INTERVIEWS WITH OAKENFOLD, DJ RAP, KEN JORDAN OF THE CRYSTAL METHOD & STEVE LAWLER ARE BELOW

written by Shawn Wallace

Everyone knows that the annual migration of DJs, producers, and electronic music fans to Miami during March every year involves a week of parties at the numerous clubs and venues spread across the beautiful beachside city. But after a week of club-hopping and poolside debauchery, there is only one place that brings the whole experience together... the annual Ultra Music Festival. At this event, now on it's 7th year, thousands of enthusiastic dance music fans to listen and dance to over a 100 top DJs and electronic artists all in one massive outdoor location. This year Ultra is the official closing party of the Winter Music Conference, and what a way to top off conference week in Miami!

The first time my wife and I made the trip down, we were struck by the coins in the ashtray vibrating out onto the floorboard from the bass traveling between the downtown skyscrapers... and we were several blocks away! As we got closer, not only did the vibrations grow stronger, but our anticipation was driven through the sunroof as we heard the rolling thunder of the crowds cheering and the music coming from the Bayfront Park. Once we successfully navigated our way into the park grounds that were bulging at the seams with bodies, the biggest problem (if you want to call it a problem) was determining who to watch: Icey on the breaks stage, Steve Lawler by the water, Kosheen, or The Crystal Method in the amphitheater to name only a few that played that year.

Today as we gear up for what is sure to be the biggest and best conference ever, documentary DVDs like the "UMF Experience 2004" and the stunning "Peace, Love & Beats" only provide a temporary fix for the urge to travel south for what is clearly the best festival in the United States. With Ultra headliners like Moby, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Rap, The Crystal Method, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Danny Tenaglia, and Carl Cox, there is no question that those of you who make it to Miami are sure to be in the for time of your lives!

Raves.com is thrilled to offer the first ever offering of this kind (anywhere!!)... four superstar ULTRA headlining acts answering the same questions to give you the real lowdown on ULTRA and the Miami conference experience!

PAUL OAKENFOLD

1How do you prepare for Ultra and the rest of the WMC?
I let people know that I am looking for new music all year round so that I will have great new tracks to play at Ultra.

How important is conference (and playing at Ultra) to what you do professionally the rest of the year?
Both of them are an important part of the dance community.

Will you be debuting anything new at Ultra or elsewhere at
conference?
Perfecto will be hosting a party at Crobar where we will have new artist performing.

Any favorite moments from when you played Ultra in years past?
One year when I was playing the sun was blazing down on the turntables and the records were literally warping in front of me. We had to get a sun screen to put in front of the DJ booth that we kept having to move around.

What do you think has made Ultra such a success over the years?
The people who come.

If you had one piece of advice to give someone who was coming to Miami for conference for the first time ever, what would it be?
Be prepared not to sleep!

DJ RAP

How do you prepare for Ultra and the rest of the WMC?
practice practice and yes, more practice!

How important is conference (and playing at Ultra) to what you do professionally the rest of the year?
it's a vital part of our dance scene, a fantastic opportunity to showcase your music and your skills, and a chance for fans to see all the djs, peformers together..... i do the same all year round....as well as recording albums, and endless studio time......

Will you be debuting anything new at Ultra or elsewhere at
conference?
yes my new drum and bass album called BULLETPROOF. i cant wait!!!!!

Have you played Ultra before and what was it like for you?
this is my 7th year.... they are really always good, this will be my fav. i can tell.... we are like family now. nothing negative, just good vibes.

What do you think has made Ultra such a success over the years?
a combination of their team, promoters who work endlessly, good pr, they just pick the right acts, djs.. the really try and succeed to make it an experience, not only a party....

6If you had one piece of advice to give someone who was coming to Miami for conference for the first time ever, what would it be?
take it easy... and pace yourself!!!! make sure your hotel is booked.

KEN JORDAN of THE CRYSTAL METHOD

How do you prepare for Ultra and the rest of the WMC?
I stock up on hangover curing pills.

How important is conference (and playing at Ultra) to what you do professionally the rest of the year?
Well, this year performing at Ultra and attending the conference is very important to us because CSII, our new mix cd, is coming out April 5th, and we're hoping to kick it off right at WMC.

Will you be debuting anything new at Ultra or elsewhere at
conference?
Community Service II is out on Ultra Records April 5th. We'll be
playing lots of tracks off the album at our various gigs at and around the conference.

Have you played Ultra before and what was it like?
Yes, we have played live during the day in 2002. I remember it was a great crowd, and probably the most memorable thing was all the fights backstage.

What do you think has made Ultra such a huge success over the years?
It is the biggest event of the conference and always has all of the
top talent.

If you had one piece of advice to give someone who was coming to Miami for conference for the first time ever, what would it be?
Rest up, you'll need your strength.

STEVE LAWLER

How do you prepare for Ultra and the rest of the WMC?
I SPEND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME GOING THROUGH NEW MUSIC, AND MAKING SOME SPECIAL RE-EDITS FOR MY SET.

How important is conference (and playing at Ultra) to what you do professionally the rest of the year?
THE CONFERENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT, IT'S THE ONLY TIME AND PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT HAS SUCH A HUGE INDUSTRY TURN OUT. FOR ME THE WMC IS ABOUT NEW MUSIC, PLAYING IT AND HEARING IT. THE CONFERENCE AND ULTRA HAVE A HUGE VARIETY OF ALL STYLES OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND THIS IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MAJOR PART OF THE CONFERENCE.

Have you played Ultra before?
YES I HAVE BEEN PLAYING THE ULTRA SINCE THE DAYS IT WAS ON THE BEACH! A FEW YEARS AGO NOW!

What do you think has made Ultra such a huge success over the years?
THE LIST OF ARTISTS / DJ’S THAT PLAY THE ULTRA, YEAR IN YEAR OUT.

If you had one piece of advice to give someone who was coming to Miami for conference for the first time ever, what would it be?
GET SOME REST BEFORE YOU COME, YOUR GONNA NEED IT!

Thank you!!