SmartShanghai | Interview: San Proper

Interview: San Proper

By Morgan Short, Sep 8th, 2010 | In Nightlife

There's a big brouhaha at Glamour Bar this Saturday night -- Anti Glamour -- and amongst all the flashy, trashy light installations, video art, and busted TV deco and things, is eccentric Dutch DJ San Proper at the center of it all.

A long time player in Amsterdam's clubbing circuit -- see "The Black Box Disco Bust" parties below -- San Proper started gaining international acclaim with his own productions in the mid '00s, with releases on Rush Hour, Dekmantel, and specifically "Keep it Raw", (Perlon, 2007).

His latest is "Sex Drive Rhythm EP", released in March 2010 on Dekmantel.

Click here for his MySpace; click here for a recent feature on San Proper on RA; and click here for the event information this Saturday.

SmartShanghai talked to San Proper about what's good in Amsterdam, dirty disco, and zany head gear.

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SmSh: How's your 2010 going?

SP: It's great so far. I did a lot of new tracks, I had some fabulous gigs, and I saw many new and inspiring places. I'm enthusiastic about my upcoming releases and flattered with the response on the previous tracks I've put out on Rush Hour, Dekmantel, and Perlon...

SmSh: So what's been the best show you played this year?

SP: Can't make up my mind. I enjoyed Mutek in Montreal in May, after I came down from Detroit, but I also had a great time earlier this year at the Panorama-bar [Berlin]. I also had some exciting sets here in Holland at Solar and with, for example, the Disco3000 club night at Trouw here in Amsterdam playing with several legends...

SmSh: So how's Amsterdam these days? What kinds of music are the kids into these days in Holland?

SP: I'd say diversity is the key. There are a couple of fresh organizations like Dekmantel and 8Bahn which serve up good programming in Holland. For many different styles there's a good crowd ready to be fed musically. There' s an eclectic thing going on, meanwhile there's also space for more specialized music in it's genre to prevail.

SmSh: Describe the Amsterdam sound. If you had to give someone a crash course in good shit from Amsterdam, what should people get their hands on?

SP: For a crash course I'd send people to Rush Hour in the center of the city. This record store presents what's happening in my opinion. Amsterdam has always been a harbor with all this exotic information being imported. It's a melting pot, and that's what it sounds like.

SmSh: You've been playing out for something like 15 years. How has Amsterdam changed over the years you've been in the clubs?

SP: It has gotten more tolerant with me and my sound, that's what I notice.

SmSh: Tell us about The Black Disco Bust. How did that start? What were the early nights like? Can you describe a typical Black Disco Bust today. People... Music...

SP: It started out at the Mazzo in '99, I think. I felt the need to do a night and play deep underground disco classics. I wanted to dance and party to this sound and no one else was making it happen for me. I'd book the right DJs to deliver and each time let them shine their own light on the feel, but for me it has always been about obscure, but ecstatic, experimental, innovating but old school disco music.

I'd describe the crowd as sentimental, soulful people -- dirty disco lovers and curious fresh meat who would attend and fall in love...

SmSh: What are your favorite things in Amsterdam?

SP: The vibe, the girls, the clubs, the scene, my friends, the international population, the authentic Amsterdam culture, the streets and markets, our sour pickles, some typical Amsterdam semi-legal "products", my crib and the life I'm living...

SmSh: Do you ever get sick of British dudes throwing bachelor parties? Or of American dudes getting baked off their asses?

SP: Not really. Kinda used to it, I suppose. Can't blame people for having a “good time”, but there's much more to it out here. I can imagine tourists having a lot of fun in Amsterdam, hell, I'm having a blast myself and I'm born and raised here...

SmSh: What are the similar styles that join you with other Dutch DJs / producers -- is there a specific shared background or musical sensibility? For example... yourself and Tom Trago, Steven de Peven, Melon...

SP: We all come from different corners, but we started jamming to inspire each other. To teach and be taught... but most of all 'cause it's fun. Some of us became really good friends and soon crazy sssh and killer tracks emerged...

SmSh: In interviews with yourself and with others from the Dam, people seem to write about going from the underground to "international fame". Why do you think people are starting to notice Dutch DJs more these past few years?

SP: Probably because of the productions and releases. That's usually what gets international attention if it's any good. Maybe Dutch DJs finally caught up more, not sure, but I do know we've had some great Dutch producers and performers before...

It takes time to create a solid base of musical influence and evolution. Inspiration caught up out here in the Dam.

SmSh: What sorts of music got you into playing the guitar?

SP: I started listening to different artists like Sam Cooke, Lou Reed, Peter Tosh, Les Rita Mitsouko & The Stranglers at an early age of 6 while I was playing with toys -- I needed a soundtrack for my play. I started playing when I was 10 years old, but at one point got really annoyed and gave up on it for a year 'til I started checking out how to play the tracks I listened to.

SmSh: And how about "Sex Drive Rhythm EP". Can you describe that project.

SP: I released this 12" with Dekmantel records -- it presents three tracks: "Sex Drive Rhythm", "The Strip", and "Love Baby Love". What can I say. It kinda speaks for itself. Love and sex are ever-lasting topics to write about... "Love Baby Love" is all about both the joy and frustrations of love. "The Strip" is a real tease -- it's about hitting town, clubbing and showing your moves and the dance floor.

"Sex Drive Rhythm" is what happens when you feel like masturbating, but instead of working yourself you translate this lust into a track.

SmSh: What sorts of shit are you working on these days? Any upcoming releases you can tell us about?

SP: Well, there's more stuff coming this winter on Dekmantel, also on Perlon, and on Ratio Records... I just did two remixes for Jon McMillion on Nu Earth Kitchen which will be released this month together with remixes by Juju & Jordash & Vakula.

The release I did with Awanto 3 came out this month, it brings you "Conquer End Naw House" and "Black Burger" on Rush Hour records.

SmSh: Any newer producers coming up in Amsterdam that you can recommend?

SP: Awanto 3 is most def someone to look out for. Shoebox will drop your jaw. Also B.R.U.C.E. and DE-HET-EEN. Check out Makam & Bar-Dancing...

SmSh: Any newer stuff in general out there getting you excited?

SP: Yes, I'm crazed with the latest 4 releases Theo Parrish did on his label. Kyle Hall is amazing me with a lot of work. Tom Trago is dropping his new label Voyage Direct and he's also coming with a new album soon. Jon McMillion's album is really worth checking out and buy it while you're at it. Melon is coming with new parts of his seasons; 'Fall & Winter' this November. Dekmantel records is coming with great new releases. There's a new compilation on Perlon out soon.

I could go on...

SmSh: Where are you getting all these fucking fantastic hats?

SP: I just pick 'em up here and there along the way...

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San Proper is at Anti Glamour this Saturday. Event listing here.

Tagged: Interviews Event Previews Clubbing