Retro's Paul Taylor- Don't Mention School Disco
Author: Benedetta Ferraro
Saturday, July 20, 2002
After years spent building his old skool dance night Retro into one of Britain's biggest clubs it's no wonder that the overnight success of School Disco, another night dedicated to classics from the past, winds up Retro's Paul Taylor. Adding insult to injury (presumably) the fetishistic school uniform club is also hosting a season of weekly events in Ibiza at the same venue as Retro, San Antonio's Eden.
Though while School Disco DJs spin Banarama, Paul's plays Frankie Knuckles and, permeating all Retro's events is a genuine clubbing vibe that's unlikely to ever generate the snog-fests of SD.
"The music at their nights is totally and utterly different from the music we play," Paul confirms. "It's a fad and it's going to disappear very quickly, in my opinion."
Paul was chatting to Skrufff's Benedetta Ferraro on the eve of the release of his new mix CD Retro Volume 2, a collection themed around Ibiza.
Skrufff: You're just about to release Retro Volume 2; how dud you approach specifically giving the collection an Ibiza vibe-
Paul Taylor: "It has the influence from my DJing in Ibiza for the last eight years, with tracks that have been big for me personally and big in Ibiza in general. There's a nice mix of flavours on the album going from some real underground tracks right up to huge tunes that are just three years old. The purpose of the CD is to showcase the Retro sound in its particular variety."
Skrufff: How does the vibe at Retro nights in Ibiza compare to Tall Trees-
Paul Taylor: "They're very similar to be honest. 95% of our crowd in Ibiza are fans of the Retro sound, so we do get a lot of northerners, from the Midlands right up to Scotland, fans who regularly attend our events in the north of England. We're very lucky in that way, because our fan base really like what we do and they follow us wherever we go."
Skrufff: Have you had many celebrities or surprising VIPs in the club this season-
Paul Taylor: "We've had the Happy Mondays down a few weeks ago…"
Skrufff: Did they behave-
Paul Taylor: "Of course they did. Because it's on a Wednesday night, we also get some big promoters coming down, since they take it as a night off. Brandon and Alex were there along with all the promoters from Cream, Manumission, Tonic, …"
Skrufff: Do you have many DJs dancing-
Paul Taylor: "Yes, because it's one of those nights where people are not afraid to let go and have a dance. With new music it's either your bag (choice) or it isn't, but with Retro it's everybody's bag, even if you don't like a particular record, you'll find that most people enjoy it throughout."
Skrufff: Judge Jules told Skrufff recently that tourist bookings are down over 10% this season; what's your take on Ibiza 2002 so far-
Paul Taylor: "He's right, but we've never relied on just tourists and that's why it's not effecting us so much. I think it's nights like Tonic and Judgement Sunday that have been hit the most by the lack of tourism and possibly by the football world cup. My personal opinion is that the Ibiza season has also shortened. We don't rely heavily on the tourist trade or the tour operators, who bring people from the UK and know where they're going before they put foot on the island."
Skrufff: Jules also mentioned that he feels some of the missing people are hooligans who've gone to Falaraki because of the UK TV show (Club Reps); have you noticed any change in the type of people or the vibe of San Antonio-
Paul Taylor: "All I can say, from my heart, is that we are really happy with our crowd. The average age is 26-27 years old and they're beautiful people. We seem to have captured the more mature clubbers, which is great when you think we've got Pacha just down the road We've gone beyond the superclubs and the San Antonio clubs. I know Jules quite Tags