Interview with Phil York

After having a bit of e-mail exchange with the big shot from Hardtimez, Phil York, I asked if he would be kind enough to participate on our upcoming interview series. So read along as Phil shares his views on the UK scene and his own background.



Tell us a bit of your history? How did you got involved in electronic music and later on hard-dance? Do you have any musical background?

I dont really, grade 1 at piano and trumpet but I dont think that counts, haha! It all started 13 years ago at the age of 12 when i really got into hardcore music with my friends. i started spinnin hardcore at house parties and later got into trance going clubbing to the likes of John Kelly and guy ordnaale. Music slowly started getting harder and i got into clubbing to Lisa
Lashes and Fergie which got me hooked on hard house sound. After moving to Edinburgh to go to university I set up my own club night called Naked and later on Nuklearpuppy bringing up all hard dance artists for debuts in Scotland. This is when the trance sound started fusing with the hard house sound and I really go into hard trance and started producing it, the rest is history.

What kind of gear do you use in your studio?

Mainly use Fruity Loops especially when workign with Gaz West and a whole load of VST plug in's including V-station, VAZ and Junglist.

What do you reckon, who do you think has had the biggest influence in your sound? Do you have any particular music styles or artists that you really like?

Definately hard dance and german and european hard trance! My sound is very UK but has a German flavour with the kicks and the arrangment!

In your own words, how would you describe your sound?

My sound is a mixture of German / European hard trance and UK hard trance with a sprinkling of techno in there too.

How's the scene in our own country? What have been the recent big things there?

The scene is still vibrant in the UK, not as big as it used to be about 4 years ago when it really peaked, but there are still clubs that are packed out every event! Weekly clubs have been replaced by monthyl events and huge festival's as well recently!

What has been the biggest / most hilarious moment in your career so far?

Biggest moment probably playing sell out events around the globe includging DV8 5th birthday in New Zealand and events in Vancouver.

From all the tracks you´ve produced, what is your favourite one?

it has to be one of the 1st I made with Gaz West, Save Our souls releases a few years back on Phantom Trax!

From all the people you´ve worked with in the studio, who have you learned the most? Who do you respect the most?

Gaz West who is amazing in the studio along with Colin Barrat for his little tricks, I think u learn from everyone u go in the studio with because everyone has their own style and works differently!

Any new releases coming soon and/or what are you working on at the moment?


Loads, we're launching a new compilation CD alongside Nu Energy collective called Elevate, one CD mixed by myself one by Kevin Energy which hits the shops in october, we have a 2 disc E.P to coincide with this inclduign a new collab by me and Kevin and a new track by Boy Wonders MDA & Spherical!

What do you know about Finland and it´s crowds? How do you think it differs from your native crowds?

I played an event called Rush last year in Helsinki and I've got to say the crowd was excellent very responsive especially to harder tracks! Really good crowd to tell a reaction from as it really goes off!


3 favourite tracks of all time?

DJ Kim - Jetlag ( Alphazone remix)
Waltz & Feltz - Expansion (silicoln)
Phil York & Gaz West - Devotion


3 current favourites?

Phil york vs Steve Hill vs DbD - Hiding in the shadows
HTUK 20
Sweet Kelly - My Dream (Technikal Remix)

Main ambitions for year 2007?

Bigger gigs, more sales and to keep working hard! also more compilation mix CD's

Any last words? Links etc you would like to share with the public?

Keep supporting ur local raves & and keep the scene over there pumping and alive!!