Djsexypaul. Of course you know this name if you have been on Smartshanghai long enough. (Or even if you have not, as his name goes painfully further than this site!) However, who is the man behind this curiously well-known name and what does he think of the nightlife scene in Shanghai? Xtina means to find it out. Xtina: How long have you been in Shanghai and what do you do here? Paul: 11 years now and I now manage Manhattans in Tongren Lu. Plus I am a part-time MC at an underground Female Jelly Wrestling Club. Xtina: I'm sure many men will be envious of your part-time job, Paul! Now, can you please tell us how you have witnessed the growth of the nightlife scene in Shanghai? And who are the individuals having significantly contributed to it? (Apart from yourself, may I say?) Paul: Too many people to mention really. I hate to list certain people because then the ones I have missed will hunt me down and say "Oy, what about me ?",but if you're gonna push me then I will say Paul Gray-Judy's Group, Mike Cole-8 Days, Eduardo Vargas-Chef Extroidanairre and Lawsons. Xtina: Yes we love Lawson! What do you think of Tongren Lu? Paul: A Prefabricated expensive mess all wrapped up in a sesame seed bun, however, business for some is VERY GOOD, business for the rest is unbelievably bad and I think the summer is going to be AWESOME. Xtina: What kind of bar do you want Manhattan to be? Paul: A fun late night place with a good vibe, eclectic music, hot women, cheap beers and clean bathrooms. I got the first five so far... Xtina: And I can prove that! Next question, what's holding the nightlife scene back in Shanghai? Paul: Hmmmm(thinks carefully) I think that most clubs, MZ (Madam Zung - xtina hastens to explain), Pegasus, California etc do hold great parties and really do try and do something different for the shanghai clubbers, however if people don't turn up because of various reasons that does hold the nightlife scene back. Just because a DJ didn't hold hands with Sasha once doesn't make him a bad DJ. The management are trying but the punters are too spoiled for choice now and will inevitably head to where the cheapest beers are, or the easiest women. It's a shame really. Xtina: Well said Paul. Do you think Shanghai will be the place to be for DJs, party promoters/organizers and clubbers in 10 years? Paul: Absolutely. We are entertaining more and more worldwide bands, DJs and stage shows, and this is just the beginning. I think in 5 years time word will spread that you can forget Paris, New York and Rome - just go to London and fly Virgin straight to Shanghai! Xtina: That's definitely something I wanna see! The next two questions may come off a bit too personal and I hope you won't mind. Who is your best friend in SH clubbing scene? And your biggest foe? Paul: Another List question!! Sorry if I leave some people out. (You know I love you all!) Sunny from Mint who I have known along with Paul Gray the longest; the MZ guys are also very close along with the Drunk Canadians from Plan B.. Oh, hate this question....And everyone else that knows me. FOES !! I don't have foes. I have people jealous of me...Hhhmm Foes !! No sorry, none I can think of Natalie Portman's boyfriend possibly!! Xtina: As a veteran in the bar/club business, what advice do you give to the new kids in town who wanna join the game? Paul: Well, from a DJ's perspective, start small, don't ask for big bucks, learn from everyone, watch, listen, get your name and face around town, practise practise practise and then approach some resident DJs and ask them if they can let you spin for them as a warm up one night, then repeat as necessary. Xtina: Thanks a lot for the advice Paul! Calling yourself djsexypaul, what do you think is your most sexy part? And when can people see it? Paul: My extensive vegetable selection in the fridge, and my expensive Danish DVD collection in the living room. Only certain open-minded people are allowed to see the contents. Xtina: Too bad I might not be open-minded enough for that yet! Now I'm interested to know what the best party was that you have ever been to in SH? Paul: 3 parties I would have considered the best. First The Japanese School Disco at Malone's two years ago - FANTASTIC! Second, Disco Boys at Mint three months ago - great tunes, and even better company as all the Smart Shanghai boys and girls came down to it! Thirdly, the Elton John concert last year - 3 rows from the front, great night! You wanted me to name DJs didn't you?? Sorry I don't really go to those kinda parties. It's always working. Xtina: But "those kinda parties" can be so fun sometimes! And speaking of Disco Boys, wasn't it the first time we met in person? It was an awesome night! Now, if you can throw the party of your dreams in SH, where will it be, who will you invite, who will be the DJ(s), and what type of music will be played? Paul: Good question as I really want to do something like that for my birthday this year, but as its in November it's too cold to throw an outside one, however I love the Blues and Jazz Bar in Long Bai (Near Shanghai Zoo). It has a fantastic garden and lake and holds about 200 people. Of course I would invite all my friends and industry people. I would ask Sunny to help me organise it, because he's good with stuff like that plus he always thinks of things that I have forgotten. DJs...hmm I would do a 2 hour 70s/80s set with DJ Thomas Paninaro (what a great team) and then I would ask Pauly Gray to play some of his funky Hip Hop etc and then next would be Baldy Missile Myles (MZ) and Baldy Bamford (Park 97) and then MicroClub to finish it all off. What a great party that would be.... Xtina: Indeed! Please make sure all Smartshanghaiers are invited! Well, here's a challenging question: describe Shanghai girls with 5 words. Paul (without thinking): Materialistic Princesses With Cute Butts Xtina: Good job Paul! Now please describe male expats in Shanghai with 5 words. Paul: Horny Men with Ugly Butts Xtina: Haha, obviously you are NOT one of them! Shall we also describe female expats in Shanghai with 5 words? Paul: They wish they were Chinese. Xtina: If you can live any individual's life for one day, who will it be? Paul (without thinking): Natalie Portman's boyfriend! Our interview has to come to an end as you can see, Paul is a very busy man. To spice things up a bit, I got this thrilling news that Paul will be spinning at Madam Zung on the 22nd of June! All ya party faithful, just show up to see how wicked this man can be behind the turntable!