Behind the decks with DJ Gareth Yip

Flying the flag for Gloucester’s dance scene, DJ Gareth Yip talks techno, trance, house and er, The Birdie Song.

What’s your background?
My mother is Welsh and my Dad is Chinese – hence my name Gareth Yip. I’m from Gloucester and grew up in Tuffley, and I’ve been DJing for about seven years now.

DJ Gareth Yip – did that take long to think of?
I never had the pleasure of picking my own DJ name – my parents did – cheers folks.

I think it’s quirky enough, I really can’t be bothered with fancy names – I tried a few different ones in my head but none of them sounded very good.

And where are you playing these days?
I’m the resident DJ for two monthly nights, Paranoid and Paranoid Stripped, at The Cellar at Café Rene. It’s a night that myself, good friend Ioan Evo and Dan Yip aka Mr Yip have been running since Boxing Day last year. I’ve got the Gloucester Gathering at Innteraction coming up on Sunday 26 August which is going to be good fun, and also the Paranoids end of season party on Saturday 22 September with Timo Garcia. The end of season party is going to be a great event for myself and Paranoid because it’s a big step forward and goes to show that Gloucester’s dance scene is on the up.

How would you describe your style?
When I first started mixing I was into my hard house, then it was hard trance and shortly after it was the more progressive sounds of house and trance and then techno – so all those different influences have moulded the way I play my sets. Twisted tech and electro house with a pinch of minimal techno pretty much sums me up now – I could never play just one type of house!

What kind of music can people expect to hear when you are DJing?
If people come to Paranoid the first Friday of every month at Café Rene they can expect off the hook electro and tech house. Paranoid’s sister night Paranoid Stripped every last Saturday of the month holds a more underground stripped back tech house – a minimal techno vibe for the more under arm dancer, grimey as hell!

Vinyl, CDs or MP3s?
I use CD decks but was a vinyl junkie for years. Once a month I would do the pilgrimage to Birmingham or Bristol for some decent tunes, but thanks to modern technology I get more of what I want at an amazing price instantly without moving too far. Give it a few years until everyone starts bringing their iPods to clubs for DJing. The technology’s out there right now, it’s just a matter of time.

The hottest tune that you can’t stop playing right now?
There’s no way I could pinpoint one but there’s three huge tunes in my bag right now; Mastiksoul’s ‘Ibiza 2050’; Spaio & Sleazy Tek’s ‘Red Sand’ – the Christian Cambas Remix; and Sasha & Charlie May’s ‘Seal Clubbing’ – the James Zabielas Seal Squeal Remix.

Your all time favourite track?
Underworld’s ‘Born Slippy’ is definitely one of my all times, it’s huge and you can always guarantee a full dancefloor.

Something you would rather die than have to play?
The Birdie Song!

Is being a DJ a great job to attract the opposite sex?
If that’s what you’re after then yes, sure. I’ve made lots of, ahem, female friends along the way.

What’s the weirdest request you’ve had?
I guess the thing that blows my mind is when someone who’s been there for ages listening and dancing to the music all night, will suddenly come over and ask for Elvis. That’s happened to me twice.

Have you had any particular ups or downs in your DJing career?
At one point I was having a hard time and came close to just hanging up my headphones and selling everything – thank God I came round and sorted myself out – I’m now having more fun than ever now.

Any burning ambitions?
To work as a full time DJ would be great – and make a bob or two. I think that’s every DJ’s ambition.

Which club would you play at if you had a choice of anywhere in the world?
Any London Club – especially Turnmills, Egg or The Cross.

Your DJ hero?
That would be the early Oakenfold – when he was a Cream resident, and Carl Cox. Both for different reasons.

Any advice for DJs hoping to get in on the scene?
Just be passionate in what you do – believe in it. You’ll have peaks and troughs, but if you love it then you’ll continue. Someone once told me that it’s about soul, not ego – it has stuck with me and is by far the best advice.

Catch DJ Gareth Yip twice a month at Paranoid and Paranoid Stripped at Café Rene's The Cellar in Gloucester, as well as at the forthcoming Gloucester Gathering.

SoGlos.com
22 August 2007