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(By Matt Darey & Josie Harral)
Matt Darey: Among other accolades, Bunkka was the recipient of ‘The Best Album’ award at USA Dancestar Awards in 2003. The first track from your album 'Faster Kill' has gone straight in at number one in the Cool Cuts and DMC Buzz Chart. Is that kind of success important to you or is it all about artistic integrity?
Paul Oakenfold: It’s always nice when something you’ve worked on sees a lot of success but what’s always been most important for me is that I’m proud of the material and I feel that I’ve done the best job that I can with it. That’s what you get to take home with you because after that it’s really not in your control how people will respond to it.
Matt Darey: Back in the day you did A&R for London's Champion Records, signing among others Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and Salt n’ Pepa. When you hear someone who's going to be huge, can you tell? What's it like?
Paul Oakenfold: I don’t know if I can necessarily tell that an artist is going to be huge but there are certain characteristics that give me a good sense of whether they have the potential to be huge such as their drive, determination, the way people respond to them and of course, if they really have the talent to make it to the top.
Matt Darey: It's said that you, Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway and Ian St Paul were responsible for the birth of the modern club scene, by founding the 'Balearic house' sound in this country following spending summers in Ibiza. Are you proud of that? Have there been any other revolutions in contemporary music of that size? Do you think there ever will be again?
Paul Oakenfold: I’m honored that people feel I’ve contributed to such a great era for dance music. I don’t know if I would consider it to be a revolution but rather the right time to give the scene something new. I think it’s essential that music re-invents itself over time. When you find yourself opening new doors as an artist, there’s a strong sense of gratification that goes along with that.
Matt Darey: What was Ibiza like back when it all started? Do you miss those days? What are your fondest memories from those times?
Paul Oakenfold: I think the island has become more commercial over the years but that’s not a bad thing in my eyes. It shows that people are hearing good things about it and they want to travel there and discover it for themselves. It still has a great vibe, exciting clubs and amazing sunsets and that will never get old.
Matt Darey: Along with studio partner Steve Osbourne you produced and re-mixed major artists including U2, Simply Red, Happy Mondays, New Order, the Cure, Massive Attack, The Rolling Stones, Stone Roses and Snoop Doggy Dogg. That's some list. Which was the best buzz?
Paul Oakenfold: They were all great for very different reasons. I love the experience of learning from other artists and seeing how they work. For me, working with U2 is always special because I have such a strong liking for their music. I find it very inspirational.
Matt Darey: You're allegedly the highest paid DJ in the world. Can you tell us what the most you ever got paid for one gig? Go on we won't be jealous!!
Paul Oakenfold: Alright… A cool million dollars for a two hour set - I’m thinking about raising my fee this year….. know of any offers… it’s all gone a bit quiet?? Do you believe me??
Matt Darey: How do you spoil yourself with all that cash!!
Paul Oakenfold: Aston Martins, Private jets, Hotel Parties, the whole package!
Matt Darey: What's the best thing about DJing besides the love of music?
Paul Oakenfold: Getting to see the world through a box of records. All the great places that you get to see and the different groups of people and friends that you meet along the way.
Matt Darey: What's the worst thing about being a DJ?
Paul Oakenfold: It’s funny because the best thing is also the worst thing and that’s the traveling. As much as I enjoy it, after a while it gets really hard. Your body just gets tired and you really have to push yourself so keep as much balance in your schedule as possible.
Matt Darey: You've worked on the scores for “The Pink Panther” from MGM Studios, “Shrek 2”, the Warner Brothers movie "Swordfish", “Golden Eye”, “Planet of the Apes”, “Austin Powers”, and “Matrix:Reloaded”, among others. Again, that's a very impressive list. You made a conscious decision to move towards scoring films and away from DJing. What attracts you to scoring films?
Paul Oakenfold: It wasn’t a desire to move away from DJing as much as it was the pursuit of a desire to become more involved with the film world. I’ve always enjoyed film and scoring was a great way to make the transition. I find it very challenging but also very exciting to put a piece of music over a scene because it dictates so much of what the audience feels when they watch it. It can be a tedious process but when you see the finished cut of the film it’s amazing to see all the elements come together.
Matt Darey: Is there anyone in the world that you'd be nervous to meet, or are you a big enough celebrity yourself that you're not phased by big names?
Paul Oakenfold: I was always a little nervous to meet you Matt! I heard all the stories about your celebrity lifestyle and your big ego but then when I met you I found you to be a very nice and humble guy! Ever since then I haven’t been nervous around celebrities so thank you.
Matt Darey: You featured in the US TV series "The Club", following the story of a nightclub as it undergoes a makeover to compete with the gaming hotels on the Vegas Strip. Did you have fun making it & What's being on TV like?
Paul Oakenfold: I did enjoy working on the show because the whole situation was new to me. I don’t particularly enjoy being in front of the camera but the process was very interesting and I took a lot from it.
Matt Darey: How do you find life in LA? Will you ever live in the UK again & what do you miss about Blighty?
Paul Oakenfold: LA is a great city if you’re here with a goal and you stick by it. It’s very driven by the entertainment industry which is a very cut-throat world. If you take it too seriously it can really have its ware on you but if you have plan and you believe in yourself, it can be the most exciting city to find yourself. I don’t know if I will move back to the UK down the line but it will always be home and there are times when I miss it tremendously.
Matt Darey: You've kept your British accent. What have you embraced about American life?
Paul Oakenfold: The LA sunshine. I didn’t think there could be this many sunny days in a year.
Matt Darey: Your now ranked No 11 in the DJ mag top 100 but some still regard you as the biggest DJ in the world. Do you think the DJ top 100 is representative of what people really think or have the computer nerds have taken over the voting?
Paul Oakenfold: I think that there’s a mixture of truth and politics that go into it. It’s great that people are out there voting but those people might not be the ones who frequent the clubs and who know the music so it’s tough to get an accurate sense of who’s considered the top.
Matt Darey: So... the 'Southern Sun' video - hanging out with all those hot chicks - it's a hard job but someone's got to do it?
Paul Oakenfold: Exactly but I’m up for it!
Interview by Matt Darey www.dareyproducts.co.uk
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