The prolific Danish duo bring us the soulful smash of the summer
Morten, Mikkel welcome to DMCWORLD towers. An incredible soulful smash you have brought us in ‘Someone Like You’ with the delightful vocals of Janus. Talk us through the history of the tune…
Morten: “We actually first experimented with the main piano loop of the track when we were trying to come up with an idea for a remix….whole different project….but it just didn’t work very well with the vocals we were remixing at that time.”
Mikkel: “No it really didn’t!…but the idea of using that loop stayed in the back of our heads and one day we just decided to try and write our own vocals for it so we ended up jamming with J-Sun in the studio and in a matter of 5-10 minutes we came up with the vocal hook for the song.”
Morten: “Obviously we started out with a sample loop but in the end we recreated every little element of the loop. Apart from singing J-Sun actually also plays the live bass in the loop and I spent quite some time recreating the drumsound choosing and placing the right microphones on the drum kit. From there it was a piece of cake adding some extra guitars, synth bass and solo.”
After sitting atop the charts for weeks, new remixes swing our way – why did you pick these three artists to rework your magic and what are your thoughts on each mix…
Mikkel: “We only knew that we wanted a very diverse package so we did not want any of the mixes to sound the same. With Kings of Groove we got the beautiful Balearic atmosphere. Matt Early went down the quality old-school soulful house route and Alfred Azzetto took it to the main rooms world wide with his cut-up vocals and distinctive loop.”
Morten: “We really think it’s a strong package and we are really pleased with it! Big up the remixers!”
Janus was a finalist on the recent TV show The Voice – what are your thoughts on these telly talent competitions?
Mikkel: “The show wasn’t for Janus to be honest. He is one of the most gifted vocalists we know but he is a very introvert person. For him it’s just about music – he doesn’t care about having a nice haircut, dancing or wearing the latest in fashion. With these shows it’s about finding “a package deal”.”
Morten: “Yeah – Janus has been recording and singing for ages…the show didn’t change anything for him. And thats the thing with these talent shows. As soon as lights are off people forget the singers. Last years winner of X-Factor here was quite talented – today she works in Build’a’Bear. I think that pretty much says it all.”
You have been stalwarts on the house scene for over a decade with numerous big dancefloor releases under your belts. But let’s go back to before all this stardom. Growing up in Denmark, what was the early music you were loving when you were young?
Morten: “I started playing drums when I was 10-12 years old and was really into heavy metal…ha ha…I even played in a heavy band where everyone else was more than 30 years old – quite scary. I continued the drum thing for many years but changed genre to what you would call indie rock today. I have always been listening to all sorts of music …really all sorts – but house music really got to me around 1990 I think….I have been in love with it ever since!”
Mikkel: “Well I started getting into Dj’ing in youth clubs back when I was 13. Also worked at the local radio. I too have always been into all sorts of music. It was at that time things like Blackbox, Deee-Lite and Soul II Soul was getting massive radio spins. I was playing everything from Rock to Hip Hop – and obviously House as well. I have always been a soul boy at heart – played my parents Stevie Wonder albums to death.”
When did the idea of careers in music first appeal?
Mikkel: “Music has just always been my main interest. Music is my kind of medicine – It can make me sad, emotional, happy, ecstatic etc. I love the fact that people are touched by our music and that they are feeling the same love for it as we do when making it. I started Dj’ing long before I got into production so that’s how it all began for me.”
Morten: “Well…I guess I was dreaming of a musical career already when I played the drums at the age of 12.”
What did your parents think of this idea – what would they have preferred you to do?
Morten: “I have been working full-time as a radio DJ for many years alongside my music production. First on a local station and later on national radio P3 in Denmark …I guess that’s also working with music…and I remember one time – and one time only – when I started making radio that my parents said something like “you have to get a real job….you’ll never be able to live from that radio and music thing”. But I have never had any problems with paying my bills and today they are quite proud of me working in the music business…I think.”
Mikkel: “My parents loved the fact that I was Dj’ing at a young age. My father stopped giving me pocket money and instead he helped us move gear and picked us up when we were finished playing (too young to drive ourselves at the time). Maybe we should add that music is not the only thing we do. We are both self-employed – I own an online agency…”
Morten: “…and I have a company that makes…well…music…and voice overs for TV commercials, movies, websites etc. Janus is my employee by the way.”
You hail from Copenhagen, home of the best restaurant in the world Noma. What is the best and worst thing about living in this beautiful city?
Mikkel : “There are many great things about Copenhagen. Its a very vibrant city with lots going on but it’s not too big either. Has a perfect size to get around on your bike and explore. It is a capitol but with a very local feel. Worst thing must be that it’s so expensive here. And the weather gods are not best friends with our corner of the world.”
Morten: “I agree. I really love Copenhagen….but the weather does suck a lot of the time!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“Here are our ten picks for July…”
1) Grant Nelson pres. Departure Lounge – Time Ties [Freeze dried]
GN rides the Nu-Disco wave and like anything else from big G, it oozes quality.
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=163768
2) Soulmagic – Someone Like You (Matt Early Remix) – [Soulmagic Rec.]
Matt just nailed it with his remix. Mezzoforte meets Jazz’n’Groove meets Earth Wind & Fire. Thanks Matt!
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=167861
3) Micky More – Back into time (Original) – [Streets of Soul]
If you look up Disco in an Italian dictionary you see a photo of our friend Micky More!
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=161359
4) Husky – From 2000 [connected]
What a nice jam this is!
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=167775
5) Sunburst Band – In the think of it (Endless summer mix) [Z records]
Still massive. The album could very well be THE album of 2012.
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=161973
6) Spiritchaser – Conch [Guess]
Earnshaw on fire right now. He shows his diversity with this solid deep nu-discoish release that goes straight to your feet.
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=160982&alias=top_tracks
7) Ruben Alvarez – Just Thoughts (Vladi Solera & David Caballero Remix) – [La Musique Fantastique]
Everyone needs a bit of Chaka right?!
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=160787
8) LOSH – Nothing can come between us (Grant Nelson Classic Club Mix ) [Swing City]
Classic Grant Nelson all over this production. Nailed it!
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=169037
9) Fred Everything and Giom – A better world [Large]
What a belter from these two masterminds of Deep house!!
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=161718
10) Soulmagic – Black Jack (Black mix) – [Purple Music]
Fourthcoming on Purple Music is our single Blackjack. Worked wonders for us and hopefully it will rock your dancefloor too! Not out for a while actually so get your early pick from the Anthology comp.
http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=165082
Who are the big producers from around the world you are giving high fives to at the moment?
Morten: “We love the Nu-Disco stuff like Lovebirds, Hot Toddy and Crazy P are doing! But luckily there are many great producers doing great stuff at the moment.”
Mikkel: “Our friend Joey Negro is on form too. Just had a listen to the new Sunburst Band album – just amazing!”
Prior to you joining forces, you were independent producers for many years – did you know each other though?
Mikkel: “We have known each other for more than ten years. Been a part of the same scene and in love with the same kind of music. We often joked that we were the only soulful house lovers in Denmark because it often felt that way to be honest.”
Morten: “Because the club scene in Denmark was so small we bumped into each other in a lot of different ways even though we come from different parts of the country. E.g. Mikkel was hosting a DJ competition where I was one of the judges, we have played a lot of the same parties and venues and eventually I also signed one of Mikkel’s tracks for my label.”
Morten you have dozens of releases under your belt on some of the biggest labels around, Mn2S, Soulfuric and Swing City to name but three, before your partnership, what was your proudest release?
Morten: “That is one very tough question!…I’d have to say that the first time I signed a deal with Soulfuric it made me very proud! Brian and Mark who run the label are some of my biggest heroes in music. I’m also quite proud of a remix I did of the Barry White classic “Let The Music Play” together with my good friend Jan Meedom. We did a very laid back version of the song and at one point there is a breakdown where we modulated the beautiful string arrangement from the original with Barry’s voice creating a vocoder-like effect – and the good people at Warner Music said “we can’t play this to Barry – he will freak out when he hears what you did to his voice”. So we made a version without the vocoder effect but insisted that they played both versions to him – and in the end he chose our first version and thought it was super cool…that was a proud moment too!”
You got together in 2008 – what prompted the alliance?
Mikkel: “I had a release out on Mortens Soulmagic Recordings and went to WMC with Morten to promote it. We more or less agreed to team up on that trip.”
Morten:”…yeah…and we just felt that it was the most natural thing to do. We had been friends for a long time and shared the same love for the music. So we were sort of already on the same mission.”
You have a big US tour coming up in the Autumn, where are the big Summer gigs we can check you before then?
Morten: “Because of “Someone Like You” there is a lot of interest also from clubs and promoters at the moment…but we don’t know the full plan yet.”
Mikkel: “We just made a deal with Mn2s so they are working on various things. Seems like we will be in Portugal, Italy and Georgia – and we will be doing some Scandinavian gigs for sure.”
Your Miami Conference sets are legendary. What are your thoughts on Miami 2012 now that EDM has taken over America?
Mikkel: “I know that a lot of people are bashing EDM. I look at it as a positive thing. I mean people who first get into disco might start with a love for Kool & the Gang and later explore the amazing rarities and sub genres you can discover. Same with EDM. Our music was not made for the chosen few – it was made for anyone who likes it. So let’s hope these people who are into EDM discovers explores more electronic music. I had to get used to seeing our tracks in a dj mix alongside Avicii and Guetta but I guess for the young dj who made the mix he just put together stuff he likes. For me it’s a totally different thing but for him it might just all be EDM.”
As for Miami I haven’t really noticed a difference – scenes are still divided. Ultra fans goes to Ultra and the classic/soulful/deep house heads go to WMC.
Morten: “I have been going to Miami WMC for more than 10 years and a lot has changed since I started going there. Last year…and the year before that…we didn’t really know if it would be worth it going there – but both times we ended up having really great WMCs with great gigs and lots of success for the releases we were promoting so chances are we will be going again. It’s also the only time a year we get to see a lot of good people that we know and love.”
What has been your biggest ever Miami tune?
Mikkel: “Easy – Arethas Groove!”
Morten: “I second that! That track was all over the place and we kept getting daily emails about it for nearly two years! Unfortunately it never came out because of sample clearance issues.”
Aside from house music, what artists do you listen to?
Morten: “I listen to all sorts really! Jazz, nu-disco, house old soul records and a lot of indie rock like the Danish band Kashmir – I really like them! At the moment I’m in one of my “The Police” phases….Stewart Copeland is my all time drummer hero!!!”
Mikkel: “Same here – I listen to all kinds of Music. I like Coldplay and right now I’m tripping on a new soul album from Danish ‘Lukas Graham’. These guys are gonna blow up for sure. Then I just love funk, disco, nu-disco, jazz etc- all sorts really.”
Who brings what to the studio, in other words, who is great at what?
Mikkel: “Morten is just a great producer and engineer (geek, lol). He knows all about vintage hardware, the latest protools plugins etc. He knows a lot more about production than I do. I spend a lot of time working on listening to music discovering samples though – while Morten for example is programming beats or recording guitar or whatever.”
Morten: “Mikkel has a really huge disco collection and knows it very well…lot’s of good stuff in there! We sort of bring different bits to the table and then arrange them to form a track when we are together. When we are both happy with the result I mix it…and voila!”
What has been your anthem of the summer so far?
Mikkel: “Audiowhores ‘Sometimes’ was THE tune of WMC for us – and we have been smashing that one. Still has not left the bag and still does wonders in our sets.”
Morten: “That is really a great track – in fact I think it’s one of those that will never leave our bags. Don’t leave home without it!”
You have worked with some great vocalists over the years – who would be the dream singer to step through your studio door though?
Morten: “Well hello Chaka….what are you doing here? ha ha…we do have a few ideas that we will try to set up later this year.”
Mikkel: “We try to think out of the box and are exploring jazz singers. We would love to work with danish jazz singer Cecilie Norby so hopefully that’s gonna happen at some point.”
It’s your birthday – what 3 DJs do you invite to spin?
Mikkel: “David Mancuso, Frankie Knuckles and Danny Tenaglia – all playing disco…”
Morten: “Julius Papp played a truly fantastic set at the Salted party at this years Miami WMC….really got me dancing, which only happens very rarely – I would love to have him play at my birthday! Then a JazzNGroove revival with Brian spinning while Mark plays keys on top and since Mikkel and I don’t have birthday on the same day I too can have Danny Tenaglia play disco!”
What has been the best club of 2012 you have rocked?
Mikkel: “NB Coimbra in Portugal is just a magical place. They are very open minded and love their house music. Dream to play at that venue again!”
Morten: “And they are very very professional too – and good at looking after their DJs ….which is nice! Great gig we had there!”
What is coming next studio wise from you two?
Morten: “We have quite a lot in the pipeline. Grant Nelson just released LOSH – “Nothing Can Come Between Us” with two Soulmagic mixes in the package, we are working on a remix for Joey Negro at the moment….”
Mikkel: And a follow-up to Someone Like You. Then Purple have one of our tracks called ‘BlackJack’ coming out soon. Definitely a hectic time for Soulmagic.”
Thanks boys. Appreciate your time. Dan Prince…
Soulmagic: “Thanks so much for having us!”
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