Paul Jackson: Underwater Man Goes (Down) Under

Ever since releasing tranced out tech-house epic Push in 2002 on Darren Emerson's Underwater Records label, British producer/ DJ Paul Jackson has flourished and thrived, following up with a series of acclaimed singles as well as mixing one of the two CD's in Underwater's Episode 3 compilation, earlier this year.

Also a regular DJ at Underwater's Pacha nights in Ibiza, he's just about to set off for an Australian tour, though chatting to Skrufff this week, he's quick to point out his lifestyle remains modest.

"This business is about perception, it's all how you're perceived," says Paul.

"It's bizarre; I've had moments where I've had no work some weekends yet people have remarked on how brilliantly I was doing. It's actually really hard to put a finger on how well you're doing."

Not that he's obsessed with material success, he stresses.

"I get a lot of recognition from people which is really nice, because that's why I do it and I really mean that," he insists.

"I'm sorry if it sounds a bit corny, but for another DJ to come up and say 'I really love your record!' is just the ultimate for me. That's exactly what I do it for, that sort of peer appreciation, or for anyone else who appreciates it, to be honest. I was lucky to have 'Push' as my first record because it was completely indulgent, and because it was so accepted by everyone that it allowed me to go off and be indulgent again afterwards. It really helped my confidence and a lot of music production is about confidence."


Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): You're off to Australia shortly, how you find the crowds differ from country to country-

Paul Jackson: "I think there are only subtle differences though people are pretty much the same wherever you go, especially when you're in a nightclub. But the last time I was in Australia was about 8 years ago when I was pretty young and green back then and, as stupid as it may sound, comparing myself to who I am now doesn't even equate. I was young and stupid and I suppose traveling has taught me a lot. I do remember having a really good time there though. I remember a bizarre coincidence which led to me meeting up with the pop group Bewitched."

Skrufff: Quite cute girls I seem to remember.

Paul Jackson: "They were- and also really, really sweet girls. They were very positive from what I remember. Obviously completely wrapped up in cotton wool and didn't really know anything about the outside world, but they were nice enough girls."

Skrufff: So did you try and lead them astray-

Paul Jackson: "No, we went out for dinner a few times together and, disappointingly enough, just hung out and played pool."

Skrufff: Where are you living these days-

Paul Jackson: "I live in the old town part of Hemel Hempsted. I was born and bred in Hertfordshire though I've just moved to this particular house about three months ago."

Skrufff: Are we talking about a massive mansion or castle-

Paul Jackson: "It's a two bedroom house about 130 years old, on a street that looks like terraced Georgian houses but this one was built thirty years before the others. I understand it was the only house on the street for years. It has two bedrooms upstairs and a really nice bathroom and the piece de resistance is the cellar, or .record dungeon'."

Skrufff: How many records do you own-

Paul Jackson: "A rough guess is about twenty five thousand though I haven't actually counted them one by one."

Skrufff: Do you have them all catalogued-

Paul Jackson: "No, no. I'm anal in a lot of ways but I've never really done it like that. My system, if we can call it such, is that I put the records there and remember where everything is because I put it there. Does that make sense- It works for me."

Skrufff: Do you feel a personal attachment to the records-

Paul Jackson: "For sure, though I play mainly CDs nowadays, purely for ease. But yes, I still love vinyl and I love going down in my cellar and playing. I started buying< Tags

• Skrufff