Interviews | Interview | DJ Paul Pearson | Digital Society Promoter and Resident |By Charlene NorrellPumped Audio

Posted by: Paula Humphreys , July 23, 2012

If Paul Pearson is a name that you are not yet familiar with, you are almost certain to know of Digital Society. The Leeds based trance brand have gone from strength to strength over the last five years, booking some of the hottest acts of the current international trance scene as well as fostering our more home-grown talents, of which Paul Pearson can be confidently categorised. With some quality remixes under his belt, and an ever increasingly successful DJ career aside from his residency at Digital Society, Paul Pearson is certainly one to watch.

Check out what Paul had to say when Pumped Audio Features Writer, Charlene Norrell had the opportunity to ask him a few questions……

Hi Paul, thanks for talking to me today for Pumped Audio! How would you describe your sound and has this changed dramatically since the start of your career?

I wouldn’t say it’s changed much no. Trance has changed over the years so i have adapted with the change in music but i still play the full spectrum whether it is a warm up set or a full on pumping trance end of night banger which is my favourite style if I’m honest but I love all trance so I keep myself very versatile, something which is not very common any more as I’m an old school DJ.

As Promoter and Resident for Digital Society, which is undoubtedly one of the largest and most successful regular trance events to take place across today’s UK scene, can you tell us more about Digital Society and how you started your career there?

I have been running Trance events for over 7-8 years now as I used to run my own small night for up & coming DJs in my hometown of Rotherham. I knew my DS partners as clubbing friends before we got together and joined our long running partnership as Digital Society. I joined the guys in 2007 after they had done a few events and added my own input from my own experience and we just grew from there as we all wanted to put on the best parties around with the best DJ’s and share our passion for what we love with every clubber who came to our events.

You’ve hosted some pretty impressive acts over the years, who would you like to have play at Digital Society who hasn’t already been booked?

Hmm tough one really as all our acts have been outstanding over the years but it would have to be the 2 of the Trance kings who we have not booked yet. Armin Van Buuren & Paul Van Dyk.

Can you give us any exclusives on forthcoming Digital Society events?

Well next up we are doing a night in Ibiza on September the 2nd co hosting with Judgement Sundays at Eden. As for our next UK date, it’s going to be a BIG one.

How did it feel to be included in the first ‘Send Off’ event, which was also the launch night of our sister site – Pumped Audio Amplify?

Yes it was great. I enjoyed playing and the club was cool with a good crowd, which is something hard to achieve on a launch night. Looking forward to my return there.

What advice would you give to up and coming promoters/producers/DJ’s?

Stick at it. Follow what you love and if you have enough passion and drive you will get there. Many people try and fail or give up but if you keep plugging away you will get there.

Are there any particular tracks that have inspired you recently or have been featuring heavily in your sets?

Hard to choose recently! Trance is on top form right now but i have also been playing some of my own music in my sets which is signed to our label DS-R. Eximinds have been on fire recently and iv loved remixes by Broning especially of Eclipse by Sequentia its a few month old now but it always goes down well, it took the roof off in a gig in Manchester the other week.

So Ibiza season is in full swing. Have you been or will you be heading to the beautiful White Isle this year?

Hopefully yes. It’s been a few years since I have graced the white isle as I went for 6 years on the trot few year ago and it’s my spiritual home as it is to all music lovers.

Describe your first Ibiza experience?

Mental. Fun. Amazing Trance in Epic nightclubs & Sunburn.

On the subject of Ibiza, every year people write it off, do you think the scene over there has evolved enough to keep people returning year on year?

Well I haven’t been for a few years so I can’t comment really but it was getting more expensive last time I was there. But looking at Cream, Judgement and of course Armin’s night the trance scene seems to be still booming.

Congratulations on the success of your radio show on After Hours Fm. What is the thinking behind having your own show? Is it to showcase what you play as a DJ, or give us a deeper insight into what makes you tick?

Thank you, all of the above really. To showcase what I do with my style in the best in Trance & Progressive music as well as play my forthcoming releases, support our label and Enhanced recordings and of course an insight into the DS music style.

Listen again to Digital Society Sessions 044

When was the last time you had a weekend off from DJing/production & how did you spend your time off?

I have recently been to Turkey for a 2 week break. I completely unplugged for 2 weeks after a solid year of hard graft with Digital Society events, my productions and DJing. It was a well earned break and I loved it but I’ve come back fresh and full of ideas so full steam ahead with the rest of 2012!

A lot of Producers use different aliases to produce a different style of music. Is this something you would consider?

With a few more releases under my belt, then yes. I’ve just signed my 1st E.P to our label so anything is possible. I do like Prog house as well so who knows, there is no boundaries in music.

We often hear on facebook and twitter about DJs having bad experiences getting to/ from a gig or at the gig. Do you have any nightmare stories?

I once drove all the way to Newcastle from Yorkshire to be phoned when 5 mins away that it wasn’t worth me coming and the room I was due to play in was shutting. Gutted! Im sure I’ve had more but can’t remember at the minute. Part and parcel I guess although it is frustrating.

What do you have forthcoming in the world of Paul Pearson that you would like to tell pumped audio readers about?

My 1st Remix of Fast Distance – Safari is out to buy now in all online record stores and keep an eye out for my forth coming E.P also signed to our label Digital Society recordings. I’m working on a big DS anthem at the minute, excited about that! and my new site is on its way so just keep checking my facebook fan page and soundcloud page for all mixes and radio shows over the coming months.

Thanks for taking the time to speak to Pumped Audio today and I hope to speak to you soon.