Entrevista a Howard

AS part of Take That, Howard Donald is one of the most successful pop stars in the UK. This summer the band embark on a sold-out 20-date arena tour that includes gigs at Hampden Park. However, as a DJ Howard is less well-known. It was his passion, even before Take That, and it became his career when the band split in 1996. But who is Howard Donald the DJ? Here, the 40-year-old fills us in...

Q LOOKING forward to playing in Glasgow at the end of March?

A DEFINITELY looking forward to it as I haven't DJd in Scotland for some time. I think the last time was in Edinburgh, I can't be sure, but I always have good memories of it. I love the Scottish crowd - they really know how to party.

Q YOU'RE perhaps known a bit better internationally as a DJ than you are within the UK.

For those that haven't heard your sets before describe your style?

A I'D like to think that wasn't true because alongside my agency Fresh we have worked really hard to ensure people do take me seriously as a DJ, particularly in the UK, because people in the UK are more sceptical than anywhere else. My style is underground electro with a few vocals dropped in.

Q WHEN did your passion for DJing start to develop?

A I HAVE always had a passion for DJing even before the band started the first time round when I was playing clubs in Manchester.

Q HOW hard was it for you to be respected as a DJ after TT split?

A IT was very difficult, it would have been very easy to go after the money and sell myself out by playing in big commercial clubs but that isn't what I'm about. It's all about the music for me and although promoters in the UK do seem to be taking me seriously now, it's taken a long time to get to this point, whereas in Germany where I play a lot they were very open-minded and accepted me as a DJ almost straight away.

Q DO you feel your success with TT has been a help or a hindrance when it comes to establishing yourself as a credible DJ?

A NOW that's the six million dollar question. Without it people would never have known who I was, but equally because of it people expected me to be a commercial DJ. So in a way it helped, but it definitely also hindered at the start.

Q ARE you finding it difficult these days to balance work with TT and DJing?

A IT'S always been difficult to juggle things because first and foremost my family and daughters take priority and I will always make time for them. Obviously the TT schedule is very hectic and my DJing is fitted in between wherever possible.

Q ARE any of the other TT boys any good behind the decks?!

AHA HA, they have all had a go at some point I'm sure, but never really taken it seriously.

Q YOU'VE also been quite busy on the production front - anything we should be looking out for in 2009 from you?

A I COMPLETED a track last year called Going Home which I play out and had some good feedback for. You can hear it if you log on to my website www.howarddonald.co.uk

Q WHAT are the plans for Howard Donald the DJ in 2009?

A MORE of the same, really. I obviously have the TT tour this summer so that will take up most of my time but before and after I'll be squeezing as much DJing in as I possibly can, that's for sure.

Q WHAT can the Glasgow crowd expect from you?

A GOOD quality house music.

Howard plays Sabado@ Byblos on Saturday, March 28, 11pm-4am, tickets £15.

'My passion for DJing began way before Take That actually started'

Fuente: Daily Record