Paul Goodyear

http://www.paulgoodyear.com/ 

H: Paul: How/when did you start doing your remixing?

P: Before doing production I used to edit dance music for various DJ remix service labels (Hot tracks, Direct hit, Discotech and my own label Ace remix).

I started this around 1991. I continued to re-edit music with the vision of moving into full scale remixing and production.

Ace Remix

I think my first studio remix was done around about '95 or 96.

It was a Lonnie Gordon track called "A God that can dance".

After that project my confidence kept building and went on to remix for many labels including Sony, BMG, Universal and many others.

Nothernbeat Feat. Lonnie Gordon

A God That Can Dance

(2010 release)

H: What artist is top of your list to remix for and why?

P: I have no particular favourites and remix each individual song on its own merits.

I do however love to remix "good songs" with a great hook and vocal.

There are times when you work on material that might not be terribly inspiring and you just give it your best shot.

However sometimes you can't polish a Turd! LOL

There are several artists I would love to remix though - Shirley Bassey being one of them

 (THE Diva of divas!)

Shirley Bassey

H: Apart from Remixing, you DJ as well. What places/where?

P: Yes I have been DJ'ing close to 26 years now. What places? Ha ha... how about everywhere?

I have DJ'ed everywhere from Sydney, London, Amsterdam, Singapore, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Madrid.... shall I go on:-)

Currently I am living in my favourite city San Francisco and have regular gigs here spinning at Ghetto Disco @The End up, The Lookout and Fresh @ Ruby Skye.

I haven't stopped travelling though.

You never know where I might pop up!

Ghetto Disco at The End Up

http://www.theendup.com/ 

H: How do you keep up with what's happening within the music industry these days?

P: That's a hard one as many gigs I do have different music styles.

At the end of the day I like what I like and try not to put labels on music (as so many people in the dance community like to do!)

I'm lucky in the sense that there are a number of DJ/Producers that send me their productions when they are hot off the press.

With the internet these days you don't have many "secret weapons" for long!

H: There is a lot of controversy surrounding blogs that provide downloads/download links. What is your opinion on this?

P: That's a tough one because artists need to make money as do song writers and every other person that is involved with music production. The problem is the record companies. They ripped the public off for way too long and when the likes of free downloading sites like Napster came along they didn't know how to handle the whole situation of people downloading music for free. I hear a lot of complaints from people that want to buy music from a store but are disappointed when the mixes they are looking for are not released (or are territory restricted) and are only found on a blog or one of the many free download sites that are out there. I get music when I can whether I have to buy it or down load it for nothing. Even though I prefer not to music dates very quickly and in my job I've got to be on top it! Get with the programme record labels!

http://www.napster.com/index.html?darwin_ttl=1295429647&darwin=s1210G&regflow_id=s1210G&naps_app_id=0 

H: You have done remixes for artists like Shauna Jensen, how do these productions come together?

P: Shauna and I have many mutual friends. Through an introduction we hit it off and decided to go into the studio together. She has an amazing voice and is such a talented performer. I like to think that our track "Take me to Heaven" (the cover of the Sylvester record) helped cross her over from her rock / band roots to the dance scene. She has taken that ball and run with it and is having great success. I love her!

Clone Zone Dance Anthems Two contains:

Shauna Jensen - Take Me To Heaven (Paul Goodyear Original Mix)

www.Almightyrecords.com 

H: Speaking of Shauna, are there any plans to work together in the near future?

P: We are living in different countries but you never know what's around the corner. I am always pleased when I hear her vocals on a new dance release. She deserves nothing but the best and delivers time and time again.

Shauna Jensen

P: I think I am different in many ways as a remixer as I have never really had "a sound". Every song is totally different so I think the sound I give it should work with the actual song. I do get over a lot of producers just churning out the same sound over and over. Why remix music if this is all you can come up with? I do understand where they are coming from but you can still have a sound move forward and evolve. Look at Peter Rauhofer, Dave Seamen, David Morales for instance they are always evolving and varied with their sounds.

Paul Goodyear

H: Talking about DJ's & Remixers: Who are your favourites?

P: DJ's that come to mind are Jerry Bonham, Stephen Allkins (aka Love Tattoo) David Strong (Ireland/UK) and Murray Hood (Aus). All very good with great taste and a great feel for programming music. I like DJs that play a variety of music and aren't stuck in one genre. I also really appreciate it when new tracks are mixed up with classics.

David Strong

http://djdavidstrong.com/ 

Remixers that come to mind at the moment would be David Penn, Freemasons, Peter Rauhofer, Dave Aude, David Morales, DJ Meme , Chus and Ceballos (they are many others but these guys stand out for me right now)

Freemasons

H: What are you working on at the moment?

P: I have just finished working on a track from San Francisco based DJ and Producer John Le Page. It's a wonderful track with vocals by Debbie Holiday. I have also just completed new remixes for San Francisco artist Caroline Lund. It's her new track "I Don't wanna be Right" and is due for release very soon. "It's all about the music" by Pattie Brooks (legendary disco singer) is due for release any day. I am constantly in the studio and there are other releases due out soon that I can't spill the beans on just yet. Keep a look out though, this boy's been busy!

John LePage feat. Debbie Holiday - Take Me Higher

H: The Pop/Dance/NRG scene has changed a lot over the past 10 years I think, do you agree and if so, in what way has it changed?

P: Having been a big fan of the NRG / Pop genre I haven't seen a great deal of change in the last 10 years. The scene I have most recently played in is on the American Gay Circuit. So really a lot of the US circuit sound I have played has really been today's version of hi-nrg (with maybe a tougher more tribal infused rhythm) With the European scene I think a lot of the pop/nrg seems to be a little house influenced (Freemasons, Bimbo Jones, Bassmonkey's) I think there is a lot of great NRG/Pop around right now and it seems to be a very healthy genre.

Caroline Lund

H: Remixes by Paul Goodyear appear to have a huge Gay following, do you have any idea why that is?

P: Ha ha.... I guess I have always targeted the Gay community with my DJ'ing starting at a very young age. I love playing to crowds who have an appreciation for "the dance" and who love to dance!

My roots are Disco and Hi-nrg which have always gone hand in hand with the Gay community. I mean really those styles grew out of the Gay clubs.

I am open to anyone who appreciates what I do and also have a fondness for playing to the straight crowds too:-)

I Love Disco

H: Pride season has just come to a close; do you go to/play at any Gay Prides and if so: which one(s)?

P: Gay Pride is normally a good and busy time for me and have played many gay pride gigs including Fire island, San Francisco, Sydney, Madrid and Amsterdam.

At this stage I am working on getting gigs sorted for Gay Pride. So stay tuned to my website for more info coming soon.

http://www.paulgoodyear.com/

Paul at Sidney Mardi Gras

H: If you were to name your all-time favourite remix that you have done, which one would it be and why exactly?

P: I don't think I really have one. There are a few that I hold very close to me. Kristine W "The Boss", "  Whitney Houston "On my own", Linda Clifford "How long? , Paul Parker "Right on target",  by Kimberly Davis "Twist of love",  Ultra Nate "Free", Toni Braxton "Unbreak my heart",

Full Intention "I love America" are some of my favourites.

Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart

(Paul Goodyear Remix)

I'll mention that I have been lucky enough to collaborate with some of dance/disco's great artists too - Carol Jiani, Paul Parker and Rick Gianatos (One very famous disco producer)

Linda Clifford - How Long

(Paul Goodyear & Rick Gianatos Mixes)

Paul & Wilma Goodyear with Linda Clifford

H: What is your favourite hang-out?

P: My favourite hang-out is The End Up here in San Francisco. it's not a big glamorous club but it's a lovely smaller space with a top notch sound system and a great appreciative crowd who are real music people. What more does a DJ want?

The End Up is my favourite club in the world hands down and I'm so grateful that I have a residency there!

http://www.theendup.com/

H: What is your favourite tipple?

P: I have a real affection for Tequila now after living in Mexico. Some salt and Lime juice with it too!

Tequila

H: You are to host/have the perfect party; who would be your dream guest list and why?

P: Well I would have to conjure up some old friends from beyond the grave for this one LOL

But really first and foremost my wife Wilma would have to be there!  

Celebrities don't really float my boat.

My dream list would be my best friends because they are there for me through thick and thin and friends are everything!

Not to mention my friends are all a wee bit mad, just how I like it, so we always have a lot of fun.

With a HUGE thanks to Paul!

H. Xx