Many people’s DJ of 2013 sets sail for South America and Australia. WORLD EXCLUSIVE!
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Solomun welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?
“Hello Dan, I am actually in beautiful Buenos Aires. I played 3 Creamfields shows in Chile, Peru and Argentina and I am heading to do 2 more weeks in Brazil. And I have to say that Buenos Aires was an absolute highlight.”
Two new clubs you rocked these past few weeks include The Zig Zag Club in Paris and Ker in Barcelona. It must be great to keep finding great new clubs in such important cities, what were the vibes like at these places…?
“For me it’s always exciting to play new clubs, especially when they are in important cities, like you said. And I am excited because anything can happen in new venues. You never know, until you know, haha. And in both cases it went really, really well. Paris and Barcelona: great new clubs, great vibes, good atmosphere, nice people: I will definitely come back.”
We had DMC crew over in Abu Dhabi on Bonfire Night, not a location you would usually associate with house music – how did it go?
“I just played in Abu Dhabi last week and the people in the clubs are expats from all around the world. So you have a kind of melting pot audience-wise, which is interesting for me as a DJ. I also played in a new and huge club there named O1NE, a club which looked like something from a science fiction movie, really impressive. And I met a lot of people from Ibiza there and had a really good time there.”
As you mentioned, you are in the middle of a huge tour of Australia and at the moment South America – there are some fabulous countries there that are really picking up pace now…what do you love about playing down in South America?
“Basically everything! The people, the weather, the mentality and the lifestyle. It is so easy to fall in love with South America, because everything is just working in a very special way, that I really like. And you are right: some countries are really in the fast lane right now – and Brazil has been on it for years! And one very important thing: in South America they are preparing meat in a way that even me as a Balkan kid can only dream about! Fantastic!”
Ah glad you mentioned Brazil where you are about to headline four dates including Warung’s 11th Birthday – is this the best club on the planet?
“I always call Warung beach club “The Temple” because it is a place like no other in the world. So for me it’s always a big pleasure to play at their birthday party. And yes, it is the best club in the world!”
And then comes Stereosonic. Five dates in five cities. Australia is producing some incredible producers at the moment…will you be looking at any studio time down under…?
“I am not sure yet Dan, maybe I will…or maybe I will learn surfing haha!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning right now?
“Check out…
http://www.beatport.com/charts/october-2013-charts/224407
Your life has changed so much these past couple of years – you are now one of the most in demand DJs and Producers in the world. Are you enjoying this as much as ever – the traveling must be insane?
“You’re right, I am living my dream – actually even more than my dreams because I never dared to dream in such dimensions. But one thing is really killing me and that’s the travelling part of my job. Please don’t get me wrong I don’t complain at all, but the whole lot of travelling is the worst part of my job by far! But as long as I have fun when I play, everything is alright.”
Now that the dust has settled on Ibiza 2013, let’s have a recap on the season. You ruffled a few feathers adding another weekly residency to your schedule by accepting the offer to take on Solomun + 1 at Pacha on Sundays. What was the highlight of the season for you down at Pacha towers…?
“This is really hard to answer because on the one side there has been a lot of highlights in the 20 weeks of ‘Solomun+1’ at Pacha. All my guests really smashed it – from Dennis Ferrer, to Miss Kittin, Heidi, Ame and DJ Koze. It’s always two pair of shoes: To talk about a party or to be in the middle of a party. And that’s why I can’t describe the outstanding moments at the nights, because regardless how well I could tell you the moments, it can’t be as impressive as it was if you had been there.”
What are your thoughts on the claims from a few clubs on the island that things have got to change for 2014, DJs should only have 1 residency in Ibiza…?
“I think there ain’t no golden rule for this, so everybody should do as he wants to do it.”
How was Sankeys Neon season two…it would have been impossible to match the fireworks of 2012, but were you happy with how this year went?
“Of course I am happy, we had great nights with the whole Diynamic family, not to forget the legendary Diynamic-BBQs before every Tuesday night. We all really had fun – and I’m quite sure that also the people on the dancefloors had fun too.”
Check out this hour long video of Solomun playing at Sankeys Ibiza this summer…
2014 is still a long way away, but are you happy to continue with the two residencies for next year…is your relationship with Sankeys still good?
“Like you mentioned: it’s still a little time until the summer of 2014, I am looking forward to end 2013 and at the end of next year, we’re gonna talk about next summer.”
What was your anthem of the summer?
“There was a few great tunes this summer, which I played, but it was constantly changing so I could not name an anthem.”
Let’s talk about your studio work, talk us through two huge remixes coming out – Tiga & Audion’s ‘Let’s Go Dancing’ which is coming out on Canada’s Turbo Recordings and your rework of Elekfantz’s ‘Diggin On You’ swinging our way on D.O.C…
“It’s a constant back and forth. You think, ‘ah this way could work’, then you try it and recognize that it doesn’t work at all. Then you try a new approach. Talking about the Tiga & Audion Remix, this was really a long road. My first version was a little more techy though I didn’t want to make another techy version, like the original. And then one fine day I had the idea to cut the striking vocals and to give them a little new meaning, and after I did this I had the idea for a new sound concept. With the “Diggin on You”_Remix it was the complete opposite – because the original is very musical, I wanted to do a more technoide remix.”
What have you got in store for us release wise in 2014?
“At the beginning of the year I will take two months off to produce a little bit in the studio. Besides the cooperation with Roisin Murphy which just started, I will also bring some new tracks in 2014. So get yourself ready to be surprised!”
ADE must seem like a distant memory now, it was undoubtedly the best yet. How does ADE compare to Miami Conference week for you?
“This year we had the quite good idea to do 2 parties: one was quite huge with 2500 people and the next day we did a party in a small club with only 300 capacity, with invitation only. And this was so much fun, I ended up playing B2B with H.O.S.H., Adriatique and David August at the same time. Compared with WMC: I would say the weather makes a big difference.”
What was your most satisfying aspect of ADE?
“For me it’s always the most satisfying thing when the whole family is together. For two days. Brilliant!”
Two questions in one. Firstly, who are theDiYnamic producers who have really come on leaps and bounds in 2013 – and who are the ones we should be looking out for in 2014?
“I think production wise H.O.S.H. was the man in 2013! And I don’t say this because he is also a very attractive guy, haha. I think everything he released this year from remixes, to his EP series “Forever Young” was a really high quality. Looking into 2014: Adriatique has really smashed it already this year and have some huge tracks in the pipeline for next year.
And finally, gotta ask – when was the last time you slept in your own bed?
“Own bed? What is this? Sounds interesting. Have to try this definitely out…”
Thanks dude, appreciate your time.”
“More than welcome Dan.”
Solomun is currently touring South America and plays the London Diynamic Showcase at Electric Brixton on December 27th
https://www.facebook.com/SolomunMusic
