Ibizan Heat Preview – Cyclone Ibiza 2007!!!!!

Cyclone started out as without doubt one of the best things that could have happened for students and clubbers alike! Originally evolving out of the University of Surrey’s Student Union. A brand that by their own admission, put on top class events for students and non students to get away from the stresses of their courses and general life for a few hours! Everyone’s dream, without doubt!

Started in 2002 as a House, Trance and Hard Dance event run by the Dance Music Society at the University of Surrey, it was founded by Jay White and DJ Rodney after their dance radio show, of the same name, on the Surrey student radio station; 1350AM GU2.
The next year saw Alex Pizzoferro getting involved with the society. He enlisted Ben Davis to help run the Cyclone events which were restarted in the University union nightclub after more than a year of absence.
From then the society, DJs and radio shows saw more and more people getting involved. Cyclone had been reborn, not only as a 6 day a week radio show with different dance music genres each day compared to its previous 1 day a week slot, but as a regular event in the university union.

These guys have now toured Cyclone all over the country at huge events such as the WiLDCHiLD and Nu Religion parties, as well as heading out to the White Isle to represent their brand for their debut in 2006, which in my book is a pretty big achievement, I think you’ll agree!

We caught up with the lads in the run up to their second year of hitting Ibiza, to get the lowdown on what they’ve got in store for us out there!

Hi Neil, how are you doing?
All is doing good yea, working away day after day as usual. Seems this is the calm before the moment of the storm.

So what have you been up to since your last major Cyclone event?
Apart from the most obvious of activities such as working, eating, sleeping, drinking and clubbing, I actually and quite remarkably found the time for gigs in and around my home area of Perthshire.

25th March 2007 saw a new start. I took the brave yet mad step of tying the knot in The Lion City aka Singapore with the now wife Shaunitha. I had a wonderful time out there soaking up the sun, whilst lying on the beach under palm trees for a month. Indulging in that and my favourite past time clubbing and yea you’ve guessed it…. Drinking. This gave me a great chance to get away from it all and chill out for a while.

The last major Cyclone event , I was headlining at the Dazed and Confused event at Rubix in late February 06. Whilst back from Singapore I have been working on the Cyclone Scotland side of things sorting out the launch in the coming months. Getting ever closer to the first Cyclone Scotland event. Hope to finalize the details shortly and get Cyclone Scotland on the map.

This June you make your Ibiza debut. What does it mean being involved in such large scale events and do you expect this year to be the same as last year?

To be in Ibiza is an amazing thought. To actually be involved, just feels incredible, out of this world! Djing in the White Isle, the dance capital of the world is for me the ultimate! I am sure I speak for all involved in the Cyclone scene. It is an incredible feeling knowing that I’m going to play a part of the action and be part of the worlds largest dance movement. OOHH YEA!! BRING IN ON!

Last June was our Ibiza debut along side WiLDCHiLD for a 10 day mad one!
We played at Kanya Beach bar on the sunset strip, not far from Café Del Mar and Mambo. Although I wasn’t a part of it last year, it was quite amazing that we played that bar the day after it was reopened by Mauro Picotto & Judge Jules after a redesign.

Things then only got better when we were asked to fill in for Agnelli & Nelson at the Gatecrasher pre party when their flight was not getting them in on time! Our third set was again along side some of the great producers & DJs, WiLDCHiLD had put together.

This year we are going out there with Heat UK who were coincidentally there at the same time as WiLDCHiLD last year.

We hope for much of the same again, but of course as with anything, it is going to be bigger and better as we are more aware of the scene etc.

... no doubt your Ibizan events delivered last year, tell us about them?
Last year we played to the Absolute Sunset Strip of clubbers who were loving the trance scene as the sun went down on the island. It really doesn’t get much better than that. All in all and amazing time!

As the Cyclone DJ’s were standing in for Agnelli & Nelson on the night, it was quite strange when other clubbers were taking pictures of us leaping around like maniacs, strangely more than usual. If they did twig that it wasn’t Agnelli & Nelson then they must have been loving the tunes and the atmosphere, we certainly were!!

So onto the holiday… exactly what have you got up your sleeves for your events/co-hosted events?

Well we are planning it to be a massive one! Same sort of hands in the air tunes as always, along with the old classics. Its going to be an immense time for us all for a whole host of reasons.

As this will be my first trip to The White Isle as a DJ, I will be out and about absorbing the atmosphere with Ben and Alex. I can only give one piece of advice really, and that would be to give Alex a wide berth while on the dance floor. His moves are like nothing you have ever seen!

What top class tunes are you going to lay your money on for the best reactions?

I know the old classics such as Café Del Mar, Binary Finary and Legacy by the Space Brothers have always had a massive effect in all the venues that I have played.

So, as top class cyclone residents, how do you think you’ll fare against the fellow trancemeisters in your arena?! You’re up to scratch aren’t you, hehe?!

I have no doubt in my own and our ability behind the decks. We will be blasting out load of incredible sets. While we full admit we aren’t that well known as the top DJs such as Seb Fontaine, the Judge or Tiesto, they had better watch out as we will be on top of our game and most certainly on a level par with them. I rarely produce my own tracks, so I couldn’t say I’m in the same league in that respect. Despite that, I still fell that we are more than capable of holding our own out there.

You’re all an integral part of the Cyclone team, do each of you have individual jobs or do you all just muck in and get the job done?

Yes and no to that one. We all do have our own areas to work on and especially with the new divisions starting up. We all also have our regular jobs to consider as well though. So in some respects, we all get stuck in to do what needs to be done. That I think is why we are where we are today. I manage the Scotland side of things and am currently working to get Cyclone Scotland on the upward spiral.

Any funny stories from last year’s WiLDCHiLD holiday you wish to share?!!!! Keep it clean please!

Can’t really say anything about last years jam, but I’m certain if you ask me the same question next year it will be a different answer.

So, what does the rest of 2007 hold for Cyclone and yourself as a DJ?

We are going to plough on energetically and hopefully have events established in Scotland, Bournemouth, Guildford and London by the end of the year. Why such a long term timeframe I hear you ask? The reason is because we all have other things on the go and this is what I can declare as being a realistic approach.

I will be diving into the studio and recording CD’s and want us as Cyclone to pull together and record CD and our own tracks and productions.

… and what’s in store for 2008 Ibiza for a third time?

2008 will see Cyclone go from strength to strength in Scotland, Bournemouth Guildford and London. I don’t see why we wouldn’t be back in Ibiza for the 2008 season. There is a real buzz at Cyclone just now with all the new plans and exaction.

Thanks for your time Neil! Can’t wait to catch you and the rest of the Cyclone crew in Ibiza!!!
See you all there!
Interview by Paul Cruickshank