DAMIAN LAZARUS: IN ALL IN MY YEARS COMING TO THE ISLAND I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER EXPERIENCED A SUMMER LIKE THIS.

How was starting your own night in Ibiza? Every Saturday at Hï Ibiza.

Firstly, when the opportunity was first presented to me I was a little apprehensive because as flattered as I was to be asked, I wasn’t sure how I
would feel about playing in the same room every Saturday for 21 weeks. I called a few dj friends with weekly residencies on the island and asked how they cope with their similar issues and I slowly came around to the idea. Black Coffee and I have a lovely connection; we always play magical back to back sets with one another, we have both remixed each other’s records, our respective teams are on very good terms and there is a mutual respect and friendship between us. On my first meeting with Yann Pissenem at Hï Ibiza about the offer to join the team, I immediately felt relaxed and excited. I was invited to essentially create “my own universe” in the Club Room and I was told that they trusted me to design something special that would both compliment Black Coffee’s Theatre room but also feel exclusive to me. I knew immediately then that this was too good an opportunity to pass up and that working with the amazing team from Hï Ibiza would be a wonderful experience.

How have you seen the island of Ibiza this summer?

In all my years coming to the island I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a summer like this. The hunger to dance and party this season has surpassed any other summer before it. I guess the pandemic and the island essentially being closed for 2 summers has a lot to do with this but there is also this extra energy, like a new feeling on the island that is excited again for new directions in music, new musical ideas, it’s almost like a rebirth.

Your first time on the island was? What do you remember?

It was in 1999 when I came to perform with a String sextet called Instrumental at the 20th anniversary of Cafe del Mar. Soon after I played at Manumission and the following morning I sneaked onto the decks on the Space terrace.

Did you dream of having your own night in one of the clubs on the island?

Actually not really. Of course it’s something that you think about as a DJ and a promoter but to be honest I’ve been very lucky over the years to have played in every club on island and to have been a resident at Circoloco, and I have often thought that having your own night on the island, under your own name, would be very stressful and potentially harmful to your mental and physical health.

What does it mean to you, sharing a night and club with Black Coffee?

As I said, it’s very flattering to have been asked. Nathi is an artistic genius and a lovely human being. We share similar family values and let’s not forget that his weekly residency at Hï Ibiza has been one of the most successful residences of all time on the island.

Let’s talk about your guest artists. How did you make the selection?

It was important for me to use the opportunity to showcase a mixture of new up and coming artists, mixed with more established people that are either friends of mine or have close connections to Crosstown Rebels, which usually amounts to the same thing. Essentially I am pretty close with all my guests. It was important for me to invite artists that are leading the way musically but are also fun to be around.

Do you share with your guest artists, dinner or other moments on the island? What is your itinerary like on a Saturday on the island

Yes every Saturday we share a dinner at Laylah, the incredible Israeli / Middle Eastern restaurant near the Marina Botofoch. I generally arrive quite late from wherever I’ve been playing the night before, we eat, drink, laugh and listen to some more experimental music played by one of that nights guests. I then arrive at the club around midnight-12:30 and show my support to both the warm up dj and the main guest that night. I start playing every week at 3:30am and play until close. Depending on which friends are still standing, my brilliant team and I will share a few drinks at the club to unwind. I purposely have not been making, or attending, villa afterparties this season after our night at Hï Ibiza has ended.

Is DAY ZERO or Get Lost concept/festival possible in Ibiza?

I would never say never but so far I haven’t found the right combination of ingredients to convince to me to create either event on the island but as I said, I wouldn’t completely rule it out.

What are the differences with Tulum or Israel? To do this?

Day Zero is a one day festival that takes place in locations of natural beauty where party people from all over the world can come together and immerse themselves in the traditions and cultures of the indigenous people of the area. In Tulum the event takes place in the Mayan jungle and in Isreal it takes place at the World Heritage site of Masada in the Dead Sea. Get Lost is usually a multi stage 24 hour event, with over 70 artists performing. Both brands are very dear to me so I take much pride in them and will never agree to make either party unless everything is in its right place.

Finally, what is Your place to get lost on the island?

If I gave up that information, I’d be found, and it’s necessary for me to have one or two private places on the island to relax and chill with my loved ones.