Dirty Vegas is a British house music trio consisted of three men: Ben Harris, Paul Harris, Steve Smith. The group was formed in 2001, but four years ago broke up in 2005. But in December 2008 they gathered again and recorded new material.

Their most famous composition is a single “Days Go By”. Also the band was popular and well-known for creating some remixing songs for different artists (Justin Timberlake and Madonna).

The song “Days go by” won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

The vocalist Smith released his first solo album “This Town” on 18 February 2008.

In April 2011 Dirty Vegas released their album “Electric Love”. It was band’s reformation!

Nowadays Dirty Vega is a duo of Ben Harris and Paul Harris!

One half of 2013 year Dirty Vegas spent in working on their next official album “Let The Night”. And here is some details about this upcoming play!

Interviewer: Hey guys! Congratulations on the new EP. You have been one of the UK’s most successful acts for well over a decade, once a trio with Ben – now it is you two smashing the world up. Steve, Paul…tell us about your early years growing up – what is your earliest musical memory… 

Dirty Vegas: Steve: “My earliest memories are of my brothers and sisters playing classic music from their bedrooms like Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac. Music was so precious back then, we didn’t have the instant access that most people have now with 'streaming' etc. We didn’t have MTV or i-Tunes, so Sundays were spent listening to BBC Radio 1 and the Top 40 countdown. It wasn't until I was around 12 that I first got to hear mixtapes with Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow etc. As soon as I was old enough to sneak into clubs my world exploded and something changed forever.”

Paul: “My first serious ones were I guess listening to Chris Forbes on Capital Radio and then Pete Tong, Kiss FM, Spectrum, Centre Force and all the pirate stations. Before that I was very much into the charts and I guess I still am!!!”

I: Paul I first met you when you were a city trader in London, leaving the dancefloor and going straight to your desk. What were the clubs you were getting messy at back then…?

Paul: “Well that was the good old day's of 1989/90. Around that time you’d have found me at Spectrum at Heaven, Sin at the Astoria, The Limelight, The Wag, Rage, The Mud Club at Busbys, Tonka at Gardening Club, Shoom…and London only had a handful of BIG DJs back then, look at it now eh!!”

I: When did the idea that a career in music might be a possibility for you both…

Paul: “The day someone started paying me for playing records! I think I was getting £50 a gig, but I thought 'that’s it, I'm doing this'.” 

Steve: “I remember much the same as Paul, I started to earn more money at weekends than my Monday-Friday job, so my Dad said give it a try!”

I: And the obvious question, when did you first meet and how long did it take for the idea of working together happen?

Steve: “We met through the club scene in London. With Paul playing at The Milk Bar and myself playing percussion at raves and clubs such as The Mudd Club and playing in Balearic bands like Higher Ground it was inevitable really that we’d bump into each other.” 

Paul: “But we first properly met while playing at a party for Danni Minogue in Switzerland. I was playing the music and Steve was playing the percussion. A week after that we were in the studio and ‘Days Go By’ was recorded…simple as that…I hope that happens again!”

I: Tell us about New York City on New Years Eve…the Sleep No More parties always produce a few stories…

Steve: “We were very excited to be asked to play 'Sleep No More's’ NYE Ball in NYC for 2013. We were part of the final act where the actors performed a specially written part for the occasion of midnight…as the clock struck 12 we came out from behind the curtains to party the crowd into 2014.”

Paul: “It was such a great part. I've been speaking to Jonathan who owns ‘Sleep No More’ for quite some time to work a way how we could have done something together and NYE was the party! I think we’re going to be doing more parties over the next year or so...”

I: What is the current Dirty Vegas Top 10 you are spinning…

1. Hot Since 82 feat Alex Mills - Shadows 

2. Foxes - Let Go for Tonight (Fred Falke)

3. Dirty Vegas - Setting Sun (Grum Remix)

4. DJ Dass - White Horse

5. Dirty Vegas - Days Go By (2014 Refix)

6. Chad Tyson - Striptease

7. Tiga - Hot In Herre (Kinree Remix)

8. Dirty Vegas - Let The Night (Sharam Jey / Vanilla Ace Remix)

9. Robert Owens - I'll Be Your Friend

10. Chris Malinchak - If U Got It (Mark Knight Remix)

I: Steve an interesting thing you once said, “I don’t really get inspired by people outside of music”. That’s a pretty sweeping statement…?

Steve: “WOW! Did I say that? When? If I did I'm sure it was some reference to the shady politicians/government of that time. I’m continually inspired by people outside of music these days!”

I: Paul you are renowned as one of our leading DJs who really knows the best restaurants in the world. What are the finest 3 eateries you have ever had the pleasure to nosh in?

Paul: “There's quite a few of us DJs who really know and like good food. I could sit here and name hundreds of amazing places but sometimes it's the whole experience that makes the dining all the better. But of course I can name you a few great places…Zucca in Bermondsey Street, London (owned by and head chef is Ben Harris from Dirty Vegas's brother Sam) I'd personally say is the best Italian in London – go for the Veal Chop or Sea Bass Carpaccio. Now for the whole experience of it I’d have to say Andre in Singapore – we had a 10 course pairing menu and the wine and the food were just very special. Lastly I'd say D.O.M in Sao Paulo – the Tapioca and Oyster course – WOW, that was amazing!”

I: When was the last time you had a massive argument over music?

Steve: “We never have a massive argument over music, but we do have a healthy debate over things that help us get to an understanding of what we want and endeavour to find in the music we make and listen to. 

Paul: “I don't think we've ever had a real argument, but i must admit, Ben said Deep House was coming a fair few years ago, we should have listened to him!”

I: Who are some of the new artists you are listening to at the moment…

Steve: “Goldroom is great. We played with him in Mexico recently and really like the indie/synth/pop he's making. Also, Hot Since 82 is making music that makes us scratch our heads with his perfect dancefloor productions.”

Paul: “Chela I think is going to be big, I've been working with Jetta and have high hopes there, my friend Sharam Jey is doing so well at the moment and also Vanilla Ace. There's too much good music out there!”

I: What's on a Dirty Vegas rider in 2014?

Steve: “We have always been very normal with a few beers and a decent vodka with some mixers. We got those crazy days out the way a long time ago!!”

I: You have been around the US scene pretty much from day one, I can remember seeing you in Kansas where nobody had even heard of dance music back then. What are your thoughts on the last two years over there and this incredible explosion of EDM – I know it’s not your sound but it can only be healthy for the scene right? Everybody has to start somewhere…

Steve: “Things have certainly changed in the US over the last 10 years. Back in 2002 when we first toured the USA we found ourselves fighting in a musical world of Nickelback and Creed, Nelly and Britney Spears. It’s a complete surprise to look at the EDM scene here with the multi-million dollars industry it has become. We won’t get into the large divide between the underground purists and the college kid masses that flock to EDC and Ultra, but what we have observed is that it had brought the acceptance of so-called 'knob-twiddlers' into the book of credible musicians.”

I: Fact or Fiction : You were drinking at the bar at the Grammy’s when it was announced you had won for ‘Days Go By’ in 2003?

Paul: “True sorry to say…we were up for 3 Grammys and we had already lost the first two, thinking that we had no chance of winning, so we had gone to the bar to have a drink with Blue Source (who directed the 'Days Go By' video) when we heard someone mention 'Dirty Vegas' and we looked around…and we'd only gone and won – cue us trying to run to the stage! The whole thing was pretty surreal and it was the most amazing year or so when that happened…very very lucky. That was the first time a Grammy had been awarding for a dance record, now look at them!”

I: The Holi Festival Of Colours Festival in Mexico City looked off the hook. I know you guys love Coachella too, but what has been your best ever festival experience?

Steve: “Holi Festival in Mexico City was absolutely amazing. We've been playing festivals for years and this was one for the 'Special' book. We have been truly lucky over the years to play everything from Coachella to V Festival, Fuji Rock to Ultra Festival, but I think our most memorable was Glastonbury 2009. We hadn't played in the UK since 2005 so were a little worried if anyone would come to our stage. 15 minutes before we hit the stage the tent we played completely filled up and people were trying to get in. I also got to say the immortal words 'Hello Glastonbury'!!” 

I: Paul, you have done your fair share of parties for the A-List celebrity world, indeed you admit you love doing them as you play a wider range of music which gives you ideas for Dirty Vegas music. Who are the biggest stars you’ve had grooving on the dancefloor and what has been the worst ever request you’ve been asked to play?

Paul: “It's the same as now to be honest. If you’re lucky to be playing the best parties in the best clubs then the people will come. I used to be resident at Kabaret in London with my mate Kevin O'Leary, that party was hosted by the infamous Charlotte & Fran Cutler and Meg Matthews. Every week it would be wall to wall with A-Listers; all the Primrose hill lot, Bono, Gwyneth, Oasis, Madonna, Kate Moss…everybody was there on the Thursday night, even you Dan! Worst request? God knows mate. I've certainly played some stinker's by choice! Balearic I think it’s called??”

I: I interviewed Kaz James this week, something he said was kinda interesting...”I don't think it’s necessary these days to actually be a good DJ like it was 15 years ago at the start of my career. These days you can get away with pressing play on a laptop.” Discuss…

Paul: “Yes I have to agree with Kaz mate. It's more about the producer and making of the songs than the DJ. I think it was said before and I'll say it again, the last DJ to become famous for being a DJ was Nic Fanciulli. Now you have a massive hit and hey presto you’re a DJ selling out shows around the world…it's just the way it is now…” 

I: And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise…

Steve: “We have our new single ‘Let the Night' coming out on D Vision in Europe this month, this will be taken from an EP of the same name. There are dates being booked for Spring/Summer 2014 worldwide, taking in USA, Asia, Italy, India and beyond. Then the second single 'Setting Sun' will be released heading into the summer. We are looking forward to getting out and performing our new Live show in 2014, so look out for dates coming soon.”

 

Interview materials are taken from: http://www.dmcworld.net/