Zone Magazine Issue 040 – Wally Lopez Cover –

Well Folks, Lots of great things happening here at Zone HQ just for you lot, so keep coming back! Well its Winter 2024, and we have a whopper packed issue with all the regulars, and lots of interviews! Just to let you guys know, we are back to bio-monthly now!

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In our feature interviews in this issue we talk to cover artist and Spanish Legend Wally Lopez. Born in San Blas in Madrid, 1976, Angel David López starts his career as a DJ and radio presenter at the early age of thirteen. With an innovative programme, specialized in dance music, he broadcasts his sessions at Top Radio (Spain) in the early mornings of the weekend. Wally, a pioneer of the house music in Spain, starts his career as producer in 2000 by launching the label Weekend Records, and remixing artists such as Tiësto, Marco V, Valentino Kanzyani, Dirty Vegas, Bob Sinclar and Robbie Riviera. Many of his records are successfully published with renowned labels including Defected, Underwater, Yoshitoshi and Subliminal.

” Trust Wally is a movement to help up and coming DJ’s to be heard using my radio show as a speaker for them. Not just newcomers “

 

From the UK we speak to JIMPSTER a.k.a. Audiomontage, a.k.a. Franc Spangler, real name Jamie Odell, is a British born house producer and DJ. Together with Tom Roberts, he founded the labels Freerange Records and Delusions of Grandeur. While producing his own tracks and playing live shows, Jimpster has also worked on remixes, including a remix of the song 400 years by Bob Marley. Born into a musical family, Jimpster was influenced and encouraged by his father Roger Odell who is the drummer in the jazz-funk band Shakatak. It was there that he was first exposed to electronic synthesizers and recording equipment at around age 10.

” The majority of my most amazing moments in music are from my time spent touring with a live band called The Bays. For about 6 years from the start of the 00’s we got to play some crazy gigs that I’m so grateful to have got to experience “

Our boss-man Paul Newhouse catches up with GEZ VARLEY aka UFO aka G-Man, from the UK. Gerrard Varley hailing from the UK is an electronic producer, live act, and DJ, who was a member of LFO during the 1990s and later and now releasess under the moniker G-Man. Varley founded LFO in 1990 with Mark Bell, whom he had known since 1984. Their first release LFO was released by Warp Records in 1990 and reached the British single charts, and went on to sell 150,000 copies worldwide in 1990. During the 1990s Gez focused on his solo productions. His debut album Kushti was released in 1996 as G-Man. In the same year he left LFO. He released music on his own imprint G Records as well as on the German labels Studio K7 and Force Inc. Music Works. In 2000, he founded the label GMR Records.

 ” Yeah I think DJ’s should be heard and not seen to be honest. In the old days the DJ’s were tucked away in the corner or at the back of the club. Now it’s all gone crazy with super DJ’s. Hopefully it will get back to being underground again (fingers crossed )! “

Paul also talks to Miss SAMMY DEAN from the UK. With decades of house music knowledge and passion, Sammy brings you an eclectic mix of house, classics, disco, and 80’s edits with an uplifting party vibe. Her versatility also leads to an occasional dive into some dirtier tech house beats, catering from warm up to peak time sets. Frequenting the sweaty dance floor of Legends nightclub in Warrington at the tender age of 17, started a love of house music which led Sammy to purchase her first set of Technics 1210’s at 18 and she has been engrossed in the scene ever since. Winner of this year’s ‘Slip back in time’ Mix Factor competition, judged by legends Slipmatt, Rob Tissera and Ratpack, Sammy played a winner’s set at iconic Ibiza club Es Paradis.

 ” last year I played in the spike bar in the glade at Glastonbury, it was a special moment, as the bar was packed and I received an ovation at the end of my set “

 

Paul Sawyer has a quick chat with the Lord of the dark beat, MOSHIC. Moshic rose to power in the early ‘00s and helped to solidify a sound only the Israeli underground could deliver. A whirlwind of international gigs and high profile media attention made him a global star and then as quickly as he’d risen, he was suddenly a ghost. After a sizable hiatus, Moshic is back and better than ever pushing his trademark club sound to the masses. Krafted has enlisted his talents for their forthcoming 10 year anniversary compilation, and long time Moshic fan, Simon Huxtable sat down with him recently to chat.

From France we speak to PASCAL KLEIMAN. A French artist, who has no arms and who works with his feet, the truth is that until you see him live you have a hard time believing it. I imagine the beginnings were complicated. Our man Luz has a chat at this wonderful inspiring chap. A DJ since 1989, playing the best clubs and festivals worldwide. Born in Toulouse, he started in the world of music from the explosion of French free radio during the 1980s. With his radio program Virus, he showcased independent underground punk and funk with the likes of ESG, Liquid Liquid and early electronic beats of A Split-Second and Front 242.

” In the era we are living in of so much globalization, what music is missing a little is identity and soul. That is why I believe that returning to work at a more local level can be a way to rediscover various musical identities or particular sounds that have been lost by finally always seeing the same artists in all places “

 

Also from the UK, we catch up with the youngest artist we have had here at Zone, PULSAR. Young DJ Pulsar has become quite the phenomenon this past few years. Mirroring his dad on the 1210’s from the unbelievable age of just 2 years old, competently mixing CDJs at 3, and engaging in viral, vinyl live streams online at 8. Jay is without question destined for the top, having already smashed the dance floors of some of the top UK institutions. Pulsar’s future is looking incredibly bright so after several months of watching this 11 year old super talented young man, Paul Newhouse, just had to have a chat!

” Nick from Hardtrance Europe had seen me playing a lot on social media so he invited me down to play at his night called Hindsight in Exeter in November 2023. I played a classic Hardtrance set on a Funktion One Soundsystem which I absolutely loved “

 

From The Netherlands Thorsten chats to author ROBERT HAAGSMA. Robert is Netherlands’ largest vinyl connoisseur. He shared several moments with all the great artists of the world and has a record collection that a department store could not accommodate. As a Dutch freelance music journalist he works for various media such as Algemeen Dagblad, Aardschok, Aloha, Record Collector and Revolver’s Lust for life. In addition, he published books about André Hazes, Rob de Nijs, Pink Floyd and he wrote the book Vinylfanaten. In 2012, ‘Golden Earring, the American Dream’ rolled off the press, which Haagsma wrote together with author Jeroen Ras.

” Together with Anouk Rijnders from Record Industry, a list of interview candidates is made. That’s where it starts. Then it’s up to me to prepare. Which I do as thoroughly as possible. Then it is a matter of conducting and transcribing the interviews “

As if all that was not enough of course we have our regular reviews and charts from the talented and dynamic Zone crew. Also this issue we continue Zone Magazine’s FREE exclusive DJ Mix series. As usual we would like to thank all of our very many talented contributors and friends who provide so much content, love and support for what we are doing, they are listed on the left hand column on this page if you want to contact them directly with the latest news.

From myself and the whole Zone crew, we just wanted to say thanks again for your continued support, peace.

Paul & Zone Magazine Crew!