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A former Defected employee and Londoner now residing in Berlin, Spencer Parker is one of Europe’s most prolific and accomplished DJs. And while releases on labels like Tsuba, Liebe*Detail, Saved, Crosstown Rebels, Word and Sound, Buzzin' Fly, King Street, Ovum and Rekids, plus regular appearances at some of the world’s biggest and best-known clubs may have gone to some people’s heads, Parker remains one of the most down-to-earth and likeable chaps on the planet.
Here, he goes deep, with a mix for In Their House that contains as many white labels/unknown artists as it does named tracks. You’ll be happy to hear that it doesn’t disappoint.
In Their House #13 - Spencer Parker by Defected Records
How are you?
I'm good thank you, it's Tuesday so I’m just about recovered from playing a 12hr set from midnight to midday on Saturday night, here in Berlin, with Dan Beaumont and Albert Stone, which was a lot of fun. And a lot of shots too, actually...
How’s 2011 been for you so far… any particular highlights to report?
It's been pretty good, I’ve been travelling a lot, played some great clubs and released a few records and remixes. Highlights would probably be returning to play at Barraca club in Valencia, which is always a favourite of mine, playing a couple of times at the wonderful Rex Club in Paris and also finally releasing my debut album. Being asked to play the closing set at Panorama Bar a couple of months ago and finally stopping 7hrs later, was pretty fun too. :)
Like many other DJs you’ve previously expressed a love of Japan… would you ever consider moving there permanently?
If the situation arose, then it's definitely something I’d consider. But in all honesty, for what I do, I don't think it's practical to be quite so far away from Europe, and I only moved here (to Berlin) 3 years ago, so I’m still enjoying and exploring here for now. But I normally get to Tokyo once a year when I’m invited to play Womb, and I love the country and always have a great time there, so to stay for an extended period would be great!
If you could be given carte blanche to remix any track from the history of music, what would you choose?
Well, I kind of already have, as I was asked by King Street Sounds to remix Mood II Swing's ‘Closer’ just last year, which was one of my all time favourite house tracks. There are so many I could say, but it would probably be a choice between Sylvester's ‘Make Me Feel Mighty Real’ (I actually played the original extended mix last time I played at Womb, earlier this year) Radiohead’s ‘Everything In It's Right Place’ and Jeanette Thomas' ‘Body’.
How and where was this mix recorded?
At home on my normal set up - 2 x Technics 1210's (I’m still using the very first pair I bought), 2x Pioneer CDJ2000's (I’m in love with the loop function) and a Pioneer DJM 2000 mixer.
There are quite a few ‘unknown’ records…is that really true or are you just being clever to protect someone’s identity?
Haha, I wish they were by me, they're great!!! If you actually go record shopping a lot, as I do, then you do come across a lot of white labels with no info on them, unfortunately.
What else have you got going on at the moment, release-wise?
My new single on Japanese label Apt. International was out last month and I'm just getting ready to release another single with Ian Pooley, this time on Tsuba Records. Coming soon I’ll have more singles coming on Rekids and another collaboration with Dan Beaumont.
Tracklist:
Slam – Eterna (Radio Slave Remix) [CDR]
Spencer Parker – Romantic (Djulz Remix) [Rekids]
Unknown – Unknown [CDR]
Unknown – Unknown [CDR]
Unknown - Late At Night [White Label]
Romanthony – Hold On (Spencer Parker's A Gun For Hire Re Edit) [CDR]
Spencer Parker – Title TBC [CDR]
Larry Heard – Winterflower [Rebirth]
Westbam feat. Nena – Old School [Low Spirit]
