John Digweed
John Digweed (born January 1, 1967 in Hastings, England) is a British DJ and record producer, In 2007, he was voted number three DJ in DJ Mag’s annual Top 100 vote.[1]
[edit] Biography
John began DJing at around age 13. His first breakthrough was getting a gig at the club Renaissance in Mansfield after fellow DJ Alexander Coe (aka Sasha) heard his demo.
John Digweed, along with Sasha, as Sasha and Digweed, is known for promoting a progressive trance/house sound that became popular in Europe and North America in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Digweed is noted for adopting new styles which later become the mainstream[citation needed]; compilations mixed by Digweed are often filled with tracks unavailable elsewhere that then go on to be anthems during the next year. Along with Nick Muir, Digweed produces under the alias Bedrock, whose singles chart record is shown below. Digweed also started the record label Bedrock Records.
Digweed appeared in the 2000 film Groove. Superior
Digweed has been broadcasting a weekly radio show on Kiss 100 in the UK since September 2000, where he provides a personal one hour dj set, followed by a further one hour set from a guest DJ. Since September 2006, John Digweed’s show has been available on all 3 Kiss radio stations. The show is now called Transitions and has become syndicated and is played in 11 different countries.
Between 2000 and 2005 Digweed promoted his ‘Bedrock’ sound with monthly club nights for members and the curious, with Thursday nights at Heaven in London followed the following night by a smaller night at The Beach in Brighton. These nights featured guest numerous DJs, including Phil Thompson, Hernan Cattaneo and Chris Fortier. As Digweed’s international schedule increased, the legendary nights drew to a close, although occasional reunions are held at Heaven.
In addition to Europe, Digweed has had a tremendous career in North America. Digweed, along with Sasha, established a monthly residency at the now defunct New York club Twilo, a legendary residency that established itself at the forefront of progressive trance and house music into the American mainstream. Digweed underwent a six week country-wide tour of the United States in 2002 called Delta Heavy, with Sasha and Jimmy Van M. Promotion of the tour was done by Clear Channel and attendance reached 85,000. The tour took place in a variety of venues but was completely self reliant from a technical point of view. Sound, lights as well as visual needs were all brought along. Visuals were provided by Vj DeKam, who just like Digweed also toured with the Area2 festival. Also in 2002, Digweed created the soundtrack to the film Stark Raving Mad.
In Japan, Digweed has had a successful career as well. His sets are often six hours or longer. He has played at the following Tokyo clubs: Space Lab Yellow, Womb-Future Style, and Ageha. In November 2005, Digweed and Sasha played back-to-back at a Womb-organized event at LaForet Museum in Roppongi. In Japan, Digweed often works with Ko Kimura and Futiq.
In 2008, Digweed’s music will be featured in the film movie adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s best-selling novel Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1994: Journeys by DJ Vol 4 - (Music Unites)
- 1994: Sasha & John Digweed - Renaissance: The Mix Collection (Renaissance)
- 1995: Renaissance - The Mix Collection Part 2 (Renaissance)
- 1996: Sasha & John Digweed - Northern Exposure (Ministry of Sound, Ultra Records)
- 1997: Sasha & John Digweed - Northern Exposure 2 (Ministry of Sound, Ultra Records)
- 1997: The Winning Ticket (Jackpot)
- 1998: Global Underground 006: Sydney (Boxed)
- 1999: Bedrock (INCredible, Ultra Records)
- 1999: Sasha & John Digweed - Northern Exposure: Expeditions (INCredible, Ultra Records)
- 1999: Global Underground 014: Hong Kong (Boxed)
- 2000: Sasha & John Digweed - Communicate (Ultra Records, Kinetic Records) (Billboard 200 #149)
- 2001: Global Underground 019: Los Angeles (Boxed)
- 2002: MMII (Bedrock Records) (Billboard Top Electronic Albums #7)
- 2003: Stark Raving Mad (Thrive Records) (Billboard Electronic #9)
- 2004: Layered Sounds (Bedrock Records)
- 2005: Fabric 20 (Fabric) (Billboard Electronic #13)
- 2005: Choice - A Collection of classics (Azuli Records)
- 2005: Layered Sounds 2 (Bedrock Records)
- 2006: Transitions (Renaissance)/(Thrive Records) (Billboard Electronic #16)
- 2007: Transitions 2 (Renaissance)
- 2007: Transitions 3 (Renaissance)
- 2008: Transitions 4 (Renaissance)
[edit] Singles
- 1993: Bedrock - “For What You Dream Of” (Stress Records) (UK #25)
- 1997: Bedrock - “Set In Stone”/”Forbidden Zone” (Stress Records) (UK #71)
- 1999: Bedrock - “Heaven Scent” (Bedrock Records) (UK #35)
- 2000: Bedrock - “Voices” (Bedrock Records) (UK #44)
- 2001: Bedrock - “Beautiful Strange” (Bedrock Records)
- 2002: Bedrock - “Emerald” (Bedrock Records)
- 2003: Bedrock - “Forge” (Bedrock Breaks)
- 2005: Bedrock - “Santiago” (Bedrock Records)
- 2006: Bedrock - “Warung Beach” (Bedrock Records
- 2007: John Digweed - “Gridlock” (Renaissance)