DJ Interview with Dance Music Legend, Darren Emerson
We were blown away to spot Electronic Music Legend Darren Emerson in Frangipani Hawaiians. He kindly gave us an interview which we're stoked to share with you here!
You are best known for being a part of pioneering British Electronic music group Underworld and shot to fame when “Born Slippy” was used as the title tune in the movie Trainspotting. What was it like to have the whole of the UK listening to your music overnight and (we’ve always wondered) what is the tune about?
It was great to see the film being edited in the early stages. Then we went to the premier and saw in it’s whole entirety. Was so good to see our music with the visuals. It all made sense.
The Born Slippy release was being played on the underground circuit a long time before the film came out. I was a resident at The Ministry Of Sound on Friday nights (open All Hours) and playing it to death. Crazy as we made the Nuxx version a B side . So, after the film blew up, we were pushed into releasing it as a single. Great move. :) Shame The Spice Girls kept us off the no. 1 spot.
At first I didn’t know what Karl’s lyrics were about and made my own versions up. (Did this a lot with the trax we made together) But of course it was about our hazy nights out being pissed in Soho - our old stomping ground in the 90’s. Trying to get back on the train to Romford where we lived. Good, mad, crazy times .
We grew up with Underworld as part of the UK rave scene & Underworld played a big part of this. What do you miss most about the “old days”?
We had so many great parties to go to we were spoilt. I was DJing every weekend with great amazing, up for it crowds. No phones being pointed at me, just people getting down into the groove. Great people, great parties , great clubs. We had it all!
You are now touring the World as part of 3D DJs – can you tell us a bit about this? 3 of our all time favourite DJs, Danny Howells, Dave Seaman & of course, Darren Emerson!
We came up with the idea when we were on the same billing at the Ministry Of Sound. We were good friends and as our names all started with D, it just made sense to try a B2B2B set. The idea came from Danny Tenaglia when Dave , Danny T and myself were having a photo and Tenaglia just said; ”Wow it’s 3D” Dave just remembered that moment and that was that. So Dave Seaman, Danny Howells and myself formed 3D. It’s going amazingly well. Doing so many great parties all over the world. We’re also writing music together and working on an album.
We’re always pleased as punch when we see you in a Frangipani and you seem to wear our Hawaiians a lot. What is it you like about them?
They just feel great when in the heat. Ideal for clubs in the summer. The material is silky smooth and the prints you do are bloody great. Love them! Looking forward to the new Hawaiian prints coming out.
Big love to the Frangipani crew xxxxx
We donate half the profits of each Hawaiian shirt sold to Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation! The funds that are raised are used to provide Music & DJ equipment to under-funded schools around the World. You can get involved and Buy One today. Read more about the music initiative here
