Simon Newby (aka Da Sunlounge) began DJ’ing in and around the Midlands deep house scene 13 years ago. In the early days he was resident of the much-respected night ‘Travelling Without Moving’, playing alongside DJ’s such as Terry Francis, Inland Knights, Peace Division, Andy Wetherall, Digs’n’Woosh and Diesel. It was at this night, he played a dub plate of one of his first production’s. Clive Henry of Peace Division heard it and immediately signed it to his label, Low Pressings.

Simon has been producing deep house music for over 10 years, with releases to date on some of the most recognised international label’s within the industry, including
Low Pressings UK;
Tango Recordings USA;
Detour USA;
Camouflage Rec’s CANADA;
Ri’que JAPAN;
Amenti Music,
Developed Music USA;
DoubleDown USA;
Good Family Rec’s USA;
Freaked Records UK;
DAE Recordings USA;
So Sound USA;
Uniform USA,
GreensKeepers Music,
Tight Recordings,
OneThirty Recordings
TL Music
BlackSoul Music
Ryralio Rec’s
Flavor Rec’s
Kolour Rec’s
Lost My Dog
Chillin Music
UMA Music

and of course his own label’s Myna Music and Bambino Recordings (launched Dec’05) Myna has reached it’s 34th release and is regarded as a leading underground label and receives continuous support from some of the world’s most renowned DJ’s such as Laurent Garnier, Nic Fantiulli , Pete Tong (Radio 1), Ian Pooley, Miguel Migs, Silicone Soul, Swirl People, Lawnchair Generals, Ashley Beadle, Inland Knights, David Duriez, The Littlemen, Mark Farina, among many others.

Many of his productions have been licensed to various compilation mix CD’s such as the selection below.

H-Foundation’s ‘Nite:Life’ mix for NRK;
Peace Division’s ‘Nite:Life’ mix for NRK;
Jon Marsh mix for Fabric;
Inland Knights ‘Family Duals’ mix for NRK,
MIXMAG cover CD ‘Tribal Sessions’ mixed by Greg Vickers.
Ryralio Café Mixed by Ryralio DJ’s
Pizza Jazz Music (RyRalio Records) 2005
HED KANDI – BEACH HOUSE
San Francisco Sesions Vol 6 (OM)
Olivier Desmet (Alone in the dark CD)

His busy DJ schedule continues to take him around the world. Past gig’s have taken him to the USA, Australia, Malaysia, Brazil, Serbia, Spain, Czech Rep., Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, Berlin, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Ranging from backrooms & bars, to clubs with a capacity of over 1000 people. Then of course, there’s playing in the middle of a field in the Midland’s countryside to free party goers!!!

We caught up with DA Sunlounge before his gig at 54::MILE END for Jakinthehouse this weekend....

What’s the best country you’ve played in and why?

Australia and Brazil have been great places to play in, due to the great surroundings and upbeat vibe from the people… but I must say Eastern Europe always throws up some great gigs and big crowds! I think this is down to the sound still being relatively fresh to them, and they really know how to have a good time!

When in the studio what hardware/software do you use when producing your deliciously deep house music?

I use Logic 8 on a Macbook Pro, with a lot of vintage hardware synths/samplers/drum machines, all through a 02R digital desk and an Allen & Heath analogue desk. I can’t get into the soft synths.

You’ve been producing deep house for the last 10 years, releasing records on massive labels such as Greenkeepers Music, Low Pressings and Tango Recordings. Which of your many tracks stands out most?

That’s a tough one, I like to think each track stands out in it’s own little way… I’m not trying to produce a massive sounding ‘hit’ stand out track when I’m in the studio, just good quality, playable house music. If I had to pick one, I would say my ‘Freakshow’ track released on Myna a few years back.

Myna Music has just reached its 34th release, where do you see the label heading and what future release have you got in store for us?

I would like the label to continue releasing on vinyl for many years to come, but it’s becoming more difficult to press vinyl nowadays with pressing costs rising and buyers wanting to pay less for vinyl, because it’s very expensive compared to digital download. Both labels are jumping into the digital market now as we just can’t ignore it, but we’ll continue to release on vinyl for as long as people are still buying & playing it. It’s still my preferred format.
Next out on Myna, Da Sunlounge ‘Disco Lights’ EP. Check it out on myspace.com

Followed by an EP from Bang Bang, a South African band who are looking to become very big in the next year or so. This EP will also feature Jay West’s (Candy Dealers) and Da Sunlounge remixes.

Favorite dance move?

The Monkey

You classed as one of the big names in deep house, who do you look up to within the industry and why?

Derrick Carter, Todd Terry, Sneak… anyone who’s been around that long must be doing something right!

After being away from London for the last 2 years what tricks do you have up your sleeve for Jakinthehouse on the 26th July?

A lot of exciting promos to play out that I’m really feeling at the moment. So, I hope the music will sound fresh and new to people hearing it. They certainly went down well last week in Tbilisi.

Vinyl, CD or Software?

Vinyl by choice, CD as that’s how I get all my promos now… I’ve been playing around with Sarato over the past few months, but it’s just too much of pain to set up for a travelling DJ. Maybe when clubs have it as part of a standard set-up (like CDJ’s have become over the past few years) things might be different.

Favorite film? Sexy Beast

Popular question but, top 5 tracks of all time?

Mood II Swing: Closer
Black Science Orchestra: New Jersey Deep
Roach Motel: 2 Stupid Dogz :Trouble
Todd Terry : I Thought Your Love
Salt City Orchestra - The Book

Tell us about your other record label Bambino Recordings, how does it differ from Myna music?

Bambino was started up to release more music from myself and other artists at the same time. Myna was going to become stale if every EP was Da Sunlounge, so I launched Bambino to move things around a little. Bambino has gradually become a little deeper than Myna but it wasn’t intentional.

Lastly, if you had a superpower what would it be and why?

To teleport myself from country to country! Cutting out the burdening pain and wasted time of travelling/flying.

myspace.com