Another Swedish superstar sorting out the dancefloor
I want to provoke a reaction, whether it’s positive or not” says Swedish house musican Adrian Lux. “Of course not everyone’s gonna like what I do. That’s just the way it is.” Dan Prince speaks to one of the hottest producers on the planet…
Adrian, welcome to the DMC world. You hail from Stockholm in Sweden, a country that musically is on fire at the moment. At what age did you start to listen to the more dance side of music, we hear you were first of all into reggae and punk? What artists turned you towards the house dancefloor?
“I was about 16 when I crossed over from the reggae sound into drum & bass, because the tempo and the rhythm is very similar to each other. It was a natural transition. With that sound came an interest for base with led me into electro and techno which was also the thing that was really exploding in Sweden at that time. Releases from artists like Cirez D (Eric Prydz), Booka Shade, Steve Angello and Carl Craig was the only thing occupying my mind back then.”
So how did you take your first steps into the club industry?
“I started arranging a club night in a suburb of Stockholm with some friends of mine. We DJ’d and booked only stuff that we loved, we had one of the first ever Dada Life shows, not sure if it was thee first but it could have been.”
What were the first clubs you were going to in the early days?
“When growing into dance music I visited some really cool clubs in Brazil like Sirena and big places like that. Then In Stockholm there were always a lot of really good warehouse parties playing minimal techno…amazing times!”
How has your musical style as a DJ changed over the years and why did you decide to pursue house finally?
“It wasn’t really a choice for me. In the begining I was into techno and electro a lot which I still am, but when I’m producing I just do my kind of sound and I can’t control how it is turning out. So today, it’s alot of house but I dont know how I will sound in ten years!”
You once said that “when I got in to house music I started looking up to DJs like Eric Prydz, John Digweed etc. and when I listened to their sets I knew there was a lot more I could accomplish behind the decks.” What was it about these DJs that stood out from other DJs you were checking out?
“I really love the deep progressive vibe of those guys, listening to a John Digweed set is like reading an old fairytale, just a relaxing and exciting journey that can take you musically anywhere. I don’t sound like them when I’m playing though, I have my own style and I’m trying to do my thing as good as I can.”
What are the current Top 10 tunes you are spinning right now?
1. Circles (Eric Prydz Remix) – Digitalism
2. Nacarsistic Canibals (Adrian Lux & Blende Remix – Korn feat. Skrillex
3. Alive (Albin Myers Remix) – Adrian Lux feat. The Good Natured
4. Turn it down (Nause Remix) – Kaskade feat. Rebecca & Fiona
5. Audio Video (Albin Myers Bootleg Remix) – Justice
6. Blomman – Myback
7. We Found Love – Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
8. Worldwide (Adrian Lux & Blende Remix) – Roger Sanchez
9. Personal Jesus (Eric Prydz Remix) – Depeche Mode
10. The Way It Was – Wolfgang Gartner
What has been your summer anthem?
“It still is ‘Teenage Crime’ (Original Mix). I have a lot of crazy memories from this summer, one was a huge crowd in Sydney singing the song acappella during my gig.”
You have worked with Axwell in the past – what has he taught you?
“He taught me a lot off stuff before I worked with him, just by listening to his Music. And he is à very down to earth guy and that is always nice to see.”
So a massive album coming out in January on Ultra, what stage are you at with it and what can we expect from this long player?
“I’m at the final stage mixing stuff and putting together the last pieces of it. I don’t know what you can expect, there are a lot of new Adrian Lux tracks on it!”
Is there one club around the world you would really love to play that has so far escaped you?
“I would love to play at Fabric, that would be a dream coming true.”
You spend a lot of time in America – where do you love spinning at over there?
“I did one of my best gigs at Beyond Wonderland outside of L.A. I didn’t expect it to be that big when I got to the festival. I hope I get to do more of those kinds of gigs.”
How does the American scene compare to the European scene right now?
“Right now it’s pretty similar musically but I think Europe will always be more techno and America more house.”
Not many people know this, but Adrian Lux is very good at…
“Fingerboarding. I used to work in a skateboard shop so we always had them laying around, I could possibly be one of the best but I never competed so I guess never know!”
A fabulous production list already, original releases, film soundtracks, remixes for the likes of Roger Sanchez and Britney…what do you think has been your finest work to date?
“I think ‘Teenage Crime’ is one of the songs that I’m most proud of writing, but there are a lot of new songs on the album that I’m very exited about…”
So you have a very wide love of music. If we came back to yours after a club, what 10 Back To Mine tunes would you play us to chill?
1. The Crystal Ship – The Doors
2. Please Turn – Little Dragon
3. Ce Matin La – Air
4. Call It Off – Tegan & Sara
5. Gobbledigock – Sigur Ros
6. Dreams – The Cranberries
7. Dirt – Iggy & The Stooges
8. My Delirium – Ladyhawke
9. Love On A Real Train – Tangerine Dream
10. Happy Up Here – Royksopp
What is the best and worst thing about living in Stockholm?
“The winter is probably the answer to both those questions. It makes you depressed because there is so little amount of sunlight and the cold makes you miserable. But it also makes you work really hard in the studio and you don’t feel bad about not being outside doing stuff.”
Who is the coolest person on your mobile phone?
“I don’t know, there are a lot of really great people in there. But I just flicked through and I found the Scott from Scissor Sisters contact. I just worked with him and Jake when they were in Stockholm, a really cool experience.”
What is your favourite Hip Hop and Reggae tune of all time?
“’Welcome To Jamrock’ – Damien Marley.”
What did your parents think about your choice of career?
“They have been supportive, they thought it was very important that I finished school, so I did that with pretty decent grades.”
It may not be very good for my image, but I really like…
“I’m not really that interested in clothing, I like fashion but I don’t die for it. I guess it would be better for my image if I was.”
What is the best record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Muranyi – Pryda.”
Why do you think Sweden is such a hotbed for talent at the moment?
“I think its because its very small and people are not so competitive so we all help each other.”
And finally – what have you got planned for us all in 2012?
“I have a lot of plans apart from the album, but they are still secret though. Follow my twitter and you will find out!”
