Dave Clarke began his music career as a hip-hop DJ in the mid-'80s, shifting to and staying with Techno & Electro. He recently came into the College to talk to the Sixth Form about the music industry and spent "a brilliant few hours" looking over the College and having school lunch with Tony Whitestone (Common Room 1971-2006).
- When you were at Brighton College, what did you want to be when you 'grew-up'?
Something to do with music, either production, radio or dj'ing...so I actually followed that train of thought to a career. - What are you now you've grown up?
I have had many records out, some of which have been in the top 40. I have remixed many people from Depeche Mode to The Chemical Brothers. I have had a radio show on Dutch national radio for almost 6 years. I do consulting. I have and continued to play at all the major festivals in Europe and some of the best niche clubs. So you could say I am heavily entrenched in the music industry. - What is your best memory of school?
Discovering Gustav Holst's The Planet Suite in a lesson held by the Head of RE, or my Chemistry teacher (Mr. Prideaux) loaning me a small mixer over a school holiday so I could experiment with music. - What was the best piece of advice you were given at School?
Don't smoke and make sure the safety is activated on the rifle! - What does your job involve?
Self management, career positioning to reflect the belief of my musical direction, minor accountancy, many many hours of hard work each week with the ability of flipping from strategy to a creative role, to consultant to BUMA Cultuur to helping in an engineering role at a leading audio manufacturer, to being in a self designed studio, to occasionally writing for a magazine or newspaper, to interviewing artists on radio or tv, choosing the music on my own radio show, to travelling worldwide almost every weekend to dj at clubs or festivals. - What are the most challenging parts of your job?
The lack of sleep, some weekends I can travel for 8 hours to a gig, rest for maybe 2 hours then off to another gig with maybe 6 hours of travel and then having to catch up with sleep on a Sunday evening, then back into the office on Monday morning. - What have you done that you are most proud of?
Career wise, it would have to be the fact I have done this for so many years in a fickle and demanding market to a consistant high level. - What is the single thing that would most improve the quality of your life?
Professionally.....more sleep and less travelling. - What are the three objects you would take with you to a desert island?
A boat, an engine and a gps, desert islands are not a place I wish to be. - How would you like to be remembered?
Pure and good of heart.
www.daveclarke.com
Follow Dave on twitter here: http://twitter.com/DJDaveClarke