Bella Platt
Full time student and live music enthusiast, actively involved in Manchester and Newcastle’s music scene, interviewing and reviewing grassroots bands and larger indie acts.
Ahead of his All-Night-Long set at Manchester’s Ambers for Pride Weekend, we chatted with minimal DJ PACH.
PACH. not only finesses minimal beats in some of the most sought-after DJ venues internationally- he keeps it tasteful.
We spoke to PACH. before his homecoming All Night Long at Ambers club in Manchester.
So, talk us through the stage name.
So basically, my second name is Pack, but I hated how it looked on a file, so I changed it to P-a-c-h. But everyone would ask me the pronunciation- a conversation starter. As long as someone’s talking about it!
You’ve got an All-Nighter at Ambers, Manchester tonight- how are you feeling?
I’ve done all-night-longs without them being announced before, programmed and in smaller rooms of clubs. It’s my first all-night long in my hometown and during Pride weekend, which as a queer artist makes me so honoured.
But you’re not a stranger to the Manchester rave scene after your 2021 Residency at Warehouse Project.
Yeah, it was at a time when WHP moved to Mayfield Depot- such a pinch me moment, as I always went to Store Street as a raver. Doing the residency was the first time I’d played in big rooms, it gave me the opportunity to play the three different rooms: Depot, Concourse, Archive for tonnes of different parties.
I’m returning this year for You&Me on the 27th September alongside a killer lineup, and something exciting in September which is yet to be announced.
You mentioned playing the different rooms at WHP, do you accommodate your set for different venues?
Obviously, depending on the space it alters the records you can play. Opening depot was the first time I’d played a venue that size, so I had to work out what to play while fitting the vibe for opening slot. You can’t just slam it- you have to be tasteful. Some tunes just don’t work. How the stage is placed, proximity to crowd- having a crowd around you means much more social interaction. I love playing intimate spaces, but playing a huge venue is so different.
When I DJ and prepare for a set, I think one of the most important skills is being able to read a room. I want to get to the point where I can be put on any line up and be trusted to fit the vibe. If I was playing Panorama Bar at 7am it would be very different to a WHP set.
Talking of international venues- what are some bucket list gigs?
Panorama Bar in Berghain, Sunday morning with the blinds opening. I’ve got a playlist on my record box to one day play there. Robert Johnson (Frankfurt Institution) as well. Getting to play DC10 (Ibiza) was bucket list gig. I did it last month on main room, then the year before on the terrace. I walked into the room and almost started crying- literally got goosebumps.
How’s it been making music for different labels?
When I make music, it might not get signed for years. I’ve just signed a track that I made five years ago- and it’s coming out this year. I’ve got one coming out on Phonica’s label “Fragments Of Reality”, coming in September- it’s very electro and progressive. I’m always trying to show people what I can do- the versatility is so important. But once again- tasteful! Even if I play disco, people who love minimal would love that tune.
One of my favourite tracks from your recent EP ‘Two On The Terrace’ was ‘Women Are From Venus,’ it really stood out.
It’s actually an edit of another tune- an 80s electric track, with vocal and synth. I put my own spin on it- I may play it tonight.
How do you choose between vinyl and digital for sets?
I always bring records- but it depends on the club. I don’t want to play records for the sake of it, if the booth isn’t made for that.
One of my favourite clubs, Carousel, has a levitating DJ booth that’s suspended from the ceiling, I didn’t realise until I leant against it, and it moved with me. Felt like I was DJing on a ship- made me a bit seasick!
Any favourite vinyl shops?
For Manchester, Eastern Bloc is good. Whenever I go to another country to play, I’ll make time to go record hunting. There’s one in Berlin called Bikini Waxx which I’ve got some of my favourites from. So fucking good. I like to grab a bunch of cheap second-hand records and hope for the best, then I also know it’s likely stuff other DJs won’t be playing.
Listen to ‘Two On The Terrace’ here:
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