Veerle's blog

I'm kinda hoping that this interview is the start of more interviews with the artists/DJs that I admire. We take off with Bruno from Ibiza, born in the North of France in 1969 (moved to Ibiza in 1994). When he first arrived on the island he played in local bars and later opened his own music store. In 1997 he became resident dj at the famous sunset bar Café del Mar in San Antonio. He had the difficult task to replace Jose Padilla, one of the most important ambient & downtempo DJs around the world. So I hope you'll enjoy this session as much as I did.

1) People talk about Balearic music although it isn't a special style. Can you tell where that is coming from? What ingredients must a record have to get the Balearic label?

Balearic means form the Balearic island as Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera. The British djs such as Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling and Alex Gold who came to Ibiza at the end of the eighties were amazed by the way local djs were mixing pop somgs with house music, they called it Balearic beats. Nowadays, the Balearic spirit can be  found in most of the productions done in Ibiza, but also overseas, specially in those tracks which got that Mediterranean feeling.

2) Ibiza has a reputation of being a party island with all the bad things that come with it. I personally always had the feeling that there is a special kind of vibe that has an addictive influence so that it sets the island apart from others. Is there more then just the clubs and beaches? Tell us a little bit about life after the season closes on the island.

The last 10 years, Ibiza was too much exposed to the media, specially TV which came to film the worst part of the night scene. For sure, they need impact so they rather show you the partylife rather than the peaceful part of the island. For sure, there is more than beaches and clubs in Ibiza and you will be surprised to know that there are more people coming to rest rather than clubbers who want to party. Ibiza has so much to offer but the best thing is that everyone lives in harmony. It's the perfect place for hedonism and spiritualism. After the season, the whole island is like a village and the local people enjoy it even more than during Summertime.

3) Can you give us a little sneak peak into your plans for this Summer on Ibiza or the rest of 2006?

For the next season, I just want to do extra gigs on the island which means I don't want to be the resident dj at Café del Mar anymore but I will still play there once or twice a week. I will still do Sunday's at Space playing on the roof or on the main terrace; also regular dates at Penelope, L'ayoun and Blue Marlin. On the productions ideas, I'm working on new tracks more club oriented. I will also mix a house CD called [OSMOZE] and might start a new compilation project as I'm not doing the ones from Café del Mar.

4) In 1999 you started the Café del Mar chill-house mix series which are still pretty much the reference when it comes to a perfect listening companion. Are there any plans on making a new one?

Chill House Mix 4 was released in November, this Cd is probably the last one I'm doing with Café del Mar. Thought I'm really proud having created this concept with them, I don't feel satisfied about the promotion.

5) Your new album Puzzle is now a few months out. Can you give my readers some insight in your creative process? For example designers like myself get inspiration from pictures, colors in nature etc andof course your albums! :-) Can you tell us how such a process works for a musician like yourself? What are your influences?

The idea behind this project was to release an album and compilation of my own tracks through different projects produced on the island. That's why it's called Puzzle, it's like a collage of the tracks I did in Ibiza. Also, I wanted to keep the balearic spirit, that's why all the tracks selected are inspired by the magic of the island. The music style goes between ambient moods, jazzy vibes, funky grooves anddeep house.

6) People can buy your album now on the Apple iTunes music store. Are there any plans on making more of your music available there and if so what can we expect from you music wise in the near future?

In a close future, I want to release 2 EP's :

• Bruno From Ibiza "Eternal Groove" ( House music / Vinyl for DJs )
• Lovers Lane "Island Memories Ep" ( Lounge / New tracks + Remixes )

7) Besides your own album and the Café del Mar chill-house mix series what CD's would be "Bruno approved" if you love Chill-Out, Jazzy vibes, Funky Groovy Deep-House? I ask because you're such a master in picking out the right tunes.

Here are some recommendations :

• L'eté abstrait vol. 2 (Chill-Out) on ABSTRAIT MUSIC
• Kraak & Smaak (Funky) on JALAPEO RECORDS
• Tranquilo, the winter island lounge mix (Chill, Lounge, Deep-House ) on Chica Records
• Marathon men "Blessings" (Funky, House) on Chillifunk
• The Timewriter "Paintbox" (Deep-House) on Plastic City
• Future sound of ... (Chill-Out) on Universal

8) What's the most magical place on earth for a DJ/artist like yourself?

Ibiza for sure.

Listen to compilation of Café del Mar Chill-House

I bought Bruno's new album "Puzzle" from the iTunes Music Store and it's one of the best down tempo albums that I have on my computer. Perfect music to get creative and in a sunny mood. You can listen to samples of Puzzle in iTunes Music Store.