There are DJs that are known for their music, and there are DJs that are known for their faces, but when it comes down to a full on musical experience, Danny Howells is a name and a face that you’ll never forget. The UK DJ/producer is one of the most talented and respected artists in the electronic dance music world, tirelessly playing gig after gig and creating a unique experience for the faithful followers that grace his dance floors night in and night out, the followers that don't leave until the final track ends and the lights come on.
Clubplanet recently caught up with Danny Howells and chatted about his extensive touring schedule, his tag-team gigs with DJ/producer Lee Burridge and what to expect from him for Winter Music Conference.
Clubplanet: How’s the year been for you so far?
Danny Howells: Pretty good actually. I finished up the year in Austrailia, I had like two weeks out there for New Year’s and did a small tour. Then I went back to England in January and took some time off. I started DJing again last weekend so I’m now dealing with the "not sleeping" thing, but aside from that its been really good.
CP: Is it hard for you to adapt to the schedule once again after you’ve taken such a long break?
Danny Howells: Yes. People say that you benefit from it, but really I don’t think you do. For me personally, when you take four to five weeks off you start to get caught up in all of these domestic things and you start neglecting your music a little bit. When you do have to get back on, it’s really nerve wracking to have three sleepless nights after that first date. You get a bit anxious about it, but thankfully it went really really well.
CP: You’re playing this Saturday night with Lee Burridge at New York City’s Santos Party House. Can you go into that a little bit?
Danny Howells: If started off with me doing five dates with him originally, and we’d play different each night depending on the feeling we had. For example, in LA we did one record each for the entire night, and on other dates we’d do one set each, so we like to play it different each night. It’s so much fun. Lee is one of the DJs I’ve played with most, and musically, I think that we have a lot of crossover areas which makes it really good fun when we actually get to play together. I think we also have quite different approaches since we play records. I’ve always looked up to Lee since he’s such a great DJ with a great personality and has such great selections. So when we do get a chance to play together I really get a buzz off of it.
CP: You’ll also be playing with Lee in Miami for Winter Music Conference. But, what can everyone expect from you for you Dig Deeper party?
Danny Howells: A lot of guys typically put together a grand plan for their parties. But really I like to put as much effort into everyone of my gigs as I can. It doesn’t matter where you are, or what country you’re in, or whether it’s a Saturday night or it’s a Tuesday. You always have to put the same effort into every gig. At the end of the day you have to put the absolute maximum effort into it. It’s so much fun because you have so many different people from so many different countries. It’s one of those rare occasions when you get to play to different people you know in the same room. That creates a bit more of a special vibe and that will reverberate around the room.
CP: What do you like about Winter Music Conference outside of the events?
Danny Howells: It’s really changed a lot for me over the years. I used to go and spend days and days going to different parties and seeing all these different people that you’re only used to conversing with on email. But more recently it has changed a lot. Communication is so much more open now between DJs and producers, so now I really don’t go there to meet up with people. The last few years I’ve only really been to the parties I’ve played at because I was always shooting off to another gig. This year will be different because I’m actually playing more parties.
CP: What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?
Danny Howells: I’ve got absolutely zero clue. I’ll be working at the Dig Deeper label and looking to see where we can take that into for the next year. I’ll also possibly be doing a compilation with all of the Dig Deeper stuff that has been out so far. Other than that, there really isn’t a grand plan. Just keep playing gigs and taking time off regularly to stay in a semi-healthy state.