IVAN SMAGGHE Interview - Stealth 6th Brithday
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To headline the >ZLEEP< room at the Stealth 6th Birthday this Friday, we are looking forward to welcoming back a man who stands at the crossroads between glamorous Parisian hype and musical integrity, Stealth favourite IVAN SMAGGHE.
Ivan's 'Test' radio show and compilations imposed a new vision of leftfield electronica on Radio Nova and his programming for the two past years has been a faultless example of quality eclecticness. Though Smagghe hails from the early days of the Parisian underground - both through his connection with the defunct Rough Trade record shop and remixing contributions on various formats - he came back to music production in 2001 by launching his own Set imprint.
How long ago did you start djing & producing?
What was the first record you ever bought?First paid set in 1992. Production came later, ‘96 probably.
And what was the last record (or track) you bought?Soft Cell's ‘Tainted Love’ was the first I bought with my own money.
Who were your main inspirations that got you into djing & production?An EP by Dionigi called 'They Have Black Eyes’ on Quantity Division: Italian. Amongst others.
How many records are in your collection?My dad and his love for Tangerine Dream. Throbbing Gristle, Severed Heads, and Soft Cell probably. Belgian new beat. I'm coming from a 'rock' background, so Weatherall has to be the man responsible for getting me properly into dance music. Dimitri from Amsterdam was a DJ I loved and loads of others. Harvey counted a lot at some point. Many others over the years really.
I stopped counting and collecting when I lost 20,000 records in a fire back in 1998.

What are your 3 most played tracks at the moment?
What do you do when you are not djing / producing?Some unreleased tracks by French hopes DARABI (check Get The Curse for more info), 'Broken Clock' by CHALLENGE on Marketing, and an EDDIE C remix of SEAN BROSNAN on Needwant.
What is your biggest fear?Read. Watch movies. Not TV, movies. Being angered by too many believing in the final victory of capitalism.
Stealth is 6 years old this Friday. What did you do on your 6thLoss of a loved one. Including my cat.
birthday?
If you could pick 3 Dj's (past or present) to play at your partyToo far away to remember I’m afraid. But I asked my mum for my first record in 1977. 'Manureva' by Alain Chamfort, a French pop track of which I’ve always wanted to sample first four bars.
who would you pick?
What is your favourite memory of Stealth?Dimitri from Amsterdam circa 1992, Poltergeist, an early Belgian legend whom I was never able to hear, and Nathan Wilkins really playing what he wants. They’re 3 amongst many though.
The quality of it's residents, Matt Tolfrey and Dave Congreve. And it was always a pleasure to see James Bailie.
Ivan will be playing alongside Tim Green, Dave Congreve & Zleep DJs at the Stealth 6th Birthday event this Friday.
Tickets are available from Alt-Tickets, Stealth Online or in person from Rock City Box Office.