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The single ’If This Ain’t Love’ is very different from the sound of your band, are you a big fan of house music?

Skin: Yes I love house music; I’ve been a bit of a raver for a very long time and have incorporated many ideas from house music into my band and solo projects over the years. Ministry Of Sound was the first club I ever went to as a teenager, I still feel it holds the best sound system in London, The End Came in a very close second.

How did the collaboration with Erick Morillo and Eddie Theonick come about?

Skin: I’ve know Erick for many years, we’ve had many good times together :-) We’ve talked about it for ages so now its great to see we finally got round to working together. He introduced me to Eddie who’s been fun and great to work with also.

Where did you record the single ‘If This Ain’t Love’?

Skin: I recorded the vocals in my friend Joel Shearer’s studio in downtown Los Angeles.

You wrote the lyrics to If This Ain’t Love, what is the message behind the song?

Skin: The song is really about the community of being on the dance floor during your favorite tune surrounded by all your friends having the best time ever and feeling the spiritual connection dancing brings to people all moving at the same time, to the same beat, all tribes throughout history have communal dancing woven very deeply into their societies, its about everyone feeling the sense of togetherness dancing brings.

How do you know if you are in love?

Skin: Its different for everyone, sometimes you don’t know until years after the relationship has ended, hindsight is always wise, bitter regrets all consuming. Sometimes it slaps you in the face so hard it makes your head spin off its axis and other times it ebbs and grows like a fine wine that can last a lifetime.

What did you like about the idea for the video?

Skin: I get to wear some crazy shit!

Have you seen Erick or Eddie DJ, if yes, where and what did you think about their sets?

Skin: Yes I’ve seen Erick play many times over the years from his effect driven sets at Space in the 90′s to the powerful kila sets at Subliminal in Pasha, he’s a true performer, he really connects with the people and knows exactly when to give the room space to breathe and when to slam it down. He style has beautiful movement and flow; I like his sets a lot. I saw Eddie play at Pasha last summer in Ibiza, I don’t remember much that night but I do remember he killed it! Fun guy too!

You also DJ, how did you get in to the scene? 

Skin: I originally started as a rock DJ at college playing vinyl but then skunk happened and I didn’t have time for it. Then around 2008 I started playing out again, this time playing more rock mixed with electronic beats but gradually I realized I enjoyed playing house music a lot more which was great because that’s what people wanted to hear, so eventually I just went for it and started playing house music full time.

How would you describe your sound when you DJ? 

Skin: I’ve endured many disadvantages being a DJ coming from another art form, especially a lead singer of such a big band but the main advantage is that people don’t know what to expect from me so I can get away with playing quite varied music depending on how I feel and how the dance floor speaks to me, if you mix well you can really be quite imaginative. The roots of my sound is dirty baseline tech house, deep house and techno but I tend to throw in an indie-track or some weird wild card for fun if I feel the people can take it!

Where would be your dream place to DJ?

Skin: I’m going to keep that one to myself, don’t wanna jinks it!

What is your idea of a good night out?

Skin: Start with a good movie, dinner with friends in a great place or home cooking, Getting ready, sorting out a good outfit over homemade cocktails, some friend controlling the tunes, quick drink in a great bar, (I hate pubs, they are too depressing.) then off to a club to rave all night making sure I get home before the sun comes up (unless I’m in Ibiza) as I’m not a fan of the walk of shame.

Where is your favorite country to party in?

Skin: Easily its STILL Ibiza, I have a house there and although I’ve seen many changes over the years, some incredible, some horrific, it never ceases to be a place when I can properly chill and relax if I want, or party all night if i want. I think its finally getting the respect and reputation back that it lost during years of nasty TV shows like ‘Ibiza Uncovered’, I’m happy to see it moving on, shaping and molding itself into something fresh and new. It still holds the crème de la crème of DJs and house music, the best of the big guys still rock giving guaranteed satisfaction, but I’m happy to see it open up for fresh young talent, new blood needs to course through its veins like irreverent anti-bodies if Ibiza wants to maintain its musical supremacy and world class reputation.

Erick Morillo, Eddie Thoneick feat. Skin – If This Ain’t Love is released 14th February. http://bit.ly/zXChh6

Posted in: Interviews | Posted on February 8, 2012 by Beatsmedia