Supporting an international DJ like Chris Liebing is something many techno fans would only dream of, but Paul Devins has done it. He’s also supported Infusion’s own Jamie Stevens and as one of Retek’s resident DJ’s, he has no problems in getting people up and dancing to the underground vibe of minimal-tech!

1. Name?  
Paul Devins

2. Describe the style of music you play?
I reckon dark, funky, and driving with a progressive influence would sum it up pretty well.                    

3. What attracts you to playing minimal-tech?
I love it. It’s crazy music. I find it really interesting and it has a depth to it that I don’t find in a lot of other styles of dance music. There is a very underground, anti mainstream vibe about it and I have always been attracted to music that you don’t hear everyday. It’s is a bit of a “f*&K you” to the corporate side of the music world.

4. How long have you been DJ’ing for?
Got my decks in October 04 so been messin around with em since then.

5. If I took a look inside your fridge, what would I find?
You would find heaps of condiments, veges, meat, cream, eggs, milk, cheese, beer, some dietary supplement pills and aloe vera gel in pump bottles???? Not sure what that’s doing in there.

6. What was the first record you bought?
It’s a 4 track compilation released on EFA and I really liked the first track RAVEMUSICK by T. RAUMSCHMIERE. I bought it before I had any decks to play it on.

7. What equipment do you have and use at home?
Two Technics 1200’s, Vestax PCV-275, Peavey monitors. Pretty simple.

8. Who is your biggest musical influence?
Would have to say Tool and Mike Patton but Adam Beyer was definitely the person who influenced me into the dance realm.    

9. What/Who inspired you to start DJ’ing?
My mate Tane inspired me to start mixing. He had bought some second hand turntables and didn’t even really know what to do with them at first. I used to play guitar and give my mates stick for listening to dance but I started playing around on his decks when I went to his place and slowly started getting the hang of it. I had heaps of fun but I never intended to be a DJ or play in a club or anything like that.

10. What DJ have you met that turned you into a tongue tied stuttering silly billy?
Richie Hawtin was definitely one but I was already a munted chopstick so I had no chance. James Zebiela and Nic Fanciulli were the other two. My girl at the time and a mate of hers had taken them out for the day to show them around Perth and they ended up dropping the girls off at mine and coming in to say hello. I didn’t know what to say and kept spinning out that they were in my house. I Felt like a total retard.

11. Vinyl or Digital ?
Vinyl only so far.

12. Tell me about the first time you played out?
Played at a little place in London called Live Bar. Was totally random. I had been buying heaps of records over there but had nothing to play them on and my housemate hooked me up with this guy that put on parties. I played for about 3 hours and got paid 40 quid. I was stoked!

13. Do you have a message for the bedroom DJ’s out there?
Just keep pushing the envelope and love what you do.

14. Where can the Perth punters see you play?
At the moment I’m a resident at Retek which is held at Bar Open once a month and occasionally I play at Lokal as well.

15. What are you doing after you finish this interview?
Getting curry for dinner.

16. Open mic - 25 words or less.....
Keep it real. Be true to yourself and trust yourself and will reap the rewards. Peace.