You will find in this category each week, an interview or a biograhpy of a Dj or artist which is breaking the news. All styles are on the “menu” of this category: minimal, house, electro, techno or even trance in some cases.
The topic will be supplemented by other Djs following the latest electronic music news.
John Dahlbäck is further testament to the theory that when it comes to overly talented musical homelands, there could indeed be something in Sweden’s water. Born in 1985, in a small village near Stockholm, he landed his first record deal aged just 15 while most of his peers were just discovering clubs. A few years later he was already the proud owner of a worldwide respected label, had a string of well-known productions to his name like “Blink” and a reputation for quietly turning out some of the best house melodies you could hope to hear! Today we have a huge chance to interview one of the finest Swedish producers thanks to our friends from Rising Digital PR. It follows notably the interviews of other famous producers like Marc Romboy, Da Fresh, Umek, Avicii or Dr. Kucho. First, I wanted to thank John who answered our questions.
“Honestly, it's a real pleasure and honor to interview you because I think I listened to almost all of your discography since the EP you did in 2004 with Sebastian Ingrosso “Stockholm Disco EP”. You have also been one of my favorite producers especially between 2005 and 2007.
More recently you released under the English imprint Toolroom Records, the famous compilation “Toolroom Knights”. Could you please give us some insight about how you made this selection? Did you take inspiration from tracks that have been previously released under it?
> I wanted to take the listener on a journey during the whole night. You have the first CD which is the pre party and then the second CD which is the real party. The first CD is also inspired a lot by the kind of House music I first fell in love with.
Following the compilation you have already released new tracks, what will be your next release now?
> I just released a track with Dirty South and one with Chris Lake. I have a few releases lined up on labels like Dim Mak and Mixmash.
The next release on Mutants Records will be 'No Fear' and 'Acid Beat' by Greg Cerrone, it was the 18th June. What are your thoughts on this French DJ? How do you find new tracks to release on your label?
> Greg is really talented and a bit underrated as a producer. As a person he is amazing as well. I listen to some demos but mostly ask people for releases.
You’ve done quite a bit of touring in the US recently and are back there at the end of June. Pacha, NYC with Dirty South and Chris Lake was off the hook! You also played Amnesia in Miami during WMC, was it the first time you played there? How does the American public compare to European clubbers?
> America is really interesting for me. The crowd is so up for it and interested in this sound right now. A few European countries have slowed down a bit but America has a lot of energy right now.
You come from quite a musical family, could you briefly tell us how did you become DJ and producer? Was there ever any other career you considered, if so what was it?
> My whole family is all about music. My dad is a drummer, my mom is a singer and so on. It's not like they pressured me to become a musician. I studied to become a journalist but I was already releasing music when I went to school and found that a bit more fun than studying.
Besides your production schedule, you have worked tirelessly to bring your imprint "Mutants" to fruition. How do you manage all these tasks? You need to have a good team to help you I can imagine! When we interviewed Fedde le Grand some months ago, he was mainly help by his family. What about you?
> I have a little team who help me with the label which I'm happy about. It's easy to choose releases but more difficult to arrange a marketing plan so that's what I need help with.
With regards to Mutants, are there two or three artists you would like to particularly highlight today, that are either signed under it, or you would like to sign?
> Lunde bros and Greg Cerrone are two artists I look forward to work more with.
Before you started your own label "Mutants", there were also five successful years running “Pickadoll” with so many fantastic releases. What about this period? Are you nostalgic about it?
> I am of course. But at the same time, that was then and now I'm all about Mutants.
John, the interview will be published on a website mainly read by French people. So, what do you know about the French electronic music scene? Are there some artists that you personally know or especially love their music?
> I've played a lot in France during a couple of years but they got hit hard by the economy. There are a few producers I like from France. Joachim Garraud and Daft Punk have been an inspiration for a long time.
Does the French audience means something special to you, as “Blink” started to get big in France and in turn was a track that helped you get a lot bigger? Is there something specific about the production of this release? Every time I played it in parties it was hysteria!
> It's a funny one. It started off underground but slowly moved into daytime radio and I'm very happy about that.
John, around 2008-2009 I noticed a big change in the way you produced that may be interpreted as more mainstream, just after the release of your EP “Winners and Fools” and the track “Word of Love”. Can you explain what happened during this time and if you agree with this? Is there a specific reason?
> I get bored easy. I simply wanted to change a bit and make new music.
If I’m right you are also evolving under the pseudo Kaliber and you released almost 20 EPs that were all crazy. I’ve got them all. Is this pseudo dead? For me, it allowed you to work on darker tracks…
> That was the point yes, but also because I made so much music during that time I couldn't release them all as my own name.
Besides music, what are your hobbies?
> Family, friends and video games. The usual.
John, before we conclude this interview we have a few more questions. Sometimes one word is enough!
The track you advise us to listen to in your discography?
> Embrace Me
An artist you would like to work with one day?
> Timbaland
Three words to define your music?
> Energetic, catchy and melodic
Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mixes?
> Mp3
The software you use to produce?
> Cubase
One privilege that being a DJ gives you access to?
> To make music and play them straight away.
One word about France?
> Foie gras
Your favourite track these days?
> Embrace Me
John, thank you very, very much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this full and exclusive interview. Both myself and our readers look forward to listening to your next productions and finding out about your live dates. A bientôt!”
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