A new chapter for Defected's Sam Divine

Image: Sam Divine

From humble beginnings as a record shop employee to a key player for one of house music's most respected labels; Sam Divine's success story is the stuff that DJs dream of.

Her progression in one of the most competitive industries has landed her the Queen of Defected title, and as the imprint's gatekeeper she's renowned for her quintessential sets; brimming with Balearic, vocal and deep house.

Her heart and soul goes into music, and ultimately the label. The international sensation sets the bar high, and has proven through countless skilled sets why she's an invaluable resident. 

Sam Divine - Defected in the House (2014-10-11) by Chemicalgroove on Mixcloud

Defected's leading lady spoke to us about a little something she has up her sleeve for the New Year, but before the cogs begin to turn with her new project, she's set to bring in 2015 with her musical family at their spiritual home, Ministry of Sound. 

How did you initially get involved with Defected?

I was signed to Defected in 2006, but previous to that I used to work in a record shop in Notting Hill and at the time the A&R guy used to come in and buy vinyl from me. He introduced me Simone Dunmore, and as they say the rest in history.

After I met him things just started happening, like he flew me back to London to play Ministry of Sound on the Saturday which was my first Defected gig and then by the Monday I was signed to the agency.

So could you picture yourself as part of the crew from day one?

Oh god yeah, I'd been working in record shops for four years and pretty much my whole record collection was Defected, every release that came out on Defected I would buy, I was going through the back catalogue.

When I was working the seasons in Ibiza, I'd have one night off a week and it was a Tuesday, and Defected used to be at Pacha of a Tuesday so I used to go religiously for like three years. When it actually came round to being a part of Defected it was the most natural move in the world for me. 

Would you say that DJing is your first love and producing is an afterthought?  

Well I've been DJing for ten years and this is actually exclusive news; I've just signed a management deal so I'm starting up my own record label and I'm starting production in the New Year. That literally hasn't gone in to any interviews yet! The label will be called D-Vine Sounds, there's going to be some really cool producers I'll be collaborating with. I can't say too much at the moment but that will be happening in the New Year.

I just feel like it's a natural progression for me, I've not had to make music, but now going out to clubs of a weekend - not that it gets monotonous, I still absolutely love my job and I'm still really super hungry for it - but I feel like I'm ready for the next chapter in my career, you've just got to challenge yourself. 

Congrats, that's so exciting!

Thank you!

Did you read the article Annie Mac wrote for Thump last week? She basically talks about how she's tired of getting asked about being a female DJ. Is that something you can relate to?

It's never come up in anything, it's never stopped me doing anything, it's never been a thing for me. The only time I ever get asked about stuff like that is in interviews.

For me I've worked so hard to be respected as an artist and I've never played that 'oh, I'm a female DJ' card. So, no one can say anything to me about it because I'm just an artist and if you've not got respect in this industry you've got nothing.

You can be the best DJ in the world, you can have the best music and all the rest of it but if you haven't got respect from your peers and your fans then you're nothing. I've never shouted about being a woman or spoke about being a female DJ. It's just like, this is what I do, I play house music, it doesn't matter about my gender. 

The La Vita charity that you're involved with raises money for Breast Cancer Research through incredible parties in some of the most prestigious clubs. How did you become an ambassador for them? 

I did it when I first moved to London and it's just grown incredibly, I mean we've got people who came to the very first one seven years ago, and they've settled down and they've got kids but they'll still come to La Vita because it's such a great cause and if it doesn't touch yours, it touches someone you know's heart.

Every single penny we make from the event goes to the charity, we've made over £30,000 now. It's just a great honour to be asked to be an ambassador, I've lost three family members to cancer so it's very close to my heart and it's something I'll continue to do for as long as I can. It's a good thing to give back. 

You've got Egg London lined up for next weekend. For someone who's never been, what's it like?

It's like a proper rave. There's not many proper raves left in London. Egg is more underground, it's got that dark edgy feel about it. It's nice to play in a venue like it because I play in these lovely, big, posh clubs and they're abroad, or cool parties in London.

But it's nice to go back to when you first started raving, and that's what Egg is like. It's got that electric vibe if you catch it right, and I always really enjoy playing there. 

It definitely sounds like an event you'd need to make time for to go down and check it out.

Yeah it's a cool venue, apart from Ministry of Sound it's probably one of the last ones left because The Cross, The Key, Canvas, they were all around that area and Egg is the only one left standing. It's like Egg and Ministry are the last two proper house clubs left in London.

Speaking of Ministry, Defected are spending NYE there (check out the video from last year's shindig above), have you brought in the New Year with them before? 

Yeah I've done the last three years, we did Ministry last year and I played after MK in the main room and it was unreal but it was almost a little bit overwhelming, A to play after MK, B to play Ministry main room and C to play Defected New Year's Eve.

This year I'm headlining the 103 which I absolutely love playing because it just reminds me of when I first started playing, it's most intimate, it's not as big as the main room. T

The crowd that Defected pull in, it's just a proper party. It doesn't feel like a rave it feels like a proper party which is so nice, it's a real pleasure to play to a Defected crowd. Like I say, 'there ain't no party like a Defected party'.

So there's a real family vibe?

Yeah, all the staff come and that says a lot just in itself, that the staff just want to spend their New Year with the team because they work so hard in the office.

It's an amazing group and they don't get enough recognition in interviews, but they are just unreal, they've got their own stations and their own input that makes the label so successful. It's nice to celebrate with them on and go into New Year with a whole new game plan. 

If you could take you and the Defected crew anywhere in the world for a one off special gig, where would you pick?

I'd have to say Ministry of Sound, on home turf. 

You can see Sam Divine in action at Egg London on Saturday 29th November, and at the Defected NYE party at Ministry of sound (tickets below). 

Tickets are no longer available for this event