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Ibiza Resident DJ: #6 Willie Graff

The first Ibiza born DJ featured in this series, check out the badboy talents of Willie Graff.

Selected by: Andy Baxter

1. Where are you from? 2. When did you first come to Ibiza?

My parents came to Ibiza in the late 60s and I was born here in 1982. So you can say I'm Ibicenco.

3. Where did you first play in Ibiza?

The first place I played (that actually paid me) was in Santa Eulalia, called Mariners, a nice beach bar back then. Not long after that I played at Guarana, also in Santa Eulalia, which was the fist "club like" environment.

4. Tell us about some of the places you've played in Ibiza?

Over the years it has been quite a few, I've played at most of the major clubs like Pacha, Privilege, Space, DC10. Then many nice villa parties, private events and bars around the island. La Alternativa use to be a great winter spot to play. Doing the sunset parties on the terrace of Las Dalias in San Carlos with Vaughan used to be great fun too! Many happy memories...

5. Where is your main residency on the island now?

Pacha. I've been there since I was 16 and am happy to be there. The Funky Room is where I play most of the nights and this summer will be my 12th year there.

with Vaughn and Joan Ribas (centre)

6. What's so good about that place/party?

It's a great room that gives you the chance to play an eclectic sound, something that is harder and harder to find in Ibiza these days. Nice wooden floors to dance on and good sound.

There is no promotion really, just Vaughan spreading the word. Most of the people that come are regulars, people that live and work on the island. I see some of the same people since the day I started there and that adds a very nice family vibe to the place.

Usually its two of us sharing the night and we normally play together most of it, we go on some great journeys in sound. Come up this summer and have a dance with us!

7. Which other DJ has been the biggest source of inspiration in your career? (ibiza or not)

When I was just starting to go out on the island I was listening to DJ Pippi and Cesar De Melero the most. Then later on Joan Ribas taught me a lot about the way to program a night of music. They really inspired me, especially their way to create an atmosphere in the club. I would hunt down every record I heard them play back then....this is when I was like 14, so 1996.

8. What have you been up to during the winter?

NYC has been my base as usual, I really like living here, believe it or not I relax more here than in Ibiza and I get so much inspiration from everything that goes on around the city. I've been the resident DJ at Cielo since it opened and lately I've been playing Saturday nights there.

I've had some super fun gigs in Europe over the winter too,especially with the Circoloco party in Bucharest. I'm looking forward to the next one at Cocorico in Riccione this month. Now I'm packing up my stuff and getting ready to head back to Ibiza next month and start the fun all over again!

with Tucillo

9. Tell us about your production plans at the moment.

I'm working with Tuccillo like always,we just released a record on Isgud last month called "To The Music" that has been doing very well. So far that's just a vinyl release and will be released digitally in a few months. After that, we have an EP coming out on the french label Circus Company that we are very excited about!

Thats all for now, but Tuccillo was just in New York and we got some new ideas down that we'll finish when I get back to Ibiza.


10. How can DJs who are residents in Ibiza avoid just being DJs who are just residents in Ibiza?!

The only way to make some noise outside anywhere you live is making good records and playing good music. You have to make your own style, be creative with what you do.

I think that if a DJ from Ibiza really represents the spirit and sound of the island, they can be very successful at playing in other places around the world.

11. Which Ibiza resident Dj should we feature next?

Let's pick one from the old school and one from the new school. I choose DJ Pippi and Tuccillo. Pippi because he still inspires me to this day and Tuccillo because I think he's one of the best music makers on the island.

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