Eric Prydz
There are few DJ’s who succeed in hitting the heady heights of DJ superstardom, however, Eric Prydz is one such artiste. This Swedish DJ/Producer du jour is responsible for some of dance music’s biggest tracks, including last summer’s anthem ‘Pjanoo’ and has fast become one of electronicas most in demand producers. Taking time away from his busy schedule, we sat down with the man of the moment to talk about his Cream Ibiza residency at Amnesia this Summer.
You’ve got a new album out this year, tell us about it?
The album has been an ongoing process for the past 5 years. I always had the ethos that it will be finished when it’s finished, I didn’t want to rush it and now it’s finally getting released! It should be out this Summer which is perfect timing because the album is very much a summer album. It’s very melodic, emotional and it’s very good, I’m really proud of it. As its music that I’ve made over the last 5 years, some of it is old and some very new but I don’t feel that any of it is dated.
You have a number of brands including Cirez D and Pryda, is there one in particular you prefer?
Cirez D, Pryda and the other brands are still all Eric Prydz. It’s just that the big singles like ‘Call On Me’ were released under Eric Prydz.
Tracks like ‘Pjanoo’ and ‘Proper Education’ were actually released on Pryda first but through the massive support they received from the club scene they then crossed over to become Eric Prydz singles.
Speaking of Pjanoo how did that track come about? How do you feel about it being a summer anthem?
Pjanoo is a track I made over 4 years ago and I remember making it very quickly. I had a show the same day in the UK and I took the pre-mastered track there expecting it to go off massively. I knew it was something special but when I played it I didn’t’ get the reaction I expected at all. The club just didn’t get it.
I completely forgot about the track and it was almost 2 years later when I was playing a Boxing Day party in Stockholm with all my friends that I found the CD in my bag and thought I would play it again.
When I played it the club just exploded. Someone filmed it on their cell phone and put it up on You Tube and that’s when people just started going crazy for it. It just shows that releasing music is all about timing, you can have the best track in the world and release it at the beginning of the year to get nothing then release it again at the end of the year and get a number 2 single! After ten years in the industry you start to get used to this!
Can we expect more tracks like this from the album?
Definitely, there’s a lot of tracks that have the potential to be summer anthems, there’s a lot of feel good, melodic tracks on there but again it’s all about timing so we will have to see how people react to it over the year.
What artiste or DJ is one to watch?
DJ wise I’ve always been a big fan of John Digweed and Sasha. I admire any DJ that uses the tracks in their sets as bricks and builds a bigger thing out of it rather than playing one track after another that any DJ can do.
In terms of new talent there is a new guy called Acki Kokotof. He’s Greek but has been living in Sweden and his music is really forward thinking. Every time he plays a track it blows me away. He hasn’t got a record deal yet but there’s a lot of interest in him and he’s definitely one to blow up in 2010.
What would you say is your dance record of the decade?
Hard question, there’s so many good tracks from the past ten years I don’t think I could pick one track!
You’ll be returning to Cream Ibiza as exclusive resident for the first time, how do you feel about that?
I can’t wait! For the last two years I’ve been doing the terrace at Cream and it’s just amazing every time. I prefer the terrace to the main room, there’s something magical about the place, it’s a more open, outdoor vibe which I really like.
Do you get to see much of the island when your there?
To be honest the first years I came over I didn’t see much of it because I was always too tired from the night before! For this summer I’m going to spend a lot more time there as I’m going to have the island as a base throughout July and August. During that time I’ve booked in shows that are close to the island so I’m going to be able to see much more of it finally!
How do you think the islands changed over the years? Do you think the crowd has changed?
Yes it has changed quite a lot. Ten years ago it had more of a hippy vibe whereas I think nowadays it has got a much more commercial, glamorous scene which I’m not sure is a good or a bad thing!
The island has something for everyone though, for example, my manager can find a spot on the island for his family which is absolutely perfect and then clubbers from the UK can come over and party in San An and the clubs and that’s the perfect place for them. Everyone has the time of their lives over there.
How would you sum up your Cream Ibiza residency? Eg. Cream Ibiza is….
I would definitely describe Cream Ibiza and Amnesia itself as the highlight of Ibiza. It’s all about Amnesia because of the people who go there and the DJs they have lined up this Summer, its going to be the place to visit this year.
Eric Prydzwill be returning to Cream @ Amnesia in Ibiza beginning on Thursday 17th June. Tickets on sale now: www.ticketline.co.uk / Tel: 0844 888 4401
For full line up go to www.cream.co.uk
