Greg Packer: West coast style

Greg’s come a long way since those days, signing tracks to LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking, Doc Scott’s 31 Records, Jon B’s Tangent, Defunked etc etc. One of the very few Australian dnb DJs who plays interstate on a regular basis, Greg now has the privilege of being welcomed with open arms by the UK drum and bass scene. Greg has just returned from a tour of the UK and Europe and gives us the lowdown…

You landed #16 in our Technics inthemix.com.au national poll and were the only drum and bass DJ to represent dnb. You’ve collected a lot of Dj awards in your time, are they still important to you now production is a greater part of your focus?

Of course the DJ gigs are a very important way to break new tunes including my own work and I’m very glad that people rate me this much and that my DJing and production has enabled me to travel the world to perfom.

You’ve just returned from a highly successful visit to the UK where you tried your hand at cracking the DJ market nearly 10 years ago – how do you compare and contrast your experiences?

I DJed in the UK in 1994 at big parties so this was no new experience by a long shot – but this time it was much different. I felt more welcome at events due to my releases and the fact people knew of me in strange countries and parts of the world. This time round was a lot more hectic but at the same time very enjoyable as I did my own thing behind the decks and was very well appreciated.

How do the scenes in the UK compare then and now? Any striking differences?

Well the music has changed a lot in ten years between the gigs, but the vibe is still similar, MC’s are saying the same stuff etc… apart from the music changes the difference isn’t huge – as I see it a big party is a big party – as long as there’s a good vibe and people are dancing its all good and the same elements are still there.

What’s the UK response to an Australian landing on the doorstep? Any hook-ups with non-UK artists/labels?

I got a nice warm welcome pretty much wherever I went, lots of people asking about Australia etc… I hooked up with a few artists there and got in the studio, one producer ‘Laroque’ and new comers ‘Soul Drop’. All tunes are scheduled for release so watch this space…...

What was the highlight of the visit for you?

A toss up between Paris & Estonia both playing to crowds just short of 1500 and a vibe I’ve never quite witnessed anywhere, best UK gig was Progression Sessions at The End with LTJ Bukem & Co .

Which DJs and producers should we be especially looking out for?

Laroque just signed to Hospital Records – a very bright future for him I think, DJ Flight played some amazing sets, lets hope she makes it over soon.

Is Perth or Australia going to lose you anytime soon? What are your immediate plans?

I’m taking things step by step at the minute, I’m not about to do the big move like Pendulum have just yet. I plan to have at least six months back in Perth to do as much studio work as possible before I head off again. At the moment as long as I can still get tours organized I shall be popping back & forth each year unless demand gets out of control then I’d consider relocating.

Your label Interphase has been quiet recently – is that set to change or will you focus more on your overseas releases?

I’m about to kick that right into gear, Interphase 002 has just landed ‘Luv Dup / Hold Tight’ and 003 is around the corner – a 12” from Laroque then 004 we have Adrian Sardi from Perth involved and hopefully smooth sailing from then onwards.

Do you get a surge of pride looking at Pendulum’s UK dance chart #1?

Yes for sure they are all talking about “Pendulum, Concord Dawn. Australasia” over there. Its nice to see the biggest acts on the harder style all coming from this corner of the globe .

NZ seems to swap it’s DJs between cities more regularly than here, do you think there’s too much competitiveness between the various drum and bass scenes in Australian cities?

Australia has a rep for a very political place for dnb which is not good at all. Apart from myself I don’t know any one DJ that really gets out and plays in all the cities on a regular basis, hopefully this improves soon as there is a lot of talent here.

How is Australian drum and bass production progressing in your opinion? Where would you like to see it and what needs to happen to achieve this?

I think its great how we have Pendulum & D-Jon & Skyver representing all things hard and doing well at it, and myself & Vice Versa doing the more musical style and also achieving results. I’m happy with how things are its just a shame that the hard stuff dominates so much of the market – I’d be much happier if its was equal proportions, I like it all. Sometimes its frustrating when people look down at you because u are ‘just liquid funk’ in their eyes.

Some artists are complaining these days of too many labels in drum and bass, they say the vinyl market is the same size but with more and more labels, everyone’s selling fewer 12”s. Do you see the increase in labels as a positive or a negative?

Its very bad out there, only the ‘clownstep’ hard stuff is selling big amounts. It cant last forever, I just hope people soon realise we are listening to music not noise. In the end though, if any label is doing quality stuff it will sell, it’s just healthy competition I think.

There’s much talk of a shrinking dance music market here and overseas, yet drum and bass seems to be expanding in popularity in Australian – do you think this is true and if so why?

I think all the places outside UK is expanding with dnb – its just so fresh for everyone. The younger crew like the energy and vibe of it all, I still say house etc.. will always be more dominating though.

You seem to really enjoy playing Sydney – what’s the factor that stands out most playing here?

The fact that the crowds here love the musical style, there is no place in Australia like it (and I can say that because I’ve played everywhere here…). I can do a 2 hr set in Sydney and feel no pressure to play hard at all unlike everywhere else. I still do play hard as I’m a versatile DJ, but Sydney is the only place I could get away with 100% musical set if I wanted to – its my favourite place to DJ in Australia.

Where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing with drum and bass in 3 years time?

Hopefully continue the tours, east coast and across UK/Europe, I’d also like to crack the US market and get the label up & running involving established & new artists and just continue to make good music that sells.