source: southwestfour.com

Special thanks to Vambo

First and foremost, how are you?

I am Norman Cook also known as Fatboy Slim. I am very well, thank you for asking.

What have you been up to this summer?
This summer I went to South Africa to be the official DJ for the world cup. I did seven shows and five matches which was great fun. Then straight to Glastonbury, we've also done festivals in Poland, Vienna, Athens, Dublin, it’s been full on… Its summer season!

Have you been taken over by World Cup fever?
I was totally taken over by it, obviously being there in the heart of it. Surrounded by the vuvuzelas which I have to say they sound more powerful and inspiring when you're at the game but on TV they sound like annoying bees. When you're there it’s kind of like an animal and crowd roar! It’s also a lot easier watching other teams which were all fun until we went to the England game, it got a little bit more edgy, but yeah followed England and obviously being there really helped. Even brought two vuvuzelas home!

Do you think you would ever incorporate a vuvuzela into one of your sets?
Ha ha! Yes! I was going to use a vuvuzela in my set at Glastonbury but we left it in our tent. What we were trying to do, as we sometimes use airhorns on stage, was work out if we could put the gas from the air horns through the vuvuzela which would be pretty loud. I'm going to try and do that for Clapham so keep them peeled!

How was it to play in South Africa after the England games?
It was quite weird playing Cape Town after we drew with Algeria. Everybody was a little annoyed after a second draw and I had to walk from the match to the gig as we couldn't find our transport. I was walking with some England fans so I was like 'C'mon! C'mon!' Half of the people at the gig won't be English but you’ve got to get yourself together and do a good show. We got to the point where we thought, sod football and lets party! It’s quite hard, obviously with mixing the emotions of the football with the emotions of the gig. I'm glad I only have to do it every four years.

How was Glastonbury for you this year?
It was great this year! As everybody knows, it has been the sunniest year and that really brings out the best in Glasto, it’s easy to just chill out and relax. I think when the weather's bad everyone just drinks and canes drugs to get through it as where in the sunshine everyone seemed a lot more relaxed and on it. Had a great time… saw Stevie Wonder, Hot Chip, Muse and Plan B.

Was it a pleasant change to see bright sunshine at Glastonbury this year, or did it take away that Glastonbury feel of being knee deep in mud?
I normally remember Glastonbury as knee deep in mud, half way through a bottle of vodka so for me it’s really nice to be sober, clean and dry. The sunshine brings out the best in people, it’s kind of like an Ibiza spirit!

How would you prepare for an event of that magnitude?
The preparation for a gig is always pretty much the same. Get there on time, make sure all the equipment is working, make sure you got the biggest show that you technically can and put on a loud shirt. It’s the same for the big and small shows, the only difference being the lighting and production.

You’re playing at Space and Eden in Ibiza this summer. Are you looking forward to getting back over there again?
YES! I’ve actually been back already this year, played at the opening at Space so it’s nice to be back there. I'll be doing my normal thing, taking the family over for two weeks but then daddy disappears and doesn't come back for 24 hours. This is mine and Zoe's 12th Ibiza together, we always celebrate our anniversary there… We met at Pete Tong’s villa 12 years ago now!

What’s the best thing about spending the summer in Ibiza?
For me, it’s being able to mix a family holiday with doing work as normally work involves a lot of travelling. To have the audience just down the road from somewhere where you'd be there on holiday anyway is fantastic! Kids, don’t spend a summer in Ibiza, three weeks tops! A lot of my friends have spent various seasons out there and it’s not good for your mental and physical health!

How did you find working with Hervé on ‘Machines Can Do The Work’?
It’s great working with Hervé, we're kind of kindred spirits. We like the same music but we were a little freaked out about the idea that we do tend to cross over with pop themes and we were thinking this is kind of David Barry and Queen so we felt under pressure and decided to go the other way. I had my trustee 303 with me, Hervé hadn't seen a real one before, only on simulator so we got playing with that and we said ''let the machines do their work and we could make this massive house tune!''

How are your SW4 preparations coming along? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about?
I’m trying to get someone to build the gas powered vuvuzela, some lighting ideas that we need to check with health and safety but can't give anymore away at the moment, and then trying to get all the lazers in the whole of England!

How important is it to you that you put on a show for a crowd as well showcasing great music?
I think for me, if there has to be a priority it’s putting on a show for the crowd. Even if it means not playing a brand new tune that I don't think the crowd know that I want to get off my chest. I'm there to please the crowd… there to entertain, not educate.

What do you like most about playing an inner-city festival like SW4?
I don’t actually play a lot of them, they tend to be fields in the middle of nowhere or beaches. Very few apart from in London are actually in the city. So, what you try and do is forget that you're surrounded by the buildings and noise and try to imagine that you're on a beach like Copacabana which might work!

Why do you think this year’s South West Four will be the best one to date?
The weather is going to be fantastic, an amazing line up and this time I will headline the stage with the proper equipment and all the lights and visuals.

You’re unable to do your famous Brighton Beach Show this year. Why is South West Four an ideal replacement?
SW4 is naturally the replacement for Brighton Beach as geographically is the closest. South London is where all my family are from too, so we'll be bringing the posse down!

Any hints on the surprises you have in store for us at SW4?
The only hint I can give is something that happened at Glastonbury that if we can do it safely we will be doing it at SW4. I'll say no more!

Having seen the SW4 line-up, is there anyone who you are particularly excited about seeing?
The good thing about it is that it’s my mates like Carl Cox and Hervé so a lot of them I've played with them throughout the summer BUT Salt N Pepa! I've never seen before and they remind me of my youth so I'm very interested to see their show which I hope will be a good one.

source: www.southwestfour.com

source: Official FBS Youtube & southwestfour.com

Special thanks to Rory

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