If you’re a party promoter there are two essential elements for making your debut season in an Ibiza club successful - put on effing good djs every week and unite your entire organisation behind your summer program. Like what Om records have done for their Wednesday night residency at El Divino.
The unmonk-like San Franciscans have rented a great big villa for the season and in the first month alone they are planning to bring over Sneak, Mark Farina, Andy Caldwell, Iz’n’Diz, JT Donaldson, and Kaskade, the creator of their recent no. 1 (on the Billboard dance chart) 'Everything'.
Also on their schedule are Miguel Migs, Marques Wyatt, the mushroom-munching King Britt (below), Greenskeepers, Colette (right), Afro-Mystik, and Derrick Carter. They’re also bringing over their own cheerleading quad in the form of planeloads of American supporters.
The reaction on our forums to this enticing blend of White Isle promiscuity and quivering virginity has been very positive and El Divino might very well have another hit on their hands.
We asked label boss Dj Fluid, aka Chris Smith, if he’s worried about the competition from Erick Morillo’s chock-a-blocker, also on Wednesday nights.
Chris Smith: Om won't be competing with Subliminal at Pacha because it's a totally different vibe. If you want to really bang it out at a massive high energy party you should head on down to Subliminal. If you are looking for a more intimate family vibe with an emphasis on house music, smiles and soul, come see what Om is all about! These are two distinctly different events, so it's perfect that they fall on the same night as they don't compete for the same crowd.
Why do you want to come to Ibiza, the most competitive club market place in all the world?
Om is really focusing its promotions energy on Europe this year and Ibiza is a great place to start! There are a lot of big banging parties in Ibiza but there are very few true house nights that really focus on quality music and a funky vibe. This is the gap that we aim to fill.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your team.
Om Records started in 1995, so we are 10 years old this year! Based in the lovely little town of San Francisco, we are a close family of 10 employees and about 20 interns. The Om sound is deep, soulful, sexy and funky. One of our biggest hits was Blue Boy's ‘Remember Me’.
Who else in your crew likes Ibiza? How do you choose who gets to go?
I think everyone in the Om family likes Ibiza, artists and staff alike. We are doing our best to get every artist and each staff member out at least once over the season. All the artists are fired up to come over and bring their music to the island We've acquired a lovely villa and are looking forward to a long hot summer of shenanigans. All of these will be very measured of course, as we have Charlotte from Om as our head of household...making sure there is no misbehaving at the villa and everyone brushes their teeth before bedtime.
Who's most likely to get locked up by the cops for causing trouble? Who's most likely to get laid?
Our publicist Gunnar (left) is most likely to get tossed in the can. He's a total liability. Our accounts manager Ramiro, or Chromeo (above) is most likely to get laid. He's the Latin Casanova of the crew with a shockingly high hit to miss ratio.
What's the scene like in San Francisco these days?
The San Francisco scene is alive and well. There is a lot going on and a ton of great music. I think many San Franciscan's take it for granted just how good the music and the people really are. There's an amazing energy here.
What's Ibiza's rep in San Francisco?
I think Ibiza has quite a good rep in San Francisco though it's more of a mythical image of the island because most people have never been there. We aim to change that by bringing a bunch of them over this year to pop their cherries, figuratively, of course.
How are the package holiday tour sales through www.goibiza.net going? I read on their website they're promising "live entertainment" on board the place. What's that going to be?
The package sales have just begun but they are going great. They have already sold out several weekends. As far as the onboard entertainment, God only know what's being planned. Hopefully it won't get too out of control - it is a frickin' jumbo jet after all!
What else are you planning to check out while you're here?
Om is doing monthly events in Dubai, Bahrain, Helsinki and Mallorca so I will be popping around to those parties. Other than that I plan on enjoying the beauty of the island. I'm an outdoorsy sort of dude at heart so I plan on exploring every inch.