FOR tennis-loving Martin Solveig, it was audience
participation that gave the pop-coloured electrohouse DJ his most memorable moments of 2013.
“Sur?ng a couple of impressive crowds, like in
Tomorrowland, even if I lost my clothes in the
process, or in [Belgian festival] Laundry Day.”
Solveig’s other (fully-clothed) shows included
two big residencies. “I’ve been surprised in a
good way by my ?rst shows as [a] Pacha Ibiza
resident, and decided to do more next year.
I’m enjoying my XS/Encore Beach Las Vegas
residency a lot.”
In terms of production, Solveig is just ?nishing
a video project for ‘Blow’, his heavier electro
collaboration with Laidback Luke — a slight
departure, but one that Solveig is fully onboard
with. “It’s been a transition year and I love it.
I’m working on new directions, new projects.
Love the change.” TRISTAN PARKER
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “Maybe a bit, because new acts
wanted to get a position on the market and their only way to do
that was to offer more than the established ones. In the end it will
balance itself.” Has dance music become the new pop? “The
time when dance music was a massive in?uence for pop artists
is already over. But, there is more space for legitimate dance/
electro artists to become pop stars.” If you could be any animal
what would you be? “I’d be a zebra, for the style. Stripes are my
thing.” Should DJs do ‘heart hands’? “We should all do it even
more. It’s all about love, man.” Do DJs have a duty to speak
out about drugs? “It’s a bit complicated for me to talk about
drugs, since I have never, my whole life, taken ecstasy or cocaine
or anything other than a joint when I was 18. I feel illegitimate
to talk about something I haven’t experienced.” What would be
on your fantasy rider? “Whatever, I always end up in the other
artists’ trailers and steal their things.”
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MARTIN SOLVEIG
From: France. Style: “Open.” Best known
for: “‘Hello’.” Tune of 2013: “Avicii ‘Wake Me
Up’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2013: “Carnage.”
THIS year Felipe and Gustavo have been touring
with their biggest production structure so far.
A 10-person crew with eye-widening lights and
super-duper effects has been lugged to the
likes of Tomorrowland, Lolapalooza and Rock In
Rio, where they witnessed a heavy metal crowd
headbanging to their electronic beats.
“Of course we changed our set a little bit. It
was a blast.” It’s all been part of their ‘Slice &
Dice’ EP tour, celebrating the release of their
six-track package, a massive summer release.
Rebuilding their studio to a brand-new “2014
version” has been a major highlight for Felguk.
“We have re-edited and remastered old tracks,
mashing up with our newest stuff, and the
feedback has been outstanding.” All in all the
format is set: to party hard and take their huge
production into the New Year. HELENE STOKES
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “We’ve heard of astronomical
fees of some super DJs, but if they sell tickets and make
pro?table events for the promoters, then it’s all fair.” Has dance
music become the new pop? “Due to its popularity lots of pop
artists have been using dance music sonority on their new tunes,
and likewise some dance music producers have gone in a more
radio-friendly direction. But we don’t see this as a necessarily
bad thing.” If you could be any animal what would you be
? “Fel: A nyan cat.” “Guk: A ninja cat.” Should DJs do ‘heart
hands’? “Kind of a cliché but if they really feel it, I don’t see why
not do it.” Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs? “Not
necessarily, although they are in a perfect position to deliver
this message. They are idolised by their fans and they represent
a scene stigmatized by drug use.” What would be on your
fantasy rider? “Brazilian all-you-can-eat ‘Churrascaria’.”
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