Exclusive Interview with Sarah Main

Recently we had the opportunity to speak with Sarah Main. Read up on a lot of interesting things you may not have known about her.

Hello Sarah, nice to have you on MaxMuzik! As this is your first interview with us, let’s start off with a little background. How did you get into music? Please tell us about the beginning of your career as a DJ.
I had a friend who was a turntablist so he was the one who originally inspired me with this art form… I was only 16 though and too shy to ask him for a go at the time! I actually started at 18 when a friend gave me a chance to take a spin on his technic 1200’s turntables… When I matched the beats first go I was hooked… I then locked myself away for 3 months and practised day and night! I then took my mixtape to the streets and picked up my first residency in Sydney at a club called Byblos… from there I never looked back, playing all around Australia before I heard about this magical island that hosted all the best DJ’s in the world… I packed my bags and headed to Ibiza in 1999.

For our readers who’ve never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words.
Warm, groovy, funk infused, house.

Can you offer insight into some of your musical inspirations? And who is your favorite artist from Electronic music outside your own specific genre?
Derrick Carter and Mark Farina opened up a whole new world for me when I heard their mix tapes and eventually saw them live. It was this organic layering of sounds working on 3 -4 decks that left me in awe. …that was back in 96 and well, I am still inspired by these guys and try to emulate that mixing style..!! Mathew Herbert is simply GENIUS when it comes to electronic music! I got his album Bodily Functions back in 2001 and it blew my mind.

Ibiza… as you’ve mentioned your “new” home, what’s special about it? And more than 10 years of your Pacha residency, how was the experience like for you?
I, like a lot of people connect with Ibiza with all its beauty and special energy. I felt such a strong connection that I decided Ibiza HAD to be my home. I am an absolute believer in the ability to manifest whatever you want if you have enough desire and passion. I started with Pacha in 2001 and it has been a wonderful, exciting, rich journey. I have been blessed to work with many of my idols and traveled the world touring with the fabulous Pacha team. Playing in the main room of Pacha gives you total job satisfaction! The energy in that room is like no other.

What are you up to in 2014? Please tell us about your new projects and collaborations in this year.
Its a big year this year.. We have started the MAINroom Dj agency which is growing nicely plus we have our first release, with a remix from myself out now on our new imprint MAINroom music. I have a track coming out in the next few weeks on Room Service Recordings and about 20 more coming out over the course of the year. I work a lot with my Ibiza brother Luciano Nieto who is a great producer and Dj who puts an elegant emotion into everything he does… I am producing a new How To DJ series plus I will be continuing on with my summer Yamabooki TV series interviewing all the top DJ’s who come to play here.

You’ve started your new weekly radio show “MAINroom”, and you cover interesting tracks selection. How’s your experience so far and how do you pick your tracks for the show?
I have been doing the radio show for the last 4 years but we just started with the new format at the start of the winter. It is an hour long featuring only pure house music. I choose the music based on the music I buy to DJ so its like sharing my live sets with people around the world 🙂 I love radio for this point… you have a such broader reach.

Could you tell us about your music production process? Also your equipment and the setup you use in your live shows.
I love the creation process… For me its like DJing or like painting. I never know what I am going to do… there is no plan beforehand or even a concept… it is just a ‘happening’. I think this is the most satisfying creative approach. When I DJ I am a Pioneer girl with 3 CDJ’s, 900 mixer and my RMX 1000 which is an unbelievable toy!

Speaking of shows, what are your touring plans for 2014?
Coming up I have gigs in France, Budapest, Ukraine, Canada, New York, Miami, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Brasil. Plus all the summer gigs here in Ibiza once Summer kicks in.

What artists would your fan be surprised to find on your music player/iPod?
Haha… well I grew up listening to Heavy Metal… and I still hang onto my Gun’s and Roses collection… plus Jeff Buckley is always there to help me when I need to escape from the 4 to the floor!

Any final thoughts or parting words?
Find and follow your passion!!!!… and follow it the way that it makes you happy not the way you think it will make others happy… Once you satisfy your own creative needs you will naturally succeed. Thanks for having me and see you on the dancefloor in Ibiza 2014!!!!

Follow Sarah Main: Web | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | iTunes | YouTube