Playing in London can be a trivial achievement for some djs. Not for Brazilian Vitor Lima, though. He debuted in the capital last January and found this experience essential and productive for his career — bear in mind that he’s only 24 (with ten of them having been spent djing) and comes from a place where electronic music wasn’t a serious business until the end of 1990s. In Brazil he plays constantly at important festivals such as Skol Beats, XXXperience and Heineken Thirst. Despite having released three compilations and tried his hands at production a couple of times, Vitor hasn’t reached the stage of launching an authorial album yet.
On the 22 July he’s back in town to play for RAVE — The International Indoor Festival, alongside countrymen DJ Murphy (his tutor) and mate Phillip A. One week later, he returns to The Fridge for Logic’s 7th Birthday. To find out about his first time in London, personal tastes and plans for the future, I interviewed him a few of hours before his gig in Belo Horizonte — Brazil’s third biggest city. Even though he’s been around nearly a decade, things are still difficult for him, with last-minute changes in his sets, technical problems, embarrassing moments behind the decks . . . . Yet he’s all smiles and keeps his good mood anyway.
Vitor Lima @Innovate, The Fridge
In January you played for the first time in London, at The Fridge (Innovate) and The Factory (Twist). How were these first gigs in the UK? Did you enjoy it?
Yes, I did indeed! It’s different why people go out in Brazil from in England. Here, one of the last reasons is the music. Of course there are punters who go out for the sound, but people mainly go out because of the party itself, because of the promoter, whether there will be hot chicks, nice lads, free drinks . . . one of the last reasons is the dj. Actually, the dj is just a detail, even in a big party.
In London it’s completely different: the nightclubs don’t have the same glamour as Brazilian clubs regarding production and decoration, people go out because of the music, so this was my first impression. This experience opened my mind a lot, as it’s a completely new business and different because it extended from relationships with only local contacts in Brazil to work recognition abroad. It was worth all these years I’ve been researching and training to be able to show all my qualities in London, which is a place where you can do it. In Brazil, if you show everything you’ve got, you may end up scaring the crowd.
And how was your meeting with your sister Mariana, at the night you played for Innovate? I’ve been told she lives in Spain . . .
My sister is a citizen of the world. She’s lived and studied in Australia and now is back to Brazil. She went to Spain for a season to study and work in an advertisement company, but came back to finish her university. By the way, she’s crazy to go back to Barcelona and can’t wait! I reckon we’ll lose her again in August. It was nice to be with her because the most curious is the fact that my sister, beyond not be a big fan of electronic music, I think she’s the person who least saw me playing in my whole life. She’s only made it a few times to see me play and it was very special to have her at my debut in London. It was good as well for the company during the whole week I stayed there.
Vitor Lima & his sister @Innovate, The Fridge
Next month you are back to London, this time playing at RAVE — The International Indoor Festival. Have you got any tricks up your sleeves? Your elbow scratchings were very appreciated over there . . .
People there [London] give tricks much more importance than here. This story about the elbow, I had never done before. I’ve done it at home, just playing around, never for the crowd. It was a great fun and became a trademark, but I don’t want to be known only as “the elbow scratching DJ”. I’m always practicing, more because people like djs with good technique, a good repertory, effects and scratching skills.
I’d say that I’m felling a bit shy to play alongside DJ Murphy, who is my scratching teacher. Everything I’ve learnt was with him, listening and watching him playing, so don’t miss his set!
You are a Skol Beats regular. How many times have you played at the festival?
In total, four times. This was the second time playing in a good line-up slot in the main stage. I’ve played two times in other tents, I mean, I was the dj of the food area or the dj in charge of the soundtrack for VJs in the visual stage. This year I played in a nice slot in the main stage, though last year I played quite early. Sincerely, I think last year’s performance was better than this year’s, perhaps because I didn’t have so much pressure, as this year I was playing between LCD Soundsystem and The Prodigy. Skol Beats actually came late in my career, because in Brazil it’s all about contacts, so I took a bit long to fine someone in there who could hook me up.
Vitor Lima & Mike Redina @Innovate, The Fridge
What is your analysis of your performance this year?
It’s positive. It was very complicated, whether it was a big name or not, to play between two most awaited bands. At the same time is a prize. I’d play a one-hour set that turned into a 25-minute one. They asked me to adapt my set and play some breakbeat stuff, which is not my sound. It was nice for me in terms of my professional growth to be able to adapt my music to the sound played by these two bands, even if it wasn’t the kind of stuff I play normally. The negative side was the fact that I’d have a 45-minute slot that was reduced to only 25 minutes, including the technical problems. There weren’t 30,000 clubbers in front of me waiting for Vitor Lima. Everybody was there waiting for The Prodigy.
Have you finished your journalism course? Do you intend to pursue the career?
I didn’t finish the course for personal reasons at the time and because of feeling that, for the first time in my life, at the age of 20, I realised I could be a dj, that this business would pay me good money, that I could have a family, so this was all I always wanted, since I was 14. There wasn’t a reason for leaving this dream to come back to it later. Everything I’ve worked with was linked with music, like when I was at Jovem Pan FM radio covering electronic music and writing a column for the radio’s website. I ended up going to journalism because it was the closest career to electronic music without you being a musician, dj or producer.
Vitor Lima & the Never Enough crew @Innovate, The Fridge
Have you been producing your own tunes?
I’ve got three albums ready but I didn’t like any of them. They are three completely different stages and as a producer I’m a nice dj! I always need to produce with someone to guide me. I’ve got ideas but can’t make them real because of the technical issue. I’ve done loads of production courses and from August I’ll start my sixth, so I’m trying not to depend on someone.
To be in the studio is boring when you don’t know how to use everything, but I’m trying anyway. Now I’ve got a single that I really think can be released abroad. It’s a partnership with Rodrigo Ferrari and some djs have been spinning it lately.
Do you intend to create a live PA?
I’ve never wanted a live PA of my own productions. I want a cover one, which I’ve done a couple of times before. There is no cover band of electronic music, so I think it’d be nice to have one playing The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Basement Jaxx, so I’m seeking after this, a stage performance kind of thing. In Brazil, a project of a band with drummer, bass player, guitarist and singer is complicated and costs a lot of money.
Vitor Lima @Twist, The Factory
How do you define your musical style?
I like the story of me being a Brazilian version of Fatboy Slim, in the sense of being an unpredictable thing. I like to be an unpredictable dj. I have many phases, it depends. I had a time of playing hard techno, then just house, or progressive. Nowadays I’ve been playing a bit of everything. If I had to label it, I’d say I play progressive house and electro.
What producers have drawn your attention at the moment?
I’m an unconditional fan of those guys from Sweden, the famous Swedish House Mafia, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso. Though I think they’re getting boring and repetitive now, they’ve become commercial — they have the right to be, by the way. Two years ago I played Steve Angello and nobody knew that 19-year-old Swede. I also like some French producers like Joaquin Garrot. It’s not my kind of music but I like David Guetta, there’s a new guy called Chris Kaiser, Tiga is a famous guy for the concept behind his music, but came to Skol Beats and played only hits. Everybody found his set crap, but I loved it!
Vitor Lima, Maria and Mike Redina @Innovate, The Fridge
The Brazilian dj Phillip A will also be at Rave. What can you tell us about your childhood mate?
As I like to joke with him, he’s my trainee dj. I taught him to play in 1996 and we are very close friends. On the other hand we have an absurd musical divergence, he doesn’t like my sound and I hate his. It’s very funny. I think he plays some weird stuff and he finds my music cheesy. It’s nice to play together because one will not overshadow the other.
What are your three all-time tunes?
Underworld — ‘Born Slippy’
Joshua Ryan — ‘Pistol Whip’
Armand van Helden — ‘Witch Doctor’
When was your worst moment djing?
Just one? Gosh! I’ve had loads . . . . It’s terrible when you’re gonna play and there are no needles whatsoever. Last year I was playing in a nightclub in Brasília and someone threw a glass on my chest. I got a bruise for a week.
Vitor Lima @Innovate, The Fridge
What’s you most memorable moment?
Heineken Thirst 2002. Mau Mau and I shared the decks with Paul Oakenfold.
Who’s your favourite dj?
Brazilians: Fabrício Peçanha and Murphy.
Internationals: Pete Tong (he’s a nice guy for mixing different kind of music) and James Zabiela, for his skills.
Who’s your favourite producer?
Steve Angello. If I say another one I’ll be lying.
What’s your favourite nightclub?
Ibiza, in Balneário Camboriú (Santa Catarina state).
What’s your favourite label?
Skint.
Name five tracks you’ve been canning lately.
The Egg — ‘Walking Away’
Goldfrapp — ‘Number One’ (Steve Angello remix)
Vitor Lima and Rodrigo Ferrari — ‘You Know It’
Red Hot Chilli Peppers — ‘Can't Stop’ (house remix)
Nick & Danny Chatelain — ‘Is Killing Me’
Photos courtesy of Cheeky Chick and Mike Redina. Not to be reproduced without permission.
TICKETS:
From May 15 to May 22 £ 15 + Bf (Sold Out)
From May 22 to June 22 £20 + Bf
From June 22 to July 22 £ 25 + Bf
(All While Stock Last) More thereafter.
ResistAnts and Never Enough, in collaboration with Antiworld & Hommega Productions proudly present “RAVE – The International Indoor Festival”
Rave: v. to speak wildly, irrationally; to roar; to attend a rave.
n. the act or an instance of raving; an extravagantly enthusiastic opinion or review; an all-night dance party, especially one where techno, house or other electronically synthesized music is played.
Who better knows the meaning of RAVE than Never Enough Maria? She’s been working in the clubbing industry week in, week out for the last five years and now has teamed up with ResistAnts (Luisinho and Helio) for the first time, in partnership with Antiworld and Hommega Productions, to bring you RAVE – The International Indoor Festival.
Featuring a truly international line-up of the finest live acts and DJs from France, Israel, Germany, Portugal, South Africa and of course, not forgetting Brazil and the UK, we will take over the magic arches underneath London Bridge for an unforgettable instance of RAVING, a truly experience of all-night long mayhem.
The Main Room hosts the best in full-on psychedelic trance, with live performances from French Talamasca and Brazilian The Full On Project. Making their exclusive UK album launches, Israeli Intelabeam (Hommega) presents Looking for a Cure, while countryman Idor Ophir aka Domestic (Hommega) showcases his debut artist work Art Making Machine. Also, DJ sets from Antiworld residents Kristian and Sutekh, Hommega’s Pixel, Digital Hive’s DVI-X (Brazil) and Digoa Vs Kanan (Brazil).
Have you ever thought about a bigger hard dance act than Lab4? We neither, so our Hard Dance Room is dedicated for those who like it as harder and faster as usual. Joining Adam and Lez, Frank Ellrich aka A*S*Y*S – Acid Save Your Soul – spins his German hard trance sound for the second time in the SEOne Complex, alongside Hard Dance Awards 2005 Best DJ Proteus, from Finland. ResistAnts Portuguese DJs Vega and Rui M and Samba boy Marcelo Marques complete the bill.
Last, but not least, the Electro & Techno Room, hosted by Never Enough. This time, though, with as many skillful Brazilians as the international squad. Making his London debut, godfather DJ Murphy will play the latest in techno, having performed recently at the Skol Beats festival. Water Republic DJ agency bring again to the UK prodigy boy Vitor Lima and his elbow scratching skills, followed by rising star Phillip A. NRGFlow’s Mike Redina presents his techno set accompanied by JK Theory on percussion, while Kinky Mambo’s Eduardo Herrera will be canning his electro-flavored poison. If you fancy a funky Brazilian beats set, don’t miss Ponana’s very own Eddie Santos playing back to back Carnival expert Alec Fasani (Reaction DJs). To finish off in great style, Terry Brian featuring Saffa Cherry Crush.
So book a day-off on the following morning, as the 22nd July will be like celebrating the World Cup title.
British created football, but Brazilians have taken it to another level.British created RAVE, but Brazilians have become a synonym of hardcore clubbers.
Mixmag recently rated Brazil as the “new Ibiza”, so join us and judge yourself our party animal expertise!!!
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Psy Trance. House. Hard House. Funky Techno. Techno.
DJ's:
Psychedelic Trance Room
Talamasca (France) – Live + DJ Set
Intelabeam (Israel) - Live
Pixel (Israel) – 2 Hr DJ Set
Domestic (Israel) - Live
Kristian(Gilbrathar)
Sutekh (UK)
The Full On Project (Brazil)
Digoa Vs Kanan (Brazil)
DVI-X (Brazil)
Hard Dance Room
Lab4 A*S*Y*S (Germany)
Proteus (Finland)
Ross Vs Moon (UK)
DJ Vega (Portugal)
Rui. M (Portugal)
Marcelo Marques (Brazil)
Electro & Techno Room Hosted by Never Enough
DJ Murphy (Brazil) – London debut
Vitor Lima (Brazil)
Phillip A (Brazil)
Eduardo Herrera (Brazil)
Mike Redina Vs JK Theory – Live Percussion(UK)
Terry Brian Feat. Cherry Crush(UK)
Alec Fasani Vs Eddie Santos (Brazil)
From: Danny Gilliganon 6th Jul 2006 16:38.23 this boy is shit hot! when I see him at Twist he blew me away!
From: Danny Gilliganon 6th Jul 2006 16:38.25 this boy is shit hot! when I see him at Twist he blew me away!
From: Richard Launchon 6th Jul 2006 17:06.28 Top bloke as well...!
From: Jennie Bon 6th Jul 2006 18:50.11 An AMAZING dj cannot wait to have hom back at twist on 23rd!!!!
From: Nikki Son 6th Jul 2006 20:22.24 Vitor was fantastic at Innovate!! So sad he isn't going to be in the UK for the Birthday on the 15th July ...I'll definatly pop down to see him play x x
From: Marc Antoineon 7th Jul 2006 00:47.34 The man is a maestro of the decks!
Can't wait see his magic @ logic...
From: benzon 7th Jul 2006 12:17.22 Top DJ and a wicked bloke! See you soon Lima!
From: Mariaon 7th Jul 2006 13:19.38 Can't wait to have Vitor Lima playing for us at RAVE on July 22nd at Seone, for Twist on the 23rd and at Logic birthday on July 29th at The Fridge as Pocked Rocked with Phillip A.
From: morganteyon 7th Jul 2006 13:34.46 Nice one.... Keep up the good work.. Kick some ass.. hahahahahahahaha....
From: Dj Alec Fasanion 7th Jul 2006 13:54.59 Definitely it will nice to see you playing again.
We had a lot of fun last time.
Even better, this time we will be on the same line up.
Welcome back to London again!!!
Tasty interview there indeed! You all totally blew the roof of that night, was a great memory for us all and such a great start to your tour in the UK. I'm really excited about Rave, its gonna be amazing to party it super hard yet again!
See you sooner than later bro,
All the best...
Peace!
From: twiston 7th Jul 2006 22:04.14 A very UNIQUE and taleted dj - if you're a true music fan don't miss him.
I can't wait to have him back at Twist.
From: sunvisordudeon 10th Jul 2006 18:22.33 i remember his set at the previous twist @ factory looking forward to hearing him play once again. great sound. welcome back to london indeed.
From: anushka007on 11th Jul 2006 14:17.04 Fantastic dj, it was such a pleasure to have you play at innovate defo will be checking out one of your london gigs... there is never enough of Vitor Lima
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looking forward to hearing him play once again. great sound. welcome back to london indeed.
defo will be checking out one of your london gigs... there is never enough of Vitor Lima 