If you could change one thing about where you’re from, what would that be?
Colin: The weather.
Eric: That’s true! That would change a lot of things. I think red tape in all aspects of Irish society is holding us back. Late closing hours.
Colin: That’s going to be a reoccurring theme of this conversation.
Eric: Yeah! When it comes to red tape and people trying to throw cool parties, it’s fire marshals coming in saying ‘x, y and z’, independent festivals getting pulled all summer long. That’s what I’d change. And reproductive rights.
Colin: You’re covering so much of what I’d agree with. Licensing hours, I suppose, the freedom to compete with other European cities in terms of nightlife. And homelessness.
Why do you think you do what you do?
Colin: My mother is an artist, my dad is a musician, played violin. I grew up as a drummer, that didn’t work out, and then got into electronic music. It’s been my passion ever since.
Eric: I'm not too far off that. My dad played drums and he was a photographer when I was growing up. He moved into installation stuff. I ended up playing drums, poorly. I always liked writing, and listening to lots of different types of music. I did work experience in an offshoot of the Irish Independent doing supplements in transition year, then did summer jobs with them, and then ended up working there. The real reason I do this though is probably music from my dad and my cousins.
Who would you most like to receive a letter from?
Colin: A letter of resignation from Arsene Wenger. #WengerOut
Eric: Take every opportunity to get that in! I've been trying to get an interview with Ricky Gervais for a long time, so a letter that said "Yes, I agree to the interview."
What is your death row meal?
Eric: Lots of cheese.
Colin: Different elements that wouldn’t make any sense; start with oysters, fillet steak with garlic roast potatoes, and Chinese chicken balls with curry sauce.
Eric: Everything you ever loved in life.
Colin: A dog’s dinner, I think they call it.
Eric: I’d go all over the world in a meal with cheese.
Colin: Death by cheese.
Eric: That would be amazing.
Colin: That’s an idea for a new restaurant. It’ll probably open next week.
What’s one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done?
Eric: My girlfriend got a tip in work to buy bitcoin and had a bit of money saved. I was like “that’s ridiculous, don’t do that, that’s a fad.”
Colin: Fake news!
Eric: I really discouraged her from doing it. I calculated it the other day. I don’t want to say what it is because I haven’t told her yet.
Colin: Don’t look in the paper.
Eric: I get sweaty thinking about it.
Colin: I was going from a festival in Spain to a friend's house in the south. I left all my luggage in between two carriages. The train separated.
What’s the one tune you want to hear on a night out?
Colin: I sometimes start with a record by Jan Hammer Group called Don't You Know. It's from 1978, 90bpm, it sets a nice tone.
Eric: From a non-DJ perspective, thinking as a punter, I'm going to go real basic with this – anytime Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem goes on, you can't help but go crazy to that song.
Colin: It has to be at the very end.
Eric: I don’t mind that, as long as it happens.
When was the last time you cried?
Eric: Last week at a funeral.
Colin: Oh, I was at the same funeral. Crying in tandem.
What’s your favourite item of clothing?
Eric: These trousers. I can already feel them fraying on the crotch and on the knees, and I’m not looking forward to the day they tear. That will be the next time I cry. There’s nothing special about them, I just can’t get the same fit. They’re from Topman.
Colin: Mine is a leather jacket I have. It’s getting better with age. Just a lovely fit.
Favourite destination to visit?
Colin: Tokyo. It's like going to another planet. There's nothing like it. Food, record shopping, people, I can't think of anything that compares.
Eric: I went to Austin last year and it was amazing. The music culture is amazing. I went into this place with honky-tonk music, then there was a gay club around the corner banging out really good disco, then another place down the road that was really chilled. I think Austin is my favourite place.
Can you guess what the other person’s go-to drink is?
Eric: Give me a clue, is it weird?
Colin: I suppose it is weird.
Eric: Mine is real normal. White wine?
Colin: No, don’t like white wine.
Eric: What is it?
Colin: Cafe Patrón.
Eric: Ah.
Colin: Your drink, it is lager? Whiskey and ginger ale?
Eric: I do like that, but it’s not my favourite. Just Guinness.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you like to do?
Colin: Sports journalist.
Eric: I’d like to be a lecturer in something like Gothic literature.
Do you have any tattoos?
Colin: I don’t have any.
Eric: I've a few, yeah. My most recent one is the two twins from The Shining holding hands on my leg. That's kind of weird actually. Whatever. It's one of my favourite books and films.
What’s the best film you’ve seen recently?
Colin: Paddington 2. It was brilliant. There was a round of applause at the end and everything.
Eric: Is it actually good?
Colin: Yeah!
Eric: I went to see David Kitt do the live score for Vampyr, the 1930s horror movie. They had a five-piece group doing the score. It was really impressive.
Colin: That sounds great.
Eric Davidson is the editor of cultural publication District Magazine. Their next party is with Mike Skinner on December 28th at The Hangar in Dublin. Colin Perkins is a DJ, promoter, and musician based out of PYG in Dublin. His upcoming New Year’s Eve party takes over the Powerscourt Townhouse from 4pm.
