Sgt Slick is now rated as the 6th largest NuDisco artist the world’s largest DJ focused music site, Beatport and he has made his return to Vicious to follow up his acclaimed club cut: ‘The Night the Lights Went Out’ and his massive and still unstoppable cross over cover of ABBA’s ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ with a dance remake of Cyndi Lauper’s hit single from 1983 ‘All Through the Night’ .

MFA caught up with the man himself on the eve of the ‘ The Night' ‘ release to talk Mouldy Oldies, Cyndi Lauper and the challenges of Music remixing.

The Night is released tomorrow are you excited to see how a new generation receives this originally slow pop ballad that you have reworked into a pack the dance floor and sing along song?

Always excited to drop a new release! And yes it’s definitely interesting to see how something works when you take it out of it’s original lane and put in into a clubbier, more anthemic lane.

Originally a folk track by Jules Shear, this is the third time this song has been delivered to the masses and each time it resonates with the current audience. Why do you think it still appeals especially to the now crowd?

Well I just learnt something , I always thought Cyndi’s was the original! The track has a great hook and that can just carry over to any generation really. That’s one thing about the 80s.. the hooks were just dynamite!

You have a skill for finding gold in the past and bringing it back to life in a fresh modern fashion for a new generation to embrace is this something that you find easy or is creating that fresh spin challenging?

I’m always looking for records that might not have been massive hits or were slightly overlooked when they were released… and those that have since been forgotten. I’ll often throw together simple edits of these kinds of tunes for when I’m DJ’ing, and if something strikes a chord on the dancefloor I might decide to take it to the next level and do a full production or reconstruction.

What made you decide to remake this Cyndi Lauper song? Not one of her more famously known songs like True Colours or Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?

Despite being a ballad it has a super electronic arrangement underneath… the arpeggios and analogue pads are just awesome, and that’s what first drew me to the record.

Have you gotten any feedback from the Iconic 80’s Pop Star?

Not yet, but I hope she digs it!

Do you sometimes get stuck on which one of the ‘mouldy Oldies’ to remake as let’s face there is some great music that could be reworked to suit the new generations that wouldn’t even remember the original? How do you narrow it down to which song to play with next?

I spend a lot of time in the studio messing with older records… making edits and bootlegs to play out. So I have dozens of them circulating amongst DJs around the world at any given time. The feedback I get from these is essential to the whole process of me deciding what might be worthy of an official release, and what just stays as a DJ only type thing.

Participation in digitally streamed events during the Covid/Lockdown period was the way to connect with fans and share music and it seems we can expect more of it in the future, what was that like compared to playing in front of a live audience? Was different preparation needed?

I did loads of them and I was always very prepared. Probably more so than doing a live set. When people are sitting at home watching they tend to be a bit more critical and analyze what you are doing in a more detailed way… lots of chin stroking , All good though as I like the feedback and appreciate people with a passion for dance music.

With some states opening up, are you glad to be getting back to performing in front of a real crowds?

Yes 100% We almost had it there and then it was cruelly ripped away from us . I can’t complain though, I’ve been able to do some amazing shows in the first half of the year and travelled regularly… while our European and American DJ friends have been stuck at home all this time.

You have done some great collaboration work with such big names as Kaskade and Robbie Rivera, Is there anyone you would like to perform or collab with in the future?

There’s no one on my radar. I just like to do my thing, see who I cross paths with and work with people I like and who share the same passion and work ethic that I have.

What has been your favourite event to perform at or person you have shared the stage with? What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?

Playing new years eve on the steps of the Sydney Opera House will always be hard to beat as far as spectacle and atmosphere goes.

Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?

It was a school disco a long long time ago haha! I literally had no idea what I was doing… I remember I was using my Dad’s old skool stereo system headphones. At one point a teacher came to tell me I was doing a great job and pounded her hand down on to the turntable sending the needle flying off the record that was playing. That might’ve gotten a few boos!

What's next for you? What can we expect for the second half of 2021 and beyond?

Lots more tunes… I’m always working 2 to 3 releases ahead of what is currently out. And I’ve been doing a lot of remixes in the past few months so they’ll all gradually make their way out over the rest of the year.

Interview by Michelle Symes

June 2021

SGT SLICK EMBARKS INTO ' THE NIGHT '