Jonathan Ulysses / February 16, 2013
Jonathan Ulysses is no stranger to international travel; the popular DJ has been circumnavigating the globe for the best part of the last decade. His infectious DJ style always to entertains the crowd, whether he is at home in a club in Ibiza or on the beach in Thailand. Saturday February 16 sees him makes hisPhuket debut, in Xana Beach Club With Attica and we caught up with him at home in London as he prepares to head our way…
You’ve never played at Xana before, how do you prepare for a place that is unknown to you?
I would prepare by going online and seeing what I could find out about the club and the music policy. I would speak to the owners and I would speak to other DJs that have played in the club before to try to get an idea of the club. I have played in Asia before and I have played Attica in Singapore many times and I have known Peter, one of the owners, for some time so I think I have an idea of how I will play it.
You’ve played in numerous stunning and sometimes unusual locations, how important is the location to a party?
I think the location is very important to any club, wherever you are, playing music overseas and in the UK. But I also think that it’s the people that are also very important for the events to be a success.
As well as the atmosphere and of course the DJ should also play a big part of that. But if you have the correct location and all the other elements I think you can only be on to a winner. I have seen Xana on line and it looks amazing. I am really looking forward to getting behind the decks.
This is not your first time playing in Asia, how does it compare to the rest of the world as far as crowd reaction and musical education goes?
Asia is a great place for the emergence of dance music. I have played in Singapore, Bali, Korea, Kuala Lumpaand Thailand in the past and I have never had a bad time. The people are really friendly and they are always very appreciative of the music and looking out for something new. Now you have many DJs from Asia coming over to our shores in Europe with their own established music and different DJ styles. I think this is very healthy for the scene at the moment.
What can we expect from you at the Xana Beach club party?
You can expect a real good party. I am a DJ for the people and I love to entertain the crowd. I will be bringing something different to the club with my music style and my energy. I am really looking forward to coming over and entertaining the crowd.
What is the best part of being as successful DJ?
The best part of being a successful DJ is that you get to travel to interesting places and that you get to meet some really interesting people. People that you would properly never have met in normal circumstances. It is always great that you can play your own productions also and play music that you like to an adoring crowd. I think that I am very lucky to be in this position and I pinch myself every time I get behind the decks.
What’s the hardest thing about being away on tour for long periods?
The hard thing for me is that I am away from my family. I have two young children and I am also getting married this year and I know that it is hard for them also when I am away from home. But I am very lucky to be doing something that I love for a living and after the gig the best thing for me is when I walk into my front door in London or Ibiza.
When you are traveling on a tour, what do you do with your down time?
When I’m on tour and I have some down time I like to spend that time with any friends that are in the area or just chill out. When you are touring it really takes your energy by making you feel a bit jetlagged so I like to prepare myself for the gig by sleeping and re-energizing myself so when I get on the decks I am 100% back to my best for entertaining the crowd and bringing the madness to the dancefloor.
JONATHAN ULYSSES PLAYS XANA BEACH CLUB WITH ATTICA ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16
