The Dewaele Brothers are responsible for some of the best nights of my entire life. At a time when Belgium was primarily famed for its statue of the Boy taking a leak (‘Manneken Pis’) and its wide selection of beers, meanwhile, simultaneously in Spain, there was a growing group of music lovers who were ready and able to not only kick Pop to the pavement but also abandon the electronica overload of the 90s. We had just landed in the Millennium and all around, change was in the air.
Around the same time, the popular and nocturnally social district of Malasaña in Madrid was also undergoing a certain shift in trends. ‘Maravillas’, a hot spot much visited for lovers of Brit Pop underwent a dramatic transformation and was reborn as ‘Nasti’, and quickly became renowned for its fresh outlook, atmosphere, music and live events.
The image makeover of the club and the shift in its musical direction was manifested for the most part on the night a couple of Belgians who went by the name of 2ManyDJs turned up to play. Their mission was to do away with the traditional DJ and introduce a shift in sound. They did it through their choice of music and their limitless boundaries. Monotone Musical Genres- you may now leave the building.
That unforgettable night with 2ManyDJs literally changed lives. The most modern piece of electronica of the moment, way (and I mean Waayyyy) ahead of the times – I’m thinking Jurgen Paape, Jeans Team, Zita Swoon or Queens of Japan was combined seamlessly with a random selection of classics the likes of David Bowie, Nirvana, The Cramps, 10CC, Sly & the Family Stone, Giorgio Moroder, Herbie Hancock and Vanilla Ice. All in the name of partytime, pure and simple.
It goes without saying that 2ManyDJs were invited back to Nasti to repeat the experience; they were even quoted in the Spanish press as saying that the club, on Madrid’s calle Vicente Ferrer was their own personal favourite place to play.
The contents of their cut and paste DJ tracklists and the success of their deliverance of same led to a brief suspension in the Belgians’ other music project, and indeed the one that gave birth to 2ManyDJs- and that went by the name of SoulWax. Using a combination of traditional instruments and the notion of live Pop Rock was one that has since been pilfered and doctored by various artists and musicians. But, during the Nasti times, focus was placed firmly on the boys as cut and paste DJ geniuses and the Soulwax concept took a temporary back seat.
Over time, and with more experience under their belts. the protagonists of both projects, the Dewaele Brothers, have successfully managed to run both elements side by side- operating under the same yet different names and with a style a little more on the side of the remix. Two Brothers, two Concepts, two successes.
The image makeover of the club and the shift in its musical direction was manifested for the most part on the night a couple of Belgians who went by the name of 2ManyDJs turned up to play. Their mission was to do away with the traditional DJ and introduce a shift in sound. They did it through their choice of music and their limitless boundaries. Monotone Musical Genres- you may now leave the building.
That unforgettable night with 2ManyDJs literally changed lives. The most modern piece of electronica of the moment, way (and I mean Waayyyy) ahead of the times – I’m thinking Jurgen Paape, Jeans Team, Zita Swoon or Queens of Japan was combined seamlessly with a random selection of classics the likes of David Bowie, Nirvana, The Cramps, 10CC, Sly & the Family Stone, Giorgio Moroder, Herbie Hancock and Vanilla Ice. All in the name of partytime, pure and simple.
It goes without saying that 2ManyDJs were invited back to Nasti to repeat the experience; they were even quoted in the Spanish press as saying that the club, on Madrid’s calle Vicente Ferrer was their own personal favourite place to play.
The contents of their cut and paste DJ tracklists and the success of their deliverance of same led to a brief suspension in the Belgians’ other music project, and indeed the one that gave birth to 2ManyDJs- and that went by the name of SoulWax. Using a combination of traditional instruments and the notion of live Pop Rock was one that has since been pilfered and doctored by various artists and musicians. But, during the Nasti times, focus was placed firmly on the boys as cut and paste DJ geniuses and the Soulwax concept took a temporary back seat.
Over time, and with more experience under their belts. the protagonists of both projects, the Dewaele Brothers, have successfully managed to run both elements side by side- operating under the same yet different names and with a style a little more on the side of the remix. Two Brothers, two Concepts, two successes.
Soulwax @ Ibiza Rocks
And then, lets think about Ibiza summer 2008 and their recent double whammy at Ibiza Rocks. True to their Word, they came back to the island to give the Ibiza Rocks public everything they had – everything. A live and direct Soulwax performance on the stage, swiftly followed by a punchy, crunchy 2ManyDJs session on the decks.
So, we polished up our brass necks and wangled an exclusive pre-show interview with David Dewaele, one on one.
Q. Last year when you were here, you didn’t seem too impressed by Ibiza in general. But, you’ve come back- have you had a change of heart?
A. You’re right, we were a little bit over it, maybe it had something to do with the image and reputation that it has. But we radically changed our opinion alter out visit last summer. After performing at Ibiza Rocks, we spent a week here, during which time we managed to appreciate the beauty of the island. It really is a very special place. Without sounding like a snob, it’s fairly difficult to like a place that you normally arrive at after sundown, go straight to a club to play and leave again. When that is the case, we really could be anywhere in the world, because you don’t see anything except for a clubbing public on a mission to get right on it and party.
So, we polished up our brass necks and wangled an exclusive pre-show interview with David Dewaele, one on one.
Q. Last year when you were here, you didn’t seem too impressed by Ibiza in general. But, you’ve come back- have you had a change of heart?
A. You’re right, we were a little bit over it, maybe it had something to do with the image and reputation that it has. But we radically changed our opinion alter out visit last summer. After performing at Ibiza Rocks, we spent a week here, during which time we managed to appreciate the beauty of the island. It really is a very special place. Without sounding like a snob, it’s fairly difficult to like a place that you normally arrive at after sundown, go straight to a club to play and leave again. When that is the case, we really could be anywhere in the world, because you don’t see anything except for a clubbing public on a mission to get right on it and party.
2 many DJs
Q. But ‘Spain is Different’ although the fame of its nocturnal ambience would seem to be on the decline. Has this affected you in any way?
A. It’s true that something is changing in Ibiza, the restrictions on clubs being imposed by the authorities, opening and closing times, licences, permits…
Q. However, we’re not the only ones in that situation- Madrid and Benicassim, to name two, are also experiencing the same (often incomprendible) crackdowns.
A. Really? Well, when we played recently at FIB (International Festival of Benicassim) we didn’t see any difference at all (laughs). Truth of the matter is, we, as both Soulwax and 2ManyDJs consider ourselves very lucky to be working so much.
Q. One of 2ManyDJs’ finest moments for me was 5 years ago, when in the middle of a spine-tingler of an electronic masterpiece, you dropped Nirvana into the mix. Is there any particular record within your 2008 tracklists that you know you can rely upon to have the same effect- i.e., blow your audience’s minds when they least expect it?
A. Mmmmm…good question; now you’ve got me thinking.. A couple of nights ago we were playing in Newcastle, UK, and we played ‘Fire’ by the Pointer Sisters. It can be hard sometimes to physically see from the DJ booth if the people are really going mental, but we can most definitely feel the positive reaction.
A. It’s true that something is changing in Ibiza, the restrictions on clubs being imposed by the authorities, opening and closing times, licences, permits…
Q. However, we’re not the only ones in that situation- Madrid and Benicassim, to name two, are also experiencing the same (often incomprendible) crackdowns.
A. Really? Well, when we played recently at FIB (International Festival of Benicassim) we didn’t see any difference at all (laughs). Truth of the matter is, we, as both Soulwax and 2ManyDJs consider ourselves very lucky to be working so much.
Q. One of 2ManyDJs’ finest moments for me was 5 years ago, when in the middle of a spine-tingler of an electronic masterpiece, you dropped Nirvana into the mix. Is there any particular record within your 2008 tracklists that you know you can rely upon to have the same effect- i.e., blow your audience’s minds when they least expect it?
A. Mmmmm…good question; now you’ve got me thinking.. A couple of nights ago we were playing in Newcastle, UK, and we played ‘Fire’ by the Pointer Sisters. It can be hard sometimes to physically see from the DJ booth if the people are really going mental, but we can most definitely feel the positive reaction.
P. Lets say you’ve been told to choose and live with only one option from your musical talents. Which would you choose- the playing of the real live instruments, the playing of records or simply listening to music?
A. Aaahhhhh, what a question! Soulwax and 2ManyDjs are complete opposites
P. That’s why I’m asking..
A. The thing about the history of music and musical genres is that some of them are the very foundation of others. So..If I had to choose one, it would be pop; well, pop-rock..We could call it porck! (laughs)
P. However, didn’t Soulwax all but abandon pop-rock in order to focus on remixes?
A. No!!(laughs)..Ok, go on..
P. What I mean to say is when are we going to see an album of yours with all of its content 100% your own productions?
A. Another good question. There’s going to be a new album coming out very soon, but that will have a little bit of everything on there. It’s simply that we love the game of mixing up different styles.
Q. In the present day, there are a lot of musicians who are publically dipping their toes into politics and showing their support for one politician or another.
Which character, from the past or present would Soulwax/2ManyDJs support?
A. Well, just look at the sweater I’m wearing today. (David holds it up for us to see- in big letters; the slogan reads “Jesse Jackson for President”) Jesse Louis Jackson, activist for civil rights and candidate in the first president campaigns of the 80s. You saw my sweater before you asked that question, right?
Q. Did Not! Ok, lets finish up. Madonna, Prince or Michael Jackson?
A. Prince
P. Haaaa. Wait, I haven’t even asked the question yet! All three have reached the grand age of 50. Where do you see yourselves when you reach your half-century? Maybe like one of those three?
A. Absolutely no idea, can’t even imagine it. I don’t even know where I’m going to be in two years, never mind anything else!
A. Aaahhhhh, what a question! Soulwax and 2ManyDjs are complete opposites
P. That’s why I’m asking..
A. The thing about the history of music and musical genres is that some of them are the very foundation of others. So..If I had to choose one, it would be pop; well, pop-rock..We could call it porck! (laughs)
P. However, didn’t Soulwax all but abandon pop-rock in order to focus on remixes?
A. No!!(laughs)..Ok, go on..
P. What I mean to say is when are we going to see an album of yours with all of its content 100% your own productions?
A. Another good question. There’s going to be a new album coming out very soon, but that will have a little bit of everything on there. It’s simply that we love the game of mixing up different styles.
Q. In the present day, there are a lot of musicians who are publically dipping their toes into politics and showing their support for one politician or another.
Which character, from the past or present would Soulwax/2ManyDJs support?
A. Well, just look at the sweater I’m wearing today. (David holds it up for us to see- in big letters; the slogan reads “Jesse Jackson for President”) Jesse Louis Jackson, activist for civil rights and candidate in the first president campaigns of the 80s. You saw my sweater before you asked that question, right?
Q. Did Not! Ok, lets finish up. Madonna, Prince or Michael Jackson?
A. Prince
P. Haaaa. Wait, I haven’t even asked the question yet! All three have reached the grand age of 50. Where do you see yourselves when you reach your half-century? Maybe like one of those three?
A. Absolutely no idea, can’t even imagine it. I don’t even know where I’m going to be in two years, never mind anything else!
© 2012 PITIUSA MEDIA GROUP S.L.U.
