Dave Seaman: Still the Renaissance man

“It’s all about consistency in this game,” says Dave Seaman when talking about the best producers in the business. But he may as well have been talking about himself: who in the game is more consistent than Dave Seaman? With over 25 years in the industry, releasing more than 20 mix compilations and countless tours around the world, he’s proved himself time and time again to be dance music’s true renaissance men, successful in his endeavors across production, record label management with his Audio Therapy imprint, and with his history as the original editor of UK clubbing bible Mixmag, he’s even proved himself as a publisher. Renaissance man indeed!

And this rings true when you’re looking at the Renaissance record label itself. While his last couple of mix CDs were for his own Audio Therapy label, he’s return to handle the honours for the 10th volume in the prestigious Masters Series . To help promote the CD he’ll be in Sydney this weekend for a whirlwind series of shows. ITM fins out where Dave Seaman’s head is at in 2008.

You are coming here for the Renaissance Tour and the launch of your Renaissance Masters CD. What sound can we expect on the new CD?

It covers various styles over the 2 CDs. It starts off with the more edgy electronica of Apparat & Fairmont before establishing a more funky groove with Wally Lopez and Gui Boratto before hitting a harder more progressive note with Sasha and Underworld. And that’s just the first CD! CD2 is probably more clubby, reaching the techno heights of Oliver Huntemman and DJ Umek by the end.

You’re playing Sweetchilli at Space in Sydney. It’s been five years since you played there. What do you remember from that gig?

Is it really that long? Crikey. Actually yes it would be, wouldn’t it. I remember it very well because I got engaged to my now wife that weekend in Sydney and we’ve been married 3 years now. So yes, that night holds particularly fond memories.

You were once quoted as saying that your collaboration with Kylie was something that you were most proud of. Is that still the case? If not, what has superseded it?

No, I still stand by that quote. Well in a professional sense anyway. Writing, recording and remixing Confide In Me and watching it go on to achieve international, critical and commercial success still ranks as my proudest moment. But personally, having now become a father of two young boys makes me prouder still.

What’s in the pipeline for 2008?

This new Renaissance Masters mix compilation that is due out March 10th will be keeping me busy for the first half of the year with all the press, promo and touring that goes with it. But I’ve also just finished my own single which I’ll be unveiling in Miami at the WMC. So I’m hoping that’s gonna be a big part of early 2008 too.

You have played here many times so you have had a chance to observe our local scene. Who is our greatest export DJ wise and why?

It’s a tough call between Anthony Pappa and Phil K. I’ve known them both since I first came to Australia in 1993 and they’ve been a constant source of inspiration ever since. Two very talented boys!

You’ve been labeled as a progressive house DJ in Australia. How do you like to be described as an artist?

I’ve been called worse! Hahaha. I’m just a DJ that plays varying shades of electronic house music. I think anybody who still calls me a progressive house DJ either hasn’t heard me in the last five years or doesn’t know their progressive arse from their tech house elbow!

How do you stamp your authority on a set?

It’s all in the way that you put the tracks together. If you gave the same 20 records to a load of different DJs they’d probably all come back with completely different sets.

Any advice for young DJ’s these days?

It’s all about social skills. Networking and the ability to nurture relationships outstrips talent these days. Sad but true.

Vinyl or digital? Why?

Digital is so much easier and offers so much more creatively that vinyl really isn’t in the same league. Yes it sounds slightly better. But do you think 98 per cent of people on the dancefloor can tell the difference?

Who influences your musical stylings these days?

It has to be what I deem to be ‘good’ music. Other than that, I’m open to everything.

You said once that the dance scene had to implode to be reborn again. Are we still going through the awkward years, are there still lessons to be learned?

I think thing’s are getting very exciting again. And remember when I said that I was talking about the UK specifically. There’s other territories such as South America where the scene is still continuing to grow with no sign of imploding yet. It’s good to keep some perspective on it all. It’s all just fashion cycles. What goes around comes around. I’d say dance music is very much on the up creatively at the minute, but from a business point of view the industry is still very much in a transitional period and we’re all still finding our feet in the new order of things.

Minimal is all the fashion at the moment. Do you think by its very name that it’s too empty? What constitutes a good tune for you?

No, there’s lots of good minimal records. There’s lot’s of bad one’s too! Same for every genre. You can’t just rubbish one entire style of music in favour of another. Take the best bits from both and you won’t be too far wrong. A good tune simply has to move you physically and emotionally. Music and especially dance music is a spiritual thing. It’s a ritual that has been part of mankind for thousands of years.

Who or what is the most influential thing in dance music at the moment?

Eric Prydz and Ali Dubfire rule the school for me at the moment. It’s all about consistency in this game. And they both have it in abundance.

Last question, the greatest dance song ever made?

Almost impossible to answer. But in terms of the ones that have really stood the test of time. Donna Summer I Feel Love or New Order Blue Monday. Like a lot of people though, I have a soft spot for Massive Attack’s Unfinished Sympathy.

Catch Dave Seaman when he tours for Renaissance…

20th Mar: Sweetchilli, Sydney
21st Mar: Darkbeat 5th Birthday, Melbourne