WHO British DJ/producer Jody Wisternoff has done everything in the business, from busting out hip-hop on old direct-drive turntables and tape decks to winning a DMC Championship, rocking massive raves and helping shape a momentous era of progressive house. Best known as one half of seminal prog-house duo Way Out West with Nick Warren, the pair have released three albums, over 100 remixes and toured the world extensively in the last 10 years. They topped the UK dance charts and landed on the BBC’s now-defunct Top of the Pops with one of their first hits, “The Gift” (which famously received the remix treatment from Sasha).
The road to stardom began when Wisternoff was 16, making hip-hop with his brother under the guidance of Bristol-based drum ‘n’ bass/trip-hop group Smith & Mighty. After later progressing through several collaborations and musical styles, including breakbeat, jungle and hardcore, Wisternoff hooked up with Warren in 1993. Years later, their music appeared on TV shows Grey’s Anatomy, The O.C. and MTV’s True Life. While each of them pursue solo projects today, the duo are still going strong with a fourth album in the works, and the first single “Spaceman” out this summer. Meanwhile, Wisternoff’s “Way Out There” show on ProtonRadio.com manages to keep fans contented until this summer’s Ministry of Sound release of his third and highly acclaimed solo single “Starstrings.”
WHAT “The style I play as a DJ, I would best describe as electronic dance music,” says Wisternoff. “Favouring emotion over beeps and bleeps, I like to encompass everything from deep sexy house to melodic techno. The best DJing experience for me is a nice intimate crowd of several hundred, friendly/responsive atmosphere, lots of eye contact, happy promoters and a nice sound system.”
WHERE Fri, March 7 with Jeff Button. The Mod Club (722 College).
FAVOURITE RECORD OF ALL TIME Leftfield, Leftism.
FAVOURITE RECORD RIGHT NOW Kimouts, “Down to Earth.”
FAVOURITE WEBSITE RIGHT NOW www.gearslutz.com: “An essential forum for anyone obsessed with music production and studio equipment/techniques.”
WHAT IS YOUR MOST SURREAL DJING EXPERIENCE? “Playing in Aspen with Michael Jordan grooving in the corner, surrounded by groupies. Also, during a WOW tour of Australia, the left engine exploded on a flight between Sydney and Melbourne. Luckily only 15 minutes into the flight, the pilot got us down safely but it was harrowing stuff.”
WHAT IS VITAL TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? “Checking MySpace and Facebook. How sad!”
WHAT GLOBAL ISSUE CONCERNS YOU MOST RIGHT NOW? “I try not to be too concerned about anything I can’t really control. Obviously the health of our planet is the ultimate concern, but day-to-day I think we all just get on with our lives and hope that real life doesn’t bother us too often.”
WHAT IS YOUR RING TONE RIGHT NOW? “Bug Khan and the Plastic Jam, ‘Made in 2 Minutes’ (a classic jungle track from 1991).”
WHAT IS THE LAST GREAT FILM YOU SAW? “Juno. Loved it!”
WHAT ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU IN A BIOPIC? “Maybe Chris Martin from Coldplay. Not really an actor, but I’m sure he would do a good job.”
WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? Richard Pryor’s biography.