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Features
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Innovate @The Fridge Sat 21st May preview: interview with Simon Rutherford
Reported by James Lawson
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Submitted 17-05-05 17:03
Simon Rutherford is a DJ that most will recognise in London. He is one of the stayers. Someone that started at the bottom of the pecking order playing house parties and the after party circuit, before gradually moving up the ranks into second rooms, and then into the main rooms, where he continues to show that its where he belongs.
His experience behind the desks really shows, and one thing everyone I know always comments on (including the A-list DJs) is the quality of his mixing. He is undoubtedly one of the tightest mixers around. He constantly pulls off interesting mixes that excite not just those in his peer group, but also the dance floor.
Until recently he had become synonymous with the uplifting and pounding sound of hard trance, but that has all recently changed as he has broken out of that mould to deliver a more varied output. As this decision to change what he is doing is quite a turning point in his career, we at Harderfaster have decided it is time to find out how it has all been going for him and to see how he is preparing for his set at Innovate this weekend.
It’s been a while since I have read an interview with you. What have you been up to?
Same as always really, working hard, playing hard and working even harder. No rest for the wicked!
Over the past 9 months or so you have changed the sound you are playing in the clubs from the traditional hard trance sound to a more varied and slower pace DJ style. Tell us what music you are playing at the moment?
It depends a lot on the event, time I’m playing and the crowd really. I used to play only trance/hard trance, but I’ve recently opened myself up to so many different genres that it can be anything from progressive, psy or tech trance through to deep dirty house, funky techno, and I’ve even thrown in the odd breakbeat tune!
Why the change in musical direction? I mean, it’s not like you weren’t rocking crowds already. Why take the risk? Wouldn’t it be easier to just play the big tunes that everyone expected and get those hands in the air?
A mixture of a few things really, but I just felt the time was right for a change. It was a pretty hard move to make as I’d been known for a few years (and probably still am to a lot of people) for playing fast paced, high-energy hard trance sets, but after playing a couple of big room warm-up sets at places like Pacha and The Shepherds Bush Empire for HeatUK I realised just how much more I enjoyed playing slower, chunkier music that was more about the groove than the big riffs involved with the traditional trance and hard trance I was playing.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love my trance and always will, but since making the transition I’m not constricting myself to genres anymore, which means my style’s constantly changing and evolving. I’m still getting plenty of hands in the air, but they’re now more commonly accompanied by what Zana Mills and I have dubbed the ‘techno sex face’ – that screwed up look of pleasure when a big dirty bass line comes thundering in. 
So, what is it about the music you are playing now that excites you so much, and do you still play the odd classic hard dance anthem for old times sake?
I think the biggest thing is that since I’m buying so many different genres it’s always so new and fresh for me and I know it will be for the majority of people I’m playing to as well. It’s opened up a whole new world and I’m listening to, buying and downloading (LEGALLY!) loads of new tunes every single day. It’s ridiculous how much money I can spend on tunes in a week now. I thought I’d passed the days where there was just too much to choose from, but I’m buying music from every corner of the globe & it’s like starting from scratch all over again every single week. I don’t really play many of the tried and tested anthems anymore, besides Marco V & Jens ‘Loops n Tings’, of course. That one will NEVER leave my box!
How has it been working for you in the clubs? Have you found it an easy transition, or has it been more of a challenge playing the unexpected?
I went through a really stressful transitional phase when I took the decision to turn down all bookings for a couple on months to re-invent. I went from playing at least once or twice a weekend to absolutely nothing for about 2 months or so, and that killed me. I came back with a few big room sets playing my new style and caught a lot of people by surprise, but the reactions and support I’ve had have been absolutely fantastic. I’m getting better feedback now than I ever have been. It’s great!
Do you still get on the dance floor yourself, or do you just swagger by the bar taking the atmosphere in?
I’ve always been a good bar mingler, but I can’t help but give it some when I hear something that really takes my fancy. A big dirty techno bassline is always guaranteed to get me rushing for the dance floor with an arm in the air (and the techno sex face in its full glory). 
So how is all this going to fit into your set at Innovate? You are on second, so do you think that this will constrict what you can do or does it, in fact, give you more freedom to play what you want as you won’t be expected to play certain tunes?
I like to play from around 130-143bpm now, so playing 2nd at a hard dance event like Innovate is perfect really. Being an earlier set means I can get down and dirty with some funky techno and tech trance and get the crowd warmed up nicely. It’ll be a great opportunity to play with the crowd and get them grooving away to tunes they wouldn’t normally expect to be hearing. Innovate’s all about new music and not being constricted by genres, so I think it’ll work really well.
What vibe do you want in the room during your set and once you have finished playing? I ask as I imagine it will be a bit different from the atmosphere that you would want to create later on in the evening.
Again, being an early set means I can keep it chunky and groovy. I wanna watch the dance floor fill with people shaking their asses and getting into a groove as the energy and mood gradually and subtly increase, then leave plenty of room for those playing after me to progress through the night. A few ‘techno sex-faces’ would be nice! 
With all these different musical influences I think it would be really interesting to hear a bit of studio wizardry from you. Do you have any plans to get in the studio and release a record?
I’ve actually just recently managed to upgrade my studio at home and been busy working on a few things that really reflect where I’m at with my music at the moment. Unfortunately I’m only new to writing tunes on my own so they’re coming along slowly for now, but they’re definitely getting there and certainly different from what I thought I’d be producing 12mths ago! I’ve got three tunes on the go at the moment – a chunky Dogzilla-influenced tech trance tune, and deep dirty techno/house tune and a wickedly groovy ‘fuchno’ tune (formally known as funky techno  ) with Zana Mills. I’m really excited about them all and can’t wait to get them finished and test them out. Hopefully soon!
In terms of the tunes themselves, who inspires you, and what style of music do you think you will have a go at making?
Marco V, Randy Katana, Sam Sharp, Dogzilla, Valentino Kanzyani have all been big influences in the style I’m playing and want to produce myself. The power and quality of their productions is just something else. Scott Mac is churning out some awesome chunky techy trance, and Guffy’s recently been a busy boy and putting together some brilliant stuff too. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on this year.
You are well known for wearing baseball caps. How many do you own (do you have separate wardrobe for them) and what other accessories to you like to wear?
Believe it or not, I only own about 4! I wore them for years when I started DJing and they actually helped people recognise me (as if my height wasn’t enough!) and I became known as ‘the DJ in the cap’ for a while. There was even a thread on Harderfaster (care of Joe Black I believe) on this very subject some time back, which yielded some interesting results! I think there was even mention of a Simon Rutherford cap-wearing smiley, but I don’t think that eventuated. 
I’ve moved away from them now though, as too many people thought I had no hair & was trying to hide something.
So what else can we expect from you in the future? I hear there is a bit of an international schedule lined up for later this year?
I’ll be dedicating a lot of time to my production this year. I’d like to get a couple of tunes out that really reflect the style that I’m playing right now with the dream of maybe having them picked up internationally. I’m also waiting to confirm a number international events for this summer in Sweden, Austria, Mexico, Honduras and possibly the States, Australia & New Zealand again at the end of the year. Playing internationally is awesome fun, so I try to get out as much as possible. It’s all good!
Thanks very much for your time Simon. I know lots of people that are getting down to Innovate nice and early to make sure they catch your set, so make sure it’s a good one!
Thanks mate. I’ve been looking forward to this for ages. It should be wicked!
Photos courtesy of Zana Mills and Simon Rutherford.
Simon Rutherford will be appearing at the following event:
INNOVATE 'Digitize' Launch Party
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On:
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Saturday 21st May 2005
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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10.00 to 06.00
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Cost:
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£12 Advance Tickets
£15 Concessions
£MOTD
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Website:
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www.innovateuk.net
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Ticket Info:
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Web & Credit Card Bookings:
www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100
www.e-listlondon.com
Outlets:
Cyberdog Camden: 020 7482 2842
Mad Records: 020 7439 0707
KINETIC: 020 7323 5303
For GuestList visit:
www.e-listlondon.com / www.innovateuk.net
Info Lines:
07930845738 / 07971970698 / 07932982233
craig@mostwanteduk.com, trev@innovateuk.net, tina@innovateuk.net
Innovate Membership:
To register for Innovate membership, which includes Innovate news, golden ticket competitions, CD giveaways and more, text the word ‘INNOVATE’ to 88222. You will receive a text confirming registration. Please note that there is a one off registration fee of £1.50.
****Competition****
Text your name & email address for your chance to win a copy of Nick Sentience & Andy Farley ‘DIGITIZE EP’ plus VIP entry to Innovate on Sat 21ST MAY 05. Text 07815069633 now!
NICK SENTIENCE & ANDY FARLEY: “DIGITIZE EP”
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES ON THE FUTURE SOUND OF DANCE MUSIC AND DANCE MUSIC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY, THE BRAND NEW QUALITY TRAX RELEASE SEES NICK SENTIENCE TEAM UP WITH ANDY FARLEY AS THEY DELIVER DANCE FLOOR DEVASTATION WITH THIS DOUBLE A SIDE RELEASE TO BE RELEASED EXCLUSIVELY IN DIGITAL FORMAT.
AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM: WWW.QUALITYTRAX.NET.
EXCLUSIVE PROMO COPIES AVAILABLE AT THIS EVENT - RESERVE YOURS NOW BY EMAILING: INFO@QUALITYTRAX.NET.
WWW.INNOVATEUK.NET / WWW.QUALITYTRAX.NET / WWW.HARDERFASTER.NET
ONE - FREE PRE-PARTY!
Sat 21 MAY 05. 3pm-11pm. Southside Bar. 125 Cleveland St.
London. W1T 6QB.
DJs: K.A.R.L., CONRAD, MARC FRENCH, BILLY DANIEL BUNTER, CHARLIE VERON, LAWRENCE BUCKNELL, ALEX PARSONS, ANTHONY SERGEANT, AND MANY MORE
The Official After-Party
FREE BUS to London’s No.1 After-party!
Resident DJs: Ian M, Karim, Peter Ward, TommyFourSeven, Lady Bianca, Danny Gilligan and many more
www.twistclub.co.uk
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Fresh from another sell-out experience at the Fridge, Innovate is proud to present the exclusive launch party for Nick Sentience and Andy Farley’s new collaboration “Digitize EP”
We live in an age where technology has accelerated the process of music production to the stage where a producer can write a track on a portable laptop studio, burn it onto a CD and play it in a club within hours.
As always, Innovate represents the future technology used to create and express dance music and for this reason, Nick and Andy have decided to release the “Digitize EP” exclusively in digital format, which will be available to download exclusively from www.qualitytrax.net.
Innovate is THE night where all DJ’s are given full artistic license to express their style and vision for what they see as the next step in dance music evolution. Join us to hear the freshest and hottest productions straight from the studios of the UKs top producers and the anthems that have inspired the sound of dance music today.
Inspire - Create – Innovate
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Other Features By James Lawson:
James Lawson: Australian Tour Diary
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Danny Gilligan on 17th May 2005 17:19.09
Niceone Si, good interview matey.
From: Stevi D on 17th May 2005 17:24.07
Interesting read buddy, good luck and i hope it all works out for ya! 
From: Aaron Baskerville on 17th May 2005 17:25.11
Great Interview Simon. Your new style definite ROCKS... had me on the dance floor :-)
From: K.A.R.L. on 17th May 2005 17:27.23
Interesting stuff......looking forward to hearing you play on Saturday Simon.....
From: Richard Launch on 17th May 2005 19:28.27
Nice one Ruthers!
From: Nikki S on 17th May 2005 19:39.46
Wicked interview Si & Mr L. I can't wait for Innovate this Sat . . It's going to be awesome . . . and I'm looking forward to getting down dirty on the dance floor for your set Si. I'll have to practise the 'Techno sex face' at home
Bring on the 'fuchno'
Nx
From: Disco Diva on 17th May 2005 21:49.14
Nice read Simon good luck & catch you soon x
From: Joe Black on 17th May 2005 23:30.37
The "techno sex face"! 
An excellent DJ, and all round nice guy - what more is there to say?
On to even greater success. RA!
From: zimbolicious on 18th May 2005 02:53.38
Well done hun, you know you deserve it. For that first pic, the acorn was worth it
From: lykkelove on 18th May 2005 09:27.42
Hi Babe
Good interview. Will definitely make the effort, and come out and see you play soon. Been bloody AGES...
(",) X
From: Danny Luu on 18th May 2005 09:28.33
Keep up the good work mate. 
From: ~deleted3264 on 18th May 2005 11:33.36
Top interview chaps. The new sound is brilliant!.Get amongst it people.
From: Craig Paxton on 18th May 2005 12:13.37
Fuchno's what he's talking about! :P Looking forward to your set at Innovate on Saturday Simon, you made a brave move and now you're getting the rewards. Fair play I say.
From: Lorenzo Barrero on 18th May 2005 12:14.03
Wicked interview! Enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to hearing your set on Sat!
From: Charlie Rox on 18th May 2005 13:24.02
Ruther's is the mannnnnnnnn!!!! wicked interview and dig the new sound, dare u miss this dj at work????
From: Gordon Darley on 18th May 2005 21:14.31
Techno Sex Face
Looks like I'm going to Innovate a bit earlier than expected on Saturday then. Wicked interview mate, really looking forward to your set
From: Dickon Laws on 18th May 2005 22:23.20
Great interview mate. Big fan of your new sound. Not bad being compared to Tiesto! Much deserved.
From: Menthol Taz on 19th May 2005 01:50.12
Great interview - your sound is awesome & looking forward to your set at MENTHOL. Sorry we can't make Innovate but good luck.
A great guy with a great sound !!!
Taz n Kay x
From: Maria on 19th May 2005 06:45.16
Well done Simon!!! Lots of love from Brazil...mwwwwhhhhaaaa
From: Charlie Bradley on 19th May 2005 10:41.47
Great interview Simon - really inspiring stuff!
Your new sound is the business mate.
From: Not Marcus on 19th May 2005 11:15.05
Another HD DJ grows up Nice one Simon, it's more fun DJing this way isn't it?
From: Simon Rutherford on 20th May 2005 16:08.16
Thanks for all the awesome support guys. I'm loving my music more than ever and really looking forward to sharing it with everyone. Roll on Sat night!!! Have those Techno sex faces ready! haha.
From: Big Anders on 20th May 2005 22:57.24
Brilliant Simon, Looking forward to your set in Sweden.
Call ahead this time so can give u a lift from the airport.
Cheers!
/Big Anders
From: DDK on 21st May 2005 09:00.13
I won't be at Innovate as I have a gig myself but I will wearing the techno sex face anyway, keep going soldier
From: Nick Basic on 25th May 2005 12:33.25
Ready down to earth guy with a passion for what he does and seems to get better at his technical skills and tune selection every time I hear him play.
Keep at it Si!!!
From: Nick Basic on 25th May 2005 12:33.32
Ready down to earth guy with a passion for what he does and seems to get better at his technical skills and tune selection every time I hear him play.
Keep at it Si!!!
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