Welcome to the Holodeck

Interview with Chris Liberator

• How do you think your set went?
• Well it started off ok but I wasn't totally pleased unfortunately. Hopefully it didn't mean that people didn't enjoy themselves, but it was just one of those plays that didn't click totally, as I had loads of new tunes and wasn't as familiar with them. The reaction from the crowd was really good though, and I promise next time I play I'll be a lot better!
• What did you think of Holodeck on the whole?
• Really excellent. The crowd are encouraging and excited about what you're playing. Gretsky's is a good venue because of the intimacy; you're almost on DJing on the dancefloor! I really enjoyed the whole night, it's run by people who love techno and aren''t just in it for the money, and you can feel that when you're there.
• What do you think of the British dance scene at the moment?
• Actually quite good, the mainstream techno scene suffered a little due to hard house taking the lime light for the last two or three years, but I reckon it's getting more and more popular again The massive nights like Atomic Jam and Orbit haven't suffered particularly, but it's nice to see small, tightly run nights appearing all over the place such as Holodeck and Pure Filth in Nottingham, it's really encouraging.
• What's been the best part of your career so far?
• Some of the squat parties and the illegal raves of the early 90s were definitely some of the best moments, just because of the energy and enthusiasm. Obviously travelling to exotic places like Brazil has been amazing too.
• What's been the worst?
• Being tired all time, there's always lots of work to do in the week with the label like accounting and general paper work. I'm a very lucky man with the job I've got, but there's loads of shitty bits that people forget. Stay up forever sounds good, but it can take it's toll!
• What's you're favourite club?
• That's a difficult one. There have been loads of favourites over the years. Loads of different places and parties. SP Groove in San Paulo has got to be one of my favourites along with our own club night in London, Nuclear Free Zone, which I run with other Liberators. Nothing compares to it when it goes off in there.
• Your idealistic night out?
• Probably every night I go out without tunes, where people don't know me and expect me to play or talk. Don't get me wrong, I love going out and seeing people I know, but sometimes it's nice to just go out, enjoy the DJ and dance. I love going out to nights based on another scene than techno, like tech-house nights, where it's a different scene and people don't know you. You can just go out with a couple of mates and dance the night away.
• Plans for 2003 ?
• I'm really looking forward to getting back into the studio. I got together with Darc Marc briefly last year, and we'll be doing loads more this year. Basically over the last few years we've been doing work on the labels, which is brilliant, as it keeps the scene alive, but I'm eager to get into the studio myself now, and get a little creative. I'm also married now, so I'll be taking it easier in terms of playing out and travelling.
• What was the first record you ever bought?
• Goodbye to Jane - Slade
• Who's your favourite producer?
• There's allsorts of musical spheres I enjoy. I love reggae, punk, dub, but as far as techno is concerned, it's Dave the Drummer. The quality of his tunes has been consistent since he first started producing and he's my mate. Of course, there are loads of other great producers who I know, but Dave is one of the finest.
• What's your favourite sandwich?
• Ha ha, that's easy. I used to work in sandwich bar for years when I was a struggling DJ. It's gotta be Italian ciabatta bread with mayo, lemon juice, emmental cheese, tomato, onion and black pepper.

www.chrisliberator.com

interviewed by Larry Nelson for the Holodeck 15.02.03