✪ ERICK MORILLO IBIZA´12 INTERVIEW
ERICK MORILLO – IBIZA´12 INTERVIEW
2012 has been a monumental year for Erick Morillo and his New Jersey based Subliminal Records label. It has continued to dominate dance floors throughout the world with chunky anthems, introducing many new names to it’s adoring public and its Wednesday night Ibiza residency in Pacha enjoyed a record breaking season, but the crowning glory has to have been the recent honour bestowed upon the label boss by his home town of Union City after they named a street after him. Erick Morillo has made a huge contribution to the dance scene around the world, from his consistent performances in many of the world’s finest DJ booths to an almost assembly line production of club bangers and new producers that has constantly pushed the scene forward. It’s fitting that his achievements be recognised by his home town, surely there can’t be a better role model to the kids of Union City of what can be achieved when you set your mind to it. We caught up with Erick after another exhausting summer season…
How was Ibiza 2012 for you?
It was a great season for me and Subliminal at Pacha. It was our 13th season and then no sign of the momentum slowing down – each year feels bigger and better. We had some great guests this summer, including Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Diplo, Steve Angello, Chuckie, Dirty South, Azari & III, Sympho Nympho, Sneaky Sound System, Shawnee Taylor, Segarra and more. Each of them brought something special to the party. Subliminal is as strong as it’s ever been and it’s clear that house music lives on amongst the beast that dance music is becoming.
What did you think of the new position of the Pacha DJ Booth?
I have to be honest and say I wasn’t sure at first. But after 12 years of playing in the original booth of course it was gonna feel alien. I adjusted after a few parties and got used to it. Like anything, you have to embrace change if you want to move forward. Most importantly I hear it was a better experience for those on the dance floor and terraces and that’s the most important thing for me.
Subliminal has maintained a successful presence on the island for over a decade, when do you start thinking and planning for the following season?
As soon as we finish one season we start thinking about the next. You have to move super fast these days you wouldn’t imagine how much planning goes into doing a whole seasons worth of parties. From the concept and production to the line up, it all takes a lot of time and planning – not so easy when I’m on the road or in the air all the time. But I’m not complaining, when you see 3000+ people getting down on the dancefloor at Pacha it’s worth the hard work.
Is it still important to maintain a presence on the island?
Of course! Some of the most popular and most talented DJs in the world have residencies in Ibiza. I think people look to Ibiza to see what’s hot. You really do have to have a presence on the island to maintain your place in the International scene. For me it’s a must.
What do you do now the madness of the season is over, are you lying on a beach somewhere or is it business as usual for you?
The chance would be a fine thing. I went straight back to the US to continue work in the studio and then toured the east and west coast. Things are a little quieter out of choice towards the end of the year. I have a Brazil tour around NYE and then January and February are the months when I take time out for me. They could not come soon enough, I can tell you that!
You’ve just been recognised by your home city, with a road named after you, how proud does that make you feel?
I’m incredibly proud. To be recognised by the people from my own town is a massive honour, but more so I am just super happy that I can set an example for the kids in the area by letting them know that your wildest dreams can become reality if you work hard enough and believe in yourself. ‘Erick Morillo Way’, who’d have thought it.
Subliminal Records has been a vehicle for many new producers, what can we expect from the label this winter?
We are gearing up for yet another busy winter. We’ll be showcasing T3KTONE, a new production duo who are scheduled to release their underground / tech-house tracks on Subliminal within the next few weeks. Be on the look out for them…
Source: Erickmorillo.com
