Liverpool's Circus is approaching its 3rd birthday, so we thought it was time to catch up with our favourite home grown talent Yousef. Yousef started out being a regular at punter at Liverpool's previous superclub Cream. Seen as though that's how most of us in Liverpool fell in love with the dance scene, it's no wonder that Yousef has found that secret ingredient which made Circus go from strength to strength.
You shot to fame after you won the Bedroom Bedlam competition, do you help new Djs coming through who are in the same position you were?
Yes all the time. I endeavour to keep an ear out for new Dj's and Producers and offer them slots in the regular DJ competitions I have at Circus.
Have you got any recommendations for good up and coming Dj's?
Work Hard, Love your music, Be Yourself and understand that it takes time.
Apart from dance music what other music do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of soul, some good pop is refreshing sometimes. Good Hip Hop and really broad stuff. Brian Wilson to the Brazilian girls LCD to Prince. I love it all.
What is the key ingredient that makes Circus so successful?
Effort! We work very hard to make it a great monthly party. I do my best to have the most broad line up's I can while offering something appealing and new each month. The crowd are very enthusiastic about new music too. Overall we have a good team (Richard, Lewis and I) who all do our bit.
So Circus' 3rd Birthday is fast approaching, did you start Circus with a wish list of Dj's you wanted to put on, if so do is there anyone you would like to play a Circus that you haven't booked yet?
That's exactly what I did. I visualised the big picture and hoped for the best. I was fortunate to have a good group of supportive DJ friends who were happy to play for me for cheap when we first opened. I'm trying to book lots of people. Wait and see!!
Have you any other plans for Circus events outside Liverpool?
No, I've not got the time with djing all over the world.
Your record box has taken you around the globe, what has been highlight for you so far?
I'd say the exit festival in Serbia was the best globe trotting gig I've done. It was truly an amazing experience, being involved in a festival with a deep yet positive meaning. Also kicking the shit of 25000 people to close the whole 4 day festival on the main dance stage at 6am Monday morning, helped make it special.
You have just been on a tour of South America. Where did you go and what were the highlights?
I was due to play Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil and then swing up to San Diego in America. Most of it didn't happen. To be blunt after the Argentina gig(which went really well) I got totally fucked over by "Copa Airlines", got that "Copa Airlines!!!" They didn't have my booking although I produced a receipt, then they told me I needed to buy another ticket, which I did, then they told me that they had in fact over sold the flight so I couldn't get on anyway, even though I had now bought 2 tickets? Which meant I missed my gigs? I am home now (another long story) but I'm going to fly back to America to do the last gig this weekend.
If you could play in any location in the world, where would it be?
Anywhere warm, intimate and outside
If you could work with any artist dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Andy Kauffman. He was a wonderful behaviour scientist. really funny, really dark yet really smart. He's not know for his music but he could sing great. He's dead now (apparently)but I would have loved to have met him.
When was the last time you were strutting you stuff on the dancefloor and who was playing?
It was circus last week when Phil Charnock and Will Jazz were dropping the disco
Although djing is a very exciting job, it must get tiring when you are travelling so much, what do you do to when your not djing?
I work my brown ass off all the time. If I'm not Djing I run Circus, look after Carioca, produce music, do remixes or "try" to stay fit. I'm also trying to get into the property game. Something to fall back on....
Do you have any future releases planned?
Lots! At Carioca I have an EP by Jordan Fields which is really hot, then one by Lee Mortimer which is equally nasty. Then the main project is my "friends" collaborations album which features tracks from me with Nic Fanculli, Paul Woolford, Gene Farris, Onionz, Justin Long, Alex Wolfenden and more. It's a great project. Strength in numbers..It's good fun. Other than that I have remixes from 100% (Grace of God), and Kid Massive (Alright) coming very soon. Hopefully the Ian Brown remix will be out eventually too.
What do you have keeping you busy over the next year?
I'm going to work my ass off this year finishing music (a few vocal projects) so I can take the first 7 weeks off next year to go and live in South America to learn Spanish. I'm determined! Other than that I'm not sure yet. My diary is not open.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Yousef and all the best for the future.x
Thank you, You too
