Exclusive interview! The new King Of Denmark gets set for an incredible 2013…
Words : Dan Prince
Frederik welcome to DMCWORLD. A massive new EP smashing up dancefloors all around the world at the moment, but we shall come to ‘Heavy Crownage’ later. Let’s kick back to where it all began. Born in Copenhagen and a direct descendant of the founder of the mighty Bang & Olufsen, you are a classicaly trained musician in many instruments. So the obvious question to begin with, what on earth did you want to be when you were growing up?
“Actually before I even got around to really know myself I just wanted to be whatever my dad was, and in my case that equals a lawyer. However it was soon obvious that this wasn’t really my own dream, but more the general affection I believe young boys have for their patriarchic idols. I’ve always been drawing and painting (a lot) ever since I was able to effectively manage the moments of my extremities. So I really wanted to either be a graphic designer or apply to the Danish Royal Academy of Arts, which I actually did at a far too young an age. And later I’ve also been a graphic design trainee. The dream of becoming a professional within music actually first started in my late teens around the age of 15 or 16 I guess, which is only natural as I believe one has to be a certain age to really understand the many specters of this kind of music.”
When did you first become aware of dance music – who were the artists/tracks that first pricked up your ears to the sound?
“Yeah, as said it was around the age of 15/16, the same age I really began going to a lot of concerts and such. We’d mainly listen to indie rock and it was actually the song “I Brought The BBQ” song by a Danish band called Veto that sparkled my love for the music I live for today. It’s a really mellow little song with a slightly distorted, extremely depressing and yet amazing male vocal. The intro simply put my mind on the verge of explosion; I’d never heard anything like it. A super minimalistic drum machine beat that sounded like needles hitting a vinyl. I was sold and spontaneously launched my search for more music in this vein. I came around some French podcasts and started to buy random albums in the electronic category at my local music pusher – I think it really kicked off when I was listening to the Danish equivalent of BCC Radio 1’s Essential Mix when the radio host mentioned that all of these tracks could be purchased from something called Beatport. When I first logged on to the site and clicked play on a random track, I felt the shivers like never before and there was simply no turning back.”
What did your family think of your choice of career?
“At first they seriously thought it was a joke, or at least some kind of phase I was going through. They didn’t really understand the music I was making (or trying to make) at the time and I really don’t blame them because it was really, really poor as I had close to no clue about what I was doing. That being said, they’ve been very supportive in every way as I’ve been very persistent towards my choice, and it happened to bear fruit.”
Outside of music – who or what inspires you?
“Lots of things. Mainly visual inputs such as graphic design. I do have a fetish for custom typography in particular, and I do tend to lose countless hours browsing various blogs and design communities. Also fashion, actually – well indeed. We have a very vibrant scene here in Denmark, but I guess that falls in under visual inputs as well. My closest friends around me are really a major inspiration. They all work with some kind of creative process, be it photography, events, design, developing or whatever. Following their process is always really fulfilling. It basically comes down to the urge of creating.”
It has been said that your rise to fame is nothing short of Hollywood film proportions – who would you like to see play you on the big screen?
“Christian Bale. Then I’d be ripped as fuck, invincible as Batman and unpredictable and yet stylish as American Psycho. DiCaprio might also be a goer to if we are getting into a deeper and more twisted plot, but only if he’s bringing Erin Heatherton on set. Should we be having scenes of myself in a aged version, there is no doubt it’s Al Pacino. I believe him to be the epitome of baws, this could be a great finale sitting alone by a mansion in Sicily drinking red wine and fatally dying from a heart attack.”
The world first started to sit up and take notice of you of course at the Amsterdam Dance Event. Five months later your ‘Delirium’ was released and launched at Miami 2012 through Deadmau5’s infamous Mau5trap label. What can you remember about those crazy few months?
“Well it’s just all been too surreal. Miami in particular. Everything just suddenly happened so quickly. Co-producing a track with deadmau5, Foreign Beggars and Moguai for mau5hax, and then off to co-line with the very same incl’ Feed Me at the mau5trap pool party. I really felt ill…and I loved it. I’m not trying to sound like I am bragging or anything, but I think one quickly gets past the entire starstruck thing incredibly fast, not because the affection is lost when you realize that these are not some kind of superior beings, but because you release you’re still at work and you seriously have to get your shit together and it’s really hard to have a conversation if you’re not touching ground. There has been a lot of crazy things, but I think the one that I’m really most proud of was co-ling the box with the one and only Wolfgang Gartner at Ministry of Sound in London. The Wolf is my absolute favorite artist in electronic music, well to heck with it, my favorite musician what-so-ever. So playing with him was simply amazing.”
How does it feel to be championed in the press as the one to watch out for in 2013?
“Obviously it’s brilliant! There is nothing like seeing continuous hard work pay off.”
‘Heavy Crownage’ marks the first of your new material, you are now nicely homed in at Luke Hood’s Pilot Records. Talk us through the EP, when was it created and is it a tell tale sign of what we have coming from you in 2013?
“The Heavy Crownage EP” was actually created, believe it or not, before “Delirium” I released on mau5trap back in March 2012! Only the “Heavy Crownage” title track as you know it today was created back in August or something. I actually had done another track which I named “Heavy Crownage”, but after the touring throughout 2012 I released I needed something with more punch, something more of a manifest. And it actually made way more sense to the title track after all the other tracks, as I’ve acquired a portion of skills throughout the process – and the direction I wanted to go with the EP was clear. The symphonic aspects from the “Heavy Crownage EP” is a statement of the melodic approach you’ll be hearing more of from me in 2013. I’m constantly trying to find my way around any cliché of how an EDM breakdown should sound. To me it’s really just more about realizing the melodies that fight to get out of my head. In terms of sound design, I might add the next EP scheduled for early April as a notch up. Even more complex sounds, more aggressiveness and a bit darker approach.”
You asked your followers on Facebook a couple of weeks ago ‘What is you guys favourite track from the EP’ – what is yours though and why?
“Stutter Gun”. It’s simply the best I’ve done in terms of melody. Though it might now have the most complex structure or most out-of-this world sounds, it really just works. I still love how the melody is carrying the entire track, instead of the usual bassline driven approach I tend to go for. However it all really comes down to the fact that I want to get as many of my fans involved as possible. Though I might be the one making and playing the music, it’s really a symbiosis. The feedback on my productions is just as important as the one on the dance floor.”
You did a lovely little artist-fan thing on tumblr a while back where your followers could ask you anything studio wise. How important is social media to you and your career?
“I’m an early nineties kid almost 22 summers old, so to me social media has always been a natural thing. First with Myspace, Blogger, then came Facebook, Soundcloud and everything in between. Social media is incredibly important if not even vital. It’s the directed contact between me and my fans. Basically it’s like a live newsletter you can interact on. However it’s really important not to get caught up in the entire internet sensation bubble and get out there. I hear a lot of people asking me about how I broke into signing with labels of the proportions I’m doing now, and it’s really just about getting out there and meet people! It’s weird sometimes when people want to be treated as professionals but forget that music is really still also a business like every other. The chances you’re going to get that position as an executive by emailing your CV to 50 different companies are close to zero compared to meeting and interacting with real people in flesh and blood and eventually get recommended.”
You are now signed to the world’s leading booking agency William Morris, what is the game plan for 2013 with your diary? Have they taken complete charge?
“It’s really still a brand new thing, and we are currently getting the last few pieces to fall into place, so I can’t reveal much right now. However I am in really good hands and they have taken full charge.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“Hard one. I’d have to list them in no particular order…
Skism – Experts
Emma Hewitt – Rewind (Mikkas Remix)
Probe – Carpetbagger (Duckfront Remix)
Mark Mendes & Mike Jancinto – Acid Trip
Paris Burns – Bit Bot
Japanese Popstars & Groove Armarda – Get Down
Beat The Beast – Release The Beast
Wolfgang Gartner – Love & War
Kill The Noise – Roots (Brillz Remix)
Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX – I Love It (Hot Mouth Remix)
What is coming next from you studio wise?
“A three or four tracked EP on Never Say Die’s brand new sister label No Tomorrow. It’s going to be a rather full on and dark release, with a bit of symphonic sensation. Actually I’ve got a lot of things going on. I’m really excited about my collab with fellow Dane Mikkas. We did this tune called “Overthrown” which is absolutely splendid. Mikkas has a very unique and yet commercially appealing sound. He is really next level, and I think we nailed the entire collab thing on this one, as you can clearly hear both of our signature sound, they just blended naturally.”
Who were the early producers that have influenced you?
“Sharooz. When I’d first gotten into producing I was reading a lot of Future Music Mag. There was an “In The Studio” feature with Sharooz where he was in the making of his remix of Dylan Rhymes’ “Kemptown”. He was doing a riff on the Juno 106, and I was totally sold. It sparkled my obsession with hardware, so I got my own Juno 106 as fast as I could and obviously more units followed.”
First and last record bought?
“I have absolutely no idea what the first one was. Last one I bought was 12th Planet – The End Is Near Pt. 1 (Dirtyphonics Remix). Nor can I remember what the last hard copy CD I purchased was.”
Not many people know this, but Frederik is really good at…
“Making tiramisu. I’m simply in my own league.”
Last three records you listened to that you weren’t responsible for?
“All sorts of random HipHop. One of my best friends is playing it all the time, I wouldn’t even be capable of naming them. Also this new Danish girl called “Mø”, she makes wonderfull dreamy indie pop…”
How do you chill out?
“Long menthol cigarettes, good red wine and Bailey’s. That’s my zone out triforce.”
What is the one gig this year you are really looking forward to?
“May 29th. This might be a bit far out in the “future” but I’m really pumped about this particular one. It’s special to me as I’ll be launching my own event here in Copenhagen in Denmark this summer during the Distortion Festival at a great venue called Pumpehuset. The concept is called “The Frederik Presents” and will be hosted approximately quarterly I think. I can’t reveal the main act we’ll be bringing in for the premier, but it’s going to be sick.”
And finally, everyone wants to know this question – is your house full of B&O gear?!?!
“Well not full of actually. My parents place was obviously loaded though. Whilst the lot would argue with my choice of monitors, the only active piece of B&O equipment I own is my set of Beovox CX 900’s and I love them. I used them accompanied by a sub in the studio and they sound so damn crisp. The thing I love about them is they give me an idea of both how my productions will sound on a average sound system and still closely to a standard studio monitor. I never really understood EDM producers who would make music without a sub. I mean the music is meant to be played live, and every prober venue would always have massive subs. So in my opinion it is only natural to produce on a setup resembling the how the music should sound live.
Thanks dude. If you can get me a table at the restaurant Noma in Copenhagen my wife will love you forever…
“I’m afraid you’ll have to get in line. They already ditched Barack Obama once. However the fish donut is exquisite.”
The Frederik ‘Heavy Crownage EP’ on Pilot is out now
