Ask Norm

If you have a question for Norm, just submit it here, then check back soon, Norm will answer as many as he can and post them back up here.

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2196 Comments

  1. uncle ads
    Posted 30 March, 2012 at 10:28 am | Permalink

    Easy fatboy just like to say that u r my number 1 DJ of all time,i first heard your
    brighton beach mix back in 2001 with the born slippy/right here right now then u dropped in austins groove to this day it still makes my hairs stand on end. Since then ive been hooked. I live in leeds so when u came to the o2 i was all over it. coming down your way for bbb5 with carl cox cant wait. see u soon. uncle ads.

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:16 am | Permalink

      Sweet, my brother. See you at the amex!

  2. Daniel Brosnan
    Posted 30 March, 2012 at 9:10 am | Permalink

    What music production programs do you like to use??? logic, reason etc…… and do you think people get bogged down by all the programs, software and hardware today?? I feel back in the day people would make music and put it out nowadays there always something else you need to do with regard production, different techniques, recording audio… bah.. bah… bah… I can get pissed off by being such a perfectionist….

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:16 am | Permalink

      I think it is very easy to get bogged down by having too much technology/options in front of you. That is why is still use an atari running c-lab creator in the studio. I’m aware that it is an antique in tech terms but I know it inside out and it does everything I need in the studio. I’m starting to mess about with ableton live when I’m on the road but though it is very handy I find it mind boggling how much there is to learn and get sidetracked by……

  3. Eilish Rodden
    Posted 30 March, 2012 at 7:23 am | Permalink

    Hola Norman, long time listener, first time writer. This isn’t a question, more of a suggestion. You should talk to your managers, and let them know that you want to play a magical festival called Shambhala Music Festival. It’s in Canada, and Canada is a lovely place. Si? Good, glad to hear that you agree.

    Have a wonderful day!

    -Eilish

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:16 am | Permalink

      We’ll look into it. How it works though is you wait to be invited rather than piling in!

  4. missinred
    Posted 30 March, 2012 at 12:51 am | Permalink

    Yeaaaa greetings!!
    I would like to find the instrumental of wonderful night
    No chance to sample anything in the song it’s always sung..
    I searched for the ep but only remixes there..
    If you have any ideas keep me updated
    ciaooo
    Fede
    http://www.soundcloud.com/missinred

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:15 am | Permalink

      I don’t think such a thing exists, my friend…

  5. Tony Foo Yong
    Posted 29 March, 2012 at 8:09 pm | Permalink

    Song that you could hear 10,000 times and never tire of ?

    One of the most memorable DJ performances from another DJ that you can still recall ? (or just make one up and embellish with some fun details)

    Favorite Pastry ?

    Last one, Have you or anyone you know ever used the the flap in either boxer or tighty-whitey style underpants when urinating ?

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:14 am | Permalink

      Favourite party has got to be any of the ones on brighton beach. The sun shone, everybody danced and on the stroke of midnight halle berry jumped out of a cake half clothed and asked me to marry her….
      Favourite pastry is a mushroom quiche from our local french patisserie
      I thought the flaps were sown up. I’m a briefs man, me…..

  6. Vee Towers
    Posted 29 March, 2012 at 7:58 pm | Permalink

    So i’ve seen you live quite a few times and I just wanted to ask you one question.
    WILL YOU MARRY ME???
    On a serious note, thank you for taking my favorite genre’s of music and mixing them into magic. I enjoyed every second of your set at Ultra and I’m so happy that you did an Etta James tribute… I think without you and others similar djs edm would not be where it is today.

    Your most loyal fan,
    Vee

    PS: I love to dance… Can I dance for your set at the next Ultra??? You wont even have to pay me ;)

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:13 am | Permalink

      Sadly you can’t dance during my sets, vee, but I will marry you.

  7. david seligmann
    Posted 29 March, 2012 at 6:19 pm | Permalink

    Hello Mr. Slim,

    I’m a big fan, As a matter if fact i got the number 1 ticket for yoy gig in colombia back in 2005.

    I’ve being a Digital DJ for 8 years now.
    I was wondering two things:
    1. Having multiple Pseudonims let you play music differently?
    2. Why do you prefer Serato over Traktor?

    Thanks a lot!

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:13 am | Permalink

      David, 1. Having multiple names/acts meant I could have more than one record out at once in slightly different music. Also no-one really knew who I was or what I looked like (for a while) fat boy slim kinda killed the whole thing off, sadly by taking up all my time and letting people know who I was.
      2.when I switched from vinyl I didn’t trust computers. All my friends recommended serato over traktor coz it was more reliable in those days. I think nowadays they all work quite well but I’ve got to know and love serato (especially the video function) over the years..

  8. 2Symmetry
    Posted 29 March, 2012 at 10:58 am | Permalink

    Hallo Norman,
    We are 2 DJs/producers (2Symmetry) and we are writing to you only cause we want to say thanks for playing our track ”Lollipop” on huge Ultra Music Festival 2012. One more time huge thanks!
    Cheers from Croatia by 2Symmetry

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:12 am | Permalink

      It was a pleasure. It’s a fine tune. Thank you.

  9. Sean Loughlin
    Posted 28 March, 2012 at 8:27 pm | Permalink

    Hi, thanks for a great ultra set, you never disappoint. I was wondering exactly how your dj setup works, I know you’ve got serato and two cdj’s but why the two mixers and why does one have some sort of case on it? Thanks in advance

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:12 am | Permalink

      Ha ha. You watch closely, my friend. The cdj’s play a time code into a rane ttm57 mixer which triggers the audio files and the video at the same time. The audio then goes through a pioneer djm 900 mixer because I really like the effects on it. I tape a lump of plastic over the middle section of the rane mixer coz it has too many complicated buttons that reverse the faders etc which I sometimes press by mistake in the dark. It’s quite hard to see up there when the strobes and shit are going off onstage and if I feel my way in the dark it is possible to press buttons which do very bad things! Serato and rane are currently customising a new 61 mixer to remove the offending buttons from my reach…..

  10. Steve Arias
    Posted 28 March, 2012 at 6:36 am | Permalink

    Big Fan!, Love all your classic records and how you incorporate them in mash-ups with today’s bangers. I didn’t really have a question but wanted to say you absolutely Killed it at Ultra Fest!!!, Jw. how old are you?(:

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:11 am | Permalink

      I’m 48, steve. And ultra was a great show for me too. What a splendid crowd….

  11. Luis
    Posted 26 March, 2012 at 5:56 am | Permalink

    Hey!. Today you will play in a Music Festival Here in Mexico “Vive Latino”. The festival is in most part, Rock Music, How do you feel being the one that close this big event?

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:10 am | Permalink

      It was an honour to be invited and everyone seemed to be up for my style of music as well as rock. Great crowd, great night. Gracias!

  12. Jason
    Posted 21 March, 2012 at 11:28 am | Permalink

    Hi Norm,
    Just wondering have you ever met deadMau5/Steve aoki/skrillex (sonny moore) and or the bloody beetroots

    thank you

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:06 am | Permalink

      I have done many shows with skrillex, aoki and the mau5. They are all very nice people indeed (and great performers!) not had the pleasure of the beetroots yet, though….

  13. Jason
    Posted 21 March, 2012 at 11:23 am | Permalink

    Hi Norm,
    How was it being on the ABC (Australia) she i for got what program it was and what questions did they ask you

  14. Vik Nixon
    Posted 20 March, 2012 at 11:28 pm | Permalink

    Hey Norm! Are you playing at the NIGHT section at Sonar? Looking to book to come out! TOOT DE LA FRUIT, Cheers fella :) x

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:05 am | Permalink

      Very definitely NIGHT. I’m on about 3am I believe….

  15. Kevin in Ohio
    Posted 20 March, 2012 at 1:08 am | Permalink

    Hi-no question-just a comment and a Thank You-going to a college reunion this weekend-sober 6+yrs-Thanks for your example-Enjoy your time in the States

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:05 am | Permalink

      Kevin, you led the example, I’m only 3 years in but just because the monkey is off our backs it doesn’t mean the circus has left town. Stay strong and prosper, my friend. I send you love and respect. x

  16. Pat
    Posted 18 March, 2012 at 9:01 pm | Permalink

    Hey, Norm!
    I’m a big fan of you Fatboy Slim and BPA material. I keep reading that you collaborated with Danger Mouse on the BPA album, but he isn’t listed in the linear notes. Was that track left off the album? Or is this information inaccurate?

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:04 am | Permalink

      I’m afraid I’ve never met or worked with danger mouse. I don’t know where that one came from????

  17. Rick
    Posted 15 March, 2012 at 11:33 am | Permalink

    loved your gig at the Enmore Theatre any change you are going to have it as a download?. Great to see you downunder.- hope you get less rain next time. I loved the gig. Also managed to catch you at Glastonbury last year with Carl Cox -more rain – are you back Next year either down under and Glastonbury?

    All the Best

    Rick

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:04 am | Permalink

      I seem to manage to produce rain most places I go! Lucky the enmore was indoors. I didn’t record that set..perhaps someone else has a copy?

  18. Anthony O'Daniel
    Posted 14 March, 2012 at 6:06 pm | Permalink

    This is not an Ask Norm it is a BIG THANK YOU NORM.
    As you have seen I have posted on here a few times and now i can officially say I have seen you live in action Sir Norman Cook. I was at the future music festival in Adelaide Australia on Monday. your set was flawless, you proved to the critics that you are still one of the best DJ’s in the world & I have now completed my mission to see you live. It May have taken 15yrs but it was worth the wait. I wish someone recorded your set i could listen to it over and over again. Even better would be if future entainment video it skool we could buy it.

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:03 am | Permalink

      Critics? Best dj in the world? These are new concepts to me!
      I daresay someone recorded the set. Can anyone help?

  19. gareth edwards
    Posted 14 March, 2012 at 1:02 pm | Permalink

    My favourite Fatboy,

    I was at the BBB when a few too many people turned up…..did you see me dancing on top of the portaloos?

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:02 am | Permalink

      Were you the one that fell in? Are you on the dvd? Are you gonna repeat your adventure at BBB5?

  20. david ferguson
    Posted 14 March, 2012 at 12:50 pm | Permalink

    gday Mr Norman Cook ,
    how r u going? i was at ur awesome gig at the enmore theater in sydney on march the 8th, i was there with my wife and my best friend, we were blown away absoulte credit to u, i cnt express how amazing it was my friend and i grew up on ur music and idolised u we waited together for 15yrs to see u live and u didnt dissapoint the whole gig was great, venue, lighting, crazy charctors on the screan behind u and the fat beats, I have a couple of questions, how long does it take u orgainse and plan music for ur sets? what equipment do u use on stage? turntables? and or laptop for music? is it possible to get a copy of ur set from that night?
    thank you so much for time
    yours sincerly david ferguson
    p.s come back to sydney soon :)

    • fatboyslim
      Posted 14 May, 2012 at 12:02 am | Permalink

      Gday, david. Glad you like the show, the enmore was a great venue to do the big show in a more intimate theatre, (the future festivals were great but a bit hectic!) I spend hours looking for the right tunes, editing them and then they all go in the crate and what I play depends on the mood of the night though obviously there are a lot that I play most nights. These are the ones we make visuals for. It’s an ongoing project. We refine it and add new stuff continually so you can’t put a time on how long it takes. I play audio and video files from a laptop using serato video sl, it’s all controlled by 2 cdj’s and a rane 57 mixer so it feels like I’m dj’ing (and still occasionally clunk mixes..)