Jean Claude Ades

Interview by Dan Prince

Hi Jean, nice to be speaking to you again. The last time we spoke we were sitting in Marina Bottafoch in Ibiza looking ahead to the 2015 season – and now 2016 is upon us. What have you been doing since we last spoke and over the winter?

Hey Dan, good to speak to you again! Well,  I have been travelling a lot all over the place and I also started my monthly BeCrazy! Ibiza event in Miami at Wall. In February I took some time off to finish my new tracks that I’m going to release step by step during 2016.

You are from Munich – what is the best thing about the city?

Munich is clean, safe, has a lot of beautiful lakes and parks and great clubs and bars. Allover one of the best cities in the world when it comes to living quality.

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This is your 5th year in Ibiza. What have you learnt along the way?

I have learnt that you can´t make mistakes here. It’s a small island with incredible big competition and you can’t be sleeping for one second. You need to work double hard to make it work!

Tell me about your record label BeCrazy! – what are your current releases?

I launched the label after I started my residency here in Ibiza, I thought it makes sense to connect it to the party and merge sound and events into one in order to create our own musical DNA. I just released a fantastic 2 track EP by Amine K which really works big time on the floor!

What is different at your party this summer?

We have created great new costumes for the dancers and I have a bigger line up. Also, I have increased our promotion team which is really exciting.

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How do you see BeCrazy! positioned within the clubs in Ibiza – people have been saying it has DC10 style with the music and the glamour of Pacha, would you agree?

Yes, I agree! I always wanted to combine good music with a beautiful venue and crowd that is more grown up and loves good music. There are so many people that are tired to go to big clubs so I thought I’d give them a good option!

You have been playing London a great deal, is it important to play in London for a DJ?

Yes I play regularly in London, I have now done this for a few years and I have a great following there. I think it´s very important because many Londoners are coming regularly to Ibiza every summer and so I keep them engaged with my sound. Also it’s always a big fun to play there! I have many good friends in London who always show up when I come to play which I love.

You promote your event with your brother Maurice, what is his role and how do you divide the work between you?

He is the one that goes out almost every night during the season connecting people and promoting the night in person. During our night on Thursday he also makes sure that our VIP guests have a good time. I am the one that trys to wake up in the morning during the week to do the daily business with our team. I´m talking care of the record label I have to communicate with the artists that release on BeCrazy! music, choose the next releases for the label and talk to our social media network. I spend a lot in the studio making my own tracks and I also do my weekly radio show. As well I need to go through a lot of music to make sure my sets are up to date. I don`t want my regular Ibiza audience to get bored of my music, it´s very challenging!

Tell me about some of the DJs and artists that you have playing alongside you at BeCrazy this year?

I have invited Guy Mantzur for the first time this year to play alongside me because I really love his productions. Also he is a great person with great DJ skills. Markus Worgull from Innervisions is one of my favorite DJs and he played an amazing set last year on the opening party, so I invited him again. Frankey & Sandrino are also amazing producers and DJs. I will have them for the first time this year so I’m really looking forward to this. As well Henry Saitz and Fur Coat.

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Were you please with the launch this year? Many people are saying Ibiza is busier than ever this year?

Yes the Opening Party felt like high season in August! I was really happy with the start! The island was in general much busier than last year!

You now live in Ibiza, What is it about the island that you love the most?

Of course I love the weather and the sea and the great things that the island offers beside the nightlife, the nature and healthy environment and the possibility to play outdoor tennis during the winter and to do long walks on the beach. The off season is a perfect balance for me when I come back here after intense weekends, I have a quiet environment around me that gives me the chance to focus much more on my music and to take care of my health and spend more time with family and friends. Summer is pretty intense and there is not much time or space to calm down.

Jean Claude Ades presents BeCrazy! at Lio Ibiza every Thursday during Summer 2016