The ace producer from Norway back on Pryda Friends with the massive ‘Indigo’
Interview : Dan Prince
Jonas welcome back to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you right now?
“Thank you Dan, glad to be back. I’m on a couch in Ft. Lauderdale Florida right now!”
Well congratulations, you have done it again. This time round you’ve smashed The Buzz Chart with your new track ‘Indigo’ coming our way on the epic Pryda Friends label. Talk us through the tune…
“Awesome thanks! I had been doing some deeper stuff for a while and thought it was time to do something more energetic and aggressive. Started messing around with an idea in the beginning of the Pryda Friends Tour and got it finished in the studio, just before we went out for the second part of the tour.”
I can remember the last time I interviewed you, you revealed it took you over a year to complete ‘Phantom’ – how long did ‘Indigo’ take?
“Hehe! Well, I didn’t work on it continuously for a year, that would have driven me crazy. I let it rest for a month here and there, ‘Indigo’ took about 2-3 weeks I would say. I got to try it out a couple of times in the process, which really helps.”
There’s a saying that you love: “It takes 10,000 hours to become a professional at something and I believe in that. How many hours do you think you’ve clocked up so far?
“Well yeah, it makes sense I think. You can be born with a gift or a talent and it will be a smooth ride, but for most people it just takes hard work and time. I’ve been doing this since I was 13 years old, so I should be getting close to the 10,000 mark. (I hope).”
Fact or fiction : It took you a year to discover Eric Prydz and Pryda were on and the same?!?
“Fact. I heard ‘Call On Me’ and thought that was pretty cool. But it wasn’t before a year or so later I heard ‘Aftermath’ from Pryda that my mind got blown! I had never heard house music being arranged in such a way before. It changed my life.”
You moved to London as you knew the label HQ were there. What is the best and worst thing about living in London…?
“The worst thing is by far the living cost. I love London for it’s diversity. I meet people from all over the place. And it’s a very cultural healthy place to be, especially in east London where I live. Everyone is either a DJ or professor in club music, I like that.”
When discussing Eric Prydz once you explained that “for the most part he’s taught me how the industry works and how to work on the road. He teaches me more about the business side of things rather than specific technical skills.” So, what is the most important thing he has taught you these past 2 years?
“Well he is very hands off on the production side. I don’t think he wants to interfere too much in our work and creative process. Maybe he’s learnt that from own experience. He has taught me to be patient, not to rush anything. And also how important it is to read the crowd when you’re DJing.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Fehrplay – EPIC2 ID
Tiga v Audion – Let’s Go Dancing
Fehrplay- Everywhere
Fehrplay – Indigo
George Fitzgerald – I Can Tell
Cirez d – Horizons
21 street – Jakarta Dream (Stan Kolev & Matan Caspi remix)
Fehrplay – Talk To Me
Daniel Stefanik – Confidence (Adam Port remix)
Amtrac – Those Days
Sam Paganini – Chocolate
You have a free night and decide to go The Jazz Café. What 1 jazz musician dead or alive would you love to be on…we know you love jazz music!
“Miles Davis or maybe Diana Krall…”
Who are some of the new producers we should be looking out for in 2014?
“Relatively new to me: Sam Paganini. Some of the technically best stuff I’ve heard in ages. Also Justin Jay, signed to dirtybird. Such a fresh sound.”
Have you had a chance to check out any DJs and clubs out this summer on a rare night off?
“Claude von Stroke and his crew at Output in NY was probably my favourite.”
Anthem of the summer?
“An oldie, but it’s been going off like crazy…Pryda – ‘Vega’.”
We interviewed a certain superstar DJ this week who explained that the DJing is the only fun part of the job. He reckons that if only his fans could see all the planes, sleep deprivation, constant press calls and general tiredness, people would think twice about becoming a DJ/producer. Thoughts on that?
“Seems like he’s forgetting how lucky he is to be traveling the world and meeting so many interesting people. On top of that, getting paid to do so. Sure there is a lot of stress, but that comes with any job. He can take a break whenever he wants.”
Who is your best friend in the world – and you can’t say your dog!
“My girlfriend Annie!”
Funniest festival moment of 2013…
“Seeing Jeremy Olander DJing in wellies. Also sharing a fun stick with Idris Elba!”
The song you wished you’d made…
“Pryda – ‘Melo’, or Adam Beyer & Alan Fitzpatrick – ‘Human Reason’.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Hopefully get one original in before 2014. Also working on a remix for a pretty big duo, should be very interesting!”
