LIKE all the big dogs nowadays, Above & Beyond
started a residency in Las Vegas in 2013. On top
of that they held down their regular gig at Cream
Ibiza, toured Australia and even started their
own acoustic series of events.
“We’re all musicians and the desire to play your
songs live is always there in the back of your
mind,” the band explain. “Until now we’ve
only done it sporadically, in hotel lobbies, at
after-parties and, once, in a hot air balloon for
an audience of eight, including Pete Tong. His on
the spot review gave us the encouragement to
try it properly.”
As well as that, the electronic group also
programmed the eclectic line-up of Group
Therapy 50 at Alexandra Palace in London,
and continued to unpredictably A&R their
Anjunabeats/Anjunadeep labels into new
territory with the likes of garage/house dudes
Dusky. But that’s not all…
“We’re just ?nishing the building of our new
London music studios and have close to 20
songs that need producing and mixing for
the new album, so we can’t wait to get in
there!” KRISTAN J CARYL
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “The business end of music is like any other
industry, so if they have then they will readjust over time.” Has dance music
become the new pop? “Yes. Because US satellite radio added it to nationwide
coverage and for the ?rst time since Elvis, kids can like music their parents don’t
know.” If you could be any animal what would you be? “A bird — I love aerial
photography so would love to be able to move freely and take pictures without a
window in the way.” Should DJs do ‘heart hands’? “De?nitely, although a wider
range of shadow theatre is advisable. We can do the horse, rabbit and dove now,
as well.” Do DJs have a duty to speak out about drugs? “Not when they’re on
stage.” What would be on your fantasy rider? “Eight hours’ sleep.”
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ABOVE & BEYOND
From: UK Style: “Emotional, uplifting songs, sometimes to a disco
beat.” Best known for: “Making grown men cry.” Tune of 2013: “Oliver
Smith ‘Pressure’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2013: “Dusky.”
ONE would think that scaling the dizzy heights
of the planet’s charts would be a career
pinnacle. And for former Swedish House Ma?a
man Sebastian Ingrosso, it was extremely
important. But better than all that, obviously,
was writing the track ‘Roar’ for Mike and Sully
from Monsters Inc prequel Monsters University.
In 2013, Ingrosso and his old chum Axwell
became undisputed ‘Dads of the Year’. “We
got the scene pretty early, it was still just two
dimensional,” he says. “It was pretty cool.
My kids are a little bit too young for it, but I
will be a hero in a couple of years. They were
really open with what they wanted us to do,
so we just had fun.” Ingrosso also plays ‘proud
dad’ to the likes of Alesso, who this year has
gone stratospheric. “The boys are becoming
men, understanding what it takes,” he says.
“It’s the best emotional investment I’ve ever
made.” BEN ARNOLD
Have DJs’ fees got out of hand? “If you have a crowd of
8000 people you should be getting paid for that crowd. But
if I’m playing in a country where the tickets are ?ve bucks,
I need to respect that economy and my fans.” Has dance
music become the new pop? “What is pop music? It
can be urban, it can be dubstep. I don’t mind dance music
going into the charts.” If you could be any animal what
would you be? “A panda. Because it’s black, white and
Asian.” Should DJs do ‘heart hands’? “If they feel like it,
they should. Why hate on someone for that? It’s just about
spreading love.” Do DJs have a duty to speak out about
drugs? “If you’ve got fans between like 12 and 25, you
should be a good leader. But people are young and they’re
crazy, and it’s not our responsibility only.” What would be
on your fantasy rider? “Pandas and a space ship.”
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SEBASTIAN INGROSSO
From: Sweden. Style: “It’s just dance music!” Best known for: “Being a
Swedish House Ma?oso.” Tune of 2013: “Swedish House Ma?a ‘Don’t You Worry
Child’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2013: “Otto Knows.”
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