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Top 100 DJs / 17. John Digweed

2009
17
John Digweed
Moved Down

17. John Digweed

Style: Progressive house
Best known for: Renaissance, Bedrock, 'Northern Exposure'... how long have you got?
Gig of 2009: Either Vagabond, in Miami, during the WMC or a massive outdoor event I played in Beirut, in August.
Tune of 2009: Guy J 'Lamur (Henry Saiz Remix)' (Bedrock)
Breakthrough DJ/Producer of 2009: Joris Voorn. He's had a fantastic year and he's only going to get better in 2010.
The track that changed your life: Donna Summer 'I Feel Love'
What makes a good DJ great: Total understanding of how a night works, the ability to read the crowd and programme your music. Experience teaches you this.
Most underrated DJ: Don't know.
Biggest challenge this year: Thankfully, I don't think I've had too many challenges this year. I've been keeping my head down with the label and making sure that everything I've been involved in has been delivered as well as it can.
Top tech toy: As well as my MacBook Pro, it would have to be Ableton. The fact that I can do my radio edits on the road is a lifesaver.

Although John Digweed probably wouldn't want to countenance such a suggestion, he is without doubt a living legend. His services to dance music are astounding, and when the history of our great music is finally written there'll be a chapter dedicated to the great man. Not that he's finished - no siree. The last 12 months have seen Digweed remain at the top of his game.

"It's been a great year," he admits. "We all went into it knowing it was going to be tough because of the current economic climate, but the people out there have been amazing. If they're out partying, it's because they want to be there. They're more diehard."

In Digweed's eyes that's because the young generation just want to have fun, recession or no recession.

"Young kids aren't worrying about mortgages or anything."

It's this energy that keeps Digweed going. Concentrating on his label Bedrock has paid handsome dividends this year and he proudly notes that he's been getting great feedback from his fellow DJs.

So, can we finally expect an artist album from Digweed in 2010?

"I don't want to curse it," he says. "I've always enjoyed making tracks and getting them out there as quickly as possible. And in our current climate, this fast-paced world, that seems to work just fine."

Words: Jim Butler

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