Interview with Paul Oakenfold

DJ TIMES: Do you think they're raping the scene?
OAKENFOLD: Yeah, I do. I think they're totally raping the scene.

DJ TIMES: Do you take a loss by having a residency?
OAKENFOLD: Yeah, I lose money. I could earn four times as much money if I traveled or if I played other gigs. In theory, I've taken myself out of the market. I play four Saturdays out of the month and two Fridays. The four Saturdays are at the same club and the two Fridays as a guest DJ around the country.

DJ TIMES: Given that you wanted to break some records, how have you fared after one full year now at Cream?
OAKENFOLD: I believe that I have definately broken some records. One, the Olive "You're Not Alone" which I guess isn't fair cause it's my mix. I've caused the label to re-release Y-Traxx "Mystery Land," Mansun "Wide Open Space"...what happens is that the norm is that 60-70% of my set is on acetate. Record companies cut you an acetate, and I have the song 5-6 weeks before promos go out. Promos last about 4-5 weeks, so I've got a record about 13 weeks before it's released. So you kind of find yourself in a situation where you're a funnel for new music. That's what I strive for as a DJ -- constantly moving forward because I have access to these tunes. That's what turns me on as a DJ. I also tie in with three of the biggest shops in England where I give them my top 20 for the month and I inform them on what's coming. By doing all this, I'm getting back to what being a DJ was all about; which was breaking records. When we started DJing, that's what we was doing. We were playing in the same club week in, week out breaking records. Everyone lost their way, and I kind of felt that I had to get back to what it was all about for me.

Written 3/22/98
Originally posted by Jennifer Warner, reposted with permission.