I Want My MTV – Layo & Bushwacka Interview – I Want My MTV Amnesia

    Layo & Bushwacka! are no strangers to Ibiza, they have been regular
    visitors, playing at many of the top parties. @01 sees them take on a
    residency in Amnesia on a Friday night for ‘I Want My MTV’. Essential
    Ibiza caught up with them to find out how their preparations are coming
    along�

    What are you most looking forward to from your I Want My MTV residency
    this summer

    Having a weekly spot in the best club (for us) in the world and getting to
    see amazing live acts as well as take ‘Shake It’ to the island and playing
    our sound with such great guests. It is very exciting.

    How did the hook up come about?

    Amnesia and MTV had already decided on the Terrace and had a full concept
    but were working out what to do in the main room, Mar T was very keen on
    something cutting edge in there, more underground. It was discussed with
    our manager Ben Turner, who was working on all the creative side of the
    night, it began as a conversation but then everyone agreed it would be a
    great idea, we would be residents along with Mar T and then we programmed
    the guests.

    Were you surprised when they asked you?

    Yes. When we first heard about it, it seemed like a shot in the dark and
    we felt quite sure that someone else would end up in there, but as time
    went on it became a reality and we have worked super hard to program a
    great line up and give one hundred percent into turning this into a
    fantastic experience for everybody. It is wonderful to be involved.

    What can we expect from your room?

    Well both ourselves and Mar-T are massive lovers of cool dance music and
    we feel that with our sound being brought to the club on a weekly basis we
    can build a reputation for making a very special party and keep the energy
    up all night long. We have super talented DJ’s and producers guesting with
    us and the line ups compliment the sound of the live acts and alternative
    musical styles being played in the Amnesia terrace, so we feel that the
    crowd will have the best of both worlds all in one night. We are also
    working on a new album with some special new productions to play in our
    room with Amnesia in mind from our previous experiences at the club.

    MTV are bringing some of the world’s biggest pop stars to perform at their
    party, how will this sit with the Ibiza club crowd?

    I think that to be able to go out on a Friday night in Ibiza to such a
    fantastic space, get to hear such heavyweight acts and also to still have
    the full on clubbing experience is going to be a massive appeal to
    clubbers in Ibiza. There is nowhere else in the world that you can do this
    on a regular basis – most live shows just have a warm up act or DJ and
    then close the show, and at festivals it is possible to fit both options
    in, but in a superclub like Amnesia with such amazing sound, visuals,
    production, and in Ibiza – its incredible.

    Which of the artists that will be appearing are you looking forward to
    hearing?

    Of course – Snoop Dog! Plastikman Live. Primal Scream and Duran Duran are
    personal favourites.

    Do you have a pop music guilty pleasure?

    Mmmm, this is difficult; we’ll ruin all our credibility! I definitely like
    Elvis, my wife Beia loves Abba, Bushwacka keeps his very quiet.

    What is it about Ibiza that makes her so special?

    So many things together, the natural beauty, the geography, the culture of
    the island and the mix of worldwide cultures that meet there, the clubs,
    the feeling of the place, from a walk in Dalt Villa to sunset at a beach,
    it’s very magical. An endless list…

    Does Ibiza still play a role in breaking a new tune?

    I think it does. Because Ibiza has the cream of the worlds DJs playing
    there in the best clubs every night over the summer and the competition is
    so high – everyone is trying to do their best to impress and break new
    ground and DJs save and drop their freshest and best tunes there – so the
    crowd pick up on what’s really rocking and new music gets christened and
    broken in there. For sure I have got to the middle of the summer in
    previous seasons thinking, �what is that AMAZING tune I keep hearing!�

    How important is Ibiza to the building of a global club brand?

    Hugely. That is why the biggest DJ’s in the world are all so keen to have
    their own night. The whole clubbing world pass through Ibiza, it has
    become very definitive.

    Describe your first Ibiza experience?

    Matt – I was just 17 years old. I was given a ticket to Ibiza the night
    before, knowing nothing about it and told to bring my records. I played in
    1989 at Amnesia with Alfredo, Alex P and Paul Anderson. The club had no
    roof on it. It was incredible. The next day the owner (or manager) spoke
    to the people I played for and offered me a residency. I tuned it down,
    needing to stay in London (or so I thought) at the tender age of 17. And
    all these years later here we are again at the club – living the dream.
    Wonderful first Ibiza experience for me. Layo – This sounds crazy now, I
    was going to go in 1989 but I was so London and into warehouses acid house
    that I thought it must be over already, or not cool enough!! I went
    instead to Thailand for 6 months… so it took another 10 years! It’s
    amazing how much you think you know at 17! Anyhow I got there, straight
    from a festival and played the old terrace at Space and was just blown
    away…

    Away from the club how do you relax on the island?

    Beaches. Restaurants in the middle of nowhere. Books in the shade. Days
    with friends�

    What is your favourite beach?

    Matt – I love Salinas/Sa Trinxa. I usually stay at my friends’ hotel on
    the beach ‘Boutique Hostal’, which is now in its third season and is
    wonderful and the perfect location. I love the fact the beach is so long,
    and the vibe and crowd change from end to end. I love going to have a
    juice with John Sa Trinxa on Monday or Wednesday afternoons while he is
    spinning, dive off the wooden walkway in front of the restaurant, get a
    massage, walk further up over the rocks to the little coves, and just
    people watch. Layo – Salinas. Cala Jondal. Benniras. Going to Formenterra.
    Out of season Agua Blancas. Cala d’Hort.

    What are you listening too chilling on the beach?

    Layo – Dangermouse & Daniele Luppi – ‘Rome’ (oki-ni mixes), James
    Blake – ‘James Blake’, Late Night Tales – ‘At The Movies’, Broken Bells –
    ‘Broken Bells’ and Dr John – ‘Gris Gris’

    You’ve got a night off, where do you head for food?

    Layo : Can Alfredo. El Chrinigito. Balafia. Argentinian near roundabout
    (never can remember name, on a street corner!). Macao (Santa Gertrudis)…

    Name three essential items needed to survive your Ibiza trip?

    Matt : Money. It’s not cheap if you want to enjoy your time there and eat
    well. But it’s worth it. A car. Unless you are not planning on going
    anywhere, it is always a good idea to rent a car, try to get a taxi to
    take you to your villa up a bumpy road in the dark and he will probably
    refuse to go there, and try getting one to find it in the first place! ID.
    Police roadblocks everywhere, especially outside clubs now. And some clubs
    insist on ID if you are on any guest lists.

    What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen/experienced on the island?

    Matt – I have too many stories. Here is just one. Years ago I was standing
    about two minutes walk from Pacha on a weekday lunchtime with my friend.
    Some hippy guy came up to us, mumbled something, jumped up in the air,
    landed and his trousers fell down round his ankles. He (I think) attempted
    to cast some kind of magic spell on us, pulled his trousers up and walked
    off. We were like �did that really happen?�