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Tall order for DJ Experience

DJ Experience spins out international, local talent til dawn

By Nicole Fitzgerald

What: DJ Experience

When: Saturday, April 21, 10 p.m.-4 a.m.

Where: Telus Conference Centre

Tickets:   $35

Event producer Savio Ferrao orchestrated the ultimate DJ Experience for the 2007 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival with Ministry of Sound legend Tall Paul as the headlining act — a name famous among the Aussies and Londoners frequenting his Turnmill nights.

But even before more than 1,500 club goers rave into the night this Saturday at the Telus Conference Centre; before the clock strikes 4 a.m. and the sensory explosion of lights, beats and club circus return once again to doldrums of centre formality; before bodies are hit with the biggest in electro, house and everything in between, Ferrao is already planning next year’s lineup. To tear Tall Paul away from his rigorous touring schedule in Asia and Los Angeles, Ferrao had to book the turntable legend a year in advance.

“Tall Paul always wanted to play Whistler on a bigger scale,” Ferrao said. “I talked to him when I booked him for Canada Day in Vancouver. I needed to make sure he could take the time off to make sure he was in North America during this time.”

The globe trotter does touch down long enough to include credits such as hosting a radio show on Kiss FM, recording countless mix CDs for Ministry of Sound, and picking up many awards, including the coveted Muzik DJ of the Year. The 6’6 Londoner has produced numerous Top 40 hits from records Rock Da House , Deeper and Train of Thought . The owner of Duty Free Recordings record label has also remixed for the likes of New Order, Stone Roses, Human League, Marc Almond, Duran Duran, Wild Child and Blondie, among others.

Tall Paul will be joined by Lawn Chair Generals, DJ Tazix and Mat the Alien.

Lawn Chair Generals hail from Seattle. Their mix of West Coast and classic Chicago-style house, with nuances of electro and soul, makes its way into crates of the world’s top house DJs. In addition to hit releases such as You Got To/Stop Frontin winning the hearts of house heads, the rambunctious two-jock duo have reworked tracks for DJ Hal’s Don’t Give It Up and Swirl People’s We Used to Party.

Trance is added to the house mix with DJ Tazix of Vancouver. The North America traveler has expanded his recording sessions of albums Spooky 6 , Heineken (Cargo Presents), GodSpeed and Out of the Blue to include a mixed Ministry of Sound promo album. His tribal proggy beats with the sexy sounds of house have won over an astute following along the coast. He’s kept stage company with artists such as Armin Van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, Ferry Corsten and Roger Sanchez, just to name a few.

Mat the Alien needs no introduction among these parts, nor in many other parts of the world. Versatility is at the source of this chameleon’s global embrace. The Whistler local won the three-style Who’s the Most Versatile DJ competition in Vancouver earlier this month. The DMC Championship judge’s scratching is what captures the imagination of both listeners and artists. He’s played with the best, including AfricaBambaata, Josh Martinez, Buck 65, Killa Kela, Sweatshop Union, DJ Craze and most recently Cut Chemist. He recently released a track on the soul EP Hai Karate All Stars with smalltown DJs, Vinyl Ritchie and Czech. He recorded with England’s Killa Kella, the world’s best beat boxer. Andrew is also getting ready to collaborate with Skratch Bastid on a mixed album. Then there are soundtracks for snowboard and mountain bike films and television shows and video games, including most recently the MBA Street Jam IV.

Making sure DJs have their night to shine at the festival, Ferrao seeks to trump each year by showcasing bigger names, local and international alike, year after year.

“(DJ shows) are getting more popular in Whistler with Aussies and Brits wanting to see some bigger names. This is for them. The majority of music at the festival is bands, which are great, but the DJ part is becoming a bigger component. When you go to Europe or Australia, the DJ scene is massive.”