Simon Patterson is an amazing DJ and Producer. He is not to be mistaken for the English artist and was born 1967 in Leatherhead, Surrey. That Simon Patterson was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1996 for his exhibitions at the Lisson Gallery.
This Simon Patterson is currently ranked 42 in the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ Poll 2009. An artist who has confirmed his elevation into the trance super-league with a series of white-hot productions and jaw dropping dj performances.
He's also on his way back to Australia for AIRPORT. Departing July 2010.
Seeming like a "good excuse at the time," Simon was unfortunately sick the first time he was due for the round of Aussie interviews. With this total lack of regard for media (joking of course), he's promised to put in a top effort for AIRPORT. "I'm happy people are looking forward to it," he said. As for people looking forward to it and that he's a sensational artist, "I'm not sure where all the rumors started from..."
"Every gig in Australia is always exciting," he said. It's been "just so long since over there (Australia), I can’t wait!" Looking forward obviously to a spot of playing some tunes, Simon is hoping to sample Australian life and culture. "I love coming, everything is so much better, I can chill out during the weeks with time off, relax, see friends." As well as one thing that seems just too rare, "just a general recharge of the batteries."
The whole month in fact is huge with some amazing festivals, so any moment Simon can spare is precious. "Next weekend I'm playing in Ibiza, then Godskitchen in Russia, closing main stage for Global Gathering then to the US." As for Australia, "Melbourne is my fav," he laughs, but all cities are "up there." He has absolutely no time off until here on Aussie soil and then barley a moment afterwards. It's been "so hectic it's unbelievable," he explained "long haul flights every weekend, I'm so let-lagged." Hoping for at least a day to sleep in, "the phone started ringing at 9.30; I'm thinking it's so hard to keep on top of all the jet-lag. There is no sight of it stopping."
Although it's busy and non-stop for Simon, it's "great," he laughs, "I just need to manage my time!!" He's equipt with a PA but the sleep thing needs work. "My mind is always racing, maybe I should try yoga or mediation to chill out!"
Productions have taken a partial backseat with the amount of travelling Simon's been up to as well as a recent house move. "I've set up the studio but it's not a great room," sounding a little disappointed, that "roof is slanted, acoustics are not great." Apart from vibe, it's all the travelling that is getting in the way, "I've got about 6 tracks almost finished, just need 'that' work. But can't get to then as I'm too tired or by Thursday it's the next gig. Once Summer is over, I can sit down." Not to worry - those hoping to hear some new gold during the Australian AIRPORT Tour will not be disappointed. Although things might seem stretched for our Simon, he's still got a little "to test out."
At some point this year, Simon is looking to "get the band back together" with Sean Tyas. "We are doing a track at the moment which will be good. Everything with him is so much fun, he's so talented." The problem again is time, and now geography, they are "so busy and (I) don't get to spend time with him. We are aiming for the end of the year. One track per year." This one will be heading back towards the sounds of their previous gems with "darker sounds, kicking in with the melody, big trance break, kick with the bass." Moving away from the sound that is around at the moment that is getting a "little boring, " this banger will have a more
Somethin's Up intro, uplifting breakdown and keeping in with the melody. His work with Sean has one simple element: "Consistency is key."
When it's not all about the tunes, Simon Patterson is a "shy, normal guy. I'm sort of the same guy, just shy!" He laughs, "in the clubs after a few drinks your confidence goes up. That’s your place, away from it I am a normal shy guy that wants to be success and achieve normal things." His strive for success is both his strength and weakness, knowing he needs to "find time to relax," with only "24 hours a day. I want to be so successful, that can be a bad thing – you are living this constant thing." With the time in Australia, he will have a moment to "step back and come back fresh. The hard part is the balance."
If things did not turn out this way, you might have seen him on another side of the industry. If not a DJ, it'd still be something music related. Looking to the future, after his time at the decks, he looks to still be part of the game. "I would like to build up for others careers," being a mentor and maybe looking after labels laughing, "will labels even be around in 10 years?!?" Humbled in his success, he looks at it that it is just "really fortunate it's happened
this way.... I stumbled on a style that people picked up and it propelled me fast. There are so many fresh, new producers that are better than me but don't seem to grow. I just stumbled across a method. It was pure luck."
He sees and hears that so many "people want 'that' life. It's amazing to travel but it's a very, very lonely life. That is the hardest part. Travelling is not glamorous." Remembering a recent trip stuck "in the middle seats, no sleep but the DJ'ing is amazing." Challenging those that might not agree, "live it for a year - see how intense it is." Nevertheless, this hectic knowledge dissipates for Australia, here it's not all plane - club - play - hotel - leave, there is actually time to stop in the middle. The only real downer he finds is being on his own, "I hate being on my own and travelling, when I need to sleep, I get anxious. I would love it all to run smoothly!" Unlike the disruptions of the recent volcano activity, Simon tries to set hourly goals, but if something sets it back he worries about it. "In alien countries, it gets a bit much. Some of the bigger guys have companions, for me it's just that I worry about certain things. Getting the balance right is so hard, you just want to be successful. I will never change."
Simon is just a "normal guys who plays CDs around the world. Loving "that buzz after a show" and so many of the lifestyles positives of his current profession. Examples including his love of seeing new places and meeting new people, he knows that it is all too unbelievable. Joking "I just wish I had a companion!" Like travelling with Sean, you can "share the experience, it's so much better. On your own you can’t laugh about it like having the joke along the way. You have something to talk about. When alone, you deal with it on your own and it stays in the back of your mind and you can’t share." Unless he's drunk: "I get drunk on twitter," laughing "it’s a bad thing."
Looking to the AIRPORT Tour of Australia, he's "100% up to do it in a pilots outfit. Have to do it. At least the hat," he laughs, "I’ll be the Captain – Sied van Riel can be the first mate."
AIRPORT Departs July 2010.
DATES & TICKETS:
Friday July 2nd. Billboards. Melbourne
Tickets:
FestivalTix
Saturday 3 July. Secret Warehouse Location - Brisbane DAY PARTY
Enquiries:
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Saturday 3 July. Gaelic Theatre. Sydney
Tickets:
MoshTix
Saturday 10 July. Rise. Perth
Tickets on the door.
For more info:
rise.net.au
Sunday 11 July. HQ. Adelaide
Tickets:
MoshTix
