Nic & Kaleb Interview: I personally get a sense of freedom when I am there

Saturday 26th October sees Preston injected with a shot of Balearic spirit as one of the most hedonistic parties in Ibiza heads to the town. Zoo Project first took over an abandoned zoo on the Island in 2007, before embarking on a run of form which would see them become one of the most talked about soirees in Europe.

At a point where legislation appeared to be dampening the infamous Ibizan spirit, they stood out as totems of the free-thinking attitude that dominated open air clubbing, and have since gone on take their ideology across mainland with the Channel Zoo imprint. They've since gone onto start a hugely successful festival, and for Halloween weekend they'll provide the perfect opportunity for the North West to indulge 

Headlining will be Nic & Kaleb, the duo a firm part of the Zoo Project way of life since those heady days in Ibiza six and a half years ago. Their brand of tribal house, rolling rhythms and sparse, intricately woven techno has been the centrepiece for the club's myriad of guises over the past few years, arguably the residents that define the mandate so well. We caught up with the duo ahead of the event:

You've been a fundamental part of Zoo Project since it formed in Ibiza in 2007. How did you get involved and did you know how big a success the brand would become at the time?

Nic- We had known Ady and Lubka (the owners) for some time before they started the Zoo Project. We both played separately, at two of the first parties that they did at the zoo. Later on that summer the zoo project hosted the back room at privilege closing party, which Ady asked me to play at. At the time neither of the earlier parties that summer were a great success in terms of numbers, so to be honest, I did not think it would grow to be half as big as it has. Thankfully Ady and Lubka did !!!

Being resident DJs from the outset, what have been your stand out moments at Zoo Project?

Nic- We have had lots of amazing moments over the years at the zoo, but if I had to pick one, i would say it was when X-press 2 played Bob Marley 'Could you be loved, as their last tune of the last set in the seal pit. I think it was in 2012 on Jamaican national independence day. All the djs and an zoo staff were on stage with massive smiles all around, enjoying what for me was a special moment.

What is it about Ibiza that makes it so special? And what would you say have been the main changes in the Ibiza clubbing scene since you started to visit the white isle?

Kaleb- Ibiza is a place where various people have come to escape and let their hair down for many many years. It's hard to put into words, but the island has a very special, magical feel to it and I personally get a sense of freedom when I am there.

The main obvious change in the Ibiza clubbing scene since we first came here in 2005 would be the number of parties/brands that you now get on the island. The whole scene seems to have a bit more of a commercial feel to it right now, which brings a different type of clubber to the island.

You're playing in Preston, Lancashire soon as part of the Channel Zoo Halloween Special. How do you find the crowd up North and what sort of set can they expect from you in October?

Kaleb- For us the crowd up north are normally pretty receptive of what we do. Sometimes down south the crowd can be a little bit more reserved, but up North people really seem to let themselves go!

We never really plan our sets to be honest. We like to get to the club early and assess the crowd and depending on what time we are playing, we play music to suit.

Tell us a little about how you came to work together?

Nic- We have been friends for over 15 years, but it took a while for us to start working together. I used to regularly listen to Kaleb's weekly pirate radio show back in the late 90's. In 2002 i got my first set of decks and within six months, we had a residency at a small club in soho.

What music or DJs have excited you this summer?

Nic- One of my favourite djs to see right now would be San Proper. Go and watch this guy and you will understand! I saw DJ Hell at Space this summer and was very impressed also. Production wise, there are lots of names I could mention, but going on consistency and quality, i would have to say that Steve Bug is at the top of the list

How does it work with the two of you on stage... and do you ever DJ solo?

kaleb- We have always gone back to back and played two tracks each, but recently we have been going one each or whatever feels right at the time, which seems to work a bit better in keeping the flow going.

Tell us a little about your other project Kameleon? Any new releases or productions coming soon and how has the response been so far?

Kaleb - Kameleon is a joint project with longtime friends Simon Vice and Jamie Funk. We all came from the same musical background and shared a common love for house music, but over the years had each gone our separate ways. We started to make music together about four years ago and had our first release 'Confetti' on 1trax in June 2012 (watch below).

So far we have had a really positive response from the first three releases, which has been very nice. We have lots more Kameleon tracks in the pipeline with further releases on 1trax and the Zoo's label Channel zZoo recordings.

Hypothetically speaking... if you were running a big event, who would be your 'dream' three headline DJs to play alongside yourselves? 

Nic- That's an easy one. In no particular order... Steve Bug, John Tejada, San proper.

And finally, what else is coming up for Nik & Kaleb in 2013/2014

Kaleb- 2013/14 for us is all about hitting the studio hard and working on new and unfinished Nic & kaleb and Kameleon material. We will definitely be back in ibiza over the summer with our residency at the Zoo, and am looking forward to playing at some of the many events that the zoo/channel zoo organise around the globe over the winter.

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