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Paul Farris Interview

Author: Phil Watkins
Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Paul Farris is currently one of the leading house music figures in the London and international house scene. He is a resident at the defected night at Ministry of Sound, and also resident at some of the top house nights in Europe. He recently organised the first House Music Awards night in London. It seems there is no end to the influence he is having, I got to ask him some questions before his up and coming gig with Richard Earnshaw with the Family Music Machine, and here's the mood I caught him in...

How's life for one of the busiest and most respected men in house music- I've heard that it's been quite a crazy summer in Europe this year-

2004 has been a truly amazing year, as well as playing some great gigs in some fantastic places we have had some great music to promote via our promotions company FourFour. Plus of course there is the House Music Awards, which we launched at the beginning of the year and have just hosted the actual awards ceremony which took place in London last week.

It's been said that your commitment to soulful house has been second to none through Defected and also in your DJ sets. As a DJ myself, I have found it hard to stick with one style of music for a prolonged period of time, what does house music do for you-

I love many types of music and in particular love soulful House music which always excites me - I never tire of hearing fresh sounds and as long as it has an element of soul within it I am up for supporting it.

It seems that you knew what you wanted all the way back to your school life, promoting and playing at nights still in your uniform so to speak, how did this early learning curve assist in your direction to be where you are now- What would you say would be the most important thing that you learned-

From an early age I was completely hooked on music and have never lost that appetite and enthusiasm for new sounds. Discovering that I could share the music I loved with others was a real turning point and pretty much sealed my future. I think I learned early on that I was at my happiest when I was playing and sharing music and that is the ultimate buzz.

Your promotions company Four Four is now making waves with some of the biggest house labels around like Soulfuric and Purple Music, is this just another avenue for you to push the house sound to the masses or is there something more to it-


Many of our labels are based outside of the UK and do not have the means to get the records to the right people so this is where FourFour steps in. We promote to club DJ's, radio, press, stores and beyond and only work with the very best. We have worked hard on creating a global awareness of the FourFour name so that people see it as mark of quality house music.

I guess due to the nature of dance music and the doors that it opens, how do you balance out everything going on, are there still priorities, like DJ-ing and production over promotions etc, or are you just riding the wave at the moment-

It's a case of juggling everything, getting the right balance and making sure that you give equal time to everybody. Generally Monday to Friday is all about FourFour with the weekends given up to Djing.

I am currently listening to one of your sets off Ministry of Sound radio, your sets at Defected have been acclaimed for just straight out making people feel good, obviously for most DJs this what they set out to do when they play out, what are the things that carry weight with you in your sets and also when you are listening to other people's sets-

When playing my ultimate goal is to give the crowd the best possible night out that I possibly can. I try and showcase new tracks and throw in a few classics and current faves and I like to play around with acappellas and things to keep people guessing. I love to listen to other DJ's play as well, especially the residents because they know the home crowd inside out.

The

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