Funky Bunny Interviews Paul Wilkerson

Saturday 13th September
@The Park, Park Road, Peterborough

3 Years since Paul first Dj’d for Funky Bunny; Paul gets ready to return for his first Funky Bunny outing in 2008, Not only as long standing resident but also now Paul has joined the team for a little bit of promoting too! Welcome aboard!

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – So Paul how’s it all going? Looking forward to your & Funky Bunny’s Return?

Paul W – Hi guys! Yeah, always look forward to a bit of Funky Bunny. After the demise of our last venue, everything seems to have fallen into place for us again with the new venue, the Park. The atmosphere at FB events always was electric and I believe we will have that again. As for me everything has been going great. This year has probably been my biggest learning curve to date. I got asked the other day if I had given up DJing, lol. I guess due to me not playing so much it would certainly seem feasible. I have in fact been working hard in the background and have been lucky enough to have been in studio with K90 and my fellow RPR partner, Colin M. We have been working on some bootlegs that will be released on a new label next year. So I’m very excited about that. Working with Mark has also taught me a lot so I will be putting together some of my own solo productions next year. Playing Dance Island this year, my first festival gig, was also a great eye opener. To play an event on such a huge scale certainly does wonders for your experience.

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – What are your thoughts on the summer of 2008?

Paul W – Did we have one? To be honest I was very secluded this year. Seeing the Prodigy Live at Gatecrasher summer sound system has to be a major highlight for me though. It’s the second time I have seen them. The first was when they first started out on XL recordings. They have grown into a huge live act and it was great to see. Bug Jam was also great this year, it didn’t rain all weekend which was nice. The dance tent on the Saturday night was rocking! If the promoter of Bug Jam is reading this, any sets going?

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – How’s the Red Pill Record Label going?

Paul W – It’s going great thanks. The initial idea behind the label was to put out productions by local DJ’s and to see the reaction. And to be honest it’s been better than anticipated. Several of the releases were hanging around in the Tidy Digital top 20 download chart for quite a few weeks. They also got radio and internet radio support. A huge pat on the back to the artists and there will certainly be more releases out on the label. If anyone does want to send over any tracks for consideration please feel free.

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – What has been your biggest inspiration so far and the main driving force?

Paul W – I feel very lucky that over the last 10yrs or more I have had many influences. From the early days before I started DJing, I was listening to Tony De Vit, Seb Fontaine, Jon of the pleased wimmin, Boy George. Their tune selection was amazing! Full of infectious disco style grooves, catchy lyrics and basslines. Then the harder stuff from Lashes, Pin-up, Andy Farley, BK and Paul Glazby. Gut pounding stuff, which you could listen to for hours at high volume! Then came along the Techno, Dave the Drummer, Axel Karakasis, Alex S, and A.Paul. Not so fast on the BPM’s but still so tough and groovy. So I hope that somewhere along the line I’ve absorbed at least some of what they where trying to do. Because to me, all this music makes me feel good. And that’s got to be the whole point, music that makes you feel good!

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – You're known for your tough techy playing style – What’s your bag to boogie too?

Paul W – You’ll have to wait and see!

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – Are there any tracks in particular at the moment which you have firmly placed at the very front of your record box that you're playing in every set?

Paul W – Well, both the new bootlegs will be getting an airing from Colin and me. I can’t seem to stop playing, BK and Lee Haslam “Sticks and Stoned”, Gleave “Fire Devil” and Marcel Woods “Get the Kleneex”. What a title for a track, awesome!

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – Do you have any tips for the top when it comes to up and coming DJ's?

Paul W – I’m not there yet! The one thing I know I have to be thankful for though is my friends. They have supported me through every high and low, every dream and disappointment. Some still go clubbing, some rave from their armchairs. From the early days of spinning tunes under my mates stairs at house party’s, to searching for fader knobs that have flown off the mixer into the crowd, getting me to gigs on time and making sure I don’t leave my gear at gigs! You can’t beat good mates.

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – Finally your top 3 dance tracks of all time?

Paul W – BT– “Mercury and Solace”, DK- “Murder was the Bass”, FunkyDory– “Good Times”

Funky Bunny (Marty & Stu) – Thank you Paul,

Paul W – always a pleasure, see you on the 13th!

To download some of Pauls mixes and listen to his tracks visit www.myspace.com/paulwilkerson or check out www.djpaulwilkerson.co.uk

Love the Funky Bunny Crew X