While the new year is officially underway, we asked a few Shanghai favorites to look back at 2013 and predict what's ahead in the city's music and nightlife scene this year.
Last year was a transitional one for Shanghai's self-professed "No. 1 DJ." The M1NT resident ditched the DJ Spenny moniker and toned down the swagger while bossing up. He founded VOUS Records and has gotten into production. His new track, 'Come on now' is getting mad love on Weibo and from top DJs like Dmitri Vegas.
2013 was a transitional year for you when you went from bad boy DJ Spenny to Spencer Tarring, producer. What were some of the highlights of the past year for you and how have you grown as a producer?
2013 is/was definitely the year that I've made a big change. I guess I just felt it was about time for me to grow up a little and put my mind to achieving things with music. I've always produced music but I decided I need to up my game, so I enrolled at Point Blank music school and studied for the last 9 months music production courses, and it's made such a huge difference. Absolute highlight of the year (and possibly my career) was signing my track 'Come On Now' to Spinnin' Records. We shot a great video which has literally just come out today and already had 50,000 views. The track is released on 16th Dec and I'm hoping it will chart. I've had W&W, Borgeous, Brass Knuckles, Henry Fong and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike all start playing the track, and to be honest I'm a little bit taken back by the success so far.
I also decided that I was going to cut down the drinking and partying too hard and it's been 8 months now without drinking (bar the occasional slipup!), which has made a big difference for me. More focus on my work, career and on keeping fit. Genuinely feel like I'm making good progress, even for my high expectations of myself.
While you're no longer as unapologetically awesome as you had been previously, do you still bring the dirty fun times to your sets? What song from last year did you find was an absolute dancefloor killer?
Of course! But the difference is now I've setup VOUS Records and I'm signing talent from around the world and playing VOUS music as opposed to the same music as everyone else. This really defines my set now, and I think people are noticing the change when they are coming to listen to me play. I'm actually hoping for some big announcements in the next few weeks for a tour in USA in March, maybe even a headlining gig in Vegas (which is my ultimate goal). The track which I'm finding is an absolute killer right now is one by a duo I recently signed from UK, Audio Society. Their track is aptly called 'Dancefloor' and will be released on VOUS Records in the new year. It's featured on my latest podcast.
You've had a long association with M1NT and The Bund is a whole different world of clubbing. What were some of the biggest trends you noticed in 2013 and what do you think will be popular in 2014?
2013 was definitely the year that EDM came of age. But like all good things, they come to end, and I can really feel DJ's being super tired of playing this style of music now. It is pretty tiring, with the constant break downs, build ups and drops. Almost like a formula now, so it's getting very repetitive. Instead I feel good groove and more original style house music coming back, and I'm really enjoying edging this into my sets. I've got a couple of tracks I'm working on as well, which of course you'll be able to listen to soon.
So you've also been playing more shows outside of Shanghai this past year. Will this continue next year and do you still have that deep connection with M1NT?
Yes, I'm definitely now expanding. I mean I was always playing all over the place, but now with the release of my tracks on Spinnin Records, it's kind of changed the game. I'm planning a big tour in US next year, and this will be the first time people are specifically coming to listen to me play, as opposed to just going to a club to dance and hear music. Its a big difference, and I can't wait. I'm never going to loose the connection with M1NT though. Thats my home. ;-)
What are your plans for next year and who are some DJs, artists and producers that people should keep an eye out for in 2014?
I've just started a new company called Redstarr Media, and we doing all digital content & films for brands in China. We're also doing music videos and short films (we shot the Come On Now video ourselves) and will be creating some of our own brands too. I've built studios in Jingan that include photo studios, film studios and of course music production studios. It's going to be a place for creative people to come together and make something special. Try and give Shanghai some identity that it's desperately calling for. . Some big artists I'd keep a look out for are Audio Society, Nexity, and in particular Tough Love from the UK, all who I will be collaborating with over the next few months. You may also of noticed my brand VOUS, I'm going to be pushing this in 2014 with some cool clothing, lifestyle and music ideas. So look out for this It's exciting times.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that helped me shoot the video for Come On Now, in particular, Jesus 'Dirty Draws' Cortez & his crew, Dan & Cian, plus the girls that starred in the shoot, Sherry & Christina. Not forgetting my Softball team the Blackouts who turned up in numbers (but not in trendy outfits) to get down and party for the club scene. I really appreciate the support from everyone for this.
// For more information about Spencer Tarring, visit his website at www.spencertarring.com or follow him on Weibo and Facebook. More information on VOUS Records available at: www.vousrecords.com.
0 User Comments