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PaulOakenfold

About Me

Paul Oakenfold A name synonymous with DJ culture, Paul Oakenfold has been a global ambassador of the electronic dance music since its rise to prominence in late 1980s Britain. Paul began mixing back in 1979 at the age of 16 and quickly immersed himself in the expanding rave culture taking hold in England. By 1989, Oakenfold was running several club nights, further bolstering the music's popularity. When dance music reached the British mainstream in the mid-'90s, Oakenfold was among its first superstar DJs, playing all over the world.
In The Beginning..........................
Paul was born and raised in London, England and began mixing at the age of 16 with friend Trevor Fung playing soul and rare-groove at a basement bar in Covent Garden. His musical roots expanded while living in West Harlem, New York in the 80’s. Hanging out in various clubs during this period and working as a courier for local dance radio stations exposed him to the birth of Hip Hop. Back in England Paul landed a job at Champion Records as an A&R man his keen ear ensured he quickly signed Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and Salt n’ Pepa, which saw Paul then move to the London offices of Profile and Def Jam.Paul became more interested in DJ’ing and producing as time went on. In the late 80s Paul spent most summers in the Balearic island of Ibiza - a hippie-inspired community with an over-indulgent club scene. Legend has it that Paul, Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway and Ian St Paul after spending holidays in Ibiza, returned to England with a new Balearic sound that kicked off the now prominent dance scene. Paul and his counterparts began running club nights regularly in London promoting the new house sound. Paul’s club nights (Future at the Sound Shaft, then Spectrum and Land of Oz at Heaven) were hugely successful.Paul’s DJ’ing skills coupled with his A&R experience made him a natural producer. In 1991 he produced the Happy Mondays first album Pills n’ Thrills n’ Bellyaches giving the band a dance friendly sound. Although continuing to DJ in clubs, the taste of producing pushed Paul into the studio more often. Along with studio partner Steve Osbourne they produced and re-mixed major artists including U2, Simply Red, New Order, the Cure, Massive Attack, The Rolling Stones, Stone Roses and Snoop Doggy Dogg - to name but a few. The Oakenfold/Osborne team were nominated by BPI as Best Producers from 1990 to 1993. Paul’s success as a producer led to him starting Perfecto as a record label in 1992. He still runs and finds talent as well as releasing remixed material under the Perfecto banner which is now evolving.His big break however came with his remix of U2’s "Even Better Than The Real Thing". U2 repaid Oakenfold by inviting him to act as the opening DJ on their Zooropa world tour. After this Paul held DJ residencies at Cream in Liverpool and Ministry of Sound in London. Paul’s reputation for playing great sets to large crowds made him the obvious choice to be the first DJ to play on the main stage at Glastonbury.Paul’s artist project is Bunkka, the first genuine Paul Oakenfold album, released by Perfecto Records - summer 2002. The album confronted many people’s pre-conceptions of Paul Oakenfold, while much of the musical vocabulary is borrowed from dance technology, Bunkka was no conventional dance album. Bunkka features vocals by artists such as Nelly Furtado, Ice Cube, Tricky, Hunter S. Thompson, and Perry Farrell. Bunkka was the recipient of ‘The Best Album’ award at USA Dancestar Awards in 2003. Bunkka’s follow up is currently being recorded and set for a mid 2005 release.In response to feverish demand for Paul’s live performances in the United States, the mix album “Another World” was released exclusively state side in 2004 and has certified Gold status, selling over a half million copies – the highest ever selling dance music compilation album.2002 saw Paul embark on the Heineken Music Releases Thirst tour – a global talent search combined with an incredible show, which enabled Paul’s DJ set to take on a unique live element – incorporating a phenomenal production including five screens and a touring crew of twenty three. In 2003 and 2004 over two thousand five hundred DJ’s from 35 countries competed with 60 DJ’s being crowned by the judging panel in their countryPaul’s latest groundbreaking achievement came with the nominations for the 47th Annual GRAMMY® Awards announced December 7th 2004 – which nominated his latest album “Creamfields Mixed By Paul Oakenfold” in the brand new category Best Electronic/Dance Album. The album was released August 2004 in the UK with a global roll out including the US, the album was compiled of exclusive remixes and reworks of tracks Paul had undertaken especially for the project. The 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on February 13th 2005 in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live in the US on CBS. This is the latest in long line of US successes for London boy Oakenfold in both the realms of music and film. Paul is currently producing material for the long anticipated “The Pink Panther” movie from MGM Studios. Under his belt for 2004 was work on the phenomenal “Shrek 2” and the Michael Mann Tom Cruise movie “Collateral”, and the yet to be released “Elvis Has Left the Building” (by the team who created “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”). Paul also scored the Warner Brothers movie "Swordfish" produced by Joel Silver (Producer of The Matrix). Paul’s move into the world of Hollywood music production has been remarkably rapid; within a three year period he has earned credits on many movie projects including “Golden Eye”, “Planet of the Apes”, “Signs”, “Austin Powers”, and “Matrix:Reloaded”.2004 saw Paul also achieved recognition for his scoring of video games – receiving a nomination for a ‘Spike TV Video Game Award’ for his soundtrack contribution to the Electronic Arts Game, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent.Paul is currently featuring in a new TV series in the US - "The Club," which is currently showing on Spike TV and is a series of 10 x one-hour shows chronicling all the trials and tribulations that go into running a nightclub as it undergoes a makeover to compete with the gaming hotels on the Vegas Strip. Paul had complete control over the design of the music and lighting rigs for the refurb of the venue and installed the ultimate sound and lighting system made completely to his specifications. The makers of The Club have followed Paul throughout this process and even managed to sneak into a couple of his gigs (including Madonna’s appearance at Slane Castle in Ireland). Behind "The Club" is the team who brought you "The Restaurant," “The Club” is set to be aired in the UK early 2005 - details to be announced soon!Paul still continues to be one of the world’s leading re-mixers. Recent projects include remixing for the second time U2’s “Beautiful Day” whilst still working with the world’s top recording artists including, Madonna’s (Hollywood), Justin Timberlake (Rock your Body) and the one and only Elvis (Rubber Neckin) in addition to working on tracks by Michael Jackson Jennifer Lopez, Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘If Your Gonna’ and The Doors.“Film and music are very important to me and now I feel I’m able to combine both worlds” Paul says, “DJing is still crucial to me – and the feeling when spinning my own track to a crowd who can sing along is fantastic – the follow up to Bunkka will I hope, be true to my fans and be a pleasant surprise to my critics.”Paul is currently in the studio recording his second solo album in addition to his relentless gigs and production projects.

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THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL SITE THIS IS MY PERSONAL AND INFORMATION SITE ONLY (I DO NOT POST COMMENTS OR LET COMMENTS BE POSTED) DO NOT ASK FOR FREIND REQUESTS for the official site go to PAULOAKENFOLD.COM ”Ready to move…ready when you are”Paul's next gig following on from the fully ‘Loaded Weekend’ on Clapham Common takes us first to Los Angeles ... on arrival, we plan to pop into the newly opened L.A.X, before joining the tour bus for a twelve hour (or so) dawn drive to Black Rock Desert Nevada where, on Saturday night Paul will be spinning @ ‘Burning Man’. Done with L.A.X we finish with afters at ‘Rokbar’ before Paul manages to persuade a mate from L. A. (although Johnny doesn't take much convincing) to join us on this trip...the six of us board the bus leaving L. A around 5 am, but hit the sack around 10 am before agreeing on the ‘idea’ of stopping for the all important ‘Shop for supplies’ before we reach the Desert….@ Burning Man its essential that you bring what you need… ‘Commercial vending is Prohibited!.’ We awake some 8 hours later and are now rolling through the Nevada Desert, and with all the Provisions to last us for duration (the next 2 nights and 2 days) … our other two new compadres (Nick and ‘the Jock’) who we planned to rendezvous with at some point on route, had done the ‘essential’ shop while the rest of us slept, we’re now stocked with Steaks, Chicken, Turkey, Ham slices, Cheeses and the odd Pate plus bottles of Vodka, Rum, Tequila, Wine?, 4 twelve packs of Canadian beer, juices and most importantly Water… ‘Life Savers!’ Pushing on through sunset, we suddenly hit the start of a long line of traffic, then we are asked to pull over by a Burning Man ‘half dressed’ official (“what's with the topless German hat look?”) There is some confusion regarding our vehicle and where we should join the queue of traffic now cutting across our path (doesn't look like they've ever had a tour bus @ Burning Man before?), He tell us are vehicle is in the wrong line and we have to join another line from the beginning.. “What?…NO WAY are we going to join the back of the queue!!!” We are then asked to pull to the side, they ask to see our tickets … a debate pursues, as officials lay down their law, a compulsory routine search is then conducted for stowaways…until finally we are given permission to continue and are told to keep it at 5MPH, when queried by our driver, he is told simply “To keep the ‘Dust’ down OK” ... He makes sense…Finally. Gradually we ease our way in cutting across the queue that stretches back for miles that now, with daylight completely faded, can only be seen by the endless beams of headlights, a winding glow desperate to park. Ahead, the slow procession of vehicles continues ‘not nearly’ as long as what's behind us, we crawl towards our first images of Burning Man, from a distance we see structures vaguely similar to a scene from Mad Max 2 with a backdrop filled with bursts of fire mixed with an illumination of coloured light … we realise how vast this place is…spreading out in the distance and how far we are in the desert … although previously being told, it then begins to hit home how truly amazing this gathering is. We arrive at our allotted camp/parking and take a look around the all the vast space, behind us the venue is playing ambient vibes on a system that produces a wicked ‘round’ sound, just behind, there is a chilled space of lounges and sofas and a couple of Hammock's, under a Casbah tenting, ahead is the ‘Void’ then Fires, Lights and distant drums, its exciting to be here, there is a manic change up on the bus of getting into character mixed with a need to get out there as soon as, then there is a bang on the bus door and a “Hello?” … a visit from Tiesto and friend, “HEY!!” …With Paul playing the Saturday night and Tiesto playing the Sunday, although promotion is not the thing @ Burning Man, the venue with the ‘Round’ sound ‘the Opulent Temple of Venus’ will be massive on both nights, Paul and Teish touch base then depart, we head out on our bikes an absolutely essential mode of transport without which would have left us confined us to our immediate are area, “No Chance!”Close Encounters of All KindsBefore riding across the ‘dark Void’ a mental note of where our Bus is positioned is taken (not that it will be of any use…but maybe it’s worth the effort)! Burning Man is mapped like a clock from 2.00 to 10.00 (with 11 and 12 missing) it has 9 main streets running the horse shoe shape of the City, which during the 7 days is home to around 24,000 participants. Our Bus is at “2.30” and we head out across to the orgy of Fire and Lights which is located somewhere around “7.00”, en route we pass others with the same intention of seeing all, we approach the flashes of Fire we’ve seen from a distance, it becomes clear, an installation made from huge steel shaped teeth displayed in a circle which you can stand inside, whilst the Fire ‘incredibly flares’ to the beats … around, various vehicles dressed in light pass slowly (probably at 5mph to keep the dust down?) … we carry on heading for the focal point the Burning Man itself, this is completely unexpected, a ‘Neon’ figure of a Man standing some 80 to 100 Metres high on a platform, which is housing many people, it’s busy here - but then this is the epicentre … on Sunday night at 12pm this will be where ‘All’ will gather for the closing ceremony…all but us, we’re to leave that morning to drive to Vegas…“what a contrast….or a come down!” Carrying on we avoid collisions, one with a mechanical Giraffe - we stop, there is so much to be seen that making a decision on which way to go next becomes a joke… “Someone call it and lets go!” We head out and come across ‘Pencil People’ dressed in black with ‘Flouro’ outlines like walking sketches … they’re brilliant and having a goodtime with it, after the brief tour of our surrounding area we are drawn back towards our bus by the pumping tunes coming from The Opulent Temple of Venus, a big crowd has now gathered and it’s pure vibing - we join them…Burning Man has a strict ‘Leave No Trace…Pack it in, Pack it out’ policy we carry what litter (bottles etc) we have, those of us who smoke carry their own cigarette butts, its messy when without realising you have a pocket full of Cigarette ends but necessary to insure you don't break your own ‘No Guilt’ policy or endorse a ‘Bad Karma’ policy. Deep Tech house is being played, everyone's soaking up the vibe it’s all good … some switch from out door to indoor and the ‘BIG White’ Tent to catch FreQNasty putting everything into the mix ‘London’ style, we end at whatever hour (although its after dawn)…the last man standing… Paul, of course.Anything that ‘Goes’…DoesAfternoon looking out the bus window @ Burning man is like watching a ‘Show,’ a display of individuality, of both colourful and varied performers although ‘Burning Man is not intended to be a spectacle … ‘you can't but think?’ … all this from a cast of hundreds, backdrop the Desert, it has a pulse of its own… Cycling might be the main form of transport but literally ‘anything that goes, does!’. From our bus we see some of the most bizarre, creative and ingenious forms of transport Organic shaped buses, huge motorised Beds, ‘Angel’ Stilt walkers and in the distance a full size Spanish Galleon Ship, every form of transport is dressed or disguised, once fed (care of Jocks BBQ) some of us get back on the bikes, there is much more to be seen and more awareness to seek…and pit stop to a ‘Porta-loo’. Burning Man during the day acts like a community to call it a city makes you think bigger and more of busier than what it is although some of the tall structures pass it off, people do everyday things but dressed to express, as there is now passing of money bartering trade is the way, after day spent of seeing some amazing sights, talking to many and being told… “Have a Good Burn!” … we end up witnessing a wedding like bonding ceremony at the ‘Shrine’ all that gather are welcomed the ‘Bride in her White Dress the Groom in traditional dress, their best men / women are dressed as ‘Hassidic Pink Bunny Rabbits’ all enjoy the reading of contemporary vows we move off and head out for coffee and then some free ‘Blood’ Red Wine served from a 'Drip' at one of the bars, as the Sun sets Burning Man takes on a different appearance everything changes from bright to again illuminating Colour we head back to the bus taking in all the activity and the atmosphere…and avoiding collision.“When I say NOW… ‘Hit’ that Button!”There is ‘Much, much’ madness going ‘on’ on the bus with some ‘getting dressed’ others burning music, shots of ‘Patron’ (“HEY!”) another trying to eat, changing outfits … then changing again Some being told… “You gotta get in touch with your own Personality!!!”….Eh? … more shots of Greygoose (“HEY!!!”)…and one irate driver “whose gonna clean this shit up?” …What a mix! Paul gets his music ready for the gig…then has another surprise…a visit from Doc ‘Feelgood’ from Chicago then Adam Grandi the promoter pops in making sure all is well for tonight… We have some time to step out and have a look around, ‘unbelievable’ the area all around our bus has turned into some kind of “hello Bike Parking” hundreds of bikes are gathered, we all take turns in moving the bikes making a path from the bus door outwards, then suddenly crash, this unfortunate Girl goes arse over tit into the ‘Bike Parking’ dazed we pick her up making sure she has recoverd telling her “Put your lights .. she walks her bike out…now there's Good Karma.The Opulent Temple of VenusIs packed to capacity and looking and feeling great…the atmosphere is relentless, we make the most of the time and jump on the passing ‘Pink Bus’ a fantastically lit bus bought from Bristol U.K via San Francisco with a great bunch ‘The Pink Furry Felines’ making the most of the party, they hold up and park, we plan to return after Paul has played, making our way back to the bus grabbing the Vinyl then going around to the back to the DJ booth, Paul steps up onto a dust filled but fully working booth, he is recognised immediately they start going crazy, calm down!! Paul starts into a set, he has worked hard to make work, as he proceeds he changes playing a more recognisable set, though Burning Man is a unique and amazing individual as you like, not all who attend are clubbers or are familiar with Paul's music understanding this he changes the vibe and direction giving them what they want ‘one to remember!’, during his set he is given gifts from some of the crowd of pendents and necklaces, some climb up in front of the booth, he is handed a half full 2 litre bottle of Jack Daniel's in sipping, the crowd cheer, I hear Paul say… “Oh No … not again, I don't drink this anymore!!” he is edged on to sip straight J. D again and again, until he is handed a fresh coconut …. “Lovely!” As he hits the highs in his set, turns are taken in pushing the button that starts the Propane Flame high above the booth, beats are missed for some reason…Paul shouts… “On the Beat, On THE BEAT!” In the end ‘we’ get there…Paul closes his set on a high in a now crowded booth…he leaves to an amazing response, while the rest of us leave staggering but managing to find our bearings back to the bus, those too ‘useless’ to push the propane button (which shoots out a flame from the top of the DJ booth) in time to the beat (Gerry, Dan, Dean, Johnny and me) use this time to get back into character… “Lets get out there!” Leaving the tour bus in favour of the ‘Party Bus’ it waits for us to board before heading out…..Blank As the Sun comes up we leave the ‘Party Bus’ and break up for (under) a ‘spell’ after some time then a walk back across the desert to the Tour bus, before regrouping, refuelling, picking up the bikes and riding back across to the ‘Lounge’ in search of the last session and another wicked gathering … some good Karma before heading for Vegas. At the Burning Man people mix within interactive art, towering installations, it is radical in it's thinking and creative participation of unity and awareness, we met many people who had something to share and chose to do so, choosing to lose your inhibitions to Burning Man you enjoy a special freedom we will look forward to coming back to… Burn On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Questio n: I_cant_focus: What’s one thing about yourself that most people might not know?2: Besides dj’ing and cooking, what other special talents do you have?3: What’s one question you wish people or journalists wouldn’t ask you over and over?4:If you had to ask me a question, what would it be?5: What’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done for or to you? Do you have any wild stalker stories?6: What is your favourite piece of original artist work that you’ve done that you still enjoy playing to this day? How about a remix?Answer: 1: I’m a big fan of Steve Cogan. Aha!!2: I make a good ‘screwdriver’3: Why Bunkka?4: What do you look like?5: Yes, but I wont go there 6: Difficult. There are too many.Question: Wojanicki: 1: How do you perceive working on the latest album ‘Bunkka’?2: Do you know there are many Oakey fans in Poland? Would you like to play for Polish audiences?3: Your personal desire about clubbing in the world is…Answers: 1: We will be touring Bunkka.2: Yes, very much. How is Warsaw?3: It brings people together having a good time.Question: Andy: How do you think Chelsea will do? Not long now.Answer: Fingers crossed. They will finish Top5Question: Clublebu1: 1: Can I expect to book my flight to trancegiving again?2: How do I get in contact with you about a business proposal regarding the perfecto label?You will be glad to know our local bar in San Fran has put Bunkka in their jukebox for me. That makes 4 of your CD’s.Answers: 1: Yes it’s a great event.2: Send us an e-mail.Questions: Ayarelee: 1: When do you plan to come to new Orleans again? Soon I hope you have so many fans here who want you to come back.2: where do you like to perform most in America?3: Silly ol me wants to know, ‘how are you today?’Answers: 1:Sometime soon.2: There is not one particular place.3: A bit tired, just on a flight back from Budapest.Question: 420master: This is a pretty stupid thing to ask as it was so long ago- but do you have a tracklisting of your set from the aragon ballroom in Chicago April 2001 you were there with d fuse. Man that last record you span was f***ing mad!!!Answer: I never tracklist my set, sorry, its been a while.Question: Wannabe TranceDJ: Another Question I forgot to ask. What brand are those killer shades you always wear?Answer: Oliver people and Prada.Question: Rowan/London: Why Mario Picotto Lizard, and Skip Raiders Another Day???? I can’t believe that you would be replaying these tunes, you must be still getting thousands of new test pressings! I have watched you play all over the world, including the last three NYE, and I have noticed that you don’t drop as many new tunes before anyone else. Are you simply not getting them anymore?Answer: Both tracks are exclusive remixes on Acetate. Unfortunately it seems not many can tell the difference in the mix, but they are completely different.Question: Kidlcarus: Hey grandmaster…. I’ve seen you only 2ice but your sets are always banging in my bedroom. I have just a few questions… 1: Do you ever listen to any mix CD’s or other artists?2: Would you like to listen to mine?3: Can you hook me up with one of your finest dishes?Answers: 1: Yes I do and like most of them.2: OK send it to me.3: only in the mix!!Questions: TWAK: Hey oakmeister,, saw you in San Fran with the Chems, great shit!!! Will you be doing a live show for Bunkka? Like on the keys and such and such? Hope you come back to the bay area!!!Answers: We will be touring Bunkka between November December 2002.Question: Trancer: What are your plans for this New years, will you be in the U.S?Answer: Somewhere, nothing is confirmed yet.Question: WannabetranceDJ: Do you hang out with any other DJ’s on a regular basis?Answer: Yes, sometimes.Question: Oakenfoke: Hiya Paul its Jamie from Liverpool (lad in flouro t-shirt at Pacha the other week.) My question is, is there any courtyard night which sticks out in your memory?Answer: They were all good its difficult to single out just one.Question: Moggyboom: Hi there, just like to know how many vinyl you actually own, and if you ever dish out your rear unknowns to nice people like me(cough cough), especially those which I’ve been searching for, for years!!!Answer: Last count was over 25,000 and it grows every week.Question: Djrey: I only have one question to oakey, you rock Oakenfold, you are the best dj in the world ever. Are you gonna be in Puerto rico this year or in2003?Answer: Yes, this Will happen.Question: Glowsticks101:I was just wondering if you could give the official lyrics to ‘southern sun’? I see 438297 versions of it and I don’t think any of them are right. Oh, anyway I just wanted to tell you how cute you looked in the starry eyed surprise video when you smiled after ‘hey dj!!’ It’s my fav part. Also I wanted to tell you starry-eyed surprise is getting a lot of radio play where I live, a little north of Detroit. I know that you said you wanted to get a lot of album sales in the US and I don’t think you’ll have a problem there!!Answer: Apparently there have been many requests for the lyrics, so I have arranged for them to be posted on the website.Question: Rusjewski: Oakey, are you going to be at the Mykonos, Greece next summer?Answer: Not sure at the moment.Question: Sirbuck: I’d love to know the name of the opera that you used in the second hour of the Dracula urban soundtrack. Its been killing me for sometime now. ThanksAnswer: I will try and get back to you on that.Question: Insearchofsunrise: Any chance of an Oakenfold-Hans Zimmer or Oakenfold Gerard collaboration on a track?Answer: Yes soon.Question: eEk: 1: At the perfecto/essential opening party at Pacha this year we had a photo taken with you on the terrace, in the photo it looks like my buddy is actual touching your butt. Was he actually touching or is it just the photo playing tricks with my eyes2: also will you be doing another back to back with Mr. Tong? If so could you do one over here in the UK?3: the question about Radiohead street spirit remixes.. Correct me if I’m wrong but this was not remixed by Paul or anyone at perfecto… two Scottish blokes remixed it and just handed it to Paul who liked it and played it!?Answers 1: No he was Not.2:Closing party3: you are right.Question: Franky: Will you ever come to Malaysia?Answer: next year.Question: The_prophet: When you play, where the streets have no name, is it the original or the dd mix? I need to know.Answer: dd mix

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