Years ago we met Simon MacAvoy spinning alongside Audio Tsunami. The torch had been passed and these young protégés have carried it farther than any of us could ever have imagined. Audio Tsunami is a talented DJ and producer while MacAvoy has become one of the most instrumental figures in the scene. His professionalism and hospitality are unmatched to both guests and artists. Simon MacAvoy has witnessed first hand the electronic explosion on the edge of Haeundae Beach and his tale is one of humor, passion, and dedication.  

What inspired you to spin music?

For me it was watching an Invisible Scratch Pickles video. I took over my parents AKAI belt driven turntables, bought some records of my favorite CDs…both being Beastie Boys at the time. Originally I began spinning old school hip hop and drum n bass and on the occasion throwing in some AC/DC.  It was only in Korea where I started playing House and Techno.

How did you gain your residence at Vinyl Underground? 

Back in 2006, I used to go to Vinyl a lot to watch the DJs. After a while a friend introduced me to the then head DJ, Graham Stevenson. I went over to his place and played. Kind of an audition I guess. I started playing once a fortnight, sometimes once a month.

When did you switch over to Elune?

I switched to Elune when it opened in 2009. I had been working for them a month prior to the opening. But after playing at both clubs I realized I could not do both. It was too much work, so I decided to switch and put my efforts into Elune. It was a huge jump. Playing with Internationals every weekend was a massive eye opener. I had to pull my head in quick smart. A lot of DJs passed through the doors there early on. It was not until one of our residents took over bookings that things really started to progress at Elune. We started to push a lot of different styles and always wanted to try and get a different sound every week.

How would you describe the crowds in Busan compared to Seoul? 

It really depends were you went in either city. In Busan you do not get the variety as in Seoul. There are some people doing some great work down here like the boys at Busan Live, Better Magic Music and Rad City. Busan crowds want to party, they want to be entertained whatever the style. In Seoul, I found people liked to stick with a particular genre. Busan is definitely more eclectic and party oriented they are really up for it so it allows you to be more versatile.

 
Which local DJ seems to appeal to the Haeundae crowd?

Gonna get me in trouble here. As soon as I miss someone out I know I am going to get a call.  The residents here do an amazing job. Jamie, Dan, Sol and DJ One on any given night will have the crowd cranking. The best local acts that have come down here and have absolutely torn the roof off the place would have to be Clubber Langz, Doctor Spaceman, DGuru, French Knickerz, Jon Lockley, and Ross MacKay. There are some great DJS in Korea but these guys have managed to have the place in a complete frenzy.… And I can hear the phone ringing!

 
Which internationals have really blown things up at Elune? 

I will give you my personal top 5.  Designer Drugs were insane. Make the Girl Dance were the craziest guys I have ever seen -- stage diving and general shenanigans. Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) played possibly the heaviest music I have ever heard and it was so packed that people could not even move. Nakadia was awesome.  She had the crowd on a string and banged out some wicked tech house and techno. The most amazing thing I have seen in Elune was Beat Torrent. These guys did not play 1 song. They just scratched, looped and sampled their way through 60min of gold. I guess that is why they are 5 time DMC world DJ champions. 

Do you think technology has improved the scene?

In terms of production and the explosion of different genres and sub genres and new genres, without a doubt technology has improved the scene. The availability of music programs has everyone making a huge variety of sound. Something I doubt would have ever happened if we all had to fork out $2,500 bucks for an 808. I had to look that up. That is how much it costs. A poster of an 808 is $20. These days you could probably create a hit song with that amount of money, just like Audio Tsunami. In terms of the MP3 revolution, I think it is great. Music is supposed to be shared and listened to by the maximum amount of people possible.  In saying that it is sad to see vinyl slowly die.  Computer DJ programs….no comment.

How chaotic is it during PIFF? 
PIFF last year in Busan was mental. The club was packed every night, filled with celebrities, movie makers and of course the hordes of people trying to get photos of them. This year will be bigger. We have Timmy Vegas kicking off the festivities on the 8^th with a CJ Music Entertainment night on the Saturday with 2NI1, DJ DOC and others. Then we are lucky to have AC Slater as the finale the following Friday!

Who is the best artist you have played alongside as a DJ? 
That is a tough one. I have learnt, a.k.a. stolen ideas, from all the DJs I have had the privilege to play alongside. But I have never learned more in one sitting than watching Phil K. A couple of good mates got Phil K down to Vinyl Underground years ago and it was an eye opener for sure.  I did not know he was a rep for Pioneer at the time, but I soon figured it out. In terms of people who have had the greatest influence over me. The Breakbeat Massive Crew for sure. DJ G, Mr. Fudge, Short Fiction, Jon Lockley and Audio Tsunami all have taught me things.

What is the worst/best thing you have seen behind the decks?

The worst! Might be a bit dangerous to name names, but the worst thing I have seen live was a very popular DJ / model in Korea, who has played in most of the top clubs in Seoul come down to Elune and play a mix CD. Disgraceful!! It was not even mixed well! I so wanted to just press eject and walk away but sadly I did not have the stones at the time.

There have been a couple of lads who have come down and got naked behind the tables. Confidence is one thing, but messing up a mix while trying to regain your slacks is a touch on the nose.

The best thing was watching Pierre from Make the Girl Dance stop the music. Yell at the crowd in French no less, to part up the middle. Then he tried to explain that when the drop hits everyone has to run into each other like at a heavy metal concert. The song built, a massive drop hit and people just sauntered back into position. The despair on his face was hilarious. 

Photographs by Winter

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