Prolouge

Miss Moneypenny's. A name every clubber has at some point in time come across. Be it gracing the covers of M8 magazine or a unique experience within the four walls of its Ibiza home El Devino, Miss Moneypenny’s is constantly in the lime light. And the man behind it all? Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan, without question one of the most respected, knowledgeable and hard working DJ's in clubland today. For long over ten years Jim has helped shape clubland and strives to push it further still with in his continuous efforts in all areas of the dance scene. Jim in short, is a legend.

Interview

MPFS - How long have you been Dj'ing before?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan – Around 20 years.

MPFS - As with every Dj I'm sure, you started off in your bedroom, how long did it take for you to leave the confides of your room and begin playing to a crowd?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan- My path was slightly different, I started as a record collector and eventually plucked up the courage to play these records to my friends.

MPFS - Everyone who ever became anyone in the music scene is influenced by a great, who was yours?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan – Mine are far too many to mention, my musical tastes vary, when I was youth I was ito Bowie, Roxy Music and Punk Rock I am from Birmingham so reggae has been a strong influence love the Trojan thing, Lee Scratch Perry, Jimmy Cliff etc I got into the Soul thing in the 70s, Issac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green etc. Having an open mind musically helps you as a DJ, I think that can be demonsrtated in my sets.

MPFS - To think Jim Shaft Ryan is to think Miss Moneypenny's, a prolific name in the clubbing industry. Surely its success over the last 11 years or so has surpassed all expectations?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan - I don't think any of us involved in Moneypenny's ever expected to be where we are today, owning our own club, putting out compilation albums, having our own singles label, producing our own music and gigging all over the world. It has been a fabulous journey, lets hope there is a few more miles left to go.

MPFS - With the Ibiza season just kicking off, what can we expect from Moneypennys in El Divino this year?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan - Every Tuesday from 29th June to 21st September

MPFS - Chuff Chuff, something very different for the clubbing community, can you tell us a little more on what started this off?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan- Chuff Chuff happened in the mid 80s as a result of going to a boat trip in London that was put on by some friends from East London that I met in Ios on holiday. The infamous Jeff Young was playing along side Niell Athkins it was very soulful and very inspirational and good time was had by all. We wanted to do something similar in the Midlands so we hired a boat called The Pride of the MIdlands on the River Severn in Worcester, I Dj'd alongside Niell Athkins, someone created a flyer for the event with a kids drawing of a boat with the words chuff chuff coming from the funnells, the rest is history.

MPFS - Of all the venues you’ve played at across the world, have any stood out as particular favourites?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan– Obviously El Divino, my own club HQ in Birmingham, Queen in Paris, Turnmills London, Milk Belfast, Opium Garden's Miami.

MPFS - You’ve dabbled in production; do you get the same excited feeling watching clubbers enjoy your music as you do your mixing?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan- Ofcourse the first time you dropping one of your own production has a unique vibe, all of a sudden your instinct is instantly challenged, but it is the same feeling as playing a record for the first time or playing a track that I have signed for my Miss Moneypenny's Records but possibly not quite as intense.

MPFS - For some tome now “clubbing is dead” has been a sentence at the end of many tongues across the UK, what are your opinions on this?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan – It seemed to be the thing to say in the media last year without the research to see what was really going on in the scene. People turned their backs on big clubs looking for a more intimate experience. The big club enviroment was being provided for by the festivals. Clubs have always provided a special need, people have always wanted to go out and dance House music in the 80s provided the perfect sound track for clubs.

MPFS– What do you see for the future of clubbing in general?

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan - Higher productions specs, more eclectic mix of music and people, greater individulaism.

From all the staff at MPFSPromotions we'd like to thank Jim 'Shaft' Ryan for his time and wish him all the best in 2004. Don't forget, Music 2 Dance 2, an uplifting quality funky house double album reflecting on Miss Moneypenny's success is released on the 28th of June.

Jim 'Shaft' Ryan booking website
Miss MoneyPenny's ofiicial website

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