacha on Sat April 28th! This will BE my final gig until I feel I am ready to return back to the decks.”

Earlier in the statement he talked about the relentless superstar DJ treadmill of ‘Airplanes, Airports, Hotels, Foreign-isms’ and was equally blunt about the reality of his financial situation.

“I HAVE SEEN THE MOUNTAINTOP as a DJ and I just need to STOP and smell the roses of my life and simply try to “Grow Up and BE who I really am” but “everything” – including the need for finances to afford my Loft of 10 years in NY which I can no longer afford and must let go of by July,” he revealed.

“I know many people think I am wealthy but I assure I am not! I have lived well and have very nice things to show for my earnings, but I cannot stop working!!”

His statement prompted a deluge of comments on Facebook and Twitter including scores from fellow international DJs and friends. While many others simple ‘thanks, best wishes’ messages some were more specific, suggesting Danny’s stresses are far from unique amongst his superstar DJ peers.

“Take time for you family, because this music life will break you down mentally and physically,” Chicago pioneer Ron Carroll recommended, “Keep GOD 1st, and I know your return will be massive as ever,” he predicted.

Angel Alanis was more pragmatic.

“If I were you I’d leave my stuff with a close friend(s) and just travel for fun and work here and there in studio, but more than anything be free and roam for myself,” Angel advised, “Or just lay low on the beach or on some lake in the mountains.”

Tommie Sunshine also paid tribute.

“You taught me so much about DJing and so much about myself while dancing to your music,” said Tommie.

“I am so happy for you that you are being so daring and going out into the world to see what it has for you. Not many people ever take chances like that.”

“I will never give up my first love with MUSIC, but there has to BE something else (or someone) out there waiting for me,” Danny wrote at the end of his message.

“Please BE kind, this has not been easy and I am a very sensitive person. God BE with US all! See you soon!!” he concluded.

http://on.fb.me/IN1zKG

Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff

Ariel “D’ese” is out on Beatport: click on the picture for more

“I usually fast when I’m flying which often means I won’t eat for the duration of the trip and longer, only drinking water throughout. It’s easy for me to do that; I can go up to 48 hours without eating and not being hungry in the slightest.”

Starting his career DJing to thousands in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Ariel Belloso first moved to Europe in 1991, arriving in Ibiza where he debuted at Pacha.

Moving to London soon after (following numerous gigs at all of the island’s superclubs, he settled down quickly and 20 years on continues to call the UK capital his home.

Renowned for playing marathon sets at long running big room residencies at the likes of Fabric and 90s house institution Bagleys he continues performing every weekend, either in London or overseas. (Djariel.com)

——=——

The Best:

Skrufff: What’s the most opulent travel trip you’ve experienced?

DJ Ariel: “Staying a month in Havana while I recorded an album in 2002 was really special. I felt likr I’d been abducted though after a while and even changed my Spanish accent when I came back.”

Skrufff: And the best hotel?

DJ Ariel: “Ashford Castle in Ireland. The Marlin Hotel in Miami was also good, especially the bathroom floor with different coloured tiles.”

Skrufff: What do you need to make a trip perfect?

DJ Ariel: “This answer will change according which decade we are talking about. These days I don’t need anything in particular, other than to expect the same standard of professionalism from everybody involved.”

Skrufff: What do you always travel with?

DJ Ariel: “Fresh fruits whenever possible as I am a raw foodist. Shockingly enough, airlines don’t serve fresh fruits; they only give you those oxidized tiny fruit salads with no taste and minimal nutritional value. I usually fast when I’m flying which often means I won’t eat for the duration of the trip and longer, only drinking water throughout. It’s easy for me to do that; I can go up to 48 hours without eating and not being hungry in the slightest.”

Skrufff: How does it work, going without food for two days?

DJ Ariel: “It has to with the general state of your health. If you regularly eat junk foods you will feel hungry after 45 minutes of eating; or shortly afterwards if you eat denatured cooked stuff, whatever if you eat whole raw foods in the correct way you are hardly ever hungry. It’s to do with absorption as the body utilizes more nutrients from raw foods than cooked, so you are better nourished and can go for more time. The longer you practice this lifestyle, the better you get at it. I often go for two days without any food and feel perfectly fine with lots of energy.”

Skrufff: What are your top three travel tips?

DJ Ariel: “Take a nice book, water and fruit.”

—–=—–

: The worst

Skrufff: What’s been your worst travel nightmare?

DJ Ariel: “The New York blackout of 2004. I was in the air and about to land in New York only 15 minutes before the black out. The pilot announced that there had been a complete power cut in the whole of New York, we couldn’t believe it. We ended up in Boston with a million other people.

The airport was really busy like a football match because of the unusual situation that was affecting the area as all the incoming flights were redirected out of New York.

All hotels from Boston ended up being booked very fast due to the amount of people that were there so I had to sleep at the airport for the night. It wasn’t too bad in the end because I managed to get myself a flight to Miami amid the chaos in the morning and get a connection to Buenos Aires the same day.”

Skrufff: What’s the worst hotel you’ve stayed in?

DJ Ariel: “Boston airport.”

Skrufff: How about the worst experience you’ve had at customs/ Immigration?

DJ Ariel: “I took lots of fresh fruits and nuts in my hand luggage as I was starting a tour of Australia in 2008 without declaring it upon arriving at the airport. It was the early days of my raw food diet so I wasn’t able to go without foods and fast for days like I do now. A dog eventually caught me while I was waiting for my bag to arrive. The airport police came and asked me if I had anything, so I had to tell them about my diet. They found half of Waitrose in my bag and issued me a fine; though I didn’t have to pay anything eventually since they kindly let me go.”

Skrufff: And those moments just after you’ve cleared customs: have you had any bad encounters after not being picked up?

DJ Ariel: “The fear of kidnap always crosses my mind when playing certain places.”

Skrufff: What do you avoid on DJ trips?

DJ Ariel: “Travelling light with not too much weight is always best.”

Skrufff: What do you hate about travelling?

DJ Ariel: “I am not a fan of travelling generally. I enjoy DJing and visiting a country for the first time but not coming back too many times afterwards. That’s why I’ve always chosen to play residencies. Besides that, I have played a large numbers of countries already.”

Skrufff: What’s been the most frightening experience you’ve had on your DJ trips?

DJ Ariel: “Running from the IRA while playing Northern Ireland in the early days was scary. I ended up in the wrong after-hours party; we had to run; and quick. It was in the early 1990s and I don’t remember much, just the moment of being squeezed out of a place by the promoter together with a group of around 10 people and heading back to a car to leave the club. I don’t know what was going on and I was pretty young at the time. Though I ended up playing Ireland a lot in the 1990s, both north and south.”

Ariel “D’ese” is out on Beatport:

http://www.beatport.com/release/dese/322742

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMG6nLJLpsE&feature=related DJ Ariel – Freedom at Bagley’s * London 1998

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwlLEZir8dc YOU TUBE DJ ARIEL 8 HOUR SET BAGLEYS/CANVAS, 2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0elQ65BgBiw&feature=related DJ ARIEL AT FREEDOM, BAGLEYS, LONDON 1998

Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff