As a founding member of English synth-pop band Hot Chip and a renowned solo artist, producer and selector, Joe Goddard is a stranger neither to stage nor DJ booth.
Alas, on Thursday, July 27th, he is about to make his debut at the iconic Back To Mine party series at the equally illustrious Pikes Ibiza.
We caught up with the multi-talented musician to find out all his after party secrets, his favourite things about Ibiza and Pikes, and to see whether we can get a sneak preview of his Back To Mine set…
Joe, what is your connection to Ibiza like?
We’ve been visiting here a lot, and I’ve played out here numerous times both with Hot Chip and solo, so I’m super happy to be back on the island!
You’re about to make your “Back To Mine” debut. What does that mean to you?
That’s right! I love a party where I’m given free artistic range. As a DJ, you feel a kind of commitment to entertain the crowd by playing certain ‘bangers’ and hits, and it’s a joy to do that. But it can mean that you are a little bit constricted in terms of what you can play.
For someone who has never been to Pikes, what, in your opinion, makes it so special?
I would say that Pikes just draws a really interesting clientele. For me, it’s all about the people that you meet and the friends you make there. It’s always a really interesting bunch.And, of course, with Freddie’s being Freddie Mercury’s old suite, the venue has that homely feel perfect for a ‘back to mine’ vibe…
Yes, it does. And Pikes has got that history since its inception that makes it so much more colourful and strange than other clubs on the island. And that’s what I love about it… it’s not afraid to be itself or to fall on the wilder bit of the spectrum.
What did you learn first? To play an instrument or to play records?
I started as a musician before I became a DJ; I started to pick up the guitar and play the keyboard when I was 13 or 14 years old, and then learned how to use my computer to make beats. I developed an interest in DJing when I was around 17 and bought my first turntable. I had a summer job helping to redecorate my family’s house and every week I would be paid a small amount of cash – and I would take it to a record store in South London and spend it all on vinyl. So the two things have kind of gone in tandem.
You must have an amazing record collection. Can you give us a sneak preview of which route you might go down with your set?
Oh I’ve made a massive playlist and it revolves around a little slower, left-field disco vibe. But I still want to entertain the crowd and play some gutsier, deeper tracks I’ve been enjoying recently.
You must have had some pretty epic after parties… Any stories you can share?
We had a really good one at my place in North London a few years ago after I played a show with LCD Soundsystem at Alexandra Palace. After that gig a load of people literally came ‘back to mine’, including various members of the band and the guy who plays Dr. Who on the famous British TV show – Matt Smith? I didn’t know him, but he had been in the audience and we kind of befriended him. I was playing vinyl, just randomly picking records off the shelf, but that was a really good one. I have bumped into him since and we both have very fond memories of that party!
What do you like to do in Ibiza in your free time?
When I’m out here it’s always quite a ‘foodie’ experience, visiting a lot of restaurants and shopping at the delicatessen and wine shops.
And what can your fans look forward to for the rest of the year?
There is a new Hot Chip Single about to be released which is called “Fire Of Mercy”.
And I’m just putting the finishing touches to a new solo album that will be coming out early next year. There will also be a handful more Hot Chip live shows and various DJ sets.
Register yourself for the free guest list for Back To Mine via www.pikesibiza.com.
