For those not aware of you, please give us a brief introduction to who you are?!
HI, I’m Nick Garbett aka Garbo. I am promoter and resident of the midlands superclub & hard dance heavyweights - Storm.
How did your collaboration come about?
Well I was in my office working away and the phone rang, Ben was on the other end and he was telling me about this exciting new project he had planned and how he wanted to release another album but the focus was to be put on the raising stars of the scene, and he wanted to take a ‘Dr. Dre’ approach to the whole thing. So I was quite honoured when I got the call and of course I jumped at the chance to work on something with BK.
What’s the inspiration behind the track?
I was really keen (no pun intended) to make a good cross over hard dance track rather than a standard ‘hard house’ track, we spoke in depth at about other tracks I liked and Ben totally embraced the vision for it and was quite happy to go in the direction in which we did.
I wanted something more modern and ‘adult’ sounding, a track that you could see a trance DJ playing as well as a hard house DJ playing, our aim was to give it mass appeal, and with the support its being getting off of the likes of Judge Jules, Scot Project, Agnelli & Nelson, Alex Kidd, Kutski, Anne Savage and more, I think its fair to say we have achieved this.
What’s it like working with BK?
If I’m brutally honest, I was very nervous about going in the studio with Ben, it doesn’t matter who you are Ben has a huge reputation and is highly regarded as one of the best producers out there. He has played for me at Storm quite often and we speak when we have a gig at the same place, but working in the studio with some one is on a much more personal level.
But once I got down to London and in his studio we got the idea’s flowing and seemed to gel. He is very professional, and always wants to get your idea’s across, and I thought this was so important to make sure the track reflected what I wanted it to sound like, and I was surprised at just how well he understood and interpreted that and I am very happy with the way the track turned out. He’s a great host too, even brought me fish & chips! hahaha
What is your opinion of the hard dance scene in 2008?
My opinion of hard dance... Hmmmmmm how long have you got!?
Its changing, no doubt about it, but for what I feel will be for the better. People are starting to realise its not about who can bring out the fastest track, or the darkest tune. Hard Dance is starting to move in a more modern way, and I like it. But it needs more nights, more opportunities for the raising stars of tomorrow. There is far too much emphasis on the big names and not enough on the people that are ultimately going to carry the scene for the next 10 years!
We need to get at the kids while they are young, 15 to 18, as well to make sure we have a healthy new audience coming through. We need a good international audience too, it’s too UK based at the minute.
But I see a healthy scene once we get the whole ‘credit crunch’ out of the way. People want to come to events, it just doesn’t give them much confidence when some promoters are constantly trying to rip them off and always seem to be misleading them, and trying to run nights on a shoe string to make the biggest profit.
With proved at Storm there is still a healthy market out there, are events always have a good number of clubber’s in attendance because we have a good reputation and people trust us, and always know they are going to have a good night at Storm, and the DJs like playing there.
What inspires you to do this?
As cheesy as it sounds, seeing every one on the dance floor having a good time! Running Storm is an extremely stress full job, but seeing people on a Saturday night having a great time in a good social environment makes it all worth while.
At the end of the day look at how much clubber’s have to spend on nights, £15 - £30 on travel, £15 - £20 to get in the club, then what ever you spend on drinks. It’s a bloody expensive night out, and a large chunk of people’s disposable income. So I think it is my responsibility as a DJ/Promoter to always be on top of my game, whether it’s putting on events, or playing music to people... It’s those people who give up there party pounds to come time and time again to the events that inspire me.
What is your dream gig?
I’ve always wanted to play in Japan & Australia; So I guess some where in either of those countries. Maybe on a beach some where on the Gold Coast with a few beers, nothing to full on or in Tokyo playing to loads of mad Japanese ravers, who I hear a one of the best crowds in the world to play too. Maybe even take Storm out there to do something, or get it involved with one of the festivals in either country.
If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing?
I’d be a Formula 1 driver for McLaren!! Seriously though, I would want to set up my own business and then try and have my finger in a lot of other businesses too. I think it’s good to have something else to fall back on. Or maybe even a Politician, as you can learn a lot from club politics ; -)
You’re organising the ‘end of the world’ party, who’s on the guest list and who’s not coming in?
It’s the end of the world... Every one is invited!!
What’s next for you?
Got a few bits on the go, obviously Storm is my main priority and we have some huge nights planned for the second half of the year starting with Storm Classics in August, and then on September 27th we are putting on Tony De Vit... The Celebration! With Fergie, and a host of other guests that were all associated with the great man and his Farther Ray De Vit will also be there on the night. Storm will also be hosting an arena again at Tidy Weekender 15 the last one at Prestatyn.
We are looking at releasing another Storm album at the beginning of the year after huge success of the first one.
Then me personally, I have got some more studio projects lined up; One with Guyver for Tidy and a few other bits. DJ wise I have a very busy second half of the year, playing nearly every weekend and going back to places like Finland & Canada, so I’m really looking forward to the next 6 months.
'BK Presents 'The Nu Wave' is out in September on Riot! Recordings.
