“You can’t beat that feeling of being united on the dancefloor.” John Digweed on clubland’s return and new single ‘Counting Down The Days’
Bedrock founders and producers of the platinum-selling For What You Dream Of, John Digweed and Nick Muir’s relentless creative drive throughout the pandemic era continues to deliver, with today (6 August) seeing the release of Counting Down the Days on Undisputed Music, alongside upcoming electronic artists The Pressure. You can download/purchase it here.
The global renaissance of all things 90s is echoed in The Pressure’s progressive synth-laden tones and their latest production evokes the euphonious sound of Underworld and Depeche Mode.
As Digweed tells 909originals, he and Muir “are both massive fans of New Order and wanted to take some influence from their sound. Nick is such an incredible musician and engineer; the creative juices were overflowing on this remix. It has such a great energy about it, and I can’t wait to play it out.”
Of course, when we think of the 90s, we think of rave culture, music and dancing and the free party movement – a world away from the current situation, in which the nightlife industry has been closed for the past 18 months due to austere health and safety guidelines. However, we appear to have reached the tipping point, and the worldwide re-emergence of people seeking the freedom to play music and dance safely is gaining in momentum.
“One of the reasons why electronic music has lasted so long is its ability to keep changing,” says Digweed. “You can’t beat that feeling of being united on the dancefloor, listening to great music.
“Rave culture will always be with us, even if it’s different from our own experiences at the start. It’s great that so many new artists are always coming through and bringing fresh ideas and sounds to the scene.”
Impresarios of the electronic scene, Digweed’s output didn’t ease off during successive lockdowns, with the producer releasing two exceptional four-disc compilations, entitled Quattro I and II, which underlined his dogged determination, focus and passion for music.
Housebound like the rest of us, Digweed also found solace through his hugely popular Transitions radio show which continues to broadcast to over 70 countries worldwide and with 14 millions listeners weekly. “I am still blown away by how big it is worldwide,” he says. The recent Transitions #881 show, for example, included remixes from the likes of Tiefschwarz, Randal Jones and Ireland’s own Panorama Bar resident Mano Le Tough.
“Having the show on Mixcloud has allowed my fanbase to stay in touch with the show very easily now,” he adds.
Digweed has, however, eased his fingers off the crossfader slightly when it comes to his live stream, Bunker Sessions, “I am spacing the Bunkers out now now and also bringing in some guests including Lopezhouse, Tara Brooks and Miles Atmospheric to name a few. It’s been great giving over some of the Bunker to some amazing guests.”
Last weekend saw Digweed return to the DJ booth with Sasha for the hugely successful ‘Renaissance by the Sea’ event in Brighton, and despite the safety limitations imposed, fans were thrilled with the more intimate setting and incredible atmosphere created by the two maestros.
While the return of Digweed’s ruthless global gig schedule seems unlikely in the current climate, he doesn’t mind this hiatus from 30years of jet-lag, although he does miss playing out.
“I have no idea what the landscape is going to look like – at the moment life seems like a game of snakes and ladders,” as he puts it. “Hopefully the light at the end of the tunnel will get brighter and brighter.”
He’s also bringing his Bedrock brand to Belfast’s The Limelight later this year, alongside Derry native Stephen Porter of Jika Jika, a gig that is already sold out.
“I’m very excited to be hosting a few Bedrock Nights and Belfast always has an incredible crowd,” he says. “Tickets went on sale, and we sold out with five months to go which blew me away, and I can’t wait to play the event.
“I think we all want to get under a big mirror ball and a loud soundsystem and lose ourselves for a few hours.”
Words by Emer O’Connor. The Pressure Vs John Digweed & Nick Muir – Counting Down The Days is out now on Undisputed Music. You can download/purchase it here.
Out today a brand new remix from @NickMuirMusic and myself of
— John Digweed (@DJJohnDigweed) August 6, 2021
The Pressure – New Single ‘ Counting Down the Days’
as featured one Bunker 46 – Available here https://t.co/bmsWL1141Q pic.twitter.com/QSyztS8FOR
About Post Author
2 thoughts on ““You can’t beat that feeling of being united on the dancefloor.” John Digweed on clubland’s return and new single ‘Counting Down The Days’”