One of the biggest stars of the Dutch music scene returns with one of the anthems of the summer
Interview : Dan Prince
Gregor welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Thanks Dan! Today I’m in my studio in Amsterdam trying to get some music done but actually there’s too much office stuff going on. We have so much releases coming out on our labels at Dadadam and right now I’m even doing an interview…”
Massive new tune from you and Fatboy Slim, Samba Do Mundo, a huge dollop of Brazillian rhythms and carnival vibes infused with some big EDM drops. What’s the history of the tune?
“Well, last year I received an email from Norman in which he said that he loved my ‘tropical’ house sound. I was thrilled cause Fatboy Slim is one of the few dance producers I really look up to. He said he was going to compile a new album for the World Cup football in Brazil this year and asked me if he could use my track ‘Madalena’ for it. I got enthusiastic and started on some new tracks as well. Norman immediately liked the idea of ‘Samba do Mundo’ so I finished it and now it’s out there!”
“I love working together with other producers…it means you have to find the strongest parts you both can bring to the table and make that work together.” Is that how it worked with big Norm?
“Well to be honest we only met over the internet. As a producer I’ve always found it hard to work with A&R’s cause I felt that (most of them) never really felt my idea of music. This time however I asked Norman to be my A&R manager and to be as critical as he could be. At a certain point he even said “just tell me to fuck off if this is getting too picky”. Well, again, I was just happy to get so much positive feedback and ideas from a guy like him.”
Where did you first play the tune out, bet you couldn’t wait??
“Well I don’t remember when I played it out the first time. Must’ve been here in Holland. I play every weekend so I could test , back to the studio, tweak, test again etc. – that’s how I always do anyway.”
Any plans for more work with Fatboy?
“I’d love to do that for sure!”
A huge Miami Conference around the corner, where can we catch you later this month…?
“Well I just came back from the US and last Friday I was in Albania. This weekend I have some gigs in Holland and then I’m off to Miami. I’ll play at several pool gigs. Nicky Romero invited me to his Protocol party, I’m doing Miami Massive and a few more…”
It wasn’t so long ago that WMC was the only Conference on the clubbing calendar, now we have similar events in Amsterdam, Mexico, Ibiza – even Aruba are trying to get in on it all! What does the Miami WMC mean to you?
“Miami WMC is fun, good parties, chilling with colleagues and I might even have some studio time. However, when it comes to the business side of the industry ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) is by far my favorite event. Not much beach and sunshine in Amsterdam though.”
You played at Ultra Miami for the first time last year, what was that experience like?
“Afrojack invited me last year, I still owe him for that one. It was a great experience and actually I still meet people that come to me and say: “the first time I heard you was last year Ultra. Now they’re coming back for more.”
Who are your DJ pals you can’t wait to party with, who is the most fun?
“I get along very well with most Dutchies. We all know each other for such a long time, we’ve played all the Dutch festivals and clubs together. For sure I’ll have pancakes with Sidney and his crazy tour manager, get drunk one night with Chuckie and join Nicky, Nick, Robbert and Fadil on their gigs. This year I’m traveling with DJ The Flexican (he produced ‘Watch Out For This’ with Major Lazor and Fs Green) and MC Sef, We’ll have fun.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“Check out…
http://www.beatport.com/charts/samba-do-mundo-chart-by-gregor-salto/259892
What are the next plans for your G REX Music imprint…
“This year I want to go back to the roots of G-REX a bit. It all started as a musical outlet, a free platform of music that I like. Over the years I felt that I got more limited to what the majority of DJs wanted (mostly loud stuff). I also like that big room sound, but not only that. So this year I’ll restart putting out some more musical stuff (also from other artists) on G-REX, while focusing on the bigger ‘Salto’ sounds on other big room labels like Fjordin and Spinnin for example.”
An interesting you said in an interview recently…“A lot of kids these days want to become a DJ and or Producer. Not because of their love for music, but mainly because of the lifestyle that they think is cool.” To the thousands of aspiring producers reading this, tell us about the side of things we don’t see in the life of a producer…
“Well I can only talk about myself. Yes, this is a cool way of living, I won’t lie. But it is because it enables me to do what I’ve always wanted: make music. I’ve always been in to music, trying to dance like Michael Jackson as a kid (horrible mimic!) playing piano every day and finally starting to produce. My goal was to release a record, have that vinyl in my hands. At first I didn’t care at all about DJing…seriously. I started DJing years after my first release came out. My point is, follow your heart and be yourself. Play EDM if that’s what your heart’s at, but don’t play it to be able to act like Afrojack, cause that’s not YOU.”
Some would say certain DJs have made it to superstar status very quickly thanks to making one hit record. What are your thoughts on that being one of the hardest working producers on the planet?
“I wish I was one of those kids! I would still like to find out the recipe for a trick like that, I mean, that’s awesome! I’m just glad it never happened to me when I was 17 or so cause I would ‘ve gone absolutely crazy.”
How do you conquer writers block?
“I don’t really. But I’m very persistent so I just don’t give up. However, when after some hours of trying I’m still stuck I go for a walk, run, work out or even take a shower to clear my mind.”
Who are some of the exciting producers around the world you are giving high fives to at the moment?
“Oh there are so many talented guys around. Just some names that come to mind: Funkin Matt, Wiwek, Genairo Nvilla, Roul & Doors, Franky Rizardo, Tujamo, Motafied Beats, East & Young.”
And finally, what is coming out next studio wise from you personally?
“Some things I have piled up for release: I just finished a remix for Mariah Carey I did together with Funkin Matt, working on another very cool remix right now (can’t say the artist yet, sorry! Plus another Salto Brazilian track for this summer. A release with Chuckie and some big room bangers…”
http://www.gregorsalto.com
http://www.g-rex.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/djgregorsalt…
http://www.youtube.com/user/grexreleases…
