Ask the DJ | Sharam Tayebi - Miami Herald
(December 15, 2006)
Miami HeraldBy MICHAEL HAMERSLY
Sharam Tayebi, half of the Grammy-winning DJ duo Deep Dish (along with Ali ''Dubfire'' Shirazinia) takes over the duo's favorite hot spot, Space, solo on Saturday night. But judging from Sharam's new mix CD, Global Underground: Dubai, you won't notice Ali's absence -- it's just as strong as anything the pair have produced together; 305-375-0001.
Q: The first CD of GU: Dubai sounds to me very much like a Deep Dish effort. Do you take a different approach toward selecting the mix when working solo?
Not really -- we've gone through the same process. At least I have: The principles are the same, and the same as my DJing style, which is to entertain while educating. I didn't try to go out of my way to make a different statement. I wanted to represent what I do on the clubs. When you do things for the sake of being different you lose integrity.
Q: You and Ali always seem to find the best tracks that are tinged with rock 'n' roll. Is that by design?
There's so much stuff out there, but certain things appeal to my palate, and I've tried to use those for this compilation and I've tried to use them in the past. What attracts me is well-produced tracks, timeless tracks, not something that everybody wants to do trend-wise.
Q: Did you choose your set list to fit the feeling you get from Dubai?
We've played there two or three times before and I really liked the vibe of the city, the people, the clubs -- just an overall positive vibe -- and I wanted to represent it. As far as putting material on the CD to represent the city, nowadays it doesn't matter very much: You have a dark room, a sound system and a great party. I recorded a set and went back and picked material that was highlights of the night -- 40 to 50 percent is stuff that was played that night.
Q: Anything in the works right now with Ali?
No, we're doing solo projects. I have my new single Party All the Time and just did a video for it that's currently on YouTube -- I don't know how it got there.
Q: Other than during WMC, do you ever play anywhere other than Space?
Yeah, we used to come there more, but we've been so busy lately. We've done Suite, where the old Liquid used to be. It depends what our schedule is like. But Space is what we call home. You can do two different sets in one night -- a big chunky-style set in the main room and a happy-go-lucky set on the terrace.
Q: What can we expect from your set? Lots of tracks from Dubai?
Yeah, that's the whole purpose of the tour. It's hard to replicate the whole CD, but I'll incorporate new stuff with stuff from the CD.
Q: Do you have a musical mission when spinning?
If I like it, I'll play it, so the thinking has never been ''This is our style, so we can't do anything different.'' Good music needs to be played.
Q: What would you do if you had to change careers?
It'd be something in the entertainment business, directing, producing movies or a TV series. Especially after some of the videos we've done -- I think I'd have the knack for it, if I had the time to do it.
Q: What do you love to do in your free time?
I tend to garden, plant trees -- anything that has to do with nature. I don't go on trekking exhibitions, but I enjoy messing around with trees and plants in my backyard.
And skiing, when I get the chance. In the Dubai desert they have ski resorts, the biggest indoor ski resort in the middle of the desert. You can go sand surfing in the hot sun, and then half an hour later, indoor skiing.
