Ask your everyday clubber or dance music fan if they’ve ever heard of Dave Seaman and the association game will tend to draw the same responses of Renaissance and Global Underground. You could even type the name Dave Seaman into Google and you’ll get a list of over 202,000 search results claiming some sort of association to this master of dance music. But if you’re quick enough this weekend you can experience Dave Seaman beyond the electronic ether and in the flesh. He will be in Australia touring for two nights only in Melbourne and Sydney to mark the recently released Renaissance Therapy Sessions CD. Involved in dance culture for over 24 years this man’s contribution is unfathomable. The Dave Seaman repertoire appears to be endless. Early in his career he was the Editor of club magazine Mixmag. He has been mastering the art of his first love, DJing since he was 12. A member of Brothers in Rhythm, a co-founder of Stress Records. Then along with his trusted crew he formed Therapy. And more recently launched record label, Audio Therapy. Perhaps it’s his declaration that, “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing to excess.” that has lead him on an incredible and fruitful journey. He has spent over two decades mastering and mixing his magic on the decks to please dance floor punters. And I had to believe the man when he told me he still loves what he does. “I love DJing, it’s about making a connection with the crowd. You have to give them what they want. You have to read what they want.” “People go to nightclubs to have a good time. And to forget about things, they don’t want to be dictated to.” And what reasonable soul would argue with that kind of logic? “There is no greater education than travel.” If his statement holds true we are dealing with one very highly educated man here. As a highly sort after international DJ his touring schedule has landed him in Australia, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ibiza, Punta del Este, Singapore and the list continues. Apparently he suffers from “itchy feet”, assuring that he won’t be tucking his passport away in the top drawer anytime in the foreseeable future. “My favourite city in the world is Melbourne.” A frequent visitor to Australian shores there was no hesitation in praising Australia or the talent that dwells here. “The Australian psyche is so healthy and I think it’s because you are so isolated from everywhere else that gives you the advantage. It’s only because of the lack of media exposure for Australian artists that the industry is not recognised. The talent in Australia is incredible”. Asking him what Australian acts, if any have found their way onto his home stereo and response, “I think Infusion are worth listening to. Where they’re at now makes me believe that that they could be the next Massive Attack or Underworld.” That’s a pretty big call for a man who has mixed it and re-mixed it with the elite of the music world from Kylie, Sting, Garbage, Pulp and Placebo. Peruse the list of artists featured on the Therapy Sessions and you will find the likes of Australian acts Infusion, Luke Chable, Nubreed and Vance Musgrove. Evidence he isn’t simply being polite, more a case that he has put his money where his mouth is. But one thing that he doesn’t like to pass his lips so easily are anchovies. Telling me that he found them unpalatable I laughed as he informed me they were the worst thing he had ever put in his mouth. “Hairy fish are just not meant to be eaten.” Recently celebrating his 36th birthday I asked if he had any regrets. He was quick to respond that he didn’t have any. “No, what’s in the past must be left in the past. Leave it behind, you can’t change it.” Well, the anchovies mustn’t have been that bad after all. The introduction on his website offers a substantial list of features that make up the man that is Dave Seaman. Included in the speal is, ‘film buff, nothing’s ever enough’. But surely a film buff has one all time favourite? Apparently not one to split hairs, there simply wasn’t one all time favourite. In fact there are 3 contenders, Magnolia, Naked and City of Children. In a previous interview he said that if he was going to interview himself he would ask, ‘If you could have any four people over for dinner, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would you ask?’ He was later quoted saying, “it tells you more about someone’s belief and character than any other question you could ask.” So when I threw the question to him of who would cut it on his guest list he paused and slowly he offered, “Jesus Christ, Adolf Hitler and sitting in between them would be Eddie Izzard and then Cleopatra.” Draw what you will from that piece of psyche insight… ‘Renaissance: Therapy Sessions’, mixed by Dave Seaman and Phil K, is out now through Renaissance/Stomp. You can catch Dave Seaman and Phil K, touring this weekend at the following venues: Sat May 15, Melbourne – Room680 (BUY TICKETS)
Sun May 16, Sydney – Sounds on Sunday
