By early 2008, Sydney DJ Mo’ Funk had played just about every possible club and festival, and could lay claim as one of the most solid and technically polished spinners the city had to offer. Maybe even a little too good. By the time this year’s Ibiza season rolled around, it was time to blow this joint. “My career was basically at a point that had me doing the week in and week out grind of Sydney bars and clubs, but it gets boring after a while and the music I love to play and my talent weren’t being appreciated. My decision to leave was the only logical way forward,” Mo’ Funk told ITM in a controversial feature interview a few months ago.
“I left Sydney at a time where I felt my abilities on the decks were at a crazy high, and it went over people’s heads a little.” While this frankness and confidence in his own abilities might have rubbed a few people up the wrong way, it’s an understatement to say that Mo’ Funk’s attitude was vindicated by the time that he made it over to the clubbing paradise that is Ibiza. After only a few weeks he scored himself a coveted residency at Pacha, playing up to four nights a week at the globally renowned club and displaying his razor-sharp technical skills in front of some of the world’s best.
With the European summer season now officially done and dusted, that dastardly Mo’ Funk has chased the sunshine and he’s now back in Sydney to remind his hometown what he’s capable of. He’ll be playing at the free intheXmas bash at Nevermind this Friday December, and he’ll also be representing the mighty Pacha brand when it returns to Home Nightclub this New Years Eve. ITM finds out more…
It seems from past interviews you have had a love-hate relationship with the Sydney club scene, did you have any pangs of nostalgia on your travels and find that you were missing the home crowds?
To be honest, the entire time away was a big rush, loads of new places with way to many things to do and see. It was a big learning year for me; it got so intense at times that looking back wasn’t something I often had time to do. I missed my friends more than anything, and yes, I do have a love/hate relationship with my hometown’s scene. I’m passionate and involved enough to be critical of what I see and hear. I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone though, oh how I miss the Aussie accent!
I’m sure a lot of aspiring DJs would like to know the dynamics behind landing a residency at one of the biggest clubs in the world, would you care to share any secrets or advice?
Be 100 per cent confident in your abilities and always be ready and prepared for your time to shine. Every aspiring DJ has their own path, so I’m not letting my story of how I did it be told to everyone, but just like Jurassic 5 say; “it’s a long road to glory.” I’ve been buying records since I was 14, 11 years later things have worked out!
You have been away for quite a while now, do you think that the experiences you’ve had during your travels have influenced your sound?
More than anything my depth and variety of music I’m playing now is a lot stronger, I’ve got a unique sound that appeals to a bigger scope of music lovers than just another house or hip hop DJ. I spent that many hours on the decks and in clubs this summer that you really get an understanding of what-works-best-when. I like that nu-disco is now the ‘in’ sound, I’ve always been a massive fan of 80s funk and disco so to hear that the sound has re-emerged, means that anyone into this best be prepared to hear it in a new light when I’m back!
Have you kept an ear on what’s been happening on the Aussie scene while you have been away, and if so, have you heard anything that you like?
Of course, inthemix is checked regularly, I’m happy to know some of the true promoters in Sydney who have a genuine passion for the nights and music they’re promoting are doing exceptionally well, it’s great to see new venues pop up also. Musically, I’m not sure what direction it is headed. If anything, as long as the true heads know who and what’s hot; then that’s all that matters.
Electro has been fairly prolific in Sydney over the past couple of years. If history is anything to go by, a change could be in the air. Which direction do you see dance music in Sydney and Australia heading from where we are now?
Well I know it will change, it has evolved already I’m sure! Let’s just get back to fun music that makes you actually want to dance, regardless of genres or forum/blog hype. Right now it sounds like there is no soul in the music that’s popular – fidget is a perfect example of something we will look back on in 10 years and go “what the fuck was that?” Id love to see more live electronic acts like Crazy Penis stepping up!
At home you have a very loyal group of Mo’funk followers, did you manage to lock down a group of Ibiza locals that you would call regulars for your sets?
There is that many people coming in and out of Ibiza every day it’s kind of impossible, I saw new faces all the time, which is a good thing! I made loads of new friends with the season regulars and workers; we became more of a close-knit community. If anything, the main locals I had were the Pacha dancers, the best kind of regulars on the island, WOW!
Your style of mixing allows for the incorporation of many genres and some innovative techniques, who do you look up to as the major innovators in the industry?
I really admire LA hip hop DJ Revolution, he like James Zabiela is on his own level, using new technology and techniques to reinterpret music artistically. A genuine freak-out whenever I see him spin, that dude is someone to be seen! I don’t know who I look up to as a similar DJ, I take inspiration from a wide range of different genres, I’m influenced by a lot of different music and DJs – Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Greg Wilson, Jazzy Jeff, Spinna, Maurice Fulton, Carl Cox, wow the list is endless – I’m not trying to copy anyone’s style, I got my own sound that has spawned from everything I’ve experienced.
Ibiza is renowned as one of the housiest club scenes in the world, how was your eclectic sound received by the Ibiza party crowd?
Really well, I came prepared with an arsenal of music that could be used in all types of situations; whether it be a beautiful daytime chillout session watching the sunset, cruisy cocktail vibes at pre parties, or late night packed dance floors across the island.
When ITM spoke to you in September you mentioned that your possible return from Ibiza is timed perfectly with the Australian festival season, should we be looking out for you at any of the summer festivals?
I was just recently offered to be the tour DJ for The Cuban Brothers, meaning a load of Good Vibes will be going down over summer. Pacha at Home on NYE will be brilliant! I’ll be getting straight back into the swing of things when I return, so I look forward to seeing you all at nightspots over the next few months
Are you looking forward to catching any big acts at this years summer festivals while you are home, or has constantly being around world class acts in Ibiza for the better part of a year dampened your enthusiasm?
Haha! That is true, but this time im in my hometown so it’s a whole new story. I’m itching to see The Roots at Good Vibrations (big ?uestlove fan), the Days Like This festival looks amazing, am looking forward to more time away at the Playground Weekender, Field Day looks hot as always, Future Music Festival will be so sweet knowing that their moving in the live direction booking NERD and the Sydney Festival First Night will once again be huge.
What is on the agenda in 2009 for Mo’ Funk?
Continue to build on what I’ve started overseas, a load more traveling, make more music, get serious about video DJing and as always, practice makes perfect!
And he’ll also be representin’ when Pacha returns to Home Nightclub on Wednesday 31st December, alongside Subliminal head Erick Morillo as he takes things into the wee hours of 2009! Tickets on sale now on ITM.
jerkyboy says...
absolute champion. one of australia's finest!
CABANA BOY says...
Can't wait to see him play again.