Perth residents might remember him. DJ Villenueve used to be a common sight playing at clubs there. Now married and taking up resident in the UK, this upcoming DJ of French descent has been in the DJ circuit for 20 years. His introduction to house music came about via American sailors and he had not looked back since. Having developed his own distinctive of Balearic and tribal/progressive sounds, Villenueve is now clocking up the air miles with gigs all over Europe. Zakiyah of RA caught a wicked performance at the recent Space Opening fiesta and was duly impressed. Managing to secure an interview, she went around to Es Vive Hotel in Ibiza where he was slotted to play an after hours and had a little chat with this extremely down-to-earth guy.

ZA : When did you start DJing?
V : I started in Perth some years ago. Mr Australia then opened a club and wanted me to play one of his nights. I was playing alternative music, anything from Depeche Mode to The Cure, but when one of the residents quit, I took over his night and got into the sort of funky house stuff that I was influenced from those sailors.

ZA : So, who are your major influences?
V : Lots actually, but mainly Danny Tenaglia and Carl Cox.

ZA : Each summer, people always say that Ibiza's becoming lack lustre, it's losing it's appeal, it's not as fun as before. What do you personally think?
V : Definitely not! It's always fun here. After winter in London, you really look forward to summer in Ibiza. People will comment on the same thing about Miami each year too, but we had the best time there just last March. You really get the best in Ibiza. The sun, the beach, the perfect weather, the best DJs and the serious clubbers.

ZA : Do you think the UK market is easier or harder to penetrate?
V : I think it's neither hard nor easy. I feel it's just burn out, saturated. Customers are charged so much for door fees and they expect a lot more. They know what they want and when they don't get it, they just leave. A lot more people are leaving the big clubs and heading for smaller venues that cost lesser. These clubs don't need to charge high fees because their DJs are locals and not big names.

ZA : Is there hope for other DJs trying to make it instead of the same handful going around all the time?
V : Yes. Smaller and smaller venues are cropping up and this give other DJs a chance. Things are going underground again. Big clubs can't work anymore because they usually need a big name to ensure a big turn out and charge more door fees. But people are getting a little tired of the same big names. We need new blood in the DJ circuit!!

ZA : Where do you think dance music is heading? There have been ideas thrown in, some have said it's getting stale, some are saying it's not going to get anywhere and a few actually suggested that it's passé. What is your view on this?
V : Actually, I think on the contrary, dance music is going off at the moment. DJs are now talking about doing gigs in Eastern Europe and South America's getting into it too. Japanese clubbers are now dancing to tribal. So you see, it is still very much pervasive. There is so much one can achieve via the computer. People are given the choice to experiment with what they like or dislike. Music can be reinvented in a totally new way and sounds are merging all the time. No one can predict what is coming. But you cannot really predict something so eclectic and varied as music is. There will always be people preferring different sounds. And as long as people are still listening to music, it can never die.

ZA : Do you think a DJ is an entertainer or an educator?
V : Definitely an entertainer. Call me old school if you like, but our job as DJs is to entertain. We have to perform, we just can't stand there and play records. We have to do live PAs and get the clubbers involved, build a rapport with them. I usually try to play an interesting mix of music, ranging from obscure ones to more well known ones. I choose tunes that will gel with my set, see how they react and how the night is progressing, each crowd is not the same.

ZA : So what can we expect from you this summer?
V : Well, I'll be doing the Space Closing Party. I've got confirmed dates for Balearic people. I'm looking to play around the region and back in Australia. And I'll be working on more material to release on my label, Votan.

Well my mates down under, do not despair. Villenueve is scheduled to head back there for some gigs and his tribal meets progressive sets are not to be missed! For more information on Villenueve and future gigs, check www.lyme.uk.com