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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! | | Goa based party animal and artist extraordinaire Nirmal talks punk concerts, metal sculptures, flying and rippin' it up on a High Tide! | | DJ Wired talks to us about the Rise of the Hope and parties, ahead of his upcoming set at Tribal Village on 14th January 2022! |
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The HarderFather speaks! Meet him yourself at the HF vs The Residents Xmas Party
Reported by Latex Zebra
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Submitted 28-11-07 22:14
There comes a time in an interviewer’s life where they go beyond questioning their heroes. In my many years on HarderFaster I have interviewed some huge names in dance music. But nothing can compare to the giddiness I felt when attempting to interview the most important person to ever grace HarderFaster... to some he is Dad, to others The HarderFather, a few others call him Nemesis and the remaining few call him Mr SnookyPants.
You know him, you love him and on December 8th he is throwing a massive party at Hidden with the help of many of the promotions and DJs who have supported this site over the years.
He is Matt, he is the Governor and below he answers his most probing interview ever. Not including any by the local constabulary or MI5 of course.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself and don’t leave anything out that might be embarrassing or entertaining. Though keep it to a couple of paragraphs... think of the bandwidth...
Hi! My name is Matt, and I’m an alcoho... Oops, sorry. Wrong site!
Let’s start again...
Hi! My name’s Matt and I live in Surrey with my wife, Lisa aka Saucepan Tits. We were married by a waterfall in Iceland in January 2006 and some idiot thought it would be really cool to go snowmobiling after lunch. Even though alcohol is quite expensive in Iceland we still managed to put away a few bottles of wine and by the time we got to the glacier it was very dark and we were very merry. I was driving the snowmobile with Lisa on the back and 5 minutes into the experience we took a corner too sharply and tipped over. I jumped up without a scratch, but Lisa couldn’t move her arm. We returned to Reykjavik where we were told Lisa had fractured, rotated and dislocated her elbow and needed an operation to install plates and wires. Not the best start to married life and as you might imagine I was extremely sheepish when I saw my new in-laws at the hospital. Lisa’s fine now and we look back and remember how fantastic our wedding was, up to that point.
Oh, and the embarrassment is that the idiot was me...
What did you do before you became the HarderFather Ver. 2.0?
I used to be a club photographer. A couple of months before Tom started HarderFaster I created a site called UKClubPix to showcase the pictures I took. I had a reputation for creeping up on people, taking surprise shots and then extorting large sums to keep them out of the public arena. Actually I think I was quite good at sparing peoples’ blushes, although one day I may review the UKClubPix archives to boost my retirement fund. I do miss club photography — it’s a great way to meet people — but unfortunately I just don’t have the time to process and upload the images and to be honest I think there are too many photographers in clubs these days.
What do you do now you are the HarderFather Ver. 2.0?
I run HarderFaster, maintaining the site and keeping everything going. Taking over was a baptism of fire as I was not familiar with websites and Tom, the HarderFather Ver 1.0 left for his honeymoon 13 days later. Of course all the important questions occurred to me after his departure when he was incommunicado. I found myself working 18+ hour days, 7 days a week, trying to get to grips with everything, but thankfully Tom left a good beginner’s guide and I already knew most of the promoters from UKClubPix. These days we are extremely lucky to have a great team working on the site and I’m sure we’d have closed long ago were it not for all their hard work. Well, either that or I’d have had a nervous breakdown.
Just how much time and energy is involved in running a website like HarderFaster?
I could easily spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, working on HarderFaster and still have more to do, so I try to prioritise. Sometimes things slip by so if you don’t get an answer give me a kick.
Could anyone do it, seriously or do you have to be a web wizard?
I’m sure there are a lot of people who would be capable of running HF but I like to think I bring a balance to the site. Actually it’s far less about the technical side and more making the right decisions and I have to admit I have made my fair share of bad ones.
What achievements are you proudest of for this site?
The reason I bought HF was to keep it independent and I believe we have upheld that tradition and we continue to provide an unbiased outlook on the clubbing and dance music scene. HarderFaster is not commercially driven; we try to give something back to our members and the clubbing community.
What hopes do you have for the future of this site?
Obviously I’d like HarderFaster to become as big as Facebook and to be turning down billion dollar offers for a piece of the action. Actually, that’s not true. I am very happy we’ve kept the community spirit of HarderFaster and I hope we can continue more of the same. We’re expanding in South Africa where the clubbing scene seems to be doing very well and we’re speaking to some big names about how we can work together. We’re also looking at how we can extend the appeal of the site and considering new forums with participation sport high on the list. Stay tuned to HarderFaster in 2008!
Quite a few high profile clubbing resources have disappeared over the last few years; how has HarderFaster managed to weather this storm?
I must admit we have found it tough. 2005/6 saw traffic more than double from the previous year, but during late 2006 and early 2007 we saw a large decline. I think that was partly because of the competition and also that corporate IT departments started installing web monitoring and filtering software. Management suddenly realised their staff were spending a lot of time on the important business of the HF forums rather than their paid work and took exception. Tom actually pre-empted this way back in 2002/2003 and he set up an ingenious hidden back door. For obvious reasons this is never publicised on the site, but feel free to contact the moderators for further information.
On the upside, things do seem to have stabilised now and we are looking quite healthy.
Is the hard dance scene dying and would you consider changing the name of this site if no one listened to hard or fast music anymore?
The hard dance scene continues to flourish outside London and from what I’m hearing still attracts large crowds in the rest of the world. With the advent of 24-hour drinking I think London clubbers are spoiled for choice as to where they spend their time and their money. London pubs and bars often have a DJ, they don’t usually charge for entry and drinks prices are far cheaper than clubs, so the days of clubbers going on after the pub are long gone. London clubs and promoters need to add a wow factor: more live acts with a strong stage presence, more novelties, more themes, more fun!
The other thing I’ve noticed is a return to the multi-genre events we saw in the ’90s, where you might hear a good set progression of trance, hard dance and/or techno on the same night. Personally I get bored hearing just one genre so I welcome this move.
In the early days of HarderFaster there seemed to be a “them and us” mentality — if you liked hard dance you couldn’t possibly like trance/house/another genre and vice versa. I’ve always preferred a wide variety of music so one of the first things I did when I took over was to expand the genres we covered. We still occasionally see comments linking the name of the site to the music we support, but I do think we’ve made a successful transition to cover a wider musical base and I’d like to see that continue. Anyone for a bit of Mozart?
Some people think HarderFaster is a porn site so the name is not necessarily synonymous with hard music. We did consider changing the name or adding new names/urls to provide additional portals to specific areas of the site, but HarderFaster is so well known the world over I think we’d always keep the url. Lisa, Shaf and Fi came up with a great by-line, “Work Hard, Play Harder” which I think describes a lot of HF members, so is a good way to brand the site and distance ourselves from the hard/fast genre somewhat.
The forums on here have always been renowned for being lively, humorous and sometimes scathing. Is that still the case despite a recent back lash from some users?
One of the aspects which first attracted me to HarderFaster was the intelligence and diversity of content and opinion on the forums, ranging from clubbing and event information through topical debate, news, current affairs, and rounded off with a large dose of quality humour. People sometimes say things are different now, but having access to the archived threads and looking back over the years I’m pretty sure we’ve retained a lot of the quality of days gone by.
Who, apart from me obviously, is the most entertaining user you’ve encountered on the boards?
Well, “obviously” apart from you I’d have to say Banjaxt. A mix of insightful, thought provoking, humorous and the downright irreverent, which I think is actually common of a lot of HF posters. He just does it better.
Are you man enough to tell us who is the least?
Certain users’ contributions are really of no interest to me, I find it very sad they get their kicks from other people’s pain and misery. As observed however, these people often create “car-crash” interest and excitement, and therefore hits, so I guess I should be happy from a business perspective. On balance, I think I’d rather forgo that dubious benefit however.
Music and clubbing bring people together, crossing class, age, race, sexuality and all the things that divide us in our everyday lives. I am a believer of the adage of PLUR and whilst I accept that people may not always agree with each other or even like each other, I think of HarderFaster as one big community where people can meet, share, entertain and help each other and the negative should be kept to a minimum. God knows, this modern world needs a bit of community spirit and PLUR.
I’m sure you never have to pay to get in most places these days, can you remember the last party you paid to get into?
Erm, is this a trick question?
I’m fairly sure the only event I’ve had to pay to get into in the past five years was one of yours at the 414...
Usually reserved for DJs, but what are your top three tunes of all time?
‘Adagio for Strings’
‘Age of Love’
‘Bits and Pieces’
‘Schöneberg’
‘Loops & Tings’
Oops, that’s more than three. Counting was never a strong point.
And favourite three DJs?
Adam Symbiosis — the life and soul of the party. I’ve never known a DJ with so much enthusiasm and energy and one who’s made me miss my last train on more occasions.
Ferry Corsten — his closing set in the HarderFaster arena at SW4 was perfect. The way he took us on a musical journey was nothing short of masterful and few other DJs read the crowd as well as he does.
K90 — uplifting, energetic and always has a smile on his face which infects the crowd. A quality entertainer.
And what are you favourite promotions?
Antiworld
Heat
Knowwhere
If the World Wide Web shut down tomorrow, what would you do with yourself instead?
Sleep
Finally, when is Space becoming a Moderator?
Space made such a good honorary moderator on his birthday a few years ago we offered him a full time position. He turned us down. Sensible man.
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We’re all looking forward to seeing you at the annual HF XMess party, check this out:
HF vs The Residents Xmas Party 2007
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On:
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Saturday 8th December 2007
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At:
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Hidden [map]
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From:
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13:00 - 21:00
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Cost:
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£3 donation with all profits to the Kent Air Ambulance
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Website:
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www.harderfaster.net
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Ticket Info:
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Suggestion donation on the door £3 - with all profits going to the Kent Air Ambulance in memory of Richard Zimmerling.
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More:
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With Christmas just round the corner what better way to kick off the festivities than with the annual HF vs The Residents Payback to Back. And we’ve got some great presents for you to unwrap in the luxurious surroundings of Hidden!
We bring you 48 DJs and three rooms of the best dance music around featuring resident DJs from your favourite promotions going head to head with the cream of HF DJs, from house to trance to hard dance, you can be guaranteed to enjoy a festive feast of music!
There’ll also be surprises on the day, games to play, competition prizes, special deals at the bar and of course the magical winter garden for all you smokers out there.
We’d also like you to know this year we’ve lost someone important to us but we want you to come and celebrate the life of Richard Zimmerling with us and his friends. We’ll be asking for donations on the door with all profits, every single last penny, donated to the Kent Air Ambulance in the hope that they can continue to save lives in danger.
Plus What's in Santa's Sack?
To boost the charity fund we're running a raffle at the HarderFaster vs The Residents Xmas payback 2 back free party and there are some amazing prizes to be won!
Here are just a few of the goodies we've got lined up for you:
Year’s free entry to Ministry of Sound
VIP entry for 2 to Ministry of Sound New Year Eve
Year’s free entry to Party Proactive
VIP entry for 2 to Closer New Year Eve
Guestlist to Extreme Euphoria, Going Places and Zoology
A compere / slave for the night to a party of your choice
DJ Mag Subscriptions
Music packs from Mondo
Music Packs from New State
Rotterdam Music Fesitval goodies
A day in the studio with Adam White + dinner with the lovely Minimoo!
A day in the studio from Fevah
Signed Dub Plate of Perfect Drug from DJ X
A collection of Back To Mine CDs
A selection of T-Shirts from DMC World
Signed CDs from K90, BK and others
Mix CDs from the DJs
HF goodies
Drinks
Wooden Spoons!
And there's more super surprises to come!
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Flyer:
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Other Features By Latex Zebra:
From Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks - How Chilled in a Field has grown
Bar 414 unveils a new dimension with Base Mosquito
Brandon Block gets Funky 414 London!
Dissecting Scot Project
How To: Be a Promoter in six easy steps - Part 2
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1.gif)
Best dad in the world!!! Shame I'll miss Harderfaster party as I'm leaving to Brazil next Tuesday but I'm sure it's going to be wicked...i'll send Enrico instead!!! Glad to see that Antiworld is one of your favourite promotions! 
Matt you are the man! Harderfaster is such a fantastic place. Thanks for all your support. 
for the harderfather. a crazy fabulous guy. I soooo wish I could be at the HF party, it's always great fun.
Thanks boss (plus many apologies to Mrs HarderFather)
