Pig and Dan ‘Imagine’: Album of the Week

Pig and Dan ‘Imagine’: Album of the Week

28 September, 2007 | 2.19PM

• Section: Music News
• Written by: lizwarner

We were so taken with ‘Imagine’ by Pig&Dan, that we had no choice but to hand the adventurous duo the award of Beatportal’s ‘Album of the Week’.

The Spanish DJ and production duo of Igor Tchkotoua and Dan Duncan have released their debut full-length album on Sven Väth’s Cocoon record label - and just the thought of hearing it at Cocoon Club in Ibiza is enough to declare several automatic anthems from the album. 

The history of the members of Pig&Dan dates back to the start of dance music.

Dan’s history dates back to live drum&bass gigs beginning 1990, while Pig was manning things behind the decks in engineering studios.

They met almost a decade later, and some would say the rest is history.

But not before releasing a host of 12s and forming their own record label, Submission.

Things really started to take a turn for the best when they set up Sonic Society records with the idea of returning to their electronic roots.

Apparently, it’s paid off — Pig&Dan are in high demand by some of the who’s who of DJs and producers, and ‘Imagine’ is taking off.

We nabbed Dan, one half of the super outfit to ask him some questions about the album.

Is there a particular ethos or concept behind ‘Imagine’?

The concept behind the album is to have a set of creations that is playable in all environments.

As with most Pig&Dan productions we tend not to structure where or what we are doing with our music — we just go with the flow. So it’s hard to put us in a genre, so to speak.

‘Imagine’ is a collection of our works that we feel represent the many different avenues and flows that influence us musically.

It involves influences of tech house, trance, acid and dirty techno, all with a twist of Pig&Dan.

At the end, we hope to create a sound that is enjoyed by people who love music of all genres.

I can especially see how it would work well in a set from Sven Väth. How did you hook up with him and Cocoon?

Actually, it was because Igor (Pig) started to hang around at Cocoon parties and was introduced through a mutual friend.

Sven then starting taking CDs that were produced by us and decided to support our sound.

I then met him later and we all had a great bond from the beginning.

Sven is the the king of techno but is not interested in wearing the crown; he’s a real hero with a real heart and passion for what he does, as well as being a super sympathetic person.

Hats off to Sven for being a major part of creating this scene and taking us under his wing.

What’s the ideal listening setting for ‘Imagine’?

I guess that’s going to be different for everyone, but for us it’s on a fat system in a full venue.

Have you played your album yet on a huge system?

We have played the album all over the globe and have had the best experiences when seeing people get off on it.

It’s the most incredible feeling to see a smile on the face of people that are listening to your work.

How long did it take to make your album?

We didn’t actually sit down in the studio and decide to make an album; it was an idea to put together an album from music we had produced.

We always produce music and we select what feels good for each project, and, as it stands, we have a massive catalogue of unreleased tunes.

The album is a collection of the work we are most proud of and we feel best represents us on a long player.

Which artist or producer has been your biggest influence on ‘Imagine’ and your music?

To be honest nobody and everybody really; we don’t take on anything with it in mind, we just do what happens.

But you do seem to have a lot of influences from music at large – in particular rock ‘n roll, especially since you include a cut by the name of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’. Do you feel that your album fits in nicely with a Rolling Stones or Hank Williams Sr. record?

We wish it did, but you’re referring to people that have mastered what they do, and we don’t feel that we are masters.

I don’t believe we will ever be compared to the likes of the Stones.

However, we would love it to be a reality one day, as would many producers on the globe.

Who have you engineered for in the past?

I engineered for many, but my real courier was as a programmer.

I worked for the likes of The Stone roses, The Cure, Vangelis, Depeche Mode and some others.

Good times, but not as good as the times right now.

Has your history behind the boards greatly influenced the sound of your own music?

I think every experience influences everyone in what they do throughout there life.

Our history has a massive influence on us as people and our sound.

What’s next for Pig & Dan?

Plenty of things!

We are going to carry on in the studio and behind the decks as much as humanly possible.

The near future holds the release of our new single ‘Magic Valley’ on our own label Sonic Society.

Plus, we just finished a new remix for Underworld.

How do you feel about being awarded ‘Album of the Week’ on Beatport?

Blown away! We have always been behind Beatport since the very beginning and now to have the support of Beatport behind us is an outright honour.

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