Ministry of Sound Red Sea : DJ PK Interview

My older cousin helped organise warehouse parties in the late eighties and early nineties. She used to give me ‘Deep Heat’ mixtapes to listen to when I was 11 years old, and I absolutely loved the music. Most of my friends were obsessed with football – I was obsessed with music.

My parents built and ran a leisure centre with a fairly sizable function suite. On Fridays a group of DJs ran house parties. It was a family business, and when Mum & Dad had to work, and couldn’t find a babysitter, I’d be told to stay behind the DJ console – I spent hours watching the DJs and was fascinated by the high and low points on the dancefloor – I wanted to understand how the DJ made people cheer and dance all night. Pretty soon, the guys let me have a go when they were setting up.

I learned how to mix when I was twelve years old, and on my thirteenth birthday I played my first ever set. It lasted half an hour, and I think I managed about 4 half-decent mixes!!!

Best gig of all time, either as DJ / punter, and why?

Until I went to Egypt, I would have said DJing at BCM in Majorca warming up for Carl Cox, and I didn’t think that would change.
Now, it is without any shadow of doubt, New Years Eve 2006/2007 at Ministry of Sound Hurghada. The club was packed, and the atmosphere was unbelievable. I had the privilege of playing the midnight set (I’d worked really hard in the studio recording the midnight bit).
As the countdown started I looked out over 3000 clubbers shouting and smiling under the stars, the ocean lit behind them, I was in my favourite club in the world, I was surrounded by my best friends, and then “3...2...1...”, the sound of Big Ben chiming and the roar of clubbers celebrating that almost deafened me, a brief pause of silence before the speakers shook with “I cant get no sleep” and Faithless’s “Insomnia” played over THAT soundsystem. A clubbing moment I’ll never forget.

Which are you best three clubbing cities / countries worldwide, and why?

In no particular order, I’d have to say London, Hurgharda/Egypt and Ibiza Town (Evissia).

For me, London offers an unrivalled selection of clubbing – every genre is catered for, you get the best talent in the world every week.

Ibiza town represents the cooler side of Ibiza – the town and bars are simply stunning, and for clubbing you have Pacha, El Divino, Space, Privilage and Anmesia close by.

Egypt offers a really nice alternative for me, both in Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh. Sometimes you don’t want a mad holiday, but a relaxing break – in Egypt you can live in the lap of luxury, chill out and experience the amazing culture. If you decide to go clubbing, then you can go to Ministry of Sound or Hed Kandi, safe in the knowledge that it will be an unbeatable night.

What does the Ministry of Sound brand say to you?

Ministry of Sound represents a constant in the industry. In dance music, artists, clubs and brands come and go all the time. Today’s big buzz is tomorrows cheesy fad. Ministry of Sound has stood the test of time, and consistently had the best DJs, producers and staff in the scene.

Give us your first impressions of the Ministry of Sound Red Sea venue?

Many people have described clubs to me and said “it takes your breath away” – I always found that a bit patronising – it may be really impressive, but breathtaking?

In the case of Ministry of Sound in Hurgarda, breathtaking doesn’t seem a big enough word. You walk up the white spiralling staircase, you hear the low rumble of sub bass, then all of a sudden, there it is – you see the lighting dome over the dancefloor, the beach bar surrounded by sand, and the infinite backdrop of the Red Sea. It’s the most awe-inspiring club in the world!

With Ministry of Sound Red Sea and Hed Kandi Beach Bar both running successfully in Hurghada, Egypt – do you think we could be talking about a serious clubbing destination, either at present or in the near future? If so what else is required?

I’m not sure that Egypt will ever rival Ibiza in terms of hedonism, but I think it’s a perfect destination for the more discerning clubber. Egypt is a beautiful place – you’re not likely to find the kind of tack that most holiday destinations have (there are no ‘Daves British Pubs’ in Egypt), but you will find some of the most luxurious hotels & resorts and the best diving in the world. You can go to Egypt and be treated like a superstar. There is nothing like watching the sunset over the Red Sea, then onto a night of clubbing at Ministry of Sound, which is without question the best club I have ever been to.

What was the team at Ministry of Sound Red Sea like?

The management and marketing team are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. A really friendly and intelligent group of people, with passion for the industry and music, that made me feel like one of the family.

In the club, the staff are crazy – a real work-hard-play-hard group of people. The staff run around making sure everyone is looked after, and you get a real personal touch. In most places you have to pay a fortune and reserve a VIP table to get this kind of service. The bar tenders are often having a groove to the music, and I think I’ve spotted a few of them on the dancefloor once or twice! They seem to love being there, and it makes a huge impact on the atmosphere.

How was the actual club-night you played at?

Every time I’ve played at Ministry of Sound in Hurghada has been memorable. The crowd are so up-for-it. As a DJ you have musical freedom – it gives you tremendous scope for creativity. The soundsystem is immense, when you drop a tune with a heavy bassline, the ground shakes!!!

What tunes got the biggest reactions on the night?

On New Year’s Eve, we played a selection of the best tunes from the whole year, so every record got a great reaction, but Faithless’s “Insomnia” at midnight was clearly a massive tune.

How did the crowd differ from the normal clientele? Their response, musical preferences etc?

The crowd at Ministry of Sound Hurghada are brilliant – they are really into clubbing and dancing, so it’s a real pleasure to play there. On New Years Eve they were especially responsive, and really knew their stuff – proper clubbers, which I didn’t expect at all. They seemed to favour electro and progressive house – as do most clubs with arenas this size, but as a DJ, you still had the freedom to play funkier house and people still be into it. To be honest, on THAT soundsystem you could play ‘Barbie Girl’ and it still sound awesome!!!

What other events and projects are in the pipeline for you in the near future?

At the moment I’m busy in the studio working with some amazing artists and I’m lucky enough to be remixing some of my favourite tunes of all time.
DJing wise, I’ve just returned from a Ministry of Sound tour in Denmark, which was fantastic, and hopefully some more international tours will be on the cards.

In December I’m playing the last ever party at The Cross in London, in January I’m on tour in Switzerland and France, and I think I’m returning to Egypt in February, so a busy couple of months ahead!!!