Laidback Luke

As one of the biggest DJs on the planet, Laidback Luke is renowned for his monster tracks and ‘roadblock’ performances. Recently, he’s worked with David Guetta, Diplo,Steve Aoki and Lil Jon, and remixed everyone from Black Eyed Peas, Robyn to Tiesto and Moby. He’s sold out his own brand Super You&Me parties in Miami, Amsterdam, London and Germany and will be continuing the party’s run of success at Cream @ Amnesia in Ibiza this summer.  All this while continuing to release music via his own label, Mixmash Records and still finding time to give the next generation of music makers a leg-up through his forum.  In the midst of his hectic schedule we caught up with Luke to discuss his plans for his first SuperYou&Me Arena at Creamfields this year.

 Laidback Luke on Pulse

Pulse:  Tell us about your new album for Cream Ibiza?  Laidback Luke:  It's a little Laidback Luke two hour energy package to celebrate the summer. I'm happy and honoured to do it with Cream as a lot of my summer evolves about us working together.

Which CD matches your personality the best?  It's a continuous mix of two hours so I'd say the both of them. I really put my imprint on there. I feel a good DJ should always try and bring his own signature sound and feel. This is one of the things I try to advice new talent too.

How did you put the album together?  I tried to put a bit of everything in there. My main quality, and what I think makes life interesting, is variation. Variation makes you love the thing you start with good. For instance, the music I love most is house music. But after doing it for twenty years now, I sometimes get bored listening to it for over an hour. When I switch it up to Dubstep, or to a genre of house that's not that close to me, it's all about the return to my sound after that that counts. It feels refreshing again.

There’s a lot of your own production on there, any plans for an artist album?  I always say I'll do an album if there's the demand for it. I could easily do one as I make music very quickly. However I don't feel the time is right yet.

Have you got any collaborations on the cards this year?  Yes I sure have. My two new singles with Ministry of Sound will have some great singers on them collaborating with me and after that I have a collaboration ready to go with Sander van Doorn.

What's been your biggest achievement professionally and personally to date?  Professionally doing an official remix for Daft Punk for Crescendolls as I'm such a huge fan. Entering the world DJ top 20 was a good look to my family too. They finally got it lol! But the best is yet to come, that keeps me going too. Personally my best productions ever, my two sons and finding a new way of living my life last year, a non pressured personal life with renewed energy for life where my music is an integral part of it.

What’s your advice for aspiring DJs?  Make music, work harder and practise a lot. Stay humble and friendly to everyone. Always be open for criticism but do keep fully believing in yourself. Try and bring something unique, set yourself goals and never ever give up! Also, visit my forum on www.laidbackluke.com as it's a breeding ground for new talent.

What is your first clubbing memory?  Dancing and losing my mind to Westbam's 'Mayday' and realising this was the music I'd forever want to dance to.

What music do you listen to aside from dance music?  Anything from classical music to rock. As I'm classically trained as well, I just love music in general.

You’re hosting your very first SuperYou&Me Arena at Creamfields. When we walk into the Arena what can we expect to see and hear?  I'm bringing the Ibiza experience to Creamfields. My Super You&Me experience. The fun, the energy, the euphoria. I'm bringing my favourite DJs around the globe to my area too. We should all feel like heroes stepping into the Arena!

Have you sorted your superhero costume out yet?  Yes I have! And they are hilarious too. I'm still thinking of going as Bruce Lee once too. It will be very easy for me. I'll just go topless and will write three stripes on each side of my chest [laughs].

Why SuperYou&Me, where did the concept come from?  I felt a lot of the dance music experience was getting to be too cool. I was wondering where the fun had gone. I remember having stupid fun with my friends being the best nights out. The anticipation of dressing up, or at least actively being aware of what you will look like going out adds to living up to a night too. I always have had a weakness for comics and superheroes. And hell, always wanted to be one! Now I have the best excuse to actually feel and dress up like one!

Have you ever been to any festivals socially?  It's been ages, but yes back in the day I did. I did quite some partying as a teenager. That's why I fell in love with this music. Unfortunately, with my schedule (200 flights a year, and a 150 shows), it gets really hard to have spare time to do anything else really.

Tiesto and Sebastian Ingrosso have turned up to watch you perform many times before, is it important to have support from your peers?  I've been thinking a while about this question, and although I'd love to say it doesn't really matter, it actually does! Tiesto's love for our style of house music is also because we are all friendly and supportive to one and another. House music was always like that. The feeling of one love. It should remain like that, and yes, having support from your peers means the world!

And finally, what's going to be the big ‘summer tune’ this year?  That's a good question! I don't know yet really! I mean Swedish House Mafia tracks are always big and the Example/Michael Woods Changed the Way You Kissed Me is absolutely massive at the moment. Let's see at the end of the season though.

Laidback Luke hosts the SuperYou&Me Arena at Creamfields on Sunday 28th August Bank Holiday weekend
For full line up and tickets head here
Cream Ibiza Mixed by Laidback Luke is out now
 
Laidback Luke on Pulse