We caught up with Underworld’s tour DJ Darren Price in the lead up to his ‘Everybody Jack EP’ on brand new label, Kilsha Music
Hi Darren, how’s your 2018 been so far?
Very good thanks partly due to all the sunshine! Working for Underworld 4 days a week, trying to do my own productions and also be a good family man and live life.
Congrats on your upcoming Everybody Jack EP, it’s been a fair few years since your last solo release, on NovaMute… did you feel you had a lot riding on this new musical offering and what was the vision behind it?
The ‘Everybody Jack UW Live Maschine Mix’, was made back in 2011 for the promotional release of Maschine then went on to be in Underworlds live show until 2014 so it’s nice to get it out there after all the online requests over the years! “Charm Offensive & This Is House Music’ are more recent productions. Just nice to get some of my own tunes out there again. More coming soon.
You are well known for being part of Underworld’s live lineup, as well as the many remixes you did for them… what’s the story behind your collaboration?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with Underworld for many years, originally from 1993 as their Resident Tour DJ and for the last 15 years as their engineer as well. We’ve played to some of the biggest crowds in the world from the Hollywood Bowl to Mount Fuji…it’s been a great journey.
Could you tell us how things have changed for you since joining up with them in 2005?
Technology is better that’s for sure. Less on stage breakdowns and ‘midi moments’ as it’s not on tape. And my Air Miles have gone through the roof.
With releases on NovaMute and Intelligence Records throughout the 90s, your sound has progressed quite considerably since then – can you briefly explain to us the transition in your sound over the last 20 years and the influences behind this?
Bought more equipment and read more manuals which has helped but also, my tempo has gone down as my age has gone up! A healthy mix of new and old equipment always keeps things fresh.
What excites you about music currently and any particular artists that have caught your attention?
Music right now is great. So many releases and so many artists to sift through but there’s some great stuff out there if you take the time. Artists at the moment that are hot on my decks are ‘Dan Kye’ and ‘Chaos In The CDB’, also ‘Session Victim’ and on a techno tip most things by ‘Kink’, and ‘Mr G’ is the G!
What are you top 3 albums of all time?
This is such a hard question to answer, different night, different answer but tonight I’ll go for:
Bob Marley & The Wailers ‘Exodus’
Africa Bambatta and The Soulsonic Force ‘Planet Rock’
Marvin Gaye ‘What’s Going On’
What advice would you give to young musicians starting up in the scene right now?
Stick to your guns, be yourself and if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.
Inside and outside of music, can you tell us what you are up to with your days now?
Inside of music I’m writing more tunes and working for Underworld and outside of music living in London with a big family. I’m a lucky man with a healthy balance.
Beyond the most recent release, what else have you got in store for the coming months with releases and other projects?
Working with Underwold on their upcoming projects and the next release for Kilsha is ready to go. And don’t tell anyone but I’m going to be the next James Bond.
Darren Price’s ‘Everybody Jack EP’ is out on Kilsha Music on 24th September 2018.
Beatport link: https://www.beatport.com/release/everybody-jack-ep/2386018
