AUDIOJACK'S GUIDE TO IBIZA

After meeting in Ibiza over a decade ago, James Rial and Richard Burkinshaw formed Audiojack — a collaborative production/DJ project that’s seen them travel the globe and establish their thriving imprint, Gruuv.

Originally hailing from Leeds, the duo moved out to the White Isle full-time several years ago, where they now spin every Sunday at intimate, locals-only rave cave Club Veto on Sundays, plus continue to spearhead releases from the likes of A1 Bassline, H.O.S.H and Cera Alba for their label.

Hot off the heels of their debut Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1, we catch up with the dynamic duo to find out their top tips for good times on the White Isle...

EAT
“We live in the north, which has lots of great places to eat. For a healthy and inexpensive brunch try Plaisir in Santa Gertrudis (pictured above) or Caos in Santa Eulalia. Have lunch in the garden at La Paloma in San Lorenç. For dinner, Kokoro just off the marina in Santa Eulalia has awesome sushi, whilst Bollywood on the marina is the best Indian on the island. Project Social in Santa Eulalia, My Way in Santa Gertrudis and Can Nuts in Cala Llonga have a solid range of burgers, both meat and veggie. Try the Ibosim summer ale at Project Social, maybe the best draft beer on the island. If you watch the sunset at Benirrás, then Ca Na Hathai in San Miguel is pretty close and a good shout for a post-sunset feed.”

BEACHES
“A car is essential to reach the most relaxed beaches away from the over-subscribed tourist areas. For clear water, soft sands and a laidback family vibe there’s maybe no better beach than Cala San Vicente right at the top of the island. For snorkelling, try Cala Xarraca. Check out Salinas for more social sunbathing. Benirrás for late afternoon into sunset vibes. Also drive, park up and take the thirty-minute hike to the hidden cove of Es Portixol, if you can find it.”

BARS
“Bars in Ibiza are all about the sunsets. Head to the west of the island to see them. Away from San Antonio’s infamous strip, some of our favourites include Kumharas in San Antonio bay (where Sasha will play a few times this summer, pictured below), Sunset Ashram in Cala Conta, Elements Beach on Benirrás and Eden at the Hacienda Hotel, high in the hills above San Miguel. The sunset views over Es Vedra from Cala d'Hort are breathtaking, and you don’t need a bar to enjoy them — just fill a cool box, find a good spot and enjoy your own private sunset experience. On the east, check out Babylon Beach’s full moon parties, where you can see a strawberry moon rise out of the water with a live Brazilian funk band providing the soundtrack.”

CLUBS
“Ibiza’s superclubs are well advertised, but slightly off the beaten track a more understated vibe can be found by those who dig a little deeper than the obvious billboards and posters. Highlights include tINI and the gang at Underground on Tuesdays, Guy Gerber’s Rumors free party every Sunday afternoon at Destino, and afterwards head down to Veto where we play every Sunday night with island residents and unannounced guest DJs. Also free entry, with refreshingly priced drinks from €4.”

PLAYLIST: Audiojack’s 5 Essential Island Tunes

DJ Rolando ‘Knights Of The Jaguar’

“My favourite Ibiza record of all time. 16 years since I first heard it in Amnesia, and it still give me the same feelings inside.” – Rich

Kim English ‘Nitelife (Joe.T.Vanelli Dub)’

“This track was one that I first heard as I was just getting into house music in the ‘90s, and still evokes a nostalgia in me that reminds me of the excitement of going out to a club on a weekend not knowing whether I’d get in or not.” — Jamie                

Roy Ayers ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’

“A bit obvious maybe. One of Ibiza’s best-known chillout classics. We were touring Australia earlier this year. It came on in a Melbourne bar and it took me straight home to Ibiza, and filled me with excitement about the summer to come.” — Rich

Gat Décor ‘Passion (Naked Mix)’

“I used to watch MTV’s Partyzone back in ‘94 and there were loads of now house classics on rotation, but that was always my favourite. I got such a feeling of euphoria when the piano riff comes in.” — Jamie

Audiojack ‘Sun Through The Ceiling’

“The closing track on our 2009 album, ‘Radio’. It was made during the period we were dreaming of living in Ibiza, and the title refers to those early morning moments in a club when sunlight begins to seep through the cracks in the ceiling.” — Rich