Jody Wisternoff Interview 2013

Jody Wisternoff has been in the music business for 25 years, he’s toured with some of the best acts in House, played Top of the Pops and travelled around the world, but his favourite place to come back to is still his hometown of Bristol. He’s been busy recently co-producing Anjunadeep’s latest compilation album and improving his personal recording studio, but we can tell Jody Wisternoff’s still got his feet firmly on the ground, whether in Bristol or Bangalore.

Hi Jody, how have you been?
Very well thanks. Working hard, playing hard. You know how it goes !

Where in the world are you?
Home in Bristol. I’m currently in the process of renovating the studio, very exciting times.

You’re playing Perth and Sydney at the end of June, how are you preparing for it?
Just insuring I’ve got some valium from the good doctor to make the flight more enjoyable! [Laughs] But seriously, the same as for all gigs really, preparation preparation preparation. Although it all changes on the night anyway.

We caught up with you last time before you played Chinese Laundry last year, how did it compare to other venues and crowds? And what are you mostly looking forward to this time around?
The cave is always an amazing experience for a DJ, as you are so directly involved with the crowd. The vibe in that place can be ridiculous; Aussies really know how to party!! It’s also really nice to hang out with Paul, Tony and all the crew.

How do you find the House scene in Australia?
I’d like to think it’s really healthy at the moment, as the current style of house shares quite a lot of common ground with dub-step. A lot of great producers and DJs have come from down under too and this really helps the local scene. However, I have heard that the festival season isn’t great for some of the underground clubs.

Your tour destinations include India, USA, Romania, UK and Russia, what’s so special about touring for you and do the crowds differ from country to country?
I think it gives you a broader outlook and allows you to play a more universal sound being a touring DJ, as opposed to concentrating on your own territory where only a certain style might work. The crowds in Eastern Europe and Russia are some of the most vibrant in the world and India is really emerging right now too.

How do you spend your time between gigs?
I am a family man with two kids so trying to juggle this with touring and studio work is very full on! I just try to maintain a healthy balance between the madness of life on the road with the normality and comfort of domestic bliss…

That last time we spoke to you, you were keen on staying close with your home city of Bristol (in fact you were there at the time), is that still the case?
Absolutely. It’s one of the nicest cities in the UK and has a really healthy music scene right now too, with labels like Hypercolour and futureboogie being based here. The only problem is that the airport is two hours away…

Have you managed to balance your home life and touring? Has it been hard being away from your kids?
As I mentioned before it is no mean feat. I miss the kids a hell of a lot when travelling…and the wife [Laughs]

You’ve mixed the latest compilation album from Anjunadeep, who you’re signed with. How was the process and working with manager James Grant?
It’s been a long, enjoyable and extremely involved process, as the comp is basically a showcase for upcoming stuff on the label. It’s not like we are signing any previously released stuff , as is the way with most compilations. We found some really cool new artists so we can’t wait to get it out there! It’s great working with James, Allan and all the guys at the label, a lovely bunch of peeps.

How is your relationship with Way Out West co-star Nick Warren? Have you bumped into each other recently?
Yeah sure, we’re currently working on new material and I’ts sounding very exciting! Watch this space…

What’s your favourite memory of your time producing together?
Doing Top of the Pops was a crazy experience, every kid who grew up in the 80s’ dream come true!!

You came into the spotlight back in the 90s, did you think you’d still be making music and DJing to thousands of people after all this time?
Didn’t really think about it much at the time to be honest. The fear of getting a real job, combined with the addictive nature of the creative buzz, are probably the reasons I am still in the game!

House music’s grown in the UK and Europe predominantly with festivals, gigs and artists focusing on the sound, how have you kept yourself relevant? Are there any new acts you like?
For the house sound I don’t think festivals are really a factor, it’s more the underground clubs that cultivate this scene. As for staying relevant, listening to new music everyday and Djing at weekends pretty much takes care of that. There are so many hot new acts out right now, the French Express crew are really doing it at the moment for me like Jonas Rathsman, Persius and Chris Malinchak. Dusky are also really on the ball right now.

With all the sub-genres that have grown, can you still recognize a good House track?
Great music like cream rises to the top whatever the genre. Listening to stuff from a producer’s point of view, it’s usually clear when a track has that extra something that makes it stand out from the crowd. Personally, I still tend to prefer tracks that are heavy on the emotional content, although not at the expense of a good groove.

You must have some pretty amazing stories, what’s the most shocking thing to happen to you on tour? Any crazy fans? Any difficult people you’ve had to work with?
A near plane crash in Australia during the mid 2000’s was pretty shocking!! A flight between Sydney and Melbourne with Qantas, the left engine had a catastrophic failure and we had to get down sharpish! As for crazy fans – nothing that requires intervention from the law, luckily. Difficult people would probably be promoters on a daily basis [Laughs].

You definitely know how to make a good track, whose voice would you most like to work with?
Thanks. I would love to work with Jamie Woon, his voice hits the spot.

Thanks Jody. Good luck with the album and the studio renovations!

By Charlotte Mellor

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