McRackin
Super Moderator
An Interview with Ibiza Veteran, Judge Jules
No one could accuse Judge Jules of being a man of few opinions. We caught up with the busiest man in dance to get the latest on Judgement Sundays, his new restaurant, Kasbah, and why he doesn't like message boards. Ah, nevermind Jules, we still loves ya.
Ibiza has a slightly different vibe each summer. What are your feelings about this year's atmosphere?
“I think Ibiza has pretty much the same vibe every year, which is what keeps people flooding back. What's good is that each of the clubs and bars make their own out-of-season modifications which keep peoples' interest high.”
The Spanish have said they want less of the Lager Lout tourist on Ibiza, (and have even apparently introduced closing times in San An's West End.) Do you think Ibiza will see the back of them?
“I think there's been less lager louts over the last two summers. It was “Ibiza Uncovered” that attracted that type, and as soon as they started flagging Failaraki as the new ‘vomit and shag' destination, that's where they all headed, and good riddance to them.”
Judgement Sundays has been taking the roof off Eden for five years now. How has it evolved?
“I was involved in designing Eden as a venue when it opened, so I always had a head start when it came to understanding what would make the venue work, in terms of DJs, décor, entertainers etc….”
What are you looking forward to at Judgement this year?
“The Trophy twins in the back room are bound to be a highlight.”
We hear you're fluent in Spanish now. Why was it so important for you to learn?
Porque cuando tienes negocios en Espana es muy importante entender la idioma. Because when you run a business in Spain it's important to speak the lingo!”
You've bought Ibizan eaterie Kasbah – can you cook and what would you serve if you were to do a ‘signature dish'?
“My uncle's Rick Stein, and although I can't come close to his standards, I love cooking at home. There's no one “signature dish” at Kasbah, its modern English fusion cuisine is pretty much unique on the island.”
Is it expensive?
“The average main course is €12-€15, which isn't cheap, but is nowhere near the most expensive on the island, and the accompanying sunset views are some of the best there are.”
Any idea of the big summer anthems yet?
“A bit too early to say, but Ferry's ‘It's Time' and the Shapeshifters look mighty promising.”
What's your biggest bugbear about International travel?
“Apart from flight delays and baggage problems, just the loneliness of constantly being away from home. Make no mistake I love my job, but I also love my wife and small child, and taking over 250 flights per year means I'm away from them far more than I'd ideally like to be.”
If you could make one thing uniform in all the clubs you play in, what would it be?
“Air conditioning so good that you never leave the club smelling of smoke. I'm not an anti-smoking Nazi, but I don't need to inhale other peoples' B&H at the same time.”
How do you feel about the changes to the dance schedule at Radio One?
“I'm very pleased to have been moved two hours later, as I feel this is a far more suitable airing time for my style of music. 5-7 was a bit too early, and I'm pleased the station has recognised that.”
What were you doing when Arsenal won the league this season? Did you celebrate?
“I was watching the game at White Hart Lane at home, then raced to Highbury where tens of thousands started gathering once the match ended.”
Why don't you like message boards?
“I've spoken to just about every major DJ on the subject, and none of them read message boards as there's simply too much negativity. Often they represent 5% of opinion with 90% of the volume.”
Have you got any ambitions left to fulfil?
“Setting up a clothing range of ‘gay surfer' style t-shirts and things, which I plan to do after the summer.”
Finally, what do you dream about when you are asleep in your car between gigs?
“The journey times aren't generally long enough to get into the REM deep sleep zone… if only!”
Miranda Cook
gurn.net
No one could accuse Judge Jules of being a man of few opinions. We caught up with the busiest man in dance to get the latest on Judgement Sundays, his new restaurant, Kasbah, and why he doesn't like message boards. Ah, nevermind Jules, we still loves ya.
Ibiza has a slightly different vibe each summer. What are your feelings about this year's atmosphere?
“I think Ibiza has pretty much the same vibe every year, which is what keeps people flooding back. What's good is that each of the clubs and bars make their own out-of-season modifications which keep peoples' interest high.”
The Spanish have said they want less of the Lager Lout tourist on Ibiza, (and have even apparently introduced closing times in San An's West End.) Do you think Ibiza will see the back of them?
“I think there's been less lager louts over the last two summers. It was “Ibiza Uncovered” that attracted that type, and as soon as they started flagging Failaraki as the new ‘vomit and shag' destination, that's where they all headed, and good riddance to them.”
Judgement Sundays has been taking the roof off Eden for five years now. How has it evolved?
“I was involved in designing Eden as a venue when it opened, so I always had a head start when it came to understanding what would make the venue work, in terms of DJs, décor, entertainers etc….”
What are you looking forward to at Judgement this year?
“The Trophy twins in the back room are bound to be a highlight.”
We hear you're fluent in Spanish now. Why was it so important for you to learn?
Porque cuando tienes negocios en Espana es muy importante entender la idioma. Because when you run a business in Spain it's important to speak the lingo!”
You've bought Ibizan eaterie Kasbah – can you cook and what would you serve if you were to do a ‘signature dish'?
“My uncle's Rick Stein, and although I can't come close to his standards, I love cooking at home. There's no one “signature dish” at Kasbah, its modern English fusion cuisine is pretty much unique on the island.”
Is it expensive?
“The average main course is €12-€15, which isn't cheap, but is nowhere near the most expensive on the island, and the accompanying sunset views are some of the best there are.”
Any idea of the big summer anthems yet?
“A bit too early to say, but Ferry's ‘It's Time' and the Shapeshifters look mighty promising.”
What's your biggest bugbear about International travel?
“Apart from flight delays and baggage problems, just the loneliness of constantly being away from home. Make no mistake I love my job, but I also love my wife and small child, and taking over 250 flights per year means I'm away from them far more than I'd ideally like to be.”
If you could make one thing uniform in all the clubs you play in, what would it be?
“Air conditioning so good that you never leave the club smelling of smoke. I'm not an anti-smoking Nazi, but I don't need to inhale other peoples' B&H at the same time.”
How do you feel about the changes to the dance schedule at Radio One?
“I'm very pleased to have been moved two hours later, as I feel this is a far more suitable airing time for my style of music. 5-7 was a bit too early, and I'm pleased the station has recognised that.”
What were you doing when Arsenal won the league this season? Did you celebrate?
“I was watching the game at White Hart Lane at home, then raced to Highbury where tens of thousands started gathering once the match ended.”
Why don't you like message boards?
“I've spoken to just about every major DJ on the subject, and none of them read message boards as there's simply too much negativity. Often they represent 5% of opinion with 90% of the volume.”
Have you got any ambitions left to fulfil?
“Setting up a clothing range of ‘gay surfer' style t-shirts and things, which I plan to do after the summer.”
Finally, what do you dream about when you are asleep in your car between gigs?
“The journey times aren't generally long enough to get into the REM deep sleep zone… if only!”
Miranda Cook
gurn.net
