Erick Morillo on Eminem, America & Fast Cars- No Ferraris For Me

Not only is he Colombia's finest export but DJ Erick Morillo is one of leading figureheads of dance culture, running his achingly hip house label Subliminal and regularly touring the world in his own right as a DJ. Kicking off his second Ibiza season next Tuesday 19th June (when he teams up again with Darren Emerson for the Subliminal Sessions Underwater at Pacha) he's also about to release his third label compilation, a triple CD extravaganza called Subliminal Sessions Volume 3.

Taking time out from a business packed day, he chatted to Skrufff's Jonty Adderley down the line from his Jersey offices.


Skrufff: Starting with the compilation, triple CDs are still less common than doubles, why have you opted for three-

Erick Morillo: "With the third CD I wanted to give something back to the people who'd supported volumes 1 and 2 and we're still charging the same price for a double, even though it's a triple. It's more of a gift. The other purpose is to turn people on more to what we're doing with the Subliminal Soul label. Every CD is different, the first is more uplifting, the second has a more electro/ while the third is the soulful house vibe. The first two in particular are a snapshot of what I'm presently spinning."

Skrufff: Your biography includes a quote from Louis Vegas (Masters At Work) saying he advised you in the early 90s "Erick, focus more on vocals", is that still something you apply-

Erick Morillo: "Not really, back in those days that kind of music was more popular, whereas these days styles have changed a lot. There are vocals out there and I do play them but they have to be different- they can't be the same old soulful diva thing- that's been done and redone, done and abused. I like vocals with a more indie, rockish vibe these days."

Skrufff: Britain's superclub/ superstar DJ world seems to be in some disarray right now, what's your assessment of Europe-

Erick Morillo: "It's all about the intimate vibe you get in the small clubs, I think the bigger clubs forgot what it's about for a while because they were making so much money. It's about the clubbers. They're paying for it now, because these new little clubs have popped up and there's a much better vibe at them."

Skrufff: You're playing Pacha in Ibiza this season which is also a huge club, how do you see that venue faring-

Erick Morillo: "It's a big club but the way it's set up it feels small. It's not a huge room in the main room, it's not that high a ceiling and it's so spread out with the terrace and all the side rooms. So it still feels like a small club and that's what I love about the place. It's the mixture of the tables, the VIPs and the clubbers on the dancefloor that create a really good vibe. It's got the right balance."

Skrufff: How much has Ibiza now entered New York clubbers' consciousness, are you expecting more New Yorkers out there this summer-

Erick Morillo: "Absolutely, Ibiza is common talk amongst clubbers and they know what it is, whereas three years ago, nobody knew about it. They know it's the prime destination for educated clubbers. Here in America you've got lots of places to go but they're usually full of a bunch of people doing wet T shirt contests and not caring about the music. At least in Ibiza you get the Superbowl of DJs."

Skrufff: The UK media is currently going crazy for electroclash and bands like Fischerspooner, being based in New York, is that a scene that's touching you-

Erick Morillo: "I'm into the electro thing but more on the underground vibe. I hate that track Sunglasses At Night. I know Fischerspooner got signed for something like a million dollars but I'm not really familiar with their sound. We have our own take on what electro is over here and I've explored it on the second CD more. That Fischerspooner sound hasn't hit America."

Skrufff: Dipping into your past, you grew up in Colombia, how much of your childhood did you spend there-

Erick Morillo: "From the age of 3 to 10 Tags

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