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In 1996 Paul began his Dj career in Goa while running a Trance record shop on London’s Portobello Road in the late nineties.
Through the nineties he began to play for some of London’s major party groups and in 2000 he joined the TIPWorld records as a label DJ/Co A&R.
He spent 2002 and 3 years ahead on Ibiza co-producing music with other leading artists and while living there, he joined Spun Records. Here he compiled to the top selling Spun compilation TWEAKERS.
In 2008, he released his first album HIGHLIFE, which got excellent reviews and sold out soon after its December 2008 release.
Shortly after, in 2009, he released his second album PURITY which further explored his definition of a whole new sound in the Psy Trance scene that he had introduced on his first album. After both albums, introducing a new sound to the Worlds Trance Scene, Paul and his favorite fellow Producers created Remixes of various tracks from the first 2 albums and the end result became REDUX and was released in December 2010.
He further released a follow up sequel to the 1996 Spun Records Classic VA TWEAKERS in 2011 and this year he will be busy producing his third album LIMITLESS.
Hey Paul. Thank you for making this interview. When and how did your Koh Phangan story begin?
I first visited Koh Phangan about 6 years ago, just for a quick holiday... I ended up only seeing a very limited side of it such as Haad Rin and Baan Tai. At the time I was spending most of the summer seasons in Goa, and did not really have any idea that there were any psychedelic trance parties here at all.
Which places on Koh Phangan did you play at before and which party do you remember best?
I have played for Blackmoon, Jungle Experience, Shivamoon and also The Experience Festival NYE in Ko Tao for the last two years. ``For me one of the best was the first year I played at Ko Tao Experience and also a Shivamoon party this season, which was full of people and had a very underground vibe.
Gigs here during this visit?
I have played a couple of times for Blackmoon and Shivamoon, this season, yet my main focus has been producing music in the new studio that I am fortunate enough to be involved in with some colleagues here on the Island.
How did the music scene on Koh Phangan develop the last couple of years and where do you think it is today?
Well to be honest I was pretty ignorant as to the Psy Trance scene here on the island until a few years ago. I had heard of Tommy’s bar at the Full moon party and DJ Sabaii Sabaii (as he is one of the most well known and respected Thai DJs internationally).., but I did not realize that there were many people here on the island that had more than just a one Fullmoon night connection with the music and were indeed hardcore followers of the whole Psy movement.
Recently I have noticed that a lot of the former Psy Trance party organizers here have lowered the bpm of the music at their parties, and have begun to introduce techno/house/minimal music etc, I guess their policy is in order to draw more people into the dance music scene, that perhaps have never been exposed to Psy Trance before and were therefore put off by it’s more hectic nature.
What do you think is the difference or likeness between the party scene in Goa and on Koh Phangan?
Well having had lived in Goa for quite a few seasons , I can honestly say that the two places are completely different…Ko Phangan draws a whole different crowd, and the parties may seem more “commercial” here , yet the Island itself has so many layers and qualities about it that I did not find in Goa.. For me it is a very inspiring place that is far more easy going and life is generally way more relaxed than how it was for me in Goa.
What do you think about the current position of the trance scene in the world today, seems like its getting underground (again) and that Tech house is taking over
Yes, I do agree that the Psy Trance scene is going through yet another of it’s many transitions- that seem to be inherent with the scene right from it’s beginnings...It is definitely returning to a more underground vibe, and I find myself playing at smaller parties yet, with more of the original Goa Spirit than say a few years ago…
Tech House is definitely becoming more popular worldwide, and like any other genre, there is the good and the bad. .I personally enjoy top quality tech house DJs and parties, and I am a firm believer that there is room for all styles and tastes. What I do think is happening is that dance music itself is taking over the worlds ears, and this for me can only be considered a good thing.
When and how you decide to become a DJ?
I arrived in Goa for the first time in 1995, when it was perhaps the peak of the Goa Trance Scene…I became absolutely fascinated by both the music and the role of the DJ. One that could tell a captivating story by combining music in a certain way.
I have always since believed that Psy Trance DJ’ing is totally unique and should not follow the same DJ concepts as other genres of dance music. For me it has always been about the story as opposed to the technical mixing skill side of things.
How do you define the style of music you produce and play?
Well I have always enjoyed the harder side of Psy trance...
Tech Trance, as it was known as back in the late nineties... So recently I am trying to bring back the kind of night music sound that hasn’t been around so much for the last few years.
Where do you find inspiration?
Mainly from other people that are very close to me and those that I completely trust. Also lately the jungle of Ko Phangan has also infiltrated my music production via new organic sounds that I have been experimenting with.
Which projects in general are you involved in these days?
Apart from my own ongoing music production project which is simply know as Paul Taylor, I have recently formed a new Night Style Music project called Nutkase, with DJ Venus Vibes who is also a well known DJ on the Island
What have you planned for the near future? What are your next projects and gigs?
Make as much music as possible; now that we have the studio set up and running I am in seventh heaven. It has always been my dream to be able to wake up, make a coffee and get straight to work on whatever track is on the go. I am planning a 3 track EP for a new Label known as ZERO ONE, and also with Venus Vibes we intend to work on a full Nutkase album.
Is something more that you would like to communicate to the people.
I’d like to say that whatever dance music you are into, lose yourself completely in it... It is one of the best forms of healing, stress release and mind expansion that I have ever come across and it’s not going away in a hurry. I for one am never gonna stop making the sort of music that I hope puts a grin on peoples faces...
