"When I took over Circoloco, there were more flies in DC10 then people," says Charlie Chester.

It's difficult to tell whether he's taking the piss, because he's lying on a beach in Ibiza, and DJmag's in an office in London.

Over the phone, the charismatic PR guru's voice never falters, and like all good PRs, you believe every word.

"It's upsetting to walk away from something that I put so much energy and time into, but that's the way life goes sometimes I suppose," he says.

Chester is talking about his and his girlfriend DJ Jo Mills' recent split from Ibiza's coolest club DC10, the venue they helped transform.

When Chester and Mills got involved with DC10 back in 1999, it was Chester's knack of organising good parties, and in part Jo's skill behind the decks, that led to Monday morning's Circoloco parties becoming some of the best on the island.

However, at the beginning of 2005's Ibiza party season, after five years of successfully running hell-raising parties at DC10, Mills and Chester fell out with loco promoter Andrea over money and they were reportedly sacked.

ATTICA

But Chester doesn't want to talk about that; he wants to talk about his involvement in a new club called Attica in Singapore (a PR trick - brush the bad news under the carpet by talking about something completely different).

"When Jo played Attica in April I was completely blown away," says Charlie.
"I thought Singapore would be crap for parties because there's no drugs, but when Jo played, it went right off.

"Every single DJ I've brought over since has loved it, and have been begging to return," he adds.

Charlie and Jo Mills are now with Attica in Singapore

Jo has been employed as Attica's Friday night resident DJ, and Chester will be doing bookings for the club from his and Jo's home in Ibiza.

"Attica was already successful before we got involved," says Charlie Chester.

"But in Singapore, a new venue is always busy for the first year, and then dies out.

"I've been brought in to ensure its long-term success, and to make it into a successful world brand - Attica is going to become the Pacha of Asia."



SHANGHAI

It would be easy to write off Charlie's trumpeting as usual PR babble, but another Attica club will be opening in Shanghai in the New Year, and Darren Hughes from Space Ibiza has been persuaded to do a 'We Love...Attica' party at the Singaporean club in November.

Chester's involvement in Asia's club scene couldn't have come at a better time.


Jo Mills plays the cool DJ on a beach

Currently, club culture is becoming big business in Asia, in part due to China's burgeoning economy, and the growth of the Internet allowing Asian dance music fans access to the latest music at a cost well below the records they used to import.

"Two years from now, we're going to have four Attica clubs open across Asia, and two compilation CDs under our belt," says the eternal optimist Chester.

"Plus cheaper travel means Asia is not so difficult to get to anymore.

"About 20 per cent of Attica's customers are holidaymakers, who've got money to spend, and are up for a party," he adds.

IBIZA'S FUTURE

So what of Ibiza's future?

"People always write-off Ibiza, but they're full of shit," Charlie says.

"It's October tomorrow, I'm on the beach, and I can only see two free sunloungers.

"A few years ago, it'd be dead this time of the year.

"Ibiza is now also a place for grown-up thirtysomethings, as well as young club kids.

"I know loads of people who've got a second home here, or have invested in property on the island."

Charlie however doesn't think that the future is so bright for DC10.

"It had its highpoint a couple of years ago," he reckons.

"Soon something new will come along, it always does.

"Actually I'm happy I've left," he says.

"I'm here on the beach, enjoying Ibiza's pleasures for once."