Steve Lawler - Viva La Space Terrace Ibiza

Space Ibiza's massive week this week shows no sign of diminishing with this Thursday seeing the opening night of Steve Lawler's new Viva residency. Ever since Steve revealed to RA back in May that Sasha would be joining him for the new residency, excitement has been building around the night.

While the main room will be closed for the opening night - Sasha's Fundacion residency inside will start from next week - Space's new terrace will be getting plenty of action where Steve will be joined by Slam and Peace Division's Clive Henry with Pete Gooding and Italy's Audiofly/DJ Remoholding down the fort in the Premier E'tage.

RA caught up with Steve Lawler - last seen lurking in the background casting a fine eye over proceedings on the new terrace this past weekend at We Love...Sundays - to find out the latest details regarding the residency.

"The concept behind it is simple - to have a good time and get off to quality music. There are a lot of like-minded people on that island, that love getting deep down and dirty, which fits Ibiza perfectly"

Can you give us a sneak preview of what the design, look and feel of Viva at Space will be like? What records will you be playing?

The night is about having a party to underground music. Pushing the boundaries of not only music but also our antics!!

A quote that I'm using to sum up Viva perfectly is,

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels. The troublemakers. The problem child. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them".

What is the fundamental idea or concept behind Viva?

The concept behind it is simple - to have a good time and get off to quality music. There are a lot of like-minded people on that island, that love getting deep down and dirty, which fits Ibiza perfectly.

During Viva, the terrace at Space will be open all the way through from 10 to 6 in the morning. How long is your set going to be and how is the whole night going to be structured?

I'll end up playing 3 to 4 hours, no marathon sets here. It's not about that. I'm going to have Audiofly and DJ Remo opening the night (both Italians) and there will be another guest playing alongside myself. Maybe some back to back action. We're just gonna go with it. Nothing is set by any guidelines, no pressure, no rules, no schedules, just a lot of fun!

I understand Sasha doesn't begin his Fundacion residency until the second party on the 28th of July. What is happening inside Space during the first launch party of Viva?

Nothing. I want to keep it closed. I want inside to be Sasha's and no one elses, along the people he is bringing with him. On the opening I think people are going to have to turn up early to avoid long queues or not get in. And that's what I want. Without the inside open the place will only fit about 1500 people...and that will make a party in itself.

Why did you choose to work with Pete Gooding for Viva?

Pete is a long time friend of mine. We used to go to school together. He's also the DJ that I handed over the hollowed Mambo turntables to way back.

I want the Premier E'tage to be his own, playing more alternative sounds. It's going to be called "Alternativa with Pete Gooding" and we are bringing in headline acts to play alternative sets; something they don't usually get to play in clubs.

I will be doing at least one set there. Tong wants to do one, Sasha will do one. Dave Seaman rang me and asked if he could come and do one. So people will get to hear us play a more "Back To Mine" set...something I'm really excited about.

"we are bringing in headline acts to play alternative sets...Tong wants to do one, Sasha will do one. Dave Seaman rang me and asked if he could come and do one. So people will get to hear us play a more "Back To Mine" set..."

In an interview you mentioned that the role of a DJ was to create an incredible experience that is as surreal and as far away from reality as possible. How will you create this ambiance for your Viva at Ibiza?

In many ways, first and foremost is the music of course. But then we will add other elements to the pot like drag queens, performers, decor, good lighting and good continental crowd of people. I want it to be like a masquerade ball somewhere in the middle of our imagination. I want it to be like a party you can only imagine.

How is Viva going to be different from your previous Sundays at Space residency?

It's going to be different firstly because it's going to be more underground on the terrace and with no rules really, no long list of DJs...think more DC10 or Cocoon...and it's a night on the terrace, something that hasn't been done before at Space.

What will you be up to during your free time at Ibiza when you're not spinning? Will you be getting a tan and hanging out at the beach?

Yes. That, and listening to music by my pool. That's all I do when I'm out there is chill and constantly listen to music. No tours, no studio time, no TV...just going through music preparing myself for the weekends...and hopefully getting a tan.

What do you like most about playing at Ibiza?

Ibiza is the best place in the world to listen to music, enjoy music and enjoy time with friends.

What guest DJs are you most excited about playing with at Viva at Space?

Rolando, Slam, Lazarus, Tania Vulcano, Derrick May, X-Press2, Josh Wink, Audiofly. Most of them to be honest but mainly Rolando because I haven't heard him spin for a while so I am very interested in what he will do.

Will you be checking out Sasha's set when you're not playing? What do you think of his Fundacion residencies?

Yes, definitely. We had a gig together in Toronto recently, where we played back to back for a while. It would have gone on for 10 hours but the cops came and shut us down.

After that we were talking, getting hyped up about Ibiza ad it seems there might be a few surprise back-to-back sessions going on there. We'll just go with the flow...but it was something we both really enjoyed doing.

What would you generally like to achieve in the next few years, aside from the usual DJ work?

I want to get into movies. It's something that has always interested me. I just finished a remix of a title track from a horror movie coming out called "The Skeleton Key".

The Director himself, Iain Softley, requested that I do it so hopefully there might be something else down the line there. I want to get a script and write a piece of music to the scene, do something really fresh.

It's the same basis as making a record for a dancefloor. You make a song with a mood in mind or an emotion. I want to apply that to a scene in a film. That excites me.