New tune ‘Up All Night’ from his new album is setting dancefloors alight worldwide
Interview : Dan Prince
Arty welcome back to DMCWORLD…where on planet dance are you today?
“Hi Dan, I’m currently at my house in Los Angeles. I’m finishing my US tour this week, and then I’m going back to Europe.”
Well you have done it again, brought us a piece of music that has sent everyone into delirium. This time around it’s ‘Up All Night’ out on Insomniac Records – please talk us through the sound and history of the track…
“This track has a pretty long history. I made the first version in 2011 and it was 140 BPM – it sounded closer to Dubstep. Sometime after I converted it to a four-on-the-floor kind of record to be able to play it in my live sets, but it didn’t really work out. It then went off the radar for a while. When I was in the middle of a writing session for my album, I found this track in my iTunes library…and we randomly decided to write something over the instrumental part. So basically, this record has a 3-year history.”
When I told Guy Garret in the Buzz Chart throne room I was interviewing you today he shouted…”We think Arty is the best! Love the fact that the label are spreading their global dominating dance wings even further with their deal with Interscope”. What are your comments on that…?
“I also think it’s great. This Insomniac/Interscope partnership can be very beneficial for dance music. Having and combining experience that both companies gained since they started makes me feel confident in the major goals that each of us want to achieve with this project.”
The new tune is a teaser from the new album…what can you tell us about that, when are we getting it, any collabs you can reveal…?
“Yes, ‘Up All Night’ is the first single, but there is so much more that I want to share with everyone. I’m still working on the album – and I’m making the final touches. Right now it’s about 90 percent finished. During my EDC Vegas set I played about 5 new songs and I was really happy and blessed with the crowd reaction. After the performance some people already recognized the voices of Ray Dalton, Joe Gil and Angel Taylor. I would tell you more about it, but I don’t want to spoil too much right now.”
You played last night at Drai’s Beach Club in Las Vegas, a venue doing so well at the moment. How musically clued up are a Vegas crowd in 2014…they as on it as Ibiza?
“It’s impossible to compare Vegas and Ibiza. It’s a completely different crowd and vibe, but I can say that I’m enjoying both places…and especially the new venue Drai’s – you just need to see the club layout at night, it’s really beautiful.”
What an incredible tweet from Mat Zo last week, a story concerning some of your fans on the way home from EDC who’s lives were possibly saved when they put on one your tunes, rolled the windows down for maximum effect and were promptly steamrolled by a truck – they were told by the emergency services that having the windows down saved them from serious damage as they avoided flying glass. Freaky huh?
“It’s freaky and inspiring at the same time Dan. If you think about the music influence on today’s life, you’ll be blown away. It makes people happy or sad, it brings out memories, it helps people get through hard times…and it keeps people away from situations like the one you mentioned.”
T’was an incredible EDC for sure this year, what were some of your ‘take home memories’ from that weekend…?
“The Insomniac team made the incredible fireworks show that was synced with my new music. During the whole 3 days, you could see it on main stage between DJ performances. It’s impossible to explain it with words – when you stand there and watch all these incredible fireworks, lights and visuals that work perfectly with your records. I put part of my soul in every one of my tracks…and I can say these guys put a part of their soul into working on this show. This is definitely one the highlights of my life.”
We interviewed Faithless’s Sister Bliss this month. One of the things she came out with was…”I think people will become bored with the stock crude generic sounds of EDM and the artists themselves may be somewhat musically bankrupt (David Guetta even admitted as such in a recent interview) as there is only so much touring you can do before it impacts on studio time and having space to think creatively.” Do you agree?
“I won’t agree or disagree. Everyone has a their own opinion on a specific topic – and every producer has their own unique way of working on music. A lot of my friends are totally comfortable working while touring and are creative at the same time. I can do the same thing, but the way of working on my debut album was totally different. I took a break from heavy touring for almost 6 months. I still did some shows and big festivals, but I had a lot of time to work in the way I like, and this time gave me a lot of inspiration. I did tons of writing and mixing sessions. I’ve been working with incredibly talented songwriters and singers, and this was the best time in my artist life. I think I found the best and most comfortable way for me to work on big projects like an album.”
Great answer. What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“It’s hard to say what’s in my top 10, but I can name a few artists that I really love right now. I had a chance to listen to the new Porter Robinson album and I can say it’s amazing. I also listen to a lot of Mat Zo, Disclosure and Flume records. And of course, the Coldplay album is unbelievable.”
Can you remember the moment when it hit you that yes Arty, you really can make it in the music industry?
“I was dreaming about where I am now since I was 14 years old. There was never any doubt cause my family and friends were always supporting me. I still believe that I’m only in the beginning of my producer career.”
“A DJ has to have a piss every time before he goes on the decks, and if somebody tells me that’s not nerves they are full of shit.” – a quote this week from a fellow superstar DJ. So, do you still get nervous before DJing?
“I really do get nervous before every show because I want to give the people the best show possible…and for that you need to be sober, focused and love what you do. And yeah, you definitely need to take a piss before you go on stage.”
When you were starting your incredible career it was Axwell, Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz who were your main influences. Who are the 3 producers in 2014 that you think are making crazy shit?
“Mat Zo, Porter Robinson and Audien. They all are incredibly talented.”
You have an unlimited budget. Choose any location around the world to put a festival on and you can book any headliner. Where and who?
“I would put ATB, Armin van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto and Paul van Dyk straight from the end of 90’s into Wembley Stadium. This could be such a great trance flashback.”
What can we find on an Arty rider these days…are you like some superstar DJs who ask for towels and sushi?
“Everything is pretty standard in my rider, there is no need to go fancy. I love fruit before a show – this is essential.”
Orbital – ‘Halcyon’ – why is this such a huge tune for you?
“Cause it brings out a lot of my child memories. I remember “Halcyon” in the Hackers movie and I immediately felt in love with it, but there was one thing – I didn’t know the name. It took me about 7 years to find out the name, so you can imagine what this record means for me.”
Another quote from a big producer this week……“I believe true DJing is actually an art, but it’s a dying art, as everyone is pushing the sync button…it’s a real shame when you see a ‘DJ’ plug his laptop in and call this DJing. Music will always evolve but sometimes not in the best way.” What are your thoughts on that?
“Nobody forces you to use a laptop or sync buttons. Yes, DJing is art, but everybody expresses themselves in the way they want to. You can’t stay in vinyl era forever. Technology is growing so fast nowadays, and it gives DJs and producers more diversity and flexibility.”
Favourite…
…city to DJ at in the world?
“Every city where people are excited about my music and my performance.”
…most hospitable promoter?
“Every promoter who carefully reads the rider!”
…DJ to party with?
“Every DJ that I have musical synergy with.”
…ever festival?
“EDC Vegas this year was really special.’
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“I’m totally focused on my debut album.”
http://soundcloud.com/artyofficial
http://twitter.com/arty_music
http://youtube.com/artyworldwide
http://instagram.com/artymusic
