‘Vandals’ – creating absolute destruction out there
Interview by Dan Prince
Sandro a massive welcome back to DMCWORLD…where on planet earth are you today?
Thank you so much for having me! I just got back from an Asia tour, did a lot of cities and amazing clubs so I came back with a big smile!
The first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
When I jumped in the car, the first thing I did was putting on the new ‘The Weekend’ album, I love it!
Let’s kick off with your new track with Thomas Newson that is causing carnage on the world’s dancefloors! Talk us through the sound and history of ‘Vandals’…
There is a huge buzz around the track, and a lot of people really dig it! Thomas and me were discussing to do a collab a long time ago, so we started to exchange some rough ideas till we had the final idea for Vandals. From there it was easy to get to the final mix, we worked really fast on it!
How did you two bounce off each other in the studio, who excelled where?
We worked a lot through WhatsApp on this collab lol, really funny but it is so easy to show where you are in the studio sound wise. I started off with the drop, and then Thomas came up with the break and small edits in the track. From there we did the arrangement and then we had the final result.
Most kids did a bit of vandalizing at school…a bit of graffiti, smashing windows…what were you like at school…a good boy?
I was actually pretty nerdy on school, so I was a good boy haha. Nothing too crazy, but I did skip school some times when I felt I needed to sleep longer in the mornings lol
Armada’s are launching their brand new club night ‘Armada Captivating’ at ADE on October 14th. It’s a new approach from the team, changing tact from the Armada Night event that we all know and love, Armada Captivating is now bringing us a broader range of music with a strong focus on new talent. What are your thoughts on the whole re-branding of this famous night? Looking forward to it?
I love the fact that Armada is setting this up and that they getting more diverse with their sound. It gives a platform for so much more artists to show what they are capable of. I really look forward to it, and also to see what type of set the guys are gonna play!
Where else can we catch you at ADE this year?
We have a lot of shows almost confirmed but we are going to be all over it this year. Can’t wait!
For the thousands of readers around the world who have never had the chance to get to ADE, can you try and explain why this event is so important / special?
I think business wise it’s so good for the people involved in the scene. They get to meet the faces behind the emails, get deals done and much more. It’s a great way to interact and show your face to the big world of dance music.
You have just completed a wondrous 4 date Asia tour. Give us some highlights of…
Shanghai…Amazing city and sick club. We had a dj booth that was spinning 360 degrees the whole set. Special and intimate vibe!
Tokyo…We had a rooftop club for this show. The crowd was on point, the hospitality was so good. Everything was super good on this show!
Bali…This is one of my favorite Islands in the world. We played a club called Skygarden, one of the best clubs and it was sold out. So many fans that came out from all over the world, I had a great time!
Paranaque…Manila was special because I didn’t knew a lot about this city. It was a great experience for me, and the club was top notch. Everything was right, from the production to the green room.
Which crowd were the most crazy?
I think Tokyo was intense, a lot of fans in there!
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
My own track Vandals. Goes off everywhere I play it. W&W, Moti with Spack Jarrow. Bigroom drop but different, love the twist on this. Dzeko and Torres with their cover of L’amour Toujours. I loved the original and they did a great rework on this. Jay Cosmic with The tunnel is a sick track for the after-hours. It’s a sick combination between EDM and a twist of techno to it. Nico and Vinz – Am I Wrong (W&W Bootleg) is a great track for me to play when I think the crowd needs something to sing along with. Great summer tune and the guys did a great bootleg.
Favourite festival of the summer?
Tomorrowland will always be the number one for me.
Saw you riding the latest must-have-boys toy this week with Danny Avila…you loving the ihawk huh?
Haha I love it! It’s a must have for everyone who wants to be cool nowadays lol!
What has been your biggest tune of the summer?
Major Lazer with Lean On. What a smash..
An up and coming DJ/producer who really impressed you this year?
Arston, who I did a collab with last year. He is such a huge talented guy and he will sure make it to the top one day. I just finished the follow up with him and It’s coming out soon!
You were in India at the start of August, a country rapidly emerging as a real force of nature in the dance music world. What has impressed you out there the most?
It’s crazy how much they know about dance music and how well educated the kids are. They know every track I play and even tracks that has to come out.
It’s the Top100DJ poll around the corner – how important is this competition to you – and who would you vote for?
I think it’s important but the way of getting voting’s is very wrong to me. It’s not a poll about who the best DJ is but how good their marketing skills are..
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
I have tracks lined up for the rest of the year. Every month a new single, so I won’t let my fans wait too long!
