Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a regular short and sharp interview with a live music figure. Email james.hanley@futurenet.com if you would like to take part or recommend someone for inclusion.
This week's Q&A is with electronic music duo Phil Drummond and Richie Malone of Xpansions, who recently celebrated 30 years of their classic track Move Your Body.
What was your first job in music?
Richie Malone: Signing as an Artist to Arista Records in 1990
Phil Drummond: I guess my first proper job would have been DJing full time, if you can call that a propper job. I started pretty much straight from leaving school in 1990. Met up with Richie and he kind of took me under his wing in the studio and my first DJ residency.
How long have you been in your current role?
RM: Twenty-nine years
PD: Eight months. I've just opened a new members club and restaurant in Mayfair, The Wellington Club. I'm actually working with a guy that I used to DJ for when i was about 17 when he owned Browns Club, Jake Panayiotou. Life has gone full circle.
What is your favourite thing about working in the live music industry?
RM: Meeting lots of like minded people from all over the world.
PD: I like a good party! I'd never get away with my bachelor lifestyle if i was an accountant!
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
RM: If possible not so much music being released – focus on quality, not quantity.
PD: I'm with Richie on this. A bot of quality control please and the sooner this Instagram-obsessed generation realise it's all bullshit and put their phones back in their pockets and start embracing the moment the better clubs and gigs will be because of it.
What has been the highlight of your careers so far?
RM: Having the long success with Xpansions.
PD: Lots to choose from, a couple I can openly confess to, but I guess a real personal one for me would be The Wavehouse events I ran in Mallorca back 2012. I took an empty space that had never been used before, invited some pals like Solomun, Darren Emerson and Nic Fancuilli to join me and we filled it with around 2,000 people twice a week through summer. It was a great way to end my full time DJ career.
What's the best gig you’ve ever been to?
RM: Chaka Khan at Ronnie Scott's in 2015
PD: Oasis at Knebworth. It'll never be repeated. It was pre-social media and was a great time to be alive!
