Hi Pirate Copy, thanks for taking the time to talk with us here at Techno Dancers. For those people who may unfamiliar with you in this industry could you tell us a little about yourself and your history in electronic music?
Yes, I’ve been working in the electronic music scene for about 20 years. I started as a vinyl DJ in Manchester, playing house music and organizing my own events. Things went well and a few years later, I found myself with a residency at Sankeys Soap, a famous Manchester nightclub. I would open up the venue, play the first couple of hours, the headliner would play in the middle, and then I would come back on and close the night. This was my university; I learned a lot. Later, I started to develop myself as an artist, set up my studio, label, and ten years ago, I started the Pirate Copy project. I’ve managed to sign my music to labels like Solid Grooves, Elrow, Moon Harbour, and Hot Creations. So, it’s been a great ride, but the best is yet to come!
Your events series and record label Kaluki has been established over the years as a driving force for high quality underground sounds from the likes of Francisco Allendes, Detlef, Neverdogs, Yaya and yourself among others. Can you tell us what Kaluki means to you, what you feel it represents for the scene and where you see its future taking you?
Kaluki is like my baby, more like a child who’s grown up now and doing really well. I am proud of what we have created and achieved. We have always released forward-thinking music for the dancefloor, we have broken many new talents, and worked with some legends also. The future is bright, and 2024 looks set to be the biggest year yet for Kaluki.
Could you share with us something interesting about yourself that most people won’t know, maybe a special talent you have or something crazy you’ve experienced in your life?
Maybe my guilty pleasure is my love of fishing. When I have some time out, I like to connect with nature and camp in the wild, catching huge carp and sharing moments with my friends. It gives me some balance in this industry, and I love it.
Your Pirate Copy production endeavours have been steadily making their mark on the scene via releases on the likes of Hot Creations, Sola, Solid Grooves and of course Kaluki, these are many of the leading labels in todays underground. Could you tell us a little about how you’ve achieved such impressive feats and what you feel had made your music cut through the noise to reach such esteemed labels?
It kind of happened quite naturally. I didn’t really make records on spec for the labels; I was just playing around with ideas and jamming. I think every now and then, you make a track and feel like… oh yeah, Jamie Jones will love this, or Michael Bibi, for example. I will send it to them only and let them try it for a month. It’s important to send your demos to just one label at a time; it can be really frustrating for the label owner to try and sign a track, and it’s already been given to another label. Patience is required, and I think your music has to sound in some way unique and different from everything else, you have to be original and true to yourself.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
I love the whole of South America, especially my tours there. Peru, Argentina, Colombia, especially… it’s just so different from Europe. I love the contrast, the food, the whole culture, and, of course, the people, they love to party!
What’s your favourite thing to eat in the world and what would the setting be to eat it?
Ceviche from Peru… it’s hard to find in Europe the way they make it, but I would eat that every day if I could! When I am in Europe, I love Vongole linguine; my Italian friend showed me how to cook this to perfection.
What have been your main influences in producing music and what modes of production do you utilise, are there any particular go to tools, some outboard gear or software that you always use?
Some influences from the past were the likes of Daft Punk, DJ Sneak, Derrick Carter, Erick Morillo, Danny Tenaglia, Masters at Work, Armand Van Helden. These were the guys that made me fall in love with house music. In my production process, I love a tool called Punchbox for making my kick drums sound huge. Trillian is my go-to bass plugin, and I love the Sound Toys plugins, they are on everything! I recently bought a Novation Bass Station analogue synth, and it’s been fun to make some new baselines with this; it’s very easy to use and find something you like.
Who would be your dream collaborations in production?
Wow, that’s a good question. If I could collaborate with anyone in the world, I would love to be in the studio with a legend like Pharrell. I think he’s a total genius, and for sure, we could cook up some fire together!
You’re taking your guest DJ’s to the local cocktail bar of wherever you’re hosting them, what are you ordering? Do you have a go-to cocktail, from old fashioned to Singapore sling’s, what’s your flavour? 🙂
Yes, I am pretty old school now. I like an Old Fashioned or maybe a Whiskey Sour. If we’re on the beach for the day, maybe a Mojito!
The Kaluki events series has founds it way to the Balearic electronic music haven of Ibiza and we’ve heard through the grapevine you’ll be returning for a residency on the island next year, could you please tell us a little about this?
Yes this is true, summer 2024 will see KALUKI go weekly for the first time ever. We are taking over Sundays at Avyca ( Previously Sankeys ) and I’ll be appearing 14 times, playing solo and also b2b with some of my favourite DJs. In addition I will also be playing at some other Ibiza clubs like Pikes, Eden and Amnesia so this year looks like it will be my busiest Ibiza summer ever!
Can you share with us some essential things to do when visiting Manchester? The city has a lot of history with rave culture and the Hacienda of course but beyond seeing this place which I believe is now a car park or apartments or something? Could you recommend us some places to eat, to buy records, to dance, to drink?
Okay, so The Hacienda now is an apartment block, which is quite sad, but everything moves on. Some new cool spots to eat, drink, and dance are Diecast and Ramona, that’s where I go if I’m going out in the city. For record shopping, it has to be Piccadilly Records, Eastern Block, and Vinyl Exchange; you can find everything between these places.
Beyond Ibiza, Kaluki will continue to take its club events further afield across the globe and even celebrate a significant birthday soon, please tell us more about this?
Yes, we are now working on multiple tours for 2024. We should be visiting North & South America, a tour in Spain, Italy, and also starting a new residency in Dubai. So, it’s going to be an exciting year!
Can you share with us one record that’s had a significant impact on your musical growth in electronic music or the track that got you hooked?
The track that got me hooked was Stardust – “Music Sounds Better with You.” A timeless classic from 1998; for me, that’s where it all started.
And could you share with us, if you don’t mind, your current weapon that seems to be bringing the dance floor’s alive?
There is a track I’ve just signed called “Electric Jungle” by Ben Kim that’s been doing serious damage. It’s coming out soon!
Lastly, could you tell us a little about what’s next for Kaluki Records and share with us any other news of noteworthiness you’d like or are able to share?
We just had two cool EPs from Davide Squillace and Matthias Tanzmann, and next up, we have Ammo Avenue, Ben Kim, The Dunmoore Brothers & Serge Devant.
