By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
If there's one thing that top Australian DJ Scott Pullen loves about the crowds at Seoul's club scene, it's their enthusiasm and total commitment to having a great time.
Pullen, one of the few Australian DJs to be ranked in DJ Mag's Top 100, had just played at the World DJ Festival in Seoul over the weekend.
``To be completely honest, I find the enthusiasm of the crowds in Seoul quite overwhelming. In no other city in the world have I experienced such dedication and commitment to truly having a good time. That is an honor that the locals here should be very proud of. Believe me, in a lot of places around the globe, I truly feel that unfortunately, some people have forgotten how to have a good time… The crowds in Seoul could really show the rest of the world how it's done properly,'' he said, in an email interview with The Korea Times.
Originally from Sydney, Pullen has made a name for himself with ``cutting edge tech, dirty, sexy, rock infused electro house music.'' Since the 1980s, he has played in clubs, underground events, private parties for Hollywood celebrities such as Kylie Minogue and Keanu Reeves, as well as the official Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Party, which was attended by 100,000 people.
Pullen always had a keen interest in music, and played guitar for a band, but his break as a DJ happened by accident. While studying for a degree in visual arts, majoring in film, video and sound, Pullen worked as a bartender at a club. When the resident DJ didn't show up for work one day, he volunteered to take over the shift, and by the end of the night, he was offered the job. In 12 months, he was working at Sydney's premiere club, the Tivoli.
Aside from his work as a DJ, Pullen also has an entertainment company Groove Academy that manages other DJs and live acts. For Pullen, music is ``an international language'' that allows him to connect with people from all over the world.
``Music affects all of us on a subliminal level whether we like it, or not. Music has the power for all of us to escape our reality for a moment and dance in unison with others, regardless of our race, creed, religion, sexual preference, skin color, age or political beliefs. `One nation under a groove' ― free to move and express ourselves, free to dance and celebrate our lives and each others' differences,'' he said.
Fans who missed Pullen's gig at the World DJ Festival can still catch him at Club Vera in Hongdae, Friday.
``Playing at a large festival is very rewarding, but playing at an intimate club gig is a real 'getting to know you' and a much more personal experience. I fully accept the responsibility of entertaining my audience, so I can tell you right now that I'm here for a good time, not a long time. I am going to turn up at the club with my party spirit fully intact, ready to have the best time of my life with all my friends here in Seoul. Life is short, so let's fully enjoy the time we have together,'' Pullen said.
Tickets for the show are15,000 won. Call (02) 338-0957 for information, or (02) 338-0953 for VIP reservation. Visit www.veraent.com.