"Originally producing was something I avoided at the start because I didn’t believe in myself"

So who is Will Taylor? When did you start DJing - and what or who were your early passions and influences? What is it about house music that drew you to it? 

I Started DJin 15 years ago which naturally progressed into me becoming a producer later on down the line and now owning my own record label FREAK. I've got 3 older siblings that was always going out raving when i was a young kid and was playing house music round the house whilst I grew up so I reckon that had a massive influence early on. House music made a Huge impact on my life on my first trip to ibiza when I was 17 and never looked back.

How would you describe your own development as an artist and the transition towards your own voice? What is the the relationship between copying, learning and your own creativity? 

Ive always been a fan of the vocals in music from 80s, 90s and garage era, so I’ve now incorporated that into my productions along with the more underground beats, which i hope shows my own style. Having dived into a few different genres of house along the years I feel I’m finally making the music I love.

Let's say you have a gig coming up tonight. What does your approach look like – from selecting the material and preparing for, opening and then building a set? 

Doing your research of the venue and party makes a big difference on how I prepare for my set, for example outdoor venues i'd stay away from the heavy underground beats and visa versa. I don’t actually plan my set but would make sure I have a good range of music prepared to play that night and then work off the crowds vibe and play to that.

Especially thanks to the storage facilities of digital media, DJ sets could potentially go on forever. What marks the end of a DJ performance for you? What are the most satisfying conclusions to a set? 

This can really vary depending on the set time you have, whether it's warming up, peak time or closing the night down its very important to hand over with the right track selection that keeps the night flowing and not trying to out do the DJ before or after you. I think the best nights are when you don’t even notice a DJ change over cause its just constant grooves flowing.

You mentioned you know produce too is this something that you think will be your long term goal producing for other artists or just something that will always just go side by side with your DJ'ing? 

Originally producing was something I avoided at the start because I didn’t believe in myself to be able to make music, after plenty of help from friends and even lessons I’ve now been producing 6 years and released on labels I wouldn’t ever of dreamed off.

Who would you love to produce a track for? 

I wouldn’t say produce track for because they are already established artists but there is plenty of artists i'd love to work in the studio with, Jamie Jones, Martinez Brothers, Dennis Cruz to name a few.

What would be the Dream Gig? 

DC10 Terrace in Ibiza has always been the dream gig since the first time i stepped on the dance floor.

Here at The Hobo Jack Journal we love to travel hence the name. Where is your favourite place on earth? 

I wouldn’t be a DJ if i didn’t say IBIZA, but seriously it really is a special place, after living there for 6 summers you get to explore the whole island not just the party side and if you haven’t been you really need to go!

More images below from Danny Woodstock Photographer