Laidback Luke interview: In focus

Few global superstar DJs have mastered the balance between colossal success and modest grounding, whilst always striving to create something new and exciting. Laidback Luke is one of those artists.

He's topped the dance charts, toured the world and made innovative moves to bring production concepts to his fans. As well as pushing boundaries with performances, Luke has even carved a hugely popular imprint titled Mixmash and occasionally DJs with wife Gina Turner. 

We caught up with the busy DJ to talk about his album Focus, his label, Kung Fu and Manchester ahead of his gig there for the Life In Color paint party at Victoria Warehouse. 

Hi Luke, long time no speak. The last time we quizzed you was way back in 2011 prior to Gatecrasher. You'd just stepped things up with Super You&Me, and now it's a world renowned clubbing concept. How have you seen it develop over the years?

I had a vision of taking Super You&Me to the festival terrains as well. To try and roll it out bigger than only the club circuit. We were very lucky a lot of festivals were open to this and in all those years we’ve hosted many successful Super You&Me arenas.

You've quite recently released your second album 'Focus' on your Mixmash label. How did you find the process of putting it together and how did it compare to when you released 'Electronic Satisfaction' back in 2002?

It’s my third album. Before Electronic Satisfaction, I had another album called Psyched-Up. But that got released back in 1999 I believe.

It didn’t take me long to finish Focus. But it did take many years to release another album because I was afraid. Afraid of wasting too much precious time making an album. Usually it can take up to two years or even more. Nowadays, your name can easily diminish in a matter of months. So I set myself to a challenge: To make 30 tracks in 30 days and choose the best tracks from it.

Basically I had the outline of Focus all set within a month. Luckily I’ve been finishing tracks from start to finish within four hours since 2005 so I was really able to make this work, right in between the touring, the jetlags and the overall hectic schedule.

Who would be your one to watch out for 2016 on the Mixmash label if you had to pick?

Guys like Inpetto, Sultan & Shepard and Hits O’ Good are doing amazing work for us right now. Juyen Sebulba, Herve Pagez and Shelco Garcia and Teenwolf are up there as well.

Laidback Luke presents: Mixmash Radio #090 by Laidback Luke on Mixcloud

Mixmash Radio has grown immensely recently and you're not alone in hosting your own radio show, loads of artists have started up their own. What do you like about putting together a podcast? Why do you think so many DJs opt to do their own shows?

The good thing about radio is that it’s your own platform you broadcast your music on. You can really play anything you’d like. The syndication of the podcast is so broad and worldwide so you’re able to reach a huge crowd doing so. It’s a bigger crowd than just your Soundcloud reach or playing to people on a festival.

You're playing at Life In Color at Victoria Warehouse later this month. We know you've played at their paint parties before, what's it like? We can imagine it's going to be mayhem in Manchester.

Absolutely! And I know Manchester is absolutely buzzing for it. The paint is a different story ha. I do try and stay away from it, but it does add up to the overall madness.

You've played at the venue itself a fair few times, it's a colossal space with tonnes of character, what do you like about playing there and playing to a Manchester crowd?

I’ve always had a good pull in Manchester, plus I know a lot of Scousers come out as well. I’ve missed playing in the North, I always have a good time here. So I’m super happy to be back! The venue is incredible and guaranteed for an amazing vibe.

We read in a previous interview that you use Kung Fu to deal with the stresses that come with DJing around the globe, is this something you still actively practice? Is there anything else you do to calm down when it's all getting too much?

Very much so. I’m a teacher at our local Kung Fu School in the Netherlands and I still compete on national and global level. I have to keep it up.

What also gets me through the stress is napping. Whenever the pressure gets too much or whenever I feel too exhausted, one hour of napping will help me pull through it. With all the DJs coming out with their anxieties nowadays, it just stresses how important living healthy is with schedules and expectations like ours.

What can we expect from you throughout 2016?

We’re about to release my second single off of my album, the collab with GTA feat Aruna called ‘The Chase’. We have a big remix package coming out for it and we’re wrapping up the video this week. I already have new music ready and waiting so expect a ton throughout 2016.

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