This week we have mysterious London based producer Vanilla Ace in for an exclusive spotlight mix. He's been making a name for himself in the capital's underground for a few years now with releases on Toolroom, Moda and our own label, Ministry of Sound Recordings.

He's found fans in headline names as diverse as Seth Troxler and The Magician, and in just two weeks he'll be supporting bona fide house hero, Roger Sanchez in The Box. So we thought it was high time to get this emerging house star to take us on a whistle stop tour of his record collection.

 

 

First of all thanks for doing an exclusive mix for us, what did you go for in the mix?

For this mix I showcased some exclusive never heard before tracks such as my S’Express remix which I did for Mark Moore, that will come out next year.

 

Is this a representation of what you play out now or more what you listen to at home?

This represents more what I play out, it’s a proper club mix, play it before you come to MOS! Turn the bass up!

 

For those who may be new to your music, how would you describe your sound?

A house Vanilla Ice Cream with a sprinkling of deep chocolate, tech toffee and disco doughnuts? Haha

 

How did you first get in to music, when did you know you wanted to be a DJ?

I was obsessed with music growing up, always listening to my Walkman, making mix tapes for friends and shops, DJing my school discos, being a liner note anorak, always clubbing and dancing non stop… then I realised I could make a career out of it after DJing a few club nights in my late teens. I was a big clubber before I DJ’d full time so all the late 90’/early noughties house was my schooling.

 

What have you got coming up on the horizon?

I've got a few EP’s with Sharam Jey lined up, a collaboration with Boy George, an EP on Sleazy G, Milk & Sugar, Erase, CR2 Underground a bunch of remixes…I’m always creating so the releases are looking healthy.

 

What can the Ministry of Sound crowd expect from your set on Saturday 15^th November?

They can expect to hear me play some new music and a lot of my biggest tracks, can’t wait to hear them on the MOS sound system! Its going to be fun.

 

You’re supporting legendary house DJ Roger Sanchez, who is your ultimate House hero?

Roger is a legend and lovely guy, we hung out in Ibiza this past July. Its a tough one but I’d say a cross between Masters At Work, Armand van Helden and Daft Punk… all very influential and made amazing records when I was getting into DJing.

 

Where did the name Vanilla Ace come from?

I needed a alias name for this project and I saw a funny comment by a friend on Facebook and it stuck in my head!

 

What do you think of the state of dance music at the minute?

I think it's good, I love seeing guys like Disclosure, Duke Dumont etc going to No.1, it shows that people are appreciating real house music again. Music is always evolving so I’m excited to see what’s going to happen next. A lot of people moan about EDM but like any genre you have many different styles and people will like what they feel, even if that is a cake in the face…

 

Who are the most exciting underground artists that our readers might not have heard of but who you think will be big names to come?

I think Klaves, MRJ, Thee Cool Cats, Chemical Surf, Sebb Aston, Antony Toga will be big names.

 

Who are your biggest influences?

Personally I’d say my parents have influenced my work ethic, musically I’d say Prince, George Clinton, James Brown, Nile Rodgers, Marvin Gaye, The Neptunes and Daft Punk.

 

What do you like to do on your day off, what’s a typical Sunday like for you?

A typical Sunday would involve me travelling back from a gig! But once I’m home, I’d chill on the sofa catch up on car crash TV, have a big family dinner, then maybe go to the cinema! If it was a nice day a good walk in Hyde Park would be cool.

 

How do you prepare for a gig? 

f I have some tracks I want to play I’d make a special folder, but usually I freestyle it and go with the flow.

 

Who are your dream collaborators, past or present?

I’ve had the pleasure of doing a few tracks with Sharam Jey and my good pals Chad Tyson and Barber, in the future I’d love to do something with Duke Dumont, Doorly, The Beatangers, Kolombo, Nile Rodgers…the list could go on and on.

 

Tell us something we don't know about Vanilla Ace?

I'm half Finnish.