House Call

He’s been around the world a couple of times, record bag slung over his shoulder, headphones curling around his neck, but British DJ Greg Stainer has been calling Dubai home for most of the 21st century. As a resident at the now legendary Zinc club, he has garnered a loyal following, and uses his weekly stints to showcase his unique remixing skills, a few of his own compositions and, most importantly, his knack of keeping that floor filled until bedtime. Now, he’s released his own album, a mash-up of remixed club classics and his own tunes – and if any album can claim to have captured the sound of Dubai’s house scene, it’s 6mil 2headphones.

NOX: How did you end up in Dubai – and why did you decide to stay?
Greg Stainer: I first came to Dubai because my little sister showed me an ad for a DJ agency in a UK magazine. I came here on a three-month contract and haven’t looked back. It’s perfect for me; I get to DJ at a great venue and make music in my studio. All tax free and in the sunshine!

NOX: Describe the Dubai scene... What makes it different to Miami, New York or London?
GS: Dubai’s scene has grown so much in the six years I’ve been here: from cheesy ex-mobile disco guys playing Top 20 hits, to some of the best DJs on the planet performing on a regular basis. People here seem to have more disposable income than other cities; therefore clubs are full every night. In London/New York it tends to be only at weekends.
 
NOX: You say that you want the CD 6mil 2headphones to “represent the true sound of Dubai”. How does it do that?
GS: The CD represents Dubai more as a whole evening of clubbing rather than an individual song. I take you on a journey which would be like a typical club night: starting off deep and bouncy with soulful vocals, known as the “warm up” set, then things get a little more edgy, moving into a more techy and progressive sound, then we finish off with a couple of dancefloor anthems. In Dubai, I find that you cannot just stick to one genre of house, you have to keep the journey going until the end of the night.

NOX: You’re best known for your nights at Zinc. Why has it remained the best club in the UAE?
GS: It ticks all the boxes; it’s well managed, has a great security and bar team, and is in a great location. It has the right balance of bubbly drinking VIPs and regular party people, and the music rocks seven days a week! And now, we’re busier than ever – in times of trouble, you can always rely on Zinc!
 
NOX: The album is split between your own tracks and remixes of other peoples’, but was there ever a temptation to put out just your own music?
GS: This album really represents what I have been doing for the past 12 months. Remix, the original track, then remix of the original… I’ve been lucky to have been given the chance to remix some amazing tracks, and they just sounded too good to not put them on the album. I will release an album of only my tracks in the future – maybe even a greatest hits when I’m old and grey!

NOX: When you’re composing a track, what’s the process? Do you have a selection of beats you’ve collected and start to build up the layers, or do you find a snatch of melody and work around it?
GS: I do have loads of individual samples and loops in my library, but I love the process of building a track from scratch. I usually start from the kick drum and work my way up; getting the groove is essential. Then I’ll take a break and come back with fresh ears and start laying down some melodies with synths/basses, etcetera.

NOX: Is this album for local audiences, or a chance to showcase Dubai to outsiders? What does the title 6mil 2headphones refer to?
GS: I definitely rate the CD up there with any other house CD from anywhere in the world, so it’s intended to be heard by all. The title refers to my career thus far; from my old job in construction to my new job in music...!