Whether it’s heading two labels (MYNA Music and Bambino Recordings), touring the world, producing and remixing or mingling with house music’s elite, Da Sunlounge is living life in the fast lane. Writing from his local pub, the average day for Simon Newby (aka Da Sunlounge) involves entering the studio at 9am to either produce original material or working on remixes. He goes on to say, “there’s always plenty of work in the pipeline, so it’s not often I take time off from producing, unless of course I’m touring”.

So how did it all begin for Newby? As a teen he was very much in to tennis. Playing as often as possible and would regularly enter tournaments all over the UK. But it all began one lucky day when his brother returned from university with two turntables and some vinyl. He began mixing in and around the Midlands deep house scene in the early 90s. From his Nottingham office and studio he has serenaded the likes of Laurent Garnier, Ian Pooley, Miguel Migs and Silicone Soul, with that deep, techy, bouncy, swinging goodness that is the fruits of his MYNA Music label. Like something out of a cliché Hollywood ‘clubbing’ movie Simon tells me, “my friends and I would swap mix tapes from the early rave scene, and used to ask the bus driver to play our own mix tapes on the way home!”

Sitting above the bus driver as an idol, Simon lists the likes of Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak and Todd Terry as his top influences. The big break for Da Sunlounge came while playing at their ‘Travelling Without Moving’ party, where Peace Division signed their record to Low Pressings. Simon recalls the experience, “We pressed one of our productions on to dub-plate and I dropped it just before Clive’s (half of Peace Division) set. He signed it on the spot.” Shortly after this Camouflage Records invited Simon to produce for them (at the time they were signing DJ Sneak and H-Foundation). Simon credits the moment “that I decided to launch MYNA Music”. Simon spoke briefly on this label stating, “I simply plan to keep future releases fresh, exciting and top quality”.

December last year saw Simon launch Bambino Recordings which isn’t far removed from that MYNA sound. While quiet about his plans, those hungry for techy bouncy goodness can be assured to hear Newby’s own productions and those of a variety of other artists. For those that insist on being on the other side of the music Simon reveals, “I recently worked with heavily hung-over Jake Childs whilst he was briefly over in the UK! That’s due to come out this later this year. Very soon, I’ll be working with Brown”. If that wasn’t enough he lets slip that “I’ve also been is discussing a collaboration with Rithma” and “it is my intention to work on a Da Sunlounge album later this year”.

For those considering starting up their own label, Simon had the advice “I would definitely recommend having production work under your belt before embarking on a brand new label. It has taken years of hard work to get MYNA where it is now. I was lucky to have had 4 good releases on well-known labels before launching MYNA. If you’re a recognised DJ/producer – people will respond to your label favourably”. When quizzed on tactics for managing such a busy music life Simon added “Just work every hour that God sends! No seriously, I work almost everyday in the studio and spend most evenings in the office. It’s hard, but the rewards are worth it”.

Da Sunlounge and Inland Knights will be touring selected Australian states in mid March. Check out the new Bambino 003 EP, Da Sunlounge ‘Nite Calls’ and Myna 027. Also, Kinky Movement ‘Good Times Rollin’ EP; also due out in March.

Sat Mar 11 – Sydney, Monkey Tennis
Sun Mar 12 – Melbourne, Deconstrukt
Fri Mar 17 – Adelaide, Electric Circus
Sat Mar 18 – Brisbane, Family