Interview with Jim 'shaft' Ryan

Miss Moneypenny's needs little introduction having been a regular fixture on Ibiza’s clubbing calendar for over a decade now. Bringing together some of the worlds favourite DJs with Europe's most glamorous holidaymaking clubbers, this truly international party has established itself as one of the best nights on the island and set the benchmark as ‘The Worlds Most Glamorous Club’.
We caught up with Miss Moneypennys head honcho Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan to get the lowdown on Friday nights at El Divino and his thoughts on Ibiza in 2008...

Hi Jim. It’s almost half way through the season already! Tell us how the parties have been so far. What’s the vibe like this year?
The vibe is very positive. If you want to be part of Ibiza you have to be prepared to give and show love and respect to the island, promoters and DJs often arrogantly think that they are bringing something new to the island, but as we are seeing this year some of the biggest names in the business are having it tough. My advise as one of the longest serving Ibiza residents is get of your ass and make it happen, forget the prima donna nonsense.

This is now the 14th Season for Miss Moneypenny’s in Ibiza, making it one of the islands longest running nights.
What do you think has been the key to its success?
A passion for the island, a passion for the music, a passion for Miss Moneypennys, a passion to entertain the clubbers.

During those years you will certainly have seen plenty of changes. How do you think Ibiza today compares to a decade ago?
Ibiza certainly changes in terms of new nights starting and finishing and we have certainly seen many come and go, including some very big players. But Ibiza evolves and assists in the evolvement of club culture. But it is also like an old friend, when you reacquaint yourself with the island it’s like you have never parted company.

We hear there is a new Miss Moneypenny Ibiza compilation due for release very soon. Tell us about that.
The title of the album is ‘A Glamorous Taste Of Ibiza’ and that’s exactly what we are trying to put across in terms of packaging and musical content. Musically there is something for everyone, a triple album with three distinct styles. ‘Going Global’ is an uplifting funky vibe, a main set extravaganza. ‘Electrique’ is more of an after party vibe, darker and more electronic and for those chilled out, poolside relaxing moments there’s the groovy ‘Soul Vision’ mix. On the packaging is the very beautiful Stephanie Wilson, a finalist in Britain’s Next Top Model on Living TV.
We will have an album launch party at El Divino on Friday 1st August which we’re really looking forward to.


When you’re off duty, how do you like to spend your downtime on the island?
I’m good mates with the boys at the Rock Bar and the Base Bar. I always drop in to have a beer and catch up with them when I land. Pop down to Pacha Funky Room where the music and atmosphere is always very good.
During the daytime it has to be Salinas or Nasseau Beach.


And finally, what is your favourite Ibiza memory?
A memory that certainly will be with me forever was doing our closing party on 9/11. The island was in shock, the beaches and the bars were empty, every one was inside expecting the worst when the news broke. Under very austere conditions we had to create a party to celebrate a brilliant season.
To our surprise the club, El Divino, was rammed, the atmosphere was electric, it felt as if people were partying for the last time. I played for 4 hours, and focused the set on tracks that had the theme of love. I closed my set, which was the last record of the night with a reggae track by John Holte called Tribal War, which summed up the world and how everybody was feeling. The crowd embraced the sentiments of the track which was about world unity. I felt very emotional, but I had captured the psyche of my crowd who embraced the notion of love not war. Who said clubbing couldn’t be a positive force!

Thank you Jim. We look forward to the new album and to seeing you at El Divino through August and September.

You can catch Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan at Miss Moneypenny’s & Fashion TV @El Divino on the following dates:

Fri 1st August, Fri 15th August, Fri 29th August and Fri 19th September (Closing Party)

‘A Glamorous Taste Of Ibiza’ is out on the 29th July on triple CD and digital formats.

More Information on www.moneypennys.com - or directly buy your ticket online at: