Shaun Warner Interview

An internationally recognised DJ, Shaun Warner has DJing, mixing and producing in his blood. From sifting through his father’s vinyls to playing venues worldwide, this guy has forged a unique, mesmerising sound of bass-driven House music with hypnotic vocals that will have your bootie shaking all night long. A resident Hed Kandi DJ in Australia, BBM spoke to Warner about the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration at Bungalow 8, courtesy of the epic Dance music brand and record label.

Hi Shaun! So tell us, what have you been up to recently?
I’ve had my head down in the studio getting my next releases finished. I’m just off the back of a six-stop tour around Australia and New Zealand and it’s time for me to get my ideas and turn them into tracks. I’m looking forward to testing the new material on the crowd so when it comes to NYE, I’ll be sure it goes off.

What’s it like to be part of such a globally recognised brand such as Hed Kandi?
I love playing for Hed Kandi. It’s fantastic to play for a brand that fits my sound and allows me to do what I love to do as an artist without having to compromise musically. Hed Kandi is all about style, sex appeal and quality, but most of all it’s about having fun and letting everything go which is what I try to bring to my DJ sets and live performances.

How did you first get involved with Hed Kandi?
My first involvement with Hed Kandi was as a consumer in the late ’90s buying their CD’s. Every time a new one would come out I’d be straight on to it. I used to love the fact that their CD’s carried full un-mixed tracks so it was easy to incorporate the music into your set. My first Hed Kandi gig in Australia was at a pool party. The night ended with me swimming in the pool on an inflatable listening to “The Man with the Red Face” with a Red Bull Vodka in my hand. It was love from then on.

What’s been your personal highlight from Hed Kandi Australia in 2013?
My personal highlight? It’s hard to have one when every time we do a gig it just gets better and better.

What’s been your favourite festival of 2013?
I’m not sure about my favourite festival as I’m not really into the silicone and ‘roid mainstream festivals, but two of the best events I’ve been to in a long time were House on the Harbour with myself and Tobie Allen from Bootleg Social (UK) and Highflyers Day Cruise with Carl Cox. Both had Sydney Harbour as the backdrop, friendly and up-for-it crowds, and fantastic music.

Have you worked with anyone particularly interesting this year?
This year has been a year of collaborations for me. Teaming up with Ultan Burke resulted in our very first No 1 selling track, which was amazing for us. Also working with the likes of the Hoxton Whores, Southlight and Stonebridge has also been a real pleasure.

What’s your “track of the moment/year”?
Clearly I’m biased, but my favourite track of the moment was my release with Ultan Burke & Dawson called “Hold Me”. The release coincided with WMC in Miami and being over there in the sunshine, surrounded by the world’s best artists, while your track is top of the charts was something I’ll never forget.

If you could work with any guest vocalist or percussionist who would it be?
I’m lucky to get to already work with some amazing talent. My next track features Arel James and her performance will wow people. I love performing with Dawson and we work really well together but NYE with Lil will be a treat. Lil and I have recorded together before and our last release was played by some of the world’s biggest acts so I’m looking forward to performing that live at Bungalow 8.

Have you learned anything new this year?
Focus. Focus. Focus…and have fun.

What can we expect from your set at Bungalow 8 on New Year’s Eve, any surprises or guests?
I’ll be playing with Ultan Burke and Lil and it will be full of energy. Ultan and I really vibe well off each other and with Lil performing front and centre, I think the roof will come off. I cannot wait!!!