INTERVIEWS / MUSIC
Not Over Yet
International DJ Paul Oakenfold takes spinning to new heights

Let’s say that you’re a middle-aged trance DJ, a Brit. Back in your 20s, you went from spinning records on London’s West End to an A&R desk where you signed two rap duos that didn’t amount to a hill of beans. One was called something like Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and the other was named maybe Oil and Vinegar or Salt’N’Pepa, or Garlic and Mashed Potatoes... something along those lines. Anyway, you went on to be a big remixer, producer, DJ, and label mogul—and you’re wondering what’s left?

So, you start exploring other outlets—scoring films and co-authoring biographies rich in wisdom for the aspiring DJ. Maybe you starred as a raging un-dead mutant in an English dystopian film, or even if you didn’t, your Wikipedia entry steadfastly claims you did. Whatever. You’re Paul Oakenfold and you’ve done a lot in your 44 years on earth.

Nikki Style: Are you scoring any films or games right now?

Paul Oakenfold: Yeah, I got a movie coming out that I scored called Noble Son. Then I go back to L.A. to work on a movie called Humboldt Park.

NS: So you’ve kept busy then.

PO: Yeah, I enjoy the movies.

NS: What made you get into scoring?

PO: I got a chance to score a movie called Swordfish, which was a John Travolta and Halle Berry movie. I really enjoyed the process, so I just continued to do it.

NS: Who were your big inspirations as you started getting into film scores?

PO: In terms of composers and conductors, I like Harry Gregson-Williams. I like John Williams’ work. I think Hans Zimmer is really good. They’re the kind of guys who I always look out for their scores. I think that John Powell does good work.

My sound is pretty much a melodic trance sound, and people

NS: You played a zombie in 28 Weeks Later, right?

PO: No, that’s not true.

NS: Damn. I saw that on Wikipedia.

PO: Yeah, I was given a chance to do it, but I turned it down.

NS: Why’d you turn it down?

PO: Well, it’s because I don’t want to be in front of the camera.

NS: What else are you currently working on besides film scores?

PO: That’s it really. I just got my greatest hits album. It’s just come out, it’s doing really well. I’m just supporting the album and the book.

NS: I meant to ask you about that. You’ve got this biography out.

PO: Yeah. It’s with Richard Norris.

NS: Did it take a long time to write?

PO: Years. Three years.

NS: Did you guys just meet up and talk about your life?

PO: Yeah, but it’s also to give younger DJs an idea how to achieve certain things because that is always the biggest question you get asked.

NS: So what’s your advice for younger DJs?

PO: Buy the book. (Laughs). Yeah. Buy the book.

NS: Which younger DJs do you see a lot of promise in?

PO: I like Kenneth Thomas from Detroit, Robert Vadney from Greece, Adam White from England, Liam Shachar from Israel. I see a lot of international DJs, but they’re just a bunch of my favorites.

NS: Do you consider your personal sound the product of a particular place such as England, New York, or Spain?

PO: No, not really. My sound is pretty much a melodic trance sound, and people around the world can relate to that sound because it brings good feelings out of them.