We sit down with DJ Paulette to quiz her about music, travel and some things in between.
An introduction, please … who are you, where are you, and what pays the bills?
I’m Paulette by day, Paulette by night and my ears, blood, sweat and a few tears pay the bills. I make radio shows for Gaydio and Reform Radio, play a few records in clubs and bars, write words and lyrics, tweet occasionally and jump up and down to music a lot. I am a Manc – born and bred.
Where was the mix recorded, and what is the inspiration behind it?
The mix was recorded at home in Manchester using my Traktor S8. I did it in the still of night, looking out at a full moon in Capricor, whilst channelling Ibiza sunsets and my sets for the Refuge Public Bar.
Strictly vinyl? Strictly digital? Couldn’t care less?
Couldn’t care less. I try not to be a snob about things. It’s all music and I have a healthy respect for all of it in all of its forms.
‘Balearic’, seems to be a somewhat overused term these days, but if you had to – and we are asking you to – describe the essence of ‘Balearic’ in one record?
Can I describe it in 3? Anyone who has played a sunset set will tell you that every sunset is different and that you have to pitch and time it correctly …
Fleetwood Mac – Chains
Rob Dougan – Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino variation) – I brought in the sunset regularly with this track in Ibiza.
Bjork & David Arnold – Play Dead
Favourite place you’ve travelled to? And why?
Ibiza will always have a special place in my heart. It has that spiritual something, that magnetic pull that over and above everywhere always has that knack of luring me back. No matter how many years you are away when you go back you can pick up where you left off.
Sunset or Sunrise? And the best place to experience it?
Both for me. I’m an early riser. Ibiza – great sunsets all over the island. At the moment my favourite sunrise is from my bed and favourite sunset can be seen any day whilst sitting in my chair in the office. The skies here are wide open – I love it. Every day is a blessing.
The most you’ve ever spent on one record that you’re willing to tell us? Or the best bargain bin finds you’ve digged out over the years, which you’re happy to brag about?
I never spent over the odds on vinyl and have refused to spend money on any since my storage unit got flooded in Ibiza in 2014 and 2,500 units of my record collection were destroyed (total insurance payout was €750).
My favourite pieces of vinyl are gifts from other djs – Ashley Beedle gave me his double of Johnny Hammond ‘Shifting Gears’ – an album I play regularly even now. Gilles Peterson gave me a CD in Sete in 2010 with 12 tracks on it – all bullets – each of which I still play. Cost zero money. Some of the best things in life are definitely free when it comes to music.
Favourite DJ you’ve heard play out over the years?
Too many to mention … Gilles Peterson, Dyed Soundorum, Jamie Jones, James Zabiela, Joey Negro, Jeannie Hopper, Nicole Moudaber, Derrick Carter, Iban Mendoza, Andrea Oliva, Black Madonna …
Anything else we should know about you or what you are up to … and do you have a track listing for the mix you provided?
I’m playing club sets in Manchester with Dr Packer at Gorilla (Mcr) on July 28th – then bouncing around Manchester Pride at the Gaydio Dance Arena on Friday August 25th , with Derrick Carter at Electrik Chair at The Refuge on August 25th and Handsome at Underdog on August 27th. I’ll be sunning myself in Croatia and playing lots of tunes at the first Lost Disco Festival in Tisno from the 19-22 of August. And if you are stay-cationing then catch me playing disco, funk, soul and boogie in and around Manchester at The Refuge, Albert’s Schloss, Pen and Pencil, Cottonopolis, Tariff and Dale and a host of other establishments throughout the summer. I am writing music with Chris Massey (Sprechen Music) – hoping to get the EP finished and released in Autumn (or by the end of the year).
Tracklisting? Me? Of course!
Fink – Fall Into The Light
Yisrael Trio – Above The Clouds
Melody Gardot – Our Love Is Easy
Poppy Ajudha – Love Falls Down
Ibeyi – Ghosts
Ibeyi – River
Fela Kuti – Monday Morning In Lagos
Earth Wind &Fire – Clover
Billy Paul – East
Madison Mc Ferrin – No Time To Lose
The Temptations – Plastic Man
Edwin Starr – Cloud Nine
Marvin Gaye – Rockin After Midnight
Billy Paul – Am I Black Enough For You
Earth Wind and Fire – You and I
Massive thanks to Paulette for taking the time out to answer these questions.
