Interview with Sonny Wharton

May 27, 2018
Uncategorized

Ahead of Whartone Records takeover at Elephants Grave this year we caught up with head honcho, Sonny Wharton.

1) Can you walk us through the career journey you’ve been on?

It’s been quite a surreal adventure to be honest – as a DJ it started by winning a good ol’ fashioned mixtape competition and becoming resident at Manumission and Renaissance in Ibiza and then things seems to snowball quite quickly playing shows all over the world, guest mixes for Radio 1 and international residencies in Barcelona, Seoul and Stockholm. As a producer things really picked up speed when I signed to Skint Records with Fatboy Slim naming me as his ‘Producer of the year’ and Carl Cox championing my record ‘Raindance’ whilst Radio 1 made it their ‘Tune of the week’… all sounds quite mad really when I try to write it down on here!

2) What piece of advice would you give DJs just starting out?

It’s tougher than ever so try and stay focused on what you want to achieve and don’t deviate from that plan – quality over quantity counts for a lot so choose your gigs, releases and alliances carefully as these will ultimately shape your path as an artist moving forwards.

3) What’s the biggest influence on your sound?

Its tough to say as I’ve such a broad taste in music but I guess predominately it’s the 90’s rave era that always plays a big part of everything I do.

4) Whartone Records are returning to headline Elephants Grave 2018. What makes Nozstock special? Why do you keep coming back?

Nozstock IS special and I feel proud to be part of such a great festival year on year. Everyone involved really puts their heart and soul into making it an amazing event and this is clearly evident across the weekend when you look at the attention to detail across the site. This will be my tenth year and to host the Elephants Grave Arena is something I’m looking forward to massively!

5) What are your 3 most essential things for a festival?

Good tunes, Good vibes, Good people

6) Who is your DJ pick for the future? Who is one to watch?

Tricky one to answer this as so many wicked new artists coming through right now. Gotta go with my boys OC & Verde though as they’re really on fire this year – already tipped as Pete Tong’s ‘New Names For 2018’ they’re off to a flying start!

7) Get Nozstalgic for us…give us your best festival memory / best moment of your career so far (whichever you prefer)

Soooo many great festival memories over the year and several at Nozstock (including a stage invasion during my set on the Garden Stage!) but last summer I got to play main stage at a festival called Beats For Love in Czech Republic supporting Fatboy Slim and playing tunes looking out at 40,000 people as the sun was going down is something I think I’ll struggle to top!