Pacha party perfection took off on the white isle of Ibiza many gorgeous summer moons ago. The club became a nightlife mecca and the brand has since blossomed into an empire, emblazoning cities like London, New York, Spain, Germany, Brazil and even the more obscure Egypt, Morocco and Russia with its cheeky cherries and suggestive electronic pull.
Some of the most infamous club nights have made Pacha their home, David Guetta’s F**k Me, I’m Famous party, Erick Morillo’s Subliminal night and more recently Swedish House Mafia hosted by Steve Angello, Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso. Dj Sarah Main was one of their early discoveries, whose since found global success as their brand ambassador and resident blonde bombshell dj. Pacha also boasts the best team of club dancers on the planet- Steve Lawler even said so!
A testament to their knack for knowing what incredible performance is all about; Pacha can be credited with seeing the potential in SA’s live electronic act, Goldfish and throwing them by the tail onto the global stage, and we have no doubt their chosen headliner, Guetta’ protégé, JP Candela will alight South Africa’s Spanish delight when he headlines Pacha’s first South African tour during the World Cup!
INTERVIEW WITH JP CANDELA
You’ve been a resident at Pacha Madrid for 6 years, how did you get discovered with Pacha?
I used to work at small underground clubs until Pacha Madrid invited me to open a small lounge inside the club. This space was a great success, so they thought it would be great to close the lounge and get me playing at the Main Room. I said yes, of course. Every time I recall my time at Pacha Madrid I think of it as an amazing period of my life; nights were magical… I still go there to play, once a month.
Tell us about the House Music scene in Madrid and how did you get involved?
As a main European capital, its house music scene is solid and varied. This city has given birth to dj’s such as David Penn, Dj Chus and Wally López; these are examples of the rich movement of this gender of music in Madrid.
Since I was very young I felt deeply devoted to electronic music; I used to listen to it and decided that what I really wanted to do was to play it and create it. I love to test different sounds, my sessions are very eclectic. This is something that motivates me more than anything else: different styles mixed all together (electronic, pop, rock, etc).
You run your own successful club night, Heiress that has become quite popular with local and visiting celebrities?
Heiress is a party I´ve been organizing for four years; it´s now in a pause because I´ve been focused in my productions and remixes, as well as the tours for Pacha Ibiza, but I´m willing to continue it once I´m stabilized. The truth is these parties have been a great success since the beginning: celebrities like Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Hugh Grant, Kevin Spacey, Bruce Willis, Pedro Almodovar and sports people like Nadal, Ronaldo, Guti, Fernando Torres, Iker Casillas have all come to hang out. It’s been great!
As a brand ambassador for Pacha, you’ve get to travel around the world, tell us about life under the banner of the world’s most famous cherries?
I consider myself very lucky to be one of the artists involved in this brand, the most outstanding of all nightclubs worldwide. It’s also a guarantee of working in the best clubs, best professionals and the best audience anyone could desire. It’s an amazing experience
Have you ever hooked up with one of the infamous Pacha dancers?
No… And if I did, I wouldn´t say it either… My girlfriend is also my press assistant and she´s right here by my side giving me the eye, hahahaha! Anyway, all of them are great friends of mine.
Have you played at every Pacha in the world, and are they all as amazing as Pacha Ibiza?
No, I haven´t played in all of them yet. I usually play on Pacha tours which are not always Pacha clubs, but other clubs. I´ll be visiting Brazil soon and playing in several there… I think all the Pacha clubs worldwide share the essence, but Pacha Ibiza is unique. This can only be explained once you are there!
You have a remix on David Guetta’s new EP Memories; what it was like collaborating with Guetta?
The truth is it´s been incredible to collaborate with a big name such as Guetta; this is the most important thing that has ever happened to me as a producer. Pete Tong has supported this remix, this has been amazing because his radio show is a reference around the world.
Who is the one music artist you would love to collaborate with?
My favourite band is Depeche Mode… It would be smashing to remix one of their tracks. But there are many artist I´d love to work with; I´m currently new originals and remixes for other big artists will see the light mid-year. And next year I’d like to do my first artist album.
Your football team is Real Madrid, are you excited about being in South Africa over the 2010 World cup?
Sincerely, when Mark called me to tell me I´d be going to South Africa at the time of the World Cup I jumped! It will be the first time Spain will be so near of achieving a World Cup. Besides, South Africa is one of the trips I´ve always wanted to make.
Are you going to be able to watch your team Spain play while you are here?
That would be my dream; I think it will be hard to get some tickets, but I´m already working on it… It would be very exciting, indeed. I can’t wait- big hugs and see you in South Africa soon!
WORD FROM THE FEESH
‘Pacha is the premium club brand hands down! They know what they’re doing when it comes to putting on a party. When you first walk into the club, the feeling is just electric- they have their own special x-factor, I don’t know what it is but this is the real deal!
Pacha coming to South Africa is just awesome and we’re really excited. JP Candela is one seriously hot dj, we’ve played with him a few times, once was the very first time we played at Pacha in Madrid and he was super cool- we rate him. And we can’t wait!’
Dominic Peters, Goldfish
