The mystery producer and resident DJ for Formula E’s groundbreaking FIA championship turns it on with his new tune…
Interview by Dan Prince
Dude welcome to DMCWORLD…where on planet earth are you right now?
Nice one! Good to be chatting with you! I’m currently staying in Ibiza between our Paris and Berlin races. Not a bad place to plot up!
The best piece of new music you have heard today?
I have literally just been played the Deeperend Remix of Catch and Release by Matt Simons. Very nice indeed!
So let me set the scene for our readers. You are the resident DJ for the groundbreaking FIA Formula E championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series. It is claimed Formula E represents a vision for the future of the entertainment industry with the championship featuring nine teams racing all around the globe with a music soundtrack to suit. How did you get involved in all this?
Right place right time really. I was working quite closely with Ministry of Sound at the time when I first heard about Formula E. I knew that they wanted music to play a big role in the championship, so met with them and kind of created a roll for myself. We didn’t know what it was going to be, or how music would feature, and here we are! We are still learning which is fun to!
We love your words on your Press Release… ‘Who is EJ? Where did he come from? The mystery remains!’…so young man, who the hell are you?
If I told you I would have to kill you! Nah, that’s just part of all the fun right? Mysterious figure behind the mask, or helmet should we say. I have been asked if I am certain DJs. Eric Prydz and Skrillex were the highlights. But unfortunately I am neither. You will have to keep guessing.
Okay let’s talk music. Your first single ‘Never Say No’ received huge support from the likes of R3hab, Arno Cost and Sam Feldt…your follow up is ‘Ignition’ and is out in May. Please talk us through the sound and history of the track…
I want to produce music that is energetic and interesting. I think, and hopefully others do to, Ignition has both. In these earlier tracks I also had to take into consideration the race and music to compliment the cars going around then track. I actually produced this in Ibiza last year. Shows how long it takes to get stuff out there!
At what age did dance music first appear on your radar?
If I told you that it would give away my age!
Early musical inspirations?
So many. I guess from the sound I am creating at the moment Eric Prydz has been a huge influence. We went and watched him play at Ultra in Miami this year and the guy is amazing. You go through all of his earlier Pryda stuff and it is perfect now only for what I am producing to perform with now, but also for the race championship itself. One test we do is mute the sound of a Formula E video and put music on in the background. Try it sometime. Really works and will be a TV red button option in the future.
Was a career in music always the only thing on your agenda…or was there another option job wise?
Is there anything else?
Tell us about 24 hours in the day and life of EJ on a Formula E race day…
Love a race day! You are picked up from the hotel in the morning and taken to the track where you get to hang out with all the VIPs in the eMotion Club hospitality tent. This is good fun as there is always a bit of celeb spotting and a good excuse for a picture. Then I get to create the soundtrack to the new virtual race which is amazing. One lucky winner with best time gets to race alongside the drivers. They also win a TAG watch which I am pretty jealous about, I still don’t have mine! We then all go from there to the autograph signing which is cool to meet the fans. Spot of lunch back in the VIP and then its onto the grid before the race starts for a few photos, but I have to be pretty quick as I have to be in the DJ Booth to play the music live on the TV broadcast. I then play an hour set to the cars racing, and also get to control all the music over the podium. Always worrying when playing the national anthems and not to play the wrong one! Has only happened once! There is usually a bit of a party after the race back in the hospitality, before it’s back to the hotel for a quick change then off to play the legendary FE after parties. These have been known to finish at the same time your return flight is taking off, so there have been a few occasions when new flights have had to be booked!
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
1. Eric Prydz – Opus
Tops the bill at the moment. Such an amazing record. The build, the build!
2. EJ – Never Say No
Had to stick it in there J
3. Capa – Endor
Big, big, big!
4. Grum – Something About You
Love the stuff that Grum is producing at the moment. Can’t wait to see him at Cream in Ibiza this year!
5. Maor Levi – Neptune
Love all the stuff the Anjuna boys do
Where have been some of the most memorable events you have played at with Formula E and who are some of the celebrities that have give it some on your dancefloor…?
Punta Del Este in Season 1 was amazing for me. I got to play alongside Eric Morillo at a beach villa which was very special. This year has to be the roof top pool party in Putrajaya. Long Beach we got to hang out with Leonardo di Caprio at the after party. Not bad!
Tell us about these cars. Top speed? Safe?
They do a top speed of 140 mph. Looks incredibly fast on street circuits! The cars are very safe. There was a huge accident in the first ever race in Beijing where Nick Heidfeld hit Nico Prost and spun the car in the air at least 3 times before smashing it into the wall landing upside down. He jumped out with a few bruises and chased Nico up the track. Legend.
What is the relationship like within the motor industry with you guys. Do other categories of racing like what you are doing?
We love everybody and everybody loves us! No I think at first there was a bit of snobbery to the championship due to it being electric, but as we have moved from race to race those that turned their nose up are now actually very interested and are following the season. We have definitely made a huge impact, and its only going to get bigger and bigger!
Why the mystery in your identity?
Because I want to be able to go to the shops for a pint of milk and not be recognized!
Hahaha! And finally, what is coming out next from you musically?
“Ignition” out on 28th May which is looking good, then back end of June “Take Control of Me” is released which I am really excited about. Good cross over track for pools and dancefloors alike, so hoping it will do well in the summer.
