Two of the brightest young production teams on the planet Drop It on Dim Mak
Interview : Dan Prince
Alexander, Johannes welcome to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you right now?
“Hey Dan, right now we’re ay home. Got back from Stockholm some hours ago, played there yesterday.“
You are back with another huge dancefloor smash, this time it’s ‘Drop It’ causing carnage and coming out on Dim Mak. Give us a little history of the track…
“Well, we just wanted to do another good dancefloor track that will work great on festivals as well. We had the melody and understood that we needed a heavy and simple drop, we think it worked out pretty well.”
The dark tribal drop blows every EDM adjective out of the water, can you remember the first time you played it and the reaction?
“Yeah, first time we played it was in a pretty big club in Sweden. And the crowd went nuts at the drop! Great response!”
So let’s rewind a little. Childhood friends hailing from the town of Varberg in Sweden who started producing tracks in 2011. How though did your dance music journey begin, what were the early clubs and DJs you started loving?
Alex : “We started to hangout when we were about 17 years old. Johannes played in a punk/rock band and I had found out about FL Studio that made all kinds of electronic music. So one day we decided to start to make music together just for fun. Some years later we decided to be more serious, so we started Qulinez.”
How important to your music today is the fact that you grew up playing piano and drums?
“For us it’s pretty important, because we always use the piano/keyboard to get a melody we’re gonna work with. But of course, now a days you don’t need to know an instrument to make good music.“
When did the idea of a production outfit happen and how did you start learning the whole making music process?
“Johannes started to play the guitar when he was 10 years old. Alex started to produce music at the age of 15. We have just learned everything through the years. 2011 was the year we decided to take it seriously and start Qulinez.”
What did your families think of your choice of careers, did they always know it was going to happen?
“In the beginning they didn’t understand so much, but now they understand and support us 100%. Love them!”
Who brings what to the studio process, who excels where?
“We both do pretty much the same, and comes with different ideas. That’s the best thing of being two!”
Do you ever argue?
“Haha yes, we’re like brothers so of course we are! But it takes like 10 minutes and everything is like normal again.”
What is the current top 5 you are spinning…
1. Steve Angello, Matisse & Sadko – SLVR
2. Qulinez – Drop it
3. Hardwell and W&W – Jump
4. Dirtyphonics – No stopping us (Steve Aoki remix)
5. Marcus Schossow – Reverie (Michael Calfan Remix)
What is coming out next from you guys?
“’Drop It’ on Dim Mak release date 27 August and many more surprises to come.”
It’s been a few years now but I am sure it is still fresh in your mind. What are your memories from the whole ‘Troll’ experience today…?
“Without that track this wouldn’t have happened!”
Loads of new exciting producers coming out of Sweden again. Who are some of the guys you are giving high fives to right now?
“Sebjak, Cazzette and many more…”
Where have been some of the stand out gigs for you this summer?
“Without doubt Summer Sounds in Helsinki, Finland. And so looking forward to Creamfields, Size In The Park, Glasgow and Belsonic in Belfast!”
Mexico on November 1st looks pretty special with AN21, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Third Party, Tim Mason and…Steve Angello!! How much advice has help has Steve given you over the years?
“He simply tells us do your own thing and always have fun.”
Who is the craziest party head at Size?
“It’s some guys called Qulinez!”
And finally, you have known each other since childhood. If you could change one thing about each other, what would it be?
“We wouldn’t change anything, that’s what make us to who we are!”
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