Interview: Laidback Luke

Interview: Laidback Luke

28 June, 2011 | 7.29AM

• Written by: Ellie
• Filed under: Music News: cream ibiza, laidback luke, swedish house mafia

In his 15 year career as a DJ, it’s apparent that Dutch house producer Laidback Luke has been anything but laidback. As well as owning Mixmash Records, he currently ranks #17 in the DJ Mag Top 100 and he’s been nominated in the Beatport Music Awards three times. He’s also worked with some of the biggest names in dance music, including David Guetta and the Swedish House Mafia, receiving an IDMA for Best House/Garage track for “Leave the World Behind.”

More recently, he’s collaborated with Steve Aoki and Lil’ Jon on “Turbulence” and he’s about to release the latest Cream Ibiza compilation in honor of his Super You&Me residency at Amnesia this summer. We spoke to him about his enthusiasm for the growing popularity of house music and what he has planned for the future. Read on for the full interview.

You’ve done a lot of work with Swedish House Mafia in the past ("Get Dumb,” “Leave the World Behind") but who else would you like to collaborate with?

At the moment I’m collaborating with singers more. I’m very excited for my new singles to come out, as they feature people like Example and Wynter Gordon.

You’ve remixed a lot of big names, such as Depeche Mode, Daft Punk and Moby; are there any records you wouldn’t want to touch, thinking they’re perfect as they are?

To be honest, I don’t really have that mind-state. As I’m a bootleg machine, I feel any track can be morphed into something I’d love to play a lot. My thing is to do it with respect, especially if you love the original.

What do you make of the resurgence of dance music in the mainstream charts over the past year or so?

I love it! It’s long overdue. Especially with the US coming up so hard, it’s a dream come true. In my country it happened 12 years ago. I always hoped for the US to pick it up, and now is the time. I love this music too much to just keep it for a select group of people. House music deserves to be loved by all people!

Does your DJ name reflect your personality – are you a laidback person? Is there anything that really annoys you?

Yes, I’m a very chilled guy in person. Of course there’s stuff that annoys the hell out of me. Slow wi-fi in hotel rooms, for instance!

Ibiza season is now upon us – do you get to do much partying while you’re there?

No, not really, I’m just flying in and out. The summer is madness! But it’s all good, though, as I always want to stay focused to deliver the best I can on my shows, as well as making my own tracks.

What record are you really hammering right now?

I just finished this remix for Anjulie that I’m really happy about. It works so well out on the floor, I was actually amazed!

Who are you championing as the next big thing?

I’m really impressed by GTA and La Fuente. They’re both putting out tracks on my Mixmash label and I’m really happy to have them on it.

Apart from your “Turbulence” release with Steve Aoki featuring Lil’ Jon, what else do you have planned for the coming months?

I’m doing a mix CD for Cream Ibiza in celebration of my Super You&Me residency at Amnesia’s terrace this summer. I also have two big singles lined up with Ministry of Sound, which I’m very excited about. I mentioned them earlier – they feature Example and Wynter Gordon, and we’re aiming for lots of radio and TV.

And finally, what’s your ultimate career goal?

To have given back house music what it gave me. Fun, energy and amazing memories!

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