Deepgroove’s Grayson Shipley and Lee Pattison are as known for their hard-core partying antics as they are for the storm they’re kicking up on dance floors across the globe with their 4 Decks: Efx DJ Show.

They’re bringing their unique sound straight into Southampton’s So Bar for the High Tide “Runaground” All Dayer on the 4th August and I caught up with Lee to find out if Southampton’s partyers are prepared for the Deepgroove experience…

First things first, How the devil are you?

Really good, thank you. Pretty busy at the moment- just off to Dubai tomorrow and then Global Gathering. We can’t wait.

It looks like you still have a fairly busy summer ahead of you – what’ve you been up to for the first half of it – what have been the highlights so far?

We have had so many highlights so far this year. Some great releases for Darren Emerson’s Underwater label. Some brilliant gigs and festivals, a Far-Eastern tour, our club night, PLAY is going well, our Ibiza debut and of course, winning DJ Magazine’s Best British Breakthrough DJ!!

And are you looking forward to coming down to Southampton for High Tide Runaground at the start of August?

Yep, really excited. Heard a lot about the clubnight and some crazy antics- also we know a few of the djs playing, so will be nice to catch up and get pissed. Also we hear Dan Reid makes a mean punch.

I know you’re Bristol boys (I’m a west country girl myself originally) but what’s your experience of partying on the South Coast so far – How do the parties (and partiers) compare – Is Bristol always best for you?

Bristol is always special for us- and we normally only play at our own night- so we put a lot of effort into making the best party possible. We usually have weird themes- our next one is The PLAY Sock Puppet Party, but we have definitely had some mental nights down South. It must be the sea air bringing out the best in you.

For Southampton party-goers who don’t know what to expect from Deepgroove how would you describe your sound?

Punky, loud, bass-driven acid house with the odd dodgy haircut.

You’re known for your extreme partying – what’s the most extreme thing you’ve done this week?

We had a bit of a ‘Stair Surfing Competition’ last weekend at a friend’s house. Good fun but carpet burns aren’t as funny come Monday.

And what’s your most bizarre clubbing memory (either as party-goers or party-bringers!)?

Djing at Folie Pigalle in Paris, just across the road from the Moulin Rouge- basically the Parisian Red-light District, where the decks were next to a huge platform where strippers were dancing naked all night and about seventy percent of the ‘ladies’ were actually transsexuals with huge fake tits.

What record(s) if any are you embarrassed to admit that you have in your collection?

We love all our records!! Even Lee’s Now 80’s collections. But maybe some cheesy Christmas singles- or The Commentators ‘N-n-n-nineteen’ 7 inch.

Forget football, it’s fantasy club night – who’s DJing, where and what are you drinking?

Us, Erol Alkan and then The Chemical Brothers, at Glastonbury…and it’s sunny and warm all week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are drinking strawberry cider…woo woo.

And finally, what’s next on the cards for Deepgroove?

At the moment we are working hard on an artist album and some great collaborations. We have a very busy remaining summer on the dj front with our 4decks:efx show and some more Ibiza action. Also ‘Altern8or’ is out on Underwater and another ‘Weekend Weapons Vol III & Vol IV’ will be out in October. And finally Grayson might get round to buying some new trainers…they stink.

Check us out at www.myspace.com/deepgroove

Interview by

Marie Louise Abretti