‘5 Days’ – a huge mainstage smash from the man from Brazil sending people weak at the knees
Interview : Dan Prince
FTampa (Felipe Tampa) is one of the breed of exciting producers who are currently pushing Brazilian EDM to a next level. Professionally producing since 2010, Tampa presents a noteworthy list of original and remixed tracks, being increasingly recognized worldwide. 2013 was this young musician’s breakthrough, when Hardwell played himself “FTampa – Kick It Hard” at Tomorrowland’s Main Stage. Chart-topping releases on international leading labels became part of FTampa’s recent history and proof his pure talent. With tracks such as “Falcon” feat Bruno Barudi, and, “Kismet” feat Goldfish & Blink, both, on Revealed Recordings; “Hero” and “Make Some Noise” are part of a banger EP released on Vicious; “Samba” feat Klauss Goulard and his latest release “5 Days” on Spinnin’ Records – supports from big names like Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Nicky Romero, Afrojack, Calvin Harris, W&W, Showtek and many more, this track has a very bright future ahead thanks to one of our producers going all the way to the top…
Felipe welcome to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you today?
“Today I am at my home!!! Family and studio time.”
Your new track ‘5days’ has been supported by Calvin Harris, Hardwell, Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki to name but a few. WOW! Who are the names on the ‘support’ list that make you proud when you see them getting behind your music?
“Every single one! Really excited about having my tracks appreciated by each time more people and also those amazing producers.”
You first took a major interest in music at the age of 13. Music is all around you from birth in Brazil…what are your early memories of the sounds around you?
“I used to listen to Guns and Roses, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and lots of metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer etc. – I always loved the dark side of rock!”
You just mentioned some throbbing bands, your home city is also the Brazilian capital of Heavy Metal sound – ever tempted???!?
“Yes! I’ve played guitars in a couple bands but was not for me!”
You hail from the town of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. The city literally means ‘beautiful horizon’, what is the most beautiful horizon or sunset you have ever seen around the world?
“Being in the middle of desert at Burning Man with lots of cool people. I guess this is an experience that everyone needs. So amazing.”
What did your family think of your career choice?
“You know how families are! They supported me when they saw that I was really into the music scene but always telling me to go to college. I’ve tried I swear haha.”
A massive moment when Hardwell played ‘Kick It Hard’ at Tomorrowland – where were you when that shit went down?
“I was going to play a gig in João Pessoa, Brazil!! Was so great!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“I’m playing lot of tracks of Martin Garrix, Dannic, Henry Fong, Deorro etc. I guess I’m playing the best tracks that are on the cloud!”
How would you describe your own sound in 2014?
“High-energy drops and melodic breaks that hopefully will put everyone to go crazy non stop ☺.”
A recent quote from a certain superstar DJ…“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?
“I respect people that are not doing a lot of things on the live set because for a producer the real hard work is making great tracks. However, I do appreciate the DJing culture. I can play at CDJs, but I can do so much more with a laptop. Sometimes I play at CDJs but I still prefer a laptop. Being a DJ or a musician is much more than what you use to play your tracks. I think people should think less in skills since there is only one Laidback Luke and start to think in the whole thing.”
What is the last GREAT studio toy you bought yourself?
“I just bought a UAD 2 satellite!! I am excited that now I have the opportunity to buy more equipment for the studio! Very happy about that ☺.”
There was a lot of concern regarding Brazil hosting the World Cup and then the Olympics in two years, the Western world were worried about the way your authorities were clearing out the favelas. Was all this media bullshit, were Brazil ready for the world’s greatest football tournament?
“I am not sure if we were prepared or not for hosting the World Cup, but I am sure we are not prepared to host our own people when they need hospitals and education. I hope that our government learned things from this event and use the lesson for more important subjects than soccer. I enjoy soccer, don’t get me wrong, but I am just worried about more important things at this moment.”
Who are some of the new producers from Brazil doing it for you right now?
“There are a lot of talents here in Brazil, a few names to keep an eye on, Paniek, Bruno Barudi, Dirtyloud, Marcelo Cic, Sex Room, Jakko and Repow. They are good friends of mine and are doing great music!”
What is the 1 album in your collection you are embarrassed about?
“I love all my CDs, none to be embarrassed about! First album that I bought was Appetite for Destruction by Guns and Roses! Fuck Yeah!”
It was your birthday last month, how did you celebrate and what was your coolest gift?
“I love when people give me aquarium things as a gift because I have a big saltwater tank and I truly love it!”
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
“Guns and Roses – Welcome to the Jungle.”
…always gets you dancing?
“FTampa, Klauss Goulart – Samba.”
…reminds you of being broken hearted?
“Any music from The Calling.”
…you wish you would have made?
“Led Zeppelin – Rock and Roll.”
What is on your rider these days?
“All I need is basically CDJs 2000, Mixer DJM 900 Nexus and water ☺. Ok, ok…a couple drinks as well.”
A club or festival you cannot wait to be booked for…
“All the big festivals! I think 2015 I will be playing in all of them! Ultra, EDC, Tomorrowland. I can’t wait!”
Funniest thing that has ever happened to you whilst DJing?
“People having sex while I was playing!”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“There are many many colabs happening, I wish I could tell everything but some of those are still little secrets hahaha. There is a colab with Quintino coming out on Spinnin and I am doing a few tracks by myself too! Will let everyone know ahead of time on my social medias.”
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