On the Record... Spencer Parker

We speak to Spencer Parker about some of his favourite records...

This Autumn sees Berlin based Brit Spencer Parker release his debut full length on Saved Records. Having built a strong name for himself with charming EPs and remixes for the likes of Buzzin Fly, Rekids and Tsuba since 2005, the album is "a years worth of intense studio sessions aimed to explore the breadth of house music and Parker’s personal journey since his move to Berlin" according to the PR. According to us, it's a nice dynamic investigation of groove and melody that nicely stretches its legs through the course of the album.

Named 'A Gun For Hire' after the remix alias Spencer's been using, it's as engaging as is one of his revered DJ sets at all Berlin's most wised-up underground haunts (Watergate, Cookies, PBar). As such, we caught up with the notoriously big Rihanna fan to ask about the music which makes him up...


First record you bought...

I’d love to say it was some cool as fuck disco record on Prelude, an album by Public Enemy or some early acid house masterpiece…. But it wasn’t, it was Ray Parker Jnr’s “Ghostbusters” ! On 7 inch no less…

Last record you bought...

The super cool Enhance EP by Marieu, from my local RECORD shop, the excellent Hardwax.

Record you wish you'd written...

Waaaaaay too many to really say but, sticking to house/techno, today, I would say that if I managed to make a track anywhere near as good as “Blackwater” by Octave One or “Knights Of The Jaguar” by DJ Rolando, then I’d be pretty happy…

Record which makes you happiest...

The Nightwriters’ “Let The Music Use You” always certainly puts a smile on my face, that’s for sure…



Record which makes you saddest...

The Script’s “Breakeven” happened to be constantly on rotation on MTV just as I was going through a particularly brutal breakup, and pretty much summed up the situation I found myself in, so, whenever I hear that now, it certainly puts a lump in my throat… But as the record says “…bad things happen for a reason”.

Record you'd put on for sexy time...

I don’t have any records that last between 30 and 48 seconds…

Record you'd reach for (when DJing) if the dance floor was empty...

Nic Fanciulli’s excellent remix of Chiapet’s “Westworld” has certainly served me faithfully in a variety of situations in the past.

Record you couldn't live without...

Today, I would say Blaze “Lovlee Dae”, as it has some amazing personal memories for me of playing it at Panorama Bar, as the sun was just beginning to sneak through the blinds… Best set closing record...

If im playing until the club shuts, then I often use Lindstrom and Prins Thomas’ “Mighty Girl” to close the night.

Best after party record...

The Supermen Lovers “Rebirth”


  Record you had your first kiss/dance to...

I have a vague memory of busting some moves to “Come On Eileen” at family parties when I was a kid.

Favourite non-electronic record...

Almost impossible to say but, today, as I’m getting pretty excited about the new documentary about them, I will say “Low End Theory” by A Tribe Called Quest.

Record which had most influence on you...

From a production point of view, I would say just about anything by my good friend Matt Edwards (Radio Slave). He’s so good, it’s bloody annoying ! ☺

Your own record you are most proud of...

It would be a toss up between my single on Rekids “The Improvised Minotaur” or a single from my new album called “Chouchou”. They are both in a similar vein and I’m really happy with “Chouchou”, in particular, as it’s part of something I never thought I would be able to do – make an album !

Current favourite record...

I’m completely in love with the Stablo series and the latest one “9996” is just as great as the others.

Kristan J Caryl