The massive Swedish producer shouts ‘Let’s Go’ with Mike Hawkins
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Sebjak, welcome to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you right now?
“Hey Dan, I’m in Brazil doing a couple of shows over the weekend!”
Exciting times for you right now with your first release on Ultra Music – ‘Let’s Go’ where you have collaborated with Mike Hawkins. Tell us about the track…
“I invited Mike to my studio in Stockholm we wanted to do a tribal house track but with a touch of the Dutch vibe ended up with ‘Let’s Go’ with Mike and the vocal. We have tested the track few moths and we know it’s a monster in the clubs!”
Mike was a late convert to EDM, he was from a rock background before making a name for himself in dance music. How did you two first meet and how did the ‘let’s make a track together’ thing happen?
“It was in 2009 through Thomas Sagstad. We had a vocal project together and we knew nothing about mixing vocals, but Thomas knew this guy from Denmark named Mike Hawkins who came down and helped. We stayed in contact and I invited him to Stockholm to hang out in the studio and we became good friends.”
Who brings what to the studio, how do you compliment each other?
“Mike is like me very disciplined in the studio we work super well together. Mike is a genius with melodies and I love to make beats and mixing.”
You have just signed an album deal with Ultra, how long have these discussions been taking place and why did you opt for Ultra?
“It was under discussion for almost one year before actually signing with them. Many major labels tend to focus who is hottest at the moment, but Ultra have been into dance music ever sense they started. I had few options but when I met Patrick Moxey for the first time last summer, I knew Ultra was the place for me to be.”
How is it going with the album, what can you tell us about the musical direction and collaborations?
“I’ve only been working on this for couple of months so it’s too early to say anything about it to be honest Dan.”
How important to your DJ sets are your special edits that you create beforehand?
“It’s essential for me. It’s one of the best feelings in the world when you see the crowd looking up and recognize something in the track. I love giving it a real twist and they flip out when the drop comes”
What do you love about Chocolate Puma, I know you are a big fan.
Their beats and their mixing skills is just WOW!!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. Sebjak & Mike Hawkins – Let’s Go
2. Steve Angello vs AN21 & Max Vengelli – H8RS (Tom Staar & Kryder Rmx)
3. Ivan Gough & Jebu – Kukatu
4. Kaskade – Atmosphere (Chocolate Puma Remix)
5. Sebjak & Marcus Schossow – Liceu (Sebastian Ingrosso Edit)
6. AN21 vs. Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – Rebel
7. Marcus Schossow & Sebjak – Kemi
8. Major Lazer – Major Lazer – Watch Out For This (Chocolate Puma Remix)
9. Kryder – Afrodite
10. Wayne & Woods Vs Henrix – Jumangee
What crowd from around the world have given you the best reception this summer?
“Where’s The Party by Carlsberg. A lot of beer and the weather was amazing, I understand the people were very happy”
Some of the other stand out gigs of summer 2013…
“Holi Colours festival in Switzerland and Space Ibiza were two brilliant parties for me.”
Anthem of the summer?
Sebjak & Marcus Schossow – ‘Liceu’ !!!
Who are some of the cool Swedish producers you are giving high fives to right now?
“Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – these guys are the new superstars!”
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
“Playing Space Ibiza this summer, it has always been one of my dream gigs!”
What makes the white isle so special – how was it this summer?
“I can’tv really judge it as I was only their for 12 hours this summer, but from what I’ve heard it’s great but too expensive so people on vacation can’t afford to go out every night.”
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
“A track with David Tort named ‘Raveline’.”
And finally, tell us a song that you secretly love but shouldn’t!
“Haha it has to be Passenger – ‘Let Her Go’.”
