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Pete Tong

Hi Pete, nice to speak to you. Well you shocked Ibiza clubland last year moving from the beauty of Ibiza Town and Pacha to a venue in San Antonio, Eden,  with your night 'Wonderland'. This year has seen Roger Sanchez and Miss Moneypennies also moving from long term residencies. You have really raised the image of Eden, refreshing the image of the venue - it is now acknowledged worldwide. Why did you decide to move over?
"Hi Dan. Well really I had done Pure Pacha for five years and wanted a challenge. I never really understood why Pacha didn't have their own night ever, Roger Sanchez had his 'Release Yourself' brand, Morillo had his, Def Mix were in there - but there wasn't a stand  alone Pacha night. I wanted to come in and change things. Pacha has this amazing and mesmorising quality to it. Glamorous, very cool, the Red Book back in the day was beautiful and made me always want to play there. Actually, you were the first promoter to book me there on a very rainy Sunday night and a brilliant party. I went to Pacha when The Ministry of Sound left, no disrespect to them, I just thought though that they were a little 'bridge and tunnel' - we raised the stakes with the line up's - with more quality. But my night there became too glam in the end, people were turning up as though it was a fashion show - not a about the music. And Dan, it's always good to get out at the top. You've gone there, put on the best party on the island and then moved onto another challenge. An offer came in from Eden, I had just changed management, it felt right. I had never been to the club before, I flew over at Christmas time, looked around and thought - this could really go off - a great Main Room!. And the team behind the venue are such hard workers, it just felt right straight away."

'Wonderland' - June 5th-September 25th, you have some big guests lined up, who are you excited about playing beside main room this season?
"Well all of them to be honest. I have booked them myself. Lady Gaga I am really excited about though. Norman Cook, getting Groove Armada back who are really busy with album work so haven't been able to commit to a full weekly residency this year. We have also got the Black Rabbit posse on board, M.A.N.D.Y, Layo & Bushwacka, Funk D'Void, Simian Mobile Disco, Zane Lowe, Tim Sheridan, Deadmau5, Gui Boratto, Nico De Celgia, Timo Maas, NJic Fancuilli, Dave Beer, Caged Baby, Eric Prydz, a Boys Own party with Terry Farley, Stuart Patterson and Dave Jarvis plus Chase & Statud to name but a few. It's going to be quite a Summer. However, my proudest person to have playing with me is Luciano - a ten year resident at 'Cocoon' - it just shows how strong our night is now and how strong the venue is viewed around the world. "

Talk us through the Conference in Ibiza you are behind that you are currently calling from- is this something to rival Miami?
"No not really. It was a conversation between myself, Danny Whittle who runs Pacha and Ben Turner who is of course many a major magazine. We saw a gap in the market. Danny talked to the Ibizaan Government and they were behind it from the start, I saw it as a good way of giving the UK record industry a helping hand, when I first flew out to the New Music Seminar in New York at London Records it really blew me away - and I just thought, it's time for a new event which will help the music industry."

Amazing artwork for the night, who is behind that?
"Wonderland's artwork has been designed by Drum & Bass legend Goldie, whose art exhibition 'The Kids Are All Riot' is doing really well in London at the Maverick Showroom. We will be doing spectacular production  for each party featuring the weird and wonderful and backed up by wonderland  dancers."

What is the best ever club you have played at worldwide?
"I think every DJ you asked this question on the DMC site will say the same. It's always the next one. 'Space' in Miami is too good to be true, Pacha Ibiza incredible - I could go on and on. The thing is about DJing is about the audience. It's like surfing and catching the wave just right. When you get that moment."

Tell us about Room 2 at Eden this year - some great people coming in...
"Well due to Groove Armada's album commitments, the second room of 'Wonderland' will be hosted by a range of great labels this year,  personalities and club nights including Zane Lowe's 'Home Taping Block Party',  Jaymo & Andy George's 'This Is Moda', Nic Fancuilli's 'Saved Records', Charlie Chester's 'Looking Glass' featuring Jo Mills and Thomas Hedberg, Southern Fried and many more. Each host will open up fresh musical styles for 'Wonderland'."

So, we come back to Pete's house after the club - what are the 'Back To Mine' tunes we would hear/party/chill to?
"I'm very much into film soundtracks, so a load of film scores. Also, obviously, a lot of Soul, Jazz, David Bowie, T-Rex - anything can blare out."

Who is the biggest artist you have ever signed to one of your record  labels...?
"Another great question. Well I suppose signing Salt-n-Pepa when I was at FFRR. They made me millions of pounds that paved the way  to sign other bands. Winning Grammy's also helped but the revenue they brought in made me bring in great artists like Jamie Principle, The Brand New Heavies and Goldie. Goldie's 'Timeless' album is an inspiration to us all... it still get's so much fantastic press and as the record says, is timeless."

What artist did you miss out on that you didn't sign that you just thought, 'oh I wished I'd have signed them!'?
"Soul To Soul or Neneh Cherry. I made Jazzie a single offer, Virgin came in with an album offer. I should have gone in harder but yes, a regret."

Who has been the best ever guest DJ/artist on your Essential Selection Radio 1 show?
"Ame blew me away. David Holmes also sticks in my mind with his mix he did, everything from rock to house to Soul. Brilliant."

Other than your good self, who are the best other Radio 1 DJs at the moment and what Radio 1 DJs did you grow up to listening to?
"I think Vernon Kay is a real natural radio DJ and is going to be massively successful. He is a pleasure to be around and a great friend. Zane Lowe is technically brilliant and knows his music 100%. Growing up, well one of your dad's old friend's from Radio Luxembourg Emperor Rosco who went onto launch Radio 1 in 1967 was also superb. John Peel of course, a legend his style was so effortless and Johnny Walker, he really made me want to get into radio with his music he played."

Have you ever been on the decks and it's all gone Pete Tong?
"Not yet!"

PETE TONG IN 'WONDERLAND'
Weekly Fridays at Eden, Ibiza  
June 5th - September 25th 2009
www.wonderlandibiza.com