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The latest addition to Dubai’s ever-expanding DJ list, DJ Sunshine is John Warden – a lovely fella from the UK who originally plied his trade doing mobile discos.
Sunshine and musical showers …
The latest addition to Dubai’s ever-expanding DJ list, DJ Sunshine is John Warden – a lovely fella from the UK who originally plied his trade doing mobile discos. Now resident DJ at Nelson’s Pub at the Media Rotana, Barsha, we sat down with John for a pint and a natter about House, Pop and the occasional Drum n Bass set …
Full name: John warden
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DJ Name, Sunshine?: Where did that come from?
I love sun and can’t get enough of it! I think music and sun go together especially chilled house...also got a large tattoo on my back of a sun
What brings you to rain-drenched Dubai?
LOL, after that last question?! Erm … well it only gets 1mm of rain here a year (or something like that) that’s one of the reasons! I was just looking for something a bit different to do from bars and clubs in UK. In UK its either cheesy music or harder music with not much between. But here I can start with the old classics, then slowly as the night progresses, play newer stuff until at the end it’s pumping with house/DnB/Trance/rave classics
Where were you before here?
Rain/snow-drenched UK in Lloyd’s bars mainly but doing a few private functions here and there
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What got you into DJ-ing at first? We're hearing rumours of mobile discos and all sorts of stuff –
Yeah! Had a big trailer full of gear I had to setup before I did any gigs. I was bought my first tape recorder for Christmas when I was about 10 years old; I used to play music to my family and friends at parties with 2 home made speakers made out of ice cream tubs. Then I did my first (proper) gig when I was 18 with a Citronic system with 2 plastic record decks and a built in amplifier.... and a fuzz light (like the orange one on top of a JCB digger) -so funky! I then progressed onto weddings/birthdays etc but then you couldn’t really play too much house or Dab to your average 80 year old granny so I had to get my fix somewhere else. So moved on to bars/clubs where you could play newer stuff and go a bit deeper with the house. Then I did a few pure house nights with my friends around my local area of Hatfield.
What sort of set-up does a mobile disco require? Did you have to lug all that around yourself?
OOoh yes! I work with my friends sometimes and it takes a day for 4 people to set the gear up. Sometimes we hire in roadies, or sometimes mates will come along just for the ride and a few beers and help out. From huge Tri-lite structures and lighting rigs that arrive in a truck to a simple setup which arrives in the back of a hatchback. The lighting I use has progressed too, used to use 2 wooden boxes with 4 bulbs connected to a sequencer. Now I use light curtains and moving head abstract lighting connected to a DMX controller.
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If you could take the mobile disco anywhere in Dubai, where would your ideal location be? Why?
On the beach! I could play classic 90s tunes in the afternoon then as the sun goes down, play chilled stuff to create a relaxed atmosphere as everyone watches the sun drop into the sea to mark the end of another day and the beginning of another big night, then liven things up later with some nice deep soulful house! Don’t tempt me!
What sort of set-up are you used to these days? CDJs and Pioneer? What equipment would be in your dream DJ Booth?
Much to the disgust of other, more seasoned DJs ;-) I love my pioneer CDJs and mixer. It's so versatile and I think CDs are a lot more robust than vinyl. When I worked in Corfu I left all my CDs in my car after all day in 35 degrees! They were fine! I was so relieved. At home I have CDJ 1000s, here I use CDJ 800s
What music inspired you to become a DJ?
I love music, all genres and love to make people happy, I get such a buzz from seeing people having a good time to my music. But if you ask me WHO inspired/s me I would say - Steve Jackson (Kiss FM) for his laidbackness (is that a word? lol!) and presentation style. Pete tong (radio1 UK) for his tunes and again laidback presentation style. Annie Mac (Radio1 UK) for her passion and her tunes.
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Any records / tapes / 8-tracks that you remember buying that changed your life? (Do you still have any of them?)
8 tracks? You forgot about the record player with the big horn on it? My first record was Japanese boy by Aneka! Not sure it changed my life but it drove my mum, dad and sister nuts cos I just played It over and over again. Then it was Chubby Checker and the Fatboys - Twist! I used to listen to dire straights a lot, had most of their albums on tape. I remember one day at school a friend bought in a Walkman with Erick B on it. I was like " who the heck is this? I love it!!" then I realised I also liked Rap as well as rock. So bought the album on tape.
What sort of stuff do you find yourself playing down at Nelson's? Mostly House or do you get to flex some creative muscle?
No I have to play old classics early then I can House it up later on. Mostly old stuff though at the moment cos I have to play to the crowd we have.
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Ideally, what would your ideal set consist of musically?
New rock/indie, drum and bass, deep soulful and minimal house with a sprinkling of upbeat RnB
So, you in Dubai for the long haul? What does the future hold for DJ Sunshine?
I’m here on a 6-month contract at the moment, let’s see....
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