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Interview with Ali Wilson
Reported by Sharon B
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Submitted 03-09-03 19:40
At only 21, Ali Wilson has already had the pleasure of playing in some of the UK’s most famous venues; Camden Palace, The Fridge, The Scala and Brixton Academy, and has had the honour to appear in line ups with some of the world’s biggest DJs and producers. Not content with just playing normal sets, Ali played an impressive 8 hour set at Milk in March of this year and in February 2003 the “Clubber’s Bible” that is Mixmag magazine tipped Ali as one of the top 5 young DJ to watch for worldwide. Not content with just taking the DJ world by storm Ali has an impressive production resumé featuring some of this years biggest dance floor hits with many more tracks in the pipeline. Sharon B managed to get Ali to take some time out of his hectic schedule to talk about both his DJing and producing, plans for the future and forthcoming tracks.
Sharon B: You have been an influential part of the clubbing scene for some time now. How did you get involved in dance music and dj’ing?
Ali Wilson: It was an accident that I got into Djing really! My brother wanted to get decks when he was 12 (I was 14) but I was trying to persuade him to get a Nintendo or something like that. Luckily he didn’t give in and I got totally addicted to buying records. I didn’t play out in clubs for the first 3-4 years or so I was not really old enough to be in to the clubbing scene but I used to play quite a few house parties etc. My first set was for a club called ‘Ego’ which was at a little bar just off Tottenham Court Road called Sids, this came around after I met a guy called Rob Allan in a record shop in Woolwich. After I had played ‘Ego’ a few times he got me involved in a new night he was doing called ‘Nutted’ which was held at Imperial Gardens. I played there and a few other places for about 6 months and then got a booking for Frantic, which is when it really kicked off and things started getting busy.
SB: Decks for Christmas is a fantastic gift, but did you ever get that games console that you wanted? 
AW: I think I did sometime after!
SB: What genre did you first get involved in? Has it always been hard dance? What is your favourite style of music to play?
AW: When I first got my decks about 8 years ago I was playing house and hardcore stuff, then went on to drum & bass and around 1999 went into the hard dance scene. I love all hard dance so I wouldn’t say I have a favourite style, just depends what mood I’m in.
SB: You have been one of the most sought after producers of the last year and your tunes are heard constantly in clubs all across London week in week out. How did you first get involved with producing?
AW: I’ve always been interested in how tracks were put together, I used to put on my walkman, close my eyes and take them apart in my head and really listen to how things were done. I got a demo of a production programme from the internet around the end of ’99 and it went from there, it took me nearly 2 years to get a track signed but I totally taught myself as I didn’t really know anyone else doing it at the time.
SB: Some people have labelled 2001 as the year of Hard Dance, 2002 as the year of Hard House and 2003 as the reintroduction of Hard Trance – what are your thoughts on this and do you think there is another new sound in the side wings “waiting to be discovered” or will the club scene go in “cycles” as many people claim?
AW: Yes there does seem to be these phases of styles from year to year which do get slightly overkilled. The scene needs to be kept a little more balanced which I think is happening a bit more now, variety is the spice of life!
SB: As a producer do you strive to create an original sound – a new genre perhaps? Where do you see the future of dance music heading?
AW: Yep I always try to keep a fresh approach to things, some tracks more than others. I wouldn’t say it would be creating a whole new genre though, I’d say it’s all under the ‘Hard dance’ category but with influences taken from various other places. “Let the Games Begin” is quite a different kind of track from what’s being made at the moment. Matt and I are quite influenced by the Steve Thomas ‘Trade’ sound, which is what we were aiming for there. I think there needs to be more of this stuff around! I think the future is a variety of sounds though, there are many producers doing many good and different things.
SB: You have collaborated a lot with Matt Smallwood on many of your productions. How easy is it to work alongside someone when making a tune and what is it about your partnership with Matt that makes your sound so vibrant and unique?
AW: I have known Matt for a good few years and we get on like a house on fire. We know each other’s taste in styles and work well together so that all helps! Sometimes one of us will have an idea but it won’t quite be there, 9 times out of 10 the other one will say “just change this a bit” and it’ll start a chain of ideas that will just click in to place. Matt has been into hard dance longer than me so he brings in that experience which shows in the stuff we have collaborated on. We also have a right laugh in the studio and we’re well happy with the way things have gone with our tracks - Devastation has been included on 9 compilations! 
SB: Your back-to-back set with Matt Smallwood at Twisted earlier in the year caused quite a storm and saw the whole crowd going loopy on the dancefloor at the Fridge. Do you enjoy back-to-back sets? Have you ever played back-to-back with any other DJ?
AW: Thanks, yes we really enjoyed that set at Twisted! As I said before myself and Matt have a good understanding of each others styles so we work well together. I’ve played back to back with quite a few other DJs on the scene although nowhere near as many back-to-back’s that I have done with Matt.
SB: Is your approach to a back-to-back set different to a solo set? Who would you most like to do a back-to-back with?
AW: Yes, my approach is definitely a bit different when playing back-to-back . When I play a solo set I’m normally thinking 5-6 tracks ahead, where I’m going with the set and how the crowd are responding to it. But if you’re playing back-to-back you don’t know what the other DJ is going to play until they’ve chosen the track, although I’ve always known the DJ’s I’ve played with so not knowing their style hasn’t been a problem.
I’d like to play back-to-back with Steve Thomas, Andy Farley, Paul Glazby or Nick Sentience to name a few.
SB: What’s your most memorable set? Where did you play it and what makes it so special?
AW: I have a few memorable sets but the one that sticks out the most is when I played over in Finland to a few thousand people in July at a club where the roof opens up. I was quite lucky as it was the hottest day of their summer and they don’t normally get to open it. They also did an interview for one of their national TV channels which was a bit scary to say the least!
Another memorable set I had was playing for 8 hours at Milk in March. It was great fun and gave me a real chance to take the crowd on a journey. I got to play all the styles I love, which is not something I usually get to do in one set!
SB: If you could play anywhere in the world, at any club, where would it be and why?
AW: I think it would have to be Ammnesia or Space in Ibiza, I’ve been to both of these quite a few times and every time is amazing. I went to see Carl Cox at Space when I was over there for the first week in August; the sound system is crystal clear and the club is so clean and plush. I also went to Cocoon at Ammnesia which is Sven Vath’s Techno night; the Ice cannons in there are crazy – they fire them about every 15 minutes or so on to the dance floor to cool the place down. If you’re standing in the way of one of the blasts it nearly knocks you off your feet. The clubs over there are top class, the only down side is the drinks are very expensive DOH!
SB: What’s the most important aspect of a night? Is it the DJ line-up, club venue, crowd, atmosphere or all of the above? What makes a night unique?
AW: I think all are important but the most important to me is having good mates there, I’ve had some amazing times in the funniest of places.
SB: As reported in Mixmag, the dance scene in general seems to be diminishing at the moment – why do you think that is and what do you think people (both clubbers and promoters) can do to entice people back into clubs and onto the dance floor?
AW: The Superclub scene like Cream maybe, but not the underground scene from what I’ve seen of it. I think maybe some of the Superclubs lost touch with the clubbers a little so they weren’t getting what they wanted out of their clubbing experience so they’ve voted with their feet and chosen other promotions that listen to what they have to say.
Also the hard dance scene has the strongest up & coming team of DJ’s and producers out of all the music industry I think, which means lots of good things for the future.
SB: The last year in particular has seen a massive growth in smaller promotions and warehouse parties. Do you think this is the way forward? Has the dance scene gone full circle and back to its roots of the late 80’s early 90’s? Has the era of the Superclub finally ended?
AW: Yea I think people are fed up of going to massive clubs and paying huge amounts of money to loose their mates in there and listen to dodgy sound systems. I personally prefer a more intimate atmosphere when I go out from a few hundred to a few thousand. I wouldn’t say the era of the Superclub has ended though, I just don’t think there’s as much demand for it at the moment.
SB: Have you ever ventured into promoting yourself? Would you ever consider running your own event? If money were no object what kind of event would you like to see occurring in club land?
AW: Nope, never promoted myself and don’t think I would, it’s not my thing. But if money wasn’t a problem then I’d love to see a line up of DJ’s like Carl Cox, Marco V and Andy Farley playing at The Aztec Lounge in Tottenham. I’d get the Ice cannons brought over from Ammnesia in Ibiza too!
SB: What about running a record label? Many producers are setting up their own labels these days, for example the Oblivion label is having its launch party in September. Have you ever harboured desires to run your own company within the hard dance scene? What kind of music would you be looking for distribution?
AW: I am definitely interested in setting up my own label, I would put out any hard dance that I though was quality. At the moment I’m just setting up a new studio, once that’s out of the way and things are running smoothly then it’s a strong possibility.
SB: Who are your greatest inspirations as a DJ and as a producer?
AW: Carl Cox is definitely huge inspiration, the man is a legend. Also Andy Farley, BK, Nick Sentience and people like Andy C, Ed Rush and Optical from the drum & bass scene.
SB: What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given as DJ/Producer and what advice would you give up and coming DJ’s and producers?
AW: Believe in what you do and try to be a little bit different!
SB: What do you think about the massive influx of up and coming DJ’s? Does it make it harder for more established DJ’s such as yourself with so many new faces in the market?
AW: I think it’s great, it proves there’s lots of people interested in the scene at the moment. I wouldn’t say it makes it harder though, it’s all good!
SB: What is your view on hard dance websites such as harderfaster? Do you think they are a positive influence on the club scene?
AW: I think sites like this are wicked, there are very informative and are good places to meet like minded people and view other peoples opinions from all over the world!
SB: How do you balance your private life with your hectic work schedule? What keeps you sane and grounded during when you’re amidst the whirlwind of it all?
AW: I love it all! It does get a bit stressful now and again but what doesn’t? I do it all to see the results in the clubs, when you see a crowd going off to one of your tracks or you play a set and someone really enjoys it and comes to chat to you.
When I have time to relax I like to have a few drinks here and there with my mates!
SB: Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time? Do you still hope to be DJ’ing and producing or would you focus on just one aspect of your career?
AW: I will still hopefully be DJing and producing and hopefully have an album done and possibly a label. I don’t think I could ever just focus on one aspect as I love it all too much. As long as I can keep on juggling everything I would like to be as involved as possible both as a DJ and a producer and even record label owner!
SB: What has been your proudest achievement as either a DJ or a producer?
AW: Good question, I think getting Devastation on to 9 compilations is pretty cool, would love to make it double figures though!
SB: What can we expect to hear from you in the next six months? What releases, plans, events do you have coming up that we just shouldn’t miss?
AW: I have about 10 tracks coming out in the next few months plus a few that are about to be signed, so lots of tunes! A couple will be on Nick Sentience’s forthcoming album and the others will be on labels such as Honeypot, Peroxide, Vicious Circle, Freezing Point etc. I think the tunes vary a lot, which is what I am looking for – diversity! For example one of my tracks with Matt Smallwood is called Deeper and is a groover of a track, a bit of a follow up to “Let the Games Begin” on Nukleuz, whilst my new tune with DMF “Deal with it” is definitely a lot harder.
As for events not to be missed, I have just been made resident at a new promotion called Tilt after playing the last one a month ago. I was amazed that they had nearly 300 people in on a boiling hot Saturday afternoon. The crew have really got their heads screwed on and I think it’s definitely a promotion to watch.
These are the tracks I have forthcoming:-
Nick Sentience & Ali Wilson - Interrelationship' - Quality Trax (included on Sentience’s forthcoming album)
Nick Sentience & Ali Wilson - 'Critical Phaze' - Quality Trax (included on Sentience’s forthcoming album)
Ali Wilson & Matt Smallwood - 'Just Listen' - Vicious Circle
Ali Wilson remix of 'Reset' - Raw Systems - Freezing Point
Ali Wilson & Scott Cooper - 'The Disease' - Vicious Circle
Ali Wilson & Matt Smallwood - 'Samba!' - 999
Ali Wilson - 'Deep Space' - Arktic Records
Ali Wilson - 'The Next Level' - Freezing Point
Ali Wilson & Danny Gilligan - Cold Shiver – Peroxide
Ali Wilson & Carl Nicholson - 'Supersticious' - Honey Pot
Also have these tracks that I have completed in the last few that are in the process of being signed:
Ali Wilson – Wolf – a dirty, tough, techy track.
Ali Wilson & DMF – Deal with it – one of the hardest tracks I’ve done I think.
Ali Wilson & Matt Smallwood – Deeper – a groover of a track.
Ali Wilson & Jon Rundell – Un-named at the moment – another tough, funky groover with percussion overload!
SB: Any last comments you’d like to make?
AW: Thanks for your time! Be good folks! If you get time check out my website, it should be back up in the next week or so – www.aliwilson.co.uk
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Other Features By Sharon B:
What's it all about? Alfie! - Getting Technikal with Alf Bamford
Heat UK presents....SW4!!! - Interview with Damian Gelle
Interview with TWIST promoter Steve Darragh
Interview with Innovate Resident Nick Sentience
Interview with Ferry Corsten
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: James Nardi on 4th Sep 2003 18:52.20
Good interview pal, gald you like the Toolbox remix. I`ll send you over some more bits.
From: Craig Paxton on 4th Sep 2003 20:13.12
Ali Wilson, you truly are an absolute legend. With all the hard work you've done, I hope that you get the success that you deserve..
From: shazzabazza on 4th Sep 2003 23:30.42
A legend, a gentleman and a true joy to interview - I only wish the very best for you Ali!  
From: V.J. FX on 5th Sep 2003 00:20.25
Wicked mate.
And dont forget that when the DVD is done for nick that your track on it will have a video to go with it as well mate.
bet ya didnt think about that one :-)
From: ~deleted3264 on 5th Sep 2003 07:44.36
Great interview mate, keep it all rolling along, and the success is already there and will keep on coming.Keep drinking those breezers in my fridge too they are alomost finally gone.......
Legend
From: Janie Mac on 5th Sep 2003 09:06.44
Wicked interview Ali! Keep up the good work!! Nice one babe..xx
From: Paul Reeves on 5th Sep 2003 09:13.17
nice i-view ali, and good questions sharon  looking forward to hearing your new stuff m8 
From: Alix on 5th Sep 2003 09:27.03
Add your comments here !
From: Alix on 5th Sep 2003 09:27.49
Oops... Mr Wilson being called a gentleman?! Ha ha! ;o) Great interview and a lot of hard work is paying off hey - it's great to see... xx
From: Jon Rundell on 5th Sep 2003 09:44.05
Nice White Nike Wife Beater Wislon you schlaaag
From: Richard Launch on 5th Sep 2003 11:54.57
Ali you tune producing monsta..! Cane it in mate.
From: spangledwench on 5th Sep 2003 11:55.40
wilson u nutta, xcellent wrk m8 a very gd read, luv the fotos they r well gd! look 4wd 2 destroying u again sn maayte, nooice 1 bruv
From: Stevi D on 5th Sep 2003 12:43.55
U go Ali a true up coming MASTER, and legend, geniune guy, and true class to watch, nice work ali and looking fwd to ur next releases.
From: carl nicholson on 5th Sep 2003 15:21.15
Well Done UglY!
From: Disco Diva on 5th Sep 2003 17:20.49
Great interview Ali.......... Keep up the great work sweetie & see you soon xxxx
From: LOULOU(umustdoya)LINES-SCRASE on 5th Sep 2003 17:40.26
long time no wilson- how r u ya slag?
NOIIIICE ONE M8!! XX
From: Olly Perris on 5th Sep 2003 18:28.20
Great interview mate, keep the tunes coming and all the best for the future!
From: veronica on 6th Sep 2003 11:44.24
Add your comments here !
From: Camden Nurse on 6th Sep 2003 16:42.25
Sweet deal. MSN...
From: Lucy Fur on 7th Sep 2003 19:49.37
Go Ali
From: Testube Babies on 7th Sep 2003 23:41.11
Proper Bo Wilson!
From: Marc Johnson on 8th Sep 2003 16:47.17
Good interview, fair play to him hes worked hard for it, got a cd of him the other day and the quality on his engineering is first class, hes doing a rmx for us(no 7)and its money well spent
From: WEBBO on 9th Sep 2003 20:42.25
keep up the good work very promising future ahead
From: Element7 on 10th Sep 2003 17:04.33
proper Bo!
From: sambo on 12th Sep 2003 17:32.55
Add your comments here !
oh yes he's devastating
From: glen gavin on 20th Sep 2003 00:39.50
Ali u nutta - it's all good mate! Just remember the trance circles & mitsibushi flags @ peach HA HA! C U on the 4th Oct mate (bang & mash it up)!!!! LEGENDARY!
From: Not Nicki S on 22nd Sep 2003 18:31.36
Ali you LEGEND!! We love your ass! Definately one of the most talented producers & djs that I know. Your's and Matty's set at Twisted was wicked (bring on more of those)! I was on the dance floor for the whole 2hrs, proper banging hard! I'd luv to see you guys play last set at Camden! :o)
From: Donna Birt on 27th Oct 2003 12:15.40
Little Ali..... love your work! Keep up the banging production and those fine sets x
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