Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso Interview

October 12, 2005 1:43 PM
by

In an exclusive interview for CoolJunkie, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso (collectively known as the Swedish House Mafia), made me an “offer I couldn’t refuse,” granting me the time to ask some oftentimes difficult questions on behalf of their fans!

This past year has been a whirlwind of success for both of you. A highly successful Subliminal Sessions 8 CD, recent Essential Mix on Radio1, and remix of Steve Lawler’s “That Sound,” (Joia Records), which was a summer mega hit from New York to Ibiza, are just a snippet of the way 2005 has gone for you guys.

CJ:With so many accolades coming your way so early on in your careers, how difficult is it to remain humble? In other words, what do you both do to center yourselves mentally and spiritually so as to remain true to yourselves?

S&S: That's not that difficult we just think about when we were in the studio eating once a day and feeling like shit and it will all come back to us ! We feel really lucky to be doing so well and we love every second of it, as long as we don’t forget were u come from it wont ever be a problem!

CJ:Labeled as the “Swedish House Mafia,” (along with Eric Prydz and Axwell), your name projects a “sinister and dark feel.” Does your title exemplify your long standing childhood friendship? Refer to your musical styling? Or was it just made up as a catchy gimmick?

S&S: The names just something we thought about for 5 minuets while we were outside 7-eleven drinking a late night coffee. There was no major thought we said the name and had a laugh so we went for it. The DJ Collective is something we wanted to form, as we are all really good friends and just wanted something that we all were included in.

CJ:Lastly, if there were a slogan for the “Swedish House Mafia,” what would it be?

S&S: Hmmm, that’s a hard question we use "Made in Sweden" we can’t really come up with anything better.

CJ: Initially conceived back in 2002, Size Records has earned support from some of the biggest names in dance music (Pete Tong, Erick Morillo, and Roger Sanchez), to name a few. With thirteen releases since then, where do you see the direction of your label going in the foreseeable future? Most importantly, how difficult is it for you to run your own label (production side) while keeping up with your hectic travel schedule as a DJ?

Steve: Making music isn’t our problem we’re constantly creating tracks and there is stuff we are constantly excited about.

Our crazy travel schedule helps with A&R. We hear so many and see so many people we get to hear great music and pick up tracks. Travel is so inspiring it gets us going a million ideas, a million new ideas at once.

CJ:The Miami dance music scene as of late has been undergoing some. While house music remains the dominant form of EDM in Miami, tribal and Electro have been criticized as being nothing more than a fad. What are your takes on the direction and future of tribal and electro house in the foreseeable future?

S&S: The sound will always keep on changing as soon as new talents come to surface. As long as the music keeps on getting better there won’t be any harm done by a fad.

Music styles which have been hyped fade but it wont mean it will be erased from the scene the style can affect all others! We see the music changing everyday so it’s hard to predict the future hopefully its just good ass music.

CJ:Recently, at the world renowned club “Pacha” in Ibiza, the two of you took part in a “Size vs. Subliminal” monthly party.

What have the two of you learned playing alongside a legend as Erick Morillo? Furthermore, how do you guys answer the claim posed by many, that the “Swedish House Mafia,” will soon take over House music’s top spot?

S&S: Erick Morillo has been a great friend and supporter. Pacha has been an amazing experience and we always have a lot of fun. Erick’s had a residency at Pacha for over 10 years we have plenty of time to make our mark, we’re just getting started.

CJ: Why do you think that it has taken so long for Miami to finally recognize your talents? Do you believe it is because Miami, (like many other clubbing meccas in the United States), is behind the times compared to cities in Europe and Ibiza?

S&S: The Unites States is clearly behind the times but dance music as a whole is bigger there. Miami is ahead of much of the US.

CJ: How has the fusion of both of your sounds, invigorated your productions individually? In other words, has teaming up enhanced your individual careers?

S&S: The foundation of the Swedish House Mafia is that each DJ has his own thing going on but we all kick ass together too and feed off each other, which can only be a good thing.

CJ: The two of you have traveled the world and seen “the sights,” of many of the cities that you have toured. When visiting Miami, what are your favorite Restaurants? Clubs?

S&S: We have been traveling so much lately so we’d love a home cooked meal BUT our favorite restaurant here in Miami is actually a sandwich place “La Sandwicherie”, the sandwiches are amazing!!!

CJ: Downtown Miami has recently seen a revitalization thanks in large part to numerous political arms of our City Government. Metropolis Downtown being the newest addition to what will soon become the “Entertainment District.” With 24 hr liquor licenses and parties into the afternoons, many have said Downtown Miami will soon eclipse South Beach.

As world travelers, can you see any comparisons between the burgeoning club scene in Downtown Miami, and such places as Ibiza? If so how? If not, what else do you think Miami needs to do in order to perhaps “play at that level?”

S&S: The 24hr license is a good start to support Miami or any scene. People can party whenever they feel like. But Ibiza has been around since before we were born. Miami’s dedication to nightlife is new but its history for music isn’t ,we are sure it will grow quickly. Chicago named a Street after Frankie Knuckles America is coming they just need some time.

CJ: According to the philosopher John Stuart Mill on his essay Utilitarianism (1861), the most important thing in life is “to seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number.” Applying that theory to a real case scenario such as Djing, do you both believe that you have to “seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number of your fans?”

We think every DJ plays what the crowd wants to hear to some extent, but the crowd also has to trust the DJ to take them someplace new as well. A good party is give and take between the crowd and the DJ.

CJ: Both of you are in constant contact with a bevy of beauties as you travel around the globe. What kind of woman do you both prefer? Is there a particular area of the world where the women appeal to you more? If in a relationship, how do you both maintain it while on the road?”

S&S: We think it´s better if we sat down and had this conversation off the record.

CJ: How important is it to obtain a well sought after residency? Once you have acquired that residency, do you believe its main purpose is as a catalyst to propel a DJ into the global scene?

S&S: When you’re new you want to travel and bounce around. We have short attention spans BUT we’re sure we’ll find many clubs to call home very, very soon.

CJ: Complete this sentence: “If I was not a DJ I would be a ….”

Seb : I would have done music for movies !
Steve : I would be a hooker !!

CJ: What are your favorite types of music to listen to when not working?

Steve : I usually listen to Coldplay and stuff like that !
Seb : Ennio Morricone, Royksopp and some other stuff !

CJ: What gives you guys a greater rush: Performing live for a capacity crowd at a large club, or hearing your tracks played on the radio or by other DJ’s?

S&S: Getting in front of a big crowd is a rush but meeting people like Pete Tong, being on his show or having a big DJ ask for our latest track is a huge accomplishment.

CJ: What can we expect from the “Swedish House Mafia,” in the upcoming year? Where will your focus lie? DJ’ing or Producing?

S&S: The idea is that we love doing a million things at once. We want to do everything next year.

Thank you both for your time.