We Chatted (Briefly) to Grammy-Nominated Paul Oakenfold

By Oscar Holland, March 25, 2016

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Paul Oakenfold doesn’t really like interviews. In an awkwardly reticent chat with Vice’s music channel Thump in 2013, he said: “[I do too] fuckin’ many. I hate interviews. I’m sorry. But I do.”

All power to him. He doesn’t need us, we need him. He’s one of the most successful DJs of all time, and we want a slice of his glory on our humble channel ahead of his shows in Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

So, anticipating brief answers to our email, we sent a whole bunch of questions to the three-time Grammy Award-nomiated DJ and compiled what came back. 

On playing in China…
Being the first big international DJ to perform on the Great Wall was a great moment for me.

On Chinese food…
I love the food there!

On Chinese artist he likes... 
Sa Ding Ding. I have actually worked with her.

On upcoming album, Pop Killer
It’s due out this year and you can expect some great collaborations with both young and upcoming artists and big artists.

On killing pop…
I don’t think [the album title] has ever meant killing pop.

On being voted the No. 1 DJ in the world (twice)…
As great as it was to be voted No. 1 twice, I don't think the list has ever really mattered that much. It can be very valuable to someone's career but I think that’s changing.

On the electronic music awards show he is co-producing…
It has felt like the right time to do it for a while now but it wasn't until recently that this labor of love finally came to fruition.

On his label Perfecto…
Selling millions of records is a great achievement. Just being able to put out good music for 25 straight years is a great achievement to me. 

On Perfecto’s future…
I don't know what the next 25 years hold but we will continue to find and support young artists and release quality music.

On his new DJ Academy…
It is going very well. Our next DJ Academy at the Los Angeles Film and Recording school is on April 26.

On Ibiza…
It’s not the way it used to be but, that being said, it’s still a great place to go for electronic music and is still going strong.

On his football team, Chelsea…
I think we can have a strong finish this year. Next season some changes will be made and we will hopefully start fresh.

On his dislike for interviews…
Let’s just say this one is much better [than Vice’s].

Beijing: Fri Apr 1, 10pm-late, price TBD. Sir Teen, see event listing

Guangzhou: Sat Apr 2, 10pm-late, RMB250 (includes one drink), Fei at W Guangzhou, see event listing

Chengdu: Thu Apr 7, 10pm-late, RMB100, Space Club.



*****WIN!!!*****

We're giving away a pair of VIP tickets to Paul Oakenfold's Beijing show. Simply follow us on WeChat (ID: Thats_Beijing) or scan the QR code below. We'll send out contest details in the coming days.

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