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Dj PIMP este unul dintre cei mai reprezentativi turtablisti spanioli. Ce-i drept, publicului din Romania ii este oarecum sau total necunoscut, motivele pot fi multiple. Important de stiut cand vine vorba de acesta este palmaresul impresionant la DMC-ul spaniol si faptul ca s-a prezentat onorabil la nivel international, la DMC World in 2007, ajungand in primii 5. Dupa aproape 3 ani de pauza competitionala, revine in acest an pe scena mondiala, castigand pentru a doua oara DMC Spania, cu un sound fresh si cu o rutina care merita toata atentia noastra.
Cu toate ca are o agenda extrem de plina de activitati artistice, nu a ezitat nici un moment sa ne acorde un interviu in exclusivitate pentru turntablism.ro. Omul a fost o gazda impecabila, iar interviul s-a derulat intr-o atmosfera mai mult decat prietenoasa in Home Studio-ul acestuia, prilej pentru un veritabil schimb muzical [Deceneu vs Praxiz :))]:
Intalnirea s-a incheiat cu promisiunea unui show in Romania in primavara anului viitor.
Speram sa va bucurati de interviu si sa-l urmariti pe Dj PIMP pe 17/18 Octombrie 2010 live @ DMC, show transmis pe site-ul oficial DMC TV.
What got you started and what/who influenced you? Where does your name come from? DJ PIMP: I started mixing at about 17-18 years old when I and a friend bought a couple of turntables and a mixer, things that were indispensable for a DJ. We used to watch videos with Qbert and Mix Master Mike and what surprised me the most at a turntable is that you can also use it as an instrument, because at that time I played drums. My name comes from an old idea. When we were younger we liked to dress up for different carnivals, which are an old tradition here in Asturias, and I always put on a P.I.M.P. costume. So, that's where I got my name.
We know that you give turntablism classes at Laboral University of Gijon. Is there any interest on behalf of the people for such an art? DJ PIMP: Yes, people in general are interested to take classes, to see what this is all about, how they can play them, how they work and so on. Of course, this is Gijon and things are different from Barcelona or Madrid. Here, the people who enjoy this kind of things are a minority, but in time I think that this will change and people will be more open-minded. I also give private classes and have people who want to learn all the scratch techniques and everything that has to do with turntablism and on the other hand I have people who just want to learn mixing in clubs.
What is the best setup for a DJ? DJ PIMP: If we're talking about scratch, my favourite turntables are Vestax because they have a special engine and the ultra-pitch gives you endless possibilities. The Innofader is also very important because it's very smooth. In clubs you'll find Technics turntables and I use a classic mixer, Technics SH-EX 1200. It has the ideal equalizer and the quality of the sound is impeccable. From all points of view this setup has the best price-quality ratio. If we're talking about a live set you must have a Kaos Pad, a Keyboard and a MPC. For live percussion and live drums you can use a MPD.
What do you preffer, analog or digital? And by digital I mean: Torq or Serato? DJ PIMP: I always loved more the analog because it has the most complex sound, but when you are in a big place you'll have lots of problems with the analog concerning the sound that comes out from the subwoofers. Digital, on the other hand, is handier and you can mix all the tunes that you want, including yours, while your vinyls remain intact at home. Another plus for digital is that you can record anything, like my voice or yours and after you can scratch on them [laughs].
How is the turntablism movement in Spain? DJ PIMP: The turntablism movement in Spain begun years ago. Although we don't have ITF or DMC we have lots of Djs and different styles, individual or in groups, and with their contribution the turntablism movement in Spain will reach another level. The clubbing movement is more powerful because people enjoy more comercial music [electronic, R&B, hip hop, etc.], so this culture remains a minority and an underground movement.
Where have you had the best crowd, including Europe? DJ PIMP: You have places where the party culture is more developed and the people show interest. In Spain, for example in the Alicante area, the crowd's response is very positive and dynamic. At an international level, London is above all. They listen to a lot of dubstep and UK garage so you have to adapt and please the party goers. So, the crowd differs from party to party, not from country to country.
Can you describe your experience at DMC? What steps have you taken to get there? DJ PIMP: I remember the DMC pretty well because it wasn't a lot time ago. Mainly, I watched a lot of videos with my friends and I had to learn everything that had to do or was related to scratching. 2005 was the first year when I won the second place in Spain. After that I practiced my routine and did a lot of battles and in 2007 I won the first place. Afterwards, I went to London at DMC, where I won the 5th place and I can say that this was a dream come true because I only saw this in videos with my friends and I never thought that I will actually get there.
The recent DMCs from these past years are different from the old ones. By this I mean a larger quantity of electronic music. Do you think this is a good direction? DJ PIMP: From my point of view, a good direction is to be open towards different kinds of music. At DMC is very important to have a good instrumental in your minute and a half in order to impress the crowd and especially the jury. For example, in 2005 C2C begun their show with jazz and continued with rock, blues, etc; so the final product is all that counts. The DMCs also changed along the time, because the end of the 90s marked a new trend of electronic music. When Netik won, the DMCs reached another level with its new wave of electronic sound (Le Jad or Glitch Mob). I think this is the present or modern hype right now and you can listen and play whatever convinces you and whatever you think sounds great with scratches on it.
What is your favourite scratch technique? DJ PIMP: The truth is that I don't have a favourite scratch technique, either its Flare, Orbits or 2Click, it doesn't matter. Many times I say: “Look, what a nice trick!!”, but I don't actually know its name. Before I use to play drums, so I also like to do drumming and the crowd enjoys this technique the most.
What are your future plans/projects as a DJ/Producer? DJ PIMP: In a week or two I'm releasing a mixtape called Hype Bombers; you can listen to it and see if you like it! I also have different projects, a jazz quartet with live instruments mixed with hip hop and a funk band with hip hop influences (TrueQuedart). And there's Echtra which is more an electronic experimental project where I produce and work/perform with synthesizers. For the upcoming year I search different themes to produce an EP with instrumentals to scratch on.
What do you think it will happen in 2012? DJ PIMP: Well, with a little bit of luck we'll throw a big fat party in Romania at New Years Eve and maybe listen to House of Pain or Cypress Hill or something entertaining [laughs]. Seriously, I don't believe that anything bad will happen in 2012, I don't believe the prophecies. The only prophecy I believe is... MUSIC! [big laugh]
Dj PIMP @ DMC in 2007:
Dj PIMP - Promo 2010:
Asculta: Dj PIMP - Hype Bombers:
Shout-out Dj PIMP for The Romanian Turntablists Community (turntablism.ro):
