2013 Round-up: wAFF

Following on from our previous end of year feature with Mistajam, next up in our End of Year review is Hot Creations DJ wAFF. We caught up with him earlier in the year when he waxed lyrical about the joys of the Burning Man festival, and once again he was in great form ahead of his NYE date at Egg London.

How has 2013 been for you then overall?

2013 has been unreal, I've been on such an amazing journey, musically and spiritually. I did not expect things to be going as fast and as crazy as they are so soon but yeah its been very much fun : )

What highlights have you had?

There's been so so many highlights, its difficult to make a decision on whats my favourite as there really has been so many, (Not to mention that ive just answered the exact same question for another interview, so I need to make this answer completely different otherwise it would be pretty boring wouldn't it ha!), no I'm joking I could answer this question 100 times as there's so much ive experienced this past year!

Playing for Paradise at DC10 this summer has definitely been one of my highlights. I had so much fun. Just the whole experience of meeting so many new people and DJ's, old and new, meeting the guys behind the scenes of the big nightclubs / parties in Ibiza and networking with a lot of interesting and important people has just been so exciting and different. Also to be given that opportunity to be a part of the party and to play at DC10, it really has been breath taking.

But when I played on the night when we had Loco Dice for Paradise, I got to close the Club, I played from 5am till 7am and it was wicked. The atmosphere was unreal, I was surrounded by so many friends, and it was just really nice to be given that set time at DC10 so i could do my thing and play how I like to play. Also, touring with Hot Creations / Paradise, becoming close to Jamie, Richy and the rest of the crew has been amazing. I've become really close to the group, so when I go tour with them or I'm partying with them, its just such a laugh especially when I'm with Richy Ahmed.

We're just both really daft, infact everyone is, Its such a funny group to be involved with because everybody has big characters and great sense of humours and are really interesting, I love that in people. So, when I come to think of it, this has got to be one of the best highlights just getting involved and becoming friends with new people that are like minded.

You’ve done a Spotify playlist for us, thanks! Explain the songs you’ve chosen and why?

Well the tracks I have chosen are just a mix up of tracks in no particular order, its a collection of tracks I just really enjoy to either listen to or to play out. It's not a list of my favourite tracks, just decent music from house to techno and even Liquid Drum & Bass. The first track on the list, Marcello Napoletano 'A Prescription Of Love', I came across this a couple of years ago, one of my friends played it to me and ever since I've just always enjoyed listening to it. I think its a wicked track and the production is really good.

M>O>S' 'Lost Digits' (Marcel Fengler Remix) I just love this track, its very progressive, which I really enjoy anyway but its got the techno roll to it and the huge high hats. I find it so enjoyable to play out and to listen to. Slam 'Lifetimes '(Markus Suckut Remix) I love to play this out at the moment, its very simple and doesn't do much but the idea of the track, the way its been made, really works for me, the sound is different. I love the heaviness of the bass it sounds great in a club, not to mention when the claps come in towards the end.

LTJ Bukem 'Music' (Technicolour 12' Rework) is one of my favourite tracks at the moment to listen to. It does something to me, I just feel like I connect with it when i hear it. It really does change my mood straight away. To me it just has so much energy and emotion to it and leaves me feeling on a high. 

What other music have you been into this year?

You know what, as much as I love all music i don't actually give myself any time to listen to much different stuff. I suppose I have had moments of other music this year, I really enjoy Jazz music, its just got so much soul and character to it. I find it very enjoyable and relaxing.

I also really like liquid Drum & Bass and I absolutely love Hip Hop. But saying that I don't listen to much else other than techno. My heart is for techno, Berlin techno. I've always loved techno but ever since I went to Berghain in Berlin, I've fallen in love with the sound soooo much more. The likes of Ben Klock, Marcel Fengler, Oliver Deutschmann, Marcel Dettman, DVS1 & Fred P to name a few have been big inspirations to me this year after seeing them play. So I mainly listen to techno...loud ha and fast! 

What have you got planned for Boxing Day/New Year?

Boxing Day I am playing at Different Language in Hull with Seb Zito from Fuse which will be a wicked night. I was brought up in Hull so all my best pals will be out, so I'm really looking forward to seeing everybody! Then New Years eve I'm playing at the Egg Club with Cassy, Tania Vulcano, Miguel Campbell & Pirupa. Cant wait for this, wicked line-up and I cant wait to play along side Tania Vulcano as shes been a big inspiration to me from the beginning.

So yeah it will be good to meet her and party on with the rest of the guys! I haven't got a gig planned yet that I know of for NYD so I guess I'll be mincing around somewhere with all my mates! 

And finally; any plans you can let slip for 2014?

Well, I have been told some very exciting news about 2014 that I cant really talk about right now, but something I can reveal is expect quite a few parties with me & Loco Dice... 

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