Born and raised on Athersley South council estate in Barnsley, Hot Since 82 was pretty much schooled for DJ success from birth.
His formal DJ education started at 17, playing 12-13 hour sets each Sunday at a club in his hometown – with queues round the block, as his residency soon became the number one afterparty destination for clubbers from far and wide. As word got around, the next stop was a 2006 residency at Cream Ibiza in Amnesia under the banner of Leeds club Glasshouse.
Since then Hot Since 82’s trajectory has been nothing short of incredible. x4 Pete Tong ‘Essential New Tunes’, x2 BBC ‘Essential Mixes’, 2013’s groundbreaking ‘Little Black Book’, 2014’s Knee Deep In Sound mix album (on his new label of the same name), Top 10 Beatport seller of all time with his ‘Bigger Than Prince’ remix, Mixmag cover star, performing live accompanied by a string quartet, x4 sell out North & South America tours including Coachella, x3 tantalizing Ibiza seasons and most recently his best trick yet, kidnapping fans for TAKEN, one of the most unique clubbing experiences you will ever have.
On 31 August, Hot Since 82 will make his Cocoon @ Amnesia debut, performing inside the Ibizan institution alongside Ben UFO and Joy Orbison, while Ricardo Villalobos, Sonja Moonear, and Dorian Paic handle terrace duties. Anticipating this very special event, we caught up with the man himself to get his own impressions on Ibiza memories, Amnesia, Cocoon, and much more.
“There’s something about sharing a giant dance floor with the weird and wonderful from all over the world…”
How has your summer been so far? How has it compared to past summers, professionally? Prior to the start of the summer season, how do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for its rigours?
So far this summer has been really incredible, I’ve been playing a lot of shows in Europe + I’ve also been able to get over to America for some great dance festivals there.
In terms of preparing for the summer I don’t have a set routine for preparing for the summer but I do always try my best get back to the comfort of my own bed after a busy weekend and avoiding after parties always helps!
You will play your Cocoon @ Amnesia debut on August 31. To you, what does the name Cocoon mean?
I’ve got a lot of amazing memories of partying at Sven’s incredible night, for me the atmosphere in both rooms is totally unique and part of the reason people coming to Ibiza. It really means a lot to me to have been asked to play there.
As an artist making their debut at such a respected event within your industry, how do you prepare for such a set? Is the preparation any different from normal? Do you still get nervous (assuming you did get nervous at some point in your career)?
To be honest the preparation for all the gigs I play comes in my down time in the studio or at home, I’m always adding new and old music to my sets, because I’ve been DJng for some time I don’t tend to get nervous these days but never say never.
What have been some of your past experiences with Amnesia? As far as you know, why do Cocoon and Amnesia work so well together?
It’s the music combined with the people that visit from all over the world. There’s something about sharing a giant dance floor with the weird and wonderful from all over the world, that you just don’t get anywhere else.
I What is your earliest memory of Ibiza? When did you first think that you “made it” as an artist on the island?
I’ve got some great memories of being a San Antonio worker, I still go back and visit the family who lived next door to me then, they cook a mean paella!
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