Get to know the artists providing the soundrack to your summer this season in Ibiza with our new series all about our residents...
As the sun shines over another season in Ibiza, at Defected HQ we are in full swing of the incredible Balearic summer, where our weekly Friday night residency at Eden continues this week. Our Ibiza journey is ever-evolving, but after two amazing summers at Eden, we truly consider the club our Ibiza home and know the move to San Antonio has paid off. We will also be reutrning for our epic, sunset-lit pre-parties at the iconic Café Mambo, the perfect warm-up to your Friday night and just minutes away from Eden.
This year boasts one our most exciting line-ups yet, thoughtfully curated to celebrate both the biggest names in house music and the rising stars that you should get to know. To get you ready for the season, each week we are speaking to one of our residents so you can get to know what to expect this summer at Eden...
Sam Divine
No Defected season would be complete without Sam Divine. A truly skilled DJ who always has the Eden crowd in the palm of her hand, Sam is very at home on the decks in San Antonio, having cut her teeth with several residencies around the island over the years. Plus she always has some upfront cuts from the DVINE Sounds & Defected stables so you're guaranteed to hear her play your new favourite record. We grabbed her for a quick Q&A...
What are you most looking forward to about this summer in Ibiza?
I have 2 Defected parties under my belt already and I have to say the opening party has been a highlight of this year so far. The sound system has been upgraded and it will blow your head off, the production and dancers have all been ramped up! Defected don’t ever do things by halves. There’s definitely a buzz on the island already and it feels like I’ve never ever been away! Can’t wait to play again next weekend.
How do you feel about being a resident for Defected?
I’ve been a Defected resident for 10 years and every year it gets better. I’ve gone through many sound changes over the years from soulful, to tribal, vocal, tech and now it’s come back to house! I’ve always stayed in my lane and adapted. Defected gives me the freedom to do that.
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside at the parties?
Everyone. It’s such a family vibe at Defected. I have formed special bonds with all the artists on and off the ‘pitch’ for want of a better word. Simon always jokes we are like a Premier League football team and he’s the manager, ha. I’ve toured tons with Low Steppa, Amine Edge & DANCE so I’m looking forward to getting up to mischief with them. We also welcome Gorgon City & Darius Syrossian this year and I’ve not played with them before although I’ve known Darius for a while now, so I’m looking forward to making new friends.
What’s your fondest Ibiza memory?
Probably the first time I played at Defected in Pacha in 2009. I remember being so scared to the point that my hands were shaking so much I dropped my CD wallet on the floor and all the CD’s went everywhere! It wasn’t one of my finest moments, ha! I handed the decks over to Bob Sinclar and it was a mutual respect . That’s what I love so much about Defected. After all these years my heroes have turned into friendships.
What is your favourite thing to do on the island?
Not gonna lie. Sleep! I always have the best night sleep in Ibiza. I stay with one of my best mates every week so it’s super chilled. After a hectic weekend I don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone so recharging my batteries is my number 1 priority! This will be my 14th summer on the island so unless I have a crew out with me it’s my downtime.
What can we expect to hear in your sets this summer?
There are so many dope tracks coming out this summer and I’m lucky enough to get all the upfront shizz way in advance. I have my own remix of Amira - Desire which has been killing it in my sets this year, no release date on that at the moment and also the new Ferreck Dawn (remix of Melba Moore's My Heart Belongs To You) and Kormak's track My Love For You have both been doing the biz for me.
Sam Divine will play Defected @ Eden on 7th June, 21st June and 19th July with more dates TBA.
Low Steppa
Our third resident who will be dominating Eden's dancefloors on Friday nights is Low Steppa, having made his debut on the label earlier this year with smash hit 'You're My Life' this summer will see him play a number of dates for us, as he becomes a fully fledged member of the Defected family. We caught up with him about the Ibiza season ahead...
What are you most looking forward to about this summer in Ibiza?
It's just such a good team with Defected, all the staff are my friends too and its just real good vibes, I look forward to every party even more because of this, house music all life long!
How do you feel about being a resident for Defected?
It's a very special one as its played a huge part in my life from the moment I started buying records as it was the same year funnily enough, it's 20 years anniversary for both of us!
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside at the parties?
It's always great to see Sam Divine as we go back years, we first became friends in 2003 I think, so it's always ace to party together! Always nice to see MK, Amine Edge & Dance, Jacky, Riva Starr etc, to be honest everyone is sound!
What’s your fondest Ibiza memory?
Even more so now, it's when I first went to Ibiza in 2003 or 2004 and I went to Defected at El Divino and remeber wishing I could be up in that booth playing the music, good things come to those who wait I guess!
What is your favourite thing to do on the island?
I love to walk and listen to music, really does clear your head, I love to just take in the vibes of the Island, I really am in love with Ibiza, have been since the moment I first stepped off the plane all those years ago.
What can we expect to hear in your sets this summer?
Vocals, rolling beats, some disco vibes, whatever takes my fancy on the night, whatever feels right and gets that party going or if I'm closing whatever keeps it going to the very last beat!
Low Steppa will play Defected @ Eden on 21st June, 28th June, 5th July, 19th July and with more dates TBA.
Gorgon City
First up is North London duo Gorgon City. With six dates already announced for Gorgon City to appear at Eden, and more TBA later in the summer, they will be key players in our summer programming. Kye Gibbon and Matt Robson-Scott have established themselves as one of the most in demand acts in the game, channeling their London club culture roots through their sets and productions that have acquired them fans across the globe. We spoke to the boys about the upcoming season…
What are you most looking forward to about this summer in Ibiza?
Our new residency with Defected obviously! It's an honour for us to be headlining shows with you guys and it's our first time playing at Eden so it's really exciting. It's nice for us to do something different and fresh this season.
How do you feel about being a resident for Defected?
Defected is a legendary house label and we've been fans for years. The label and the events have really grown recently and the output from the label gets better and better and better every year. So I think we're in good hands!
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside at the parties?
All the lineups are strong. We're looking forward to playing with our old friends Riva Starr, Amine Edge & Dance, Lowsteppa and Danny Howard. It's going to be nice to get to know the rest of the gang better as well. Really looking forward to hearing Darrius Syrossian and Kenny Dope!
What’s your fondest Ibiza memory?
We have so many good memories from the island. Space was a great club that has a special place in our hearts, so nights there - we will never forget.
What is your favourite thing to do on the island?
Chilling in the North of the island is amazing. Exploring places like Portinatx beach and seeing Es Vedra and all that beautiful stuff.
What can we expect to hear in your sets this summer?
Loads of new music from us and stuff from our label Realm. We're VERY excited.
Gorgon City play Defected @ Eden Ibiza on the 31st May, 7th June, 14th June, 21st June and 2nd August with more dates TBA.
Amine Edge & DANCE
Up next is French duo Amine Edge & DANCE, who bring their high energy, super-cool sound to Eden for a series of dates this summer. Taking inspiration from early House, Philli Funk, 80's Hip-House and everything in between, their sets guarentee to get the room moving. We caught up with the guys ahead of their residency start.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer in Ibiza?
Having lot of fun of course.
How do you feel about being a resident for Defected?
Blessed, Amien grew up with labels like Defected, being one of their major artists now feels unreal.
What’s your fondest Ibiza memory?
When we had a residency at Sankeys for two years with CUFF, playing with all our friends was pretty dope, also partying with Loco Dice every time we are in the island is so much fun, barbecues at DJ Sneak's with Roger Sanchez and many other friends, such a good vibe.
What is your favourite thing to do on the island?
Eating paella, playing house music, going to many parties, meeting new people.
What can we expect to hear in your sets this summer?
We can’t predict that, all we do is play new music constantly, never doing the same set twice, there is too much music released every day to play the same stuff over and over again.
Amine Edge & DANCE play Defected @ Eden on 5th July and 2nd August, with more dates TBA later in the season.
