Rebel From Across the Pond

Damian Lazarus delivers. Be it as chief selector of his own bomb label, Crosstown Rebels, or behind the decks of internationally renowned clubs around the world, his music is always fresh and edgy. Some proof was recorded with his first two Rebelfuturism mixes, and should you need further incriminating evidence, you could always turn to his Get Lost ! mix from last year, his Suck my Deck entry, The Other Side of London, or the recently released Monza Club Ibiza 2 on Get Physical Music.



He's a man of taste, and so are the DiskHo boys. It was only a matter of time, then, before they booked him. It is now a done deal and it's going down at Stereo on Friday September 14th, to celebrate DiskHo's 2nd anniversary, hoping there will be many more to come. Between his numerous flights and parties, Lazarus took some time to sit down and answer a few of our questions.



Going from publisher to DJ can seem obvious - was it to you ? Was there a connection in the magazine world that lead you to a knowledge of music at large, making you want to share your discoveries through DJing ?

I always dreamt of a lifetime working in music and my early talents in writing seemed to be the best way to start out. Meeting and interviewing producers, musicians, bands and considering their work gave me an great insight into the world in which I am now. My role as a music writer was to give greater knowledge to the music I liked and felt was unique and forward thinking, a similar thing to what I do now as a DJ.


Could we say that your time at City Rockers was some kind of school for Crosstown Rebels ?

Yes I guess so. I learnt a lot about the business of running a record label at City Rockers.



Why the need to leave a successful label to start your own ?

I wasn't happy with the direction the label was taking and so decided to take my own path.


You have made many major musical discoveries during the last few years. Do you have an artist you're particulary proud of pushing ?


I am very proud of the work we have done with Pier Bucci, before we signed him he was largely unkown and now he has become one of the most loved and sought after electronic producers and live acts in the world.


With the vinyl medium endangered by the digital world, are you confident your solid releases are still going to sell steadily ?


It is true that physical record sales have taken a knock from the digital industry but we have have consistently had strong record sales. There are still enough people out there who want to have the best records available in their personal record collection and who knows, people may even get bored of owning music as an mp3 file and we may see a return to vinyl in the future.



Your latest compilation was mixed by Jamie Jones. What motivated your decision ?

Basically Jamie is one of the most talented newcomers in techno and as we have been friends for some years now, it was natural for us to help him move his career forward. His Get Lost mix is a also a work of genius.


Why the need to create a sublabel, Rebelone ?

Rebelone is a super fun label for us to have - especially with the rules that we created. It's a bit like the Danish Dogma movies.. the artist (who is always a well known producer) must be named after a synthetic fibre or fabric and the track name must be the name of an animal. The records are always on white vinyl with a run out groove at the end, etc.


You don't really have an established sound, as the stuff released on your label is all over the place. Is this eclectism something we can count on when we hear you live ?

I like to throw in curve balls when I play records, my music is always moving within a certain framework. It's difficult to describe but one thing you can be certain of is you won't get bored !



You were in Montreal many years ago for the Grand Prix and played at Mile End Bar. Are you a Grand Prix fan ? Did you enjoy Montreal back then ?

I played at a small bar for Mark from Turbo, I don't think the party was advertised, it was just me and some friends getting together for a night out. I stayed at Tiga's house and went to his Neon party which was great, but I dont have any recollection of the Grand Prix... I do remember seeing alot of people playing hackysack though.


What can we expect from your Montreal appearance this time around ?

A weird and wonderful night out !