Steve Bug interviewed by Mr C
The Poker Flat boss talks...
Highly respected DJ Steve Bug is the man behind the worldwide underground hit 'Lover Boy', one of the many releases on his excellent Poker Flat label. He's also one of Mr C's favourite DJs. Mr C caught up with Mr B in Oct '04 to talk about music, DJing, and time travel...
Mr C: You're currently DJing all over the world, what have been the highlights of your schedule recently?
Steve Bug: I was in Japan a few weeks ago, I had an amazing time spinning in Osaka, in a small club, with a crazy crowd, it was a wonderful 'happening'.
How would you describe your own approach to DJing on both a technical and personal level?
I just love music and the way two tunes morph together. Sometimes, it can be magic... Technicallly I love long mixes, but I try to keep the main parts of the tracks free of mixing, so that you won't miss the story of it...I've been using final scratch and a soundbyte (cycloops) sampler for almost two years now too, to be able to carry more tracks and have the opportunity of adding something to the original track...
DJs have been described as gods and superstars. What's your own definition of the DJ and his / her role?
Sometimes the whole thing is a little overrated I guess, I mean, some DJs can really blow people's minds, others bring thousands of people to a venue, but does that turn them into someone better than everyone else? A DJ is an important part of a night, but what would he be without a nice crowd? Or without all the people running venues? To me a DJ has to make the best out of the records he likes, he has to get people onto the dancefloor and build up a nice party, without just playing the big tunes all the time...
Any records you're currently playing that you'd like to recommend?
Matthias Tanzmann - 'Anyway' (Moon Harbour Records), amazing track, check it out, it's one of my favourites, and a brand new track by Frank Martiniq called 'Slide Show', on Sender Records which is craaaazy.
What are the records you can always rely on, that you'll always love, that define your taste and sound?
There are a lot of records which do that for me, but sometimes you just get over playing them again and again. I'll always try to find new and old tracks that still make me move...
What's next for your label Poker Flat?
The next CD out is a mix compilation I did using software, I was editing and rearranging tracks to get a better flow than in a DJ mix...The next 12 inches out are John Tejada - 'Sweat' (on the walls) and Steve Bug 'Loverboy' (re-loved).
Away from work, what is really inspiring to you, any particular people, places, books or music?
It's all those together I think. It can be a crazy weekend that inspires you for a track, a great book, a video game, whatever turns you on, drives you mad or touches you will do its job...
What's your overall life philosophy?
I just like to keep things simple, treat people the way I want them to treat me and enjoy my life without getting on other people's nerves...
If time travel were possible, where and when would you travel to?
Maybe back to the early days of house, to visit all the clubs that I haven't been to and also go back to those I used to go to and enjoy this wonderful music and time again...
What are your predictions for the future of electronic music?
Musically I think we are almost back at the beginning, back to Chicago house, Detroit techno and acid house. But in addition there are now all the new possibilities created by using software and different hardware. And from here we can grow another tree, with all the new influences, and hopefully without the sellout we had in the 90s.
How would you define the word 'Superfreak'? Is there a place, person, record or experience that sums up the meaning of the word for you?
I know too many freaks to name the real 'Superfreak!'
Published: 15/10/2004
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