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Gareth Wyn Our Future Hero

Author: Danni B
Friday, July 30, 2004
Over the last several years Gareth Wyn has climbed his way up the DJ ladder. In 2004, Mixmag tipped Gareth as one of their 'future heroes', and having been spotted by Cream and performed at a number of their events at the Nation venue in Liverpool over the last year, they've asked him to become a bi-weekly resident at their highly acclaimed Cream Ibiza Summer residency this year. We managed to catch up with Gareth in Ibiza.

When did you decide you wanted to become a dj-

I first went out to Ibiza in 1996, when I was 17, and was hooked on dance music from then. I went to a live Radio One Essential Mix at Cream Amnesia and was blown away by it all - the scale of the club, the crowd, the music - all of it. I came back to the UK, ordered Pete Tong's set on vinyl, bought some decks and haven't looked back since.

What inspired you apart from the sounds-

The main thing for me has always been the crowd, the fact that a DJ can affect the crowd with the music he plays. I love watching the crowds reaction when I'm DJ'ing and how trying different things can affect the atmosphere. The crowd are the most important people in any club - it's a DJ's job to make sure the have a good party.

First record ever bought-

First dance record was Stretch and Vern 'I'm Alive' - first record was Michael Jackson 'Bad' and I had a pair of white socks to match.

Best ever record- What couldn't you be without-

This is a difficult one - Laurent Garnier 'Man With The Red Face' is a pure classic, and still sounds fresh even now. I also love Da Hool 'Love Parade' from years ago. A massive tune for me at the moment is Cam Farrar's 'Wasted' - check it out: it's a monster

What is your style-

I play uplifting, driving house and trance - with the pre-requisite that the music has to pump. If I'm spinning a warm up set, I'll build from tough tech house to trance, or I can boot the arse off it at the end of the night. I'm a main room trance DJ, but this can vary a lot in itself - depending on what time of night you're on.

You do a lot of travelling. What could you not be without-

My laptop - I use it to download music, send updates for my website and answer all the emails I receive from clubbers. It's also a good way to keep up to date with clubland.

Your first dj set in front of a crowd - how was it-

I shit myself, it was in a University Hall's Bar. It went well but I was nervous as hell, and pre-planned my set to the last second. I still get nervous now before every gig - but nerves are a good thing, it keeps you on your toes

How do you feel when performing (best memory)-

It's the best feeling in the world, and gets better and better the more you do it. The expressions on people's faces are ace - no matter how big the crowd are. As long at they're enjoying themselves, I'm happy

How different is it now, to dj in places you visited as a student-

Very different - I was a regular punter at Cream in Liverpool for years, so to be DJing there now is a dream come true. I used to make a regular pilgrimage up the M6 when I was at University in Cardiff to Liverpool to take in the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Nick Warren, Tall Paul and Judge Jules at Nation. If I wasn't DJing at Cream now, I'd be there on the dancefloor, so I've got the best of both world's.

What DJs do you look up to or who do you admire-

Pete Tong is a legend - I make sure I catch his Radio One show every week, I've listened to this for nearly ten years now. To remain at the cutting edge of any industry is no mean feat, to do it with dance music is even more remarkable, particularly as DJs come and go so fast. He still packs out clubs, and his music is still fresh. I'm also a big fan of Tall Paul - his sets are always unique, and he spins a similar vein of music to me. Also, his club Turnmills in London is the bollocks and he's a big Cream favourite.

What advice would you give to<
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