Two years ago I was invited over to the Pothouse in Belfast to see none other than LaidBack Luke and Roger Sanchez. The night was on another level. The intimate venue gave the gig real atmosphere. With LBL playing upstairs and Roger Sanchez below the building was shook to its core. Luke exhumed an undeniable flair and a real connection with his music that simply has to be seen to be understood. This was my first visit to Ireland and Its safe to say I left with fond memories, a hangover, and greater respect for the Dutch DJ.
Over the last two years Laidback Luke has cemented his position as an international heavy hitter. With ten years in the game not many can showcase a resume with as much impact as LBL. He is regarded as one of the most creative DJ’s in the world and therefore receives breaks “One to work with” Salute. Following a night at the London superclub Matter I thought it was about time Breaksof10 caught up with the Dutch DJ/Producer and see what he has up his sleeve for 2009 and beyond.
The artists that have walked through the “Breaksof10″ doors have had someone at the beginning who they looked up to and inspired them into doing what they do! I guess you must have had two people. Both in graff and music?
- Yeah, in terms of music I got my first record deal thanks to Dobre. He was part of The Goodmen and Jark Prongo and is currently producing under the name Chocolat Puma. He taught me my house music fundamentals both in sound as in production. This was in back 1994! In graff we had a very cool local scene going on and I was very much impressed by the crew called Da New Skool and their frontman tagging under the name Jeazer. Later on I became a fan of Delta and Sender of the Inc crew. Delta actually designed the Laidback Luke logo!
What was your craft, Images, lettering, quick tags, all paint?
I did a lot of tagging. I had a letter fetish when it came to writing. But I was mostly known as the puppet master since I had been drawing cartoons all my life!
What was your tagger name?
My tagger name was Zybr : )
I know for a fact that the graffiti artist in you doesn’t die! I know you have put all your focus and energy into your music however are you still painting behind closed doors?
Yes, the graffiti artist is still there. I see the layering and structuring of my music as graffiti nowadays. I find that the complexity and chaos a graff piece has gave me a fundamental base to handle the creative process in music as well! My first talent in life is drawing and although I really don’t have the time for it any more, I’m sure it’s pretty much like cycling. You never loose the feel for it!
You were obviously a busy young chap. The graffiti chapter of your life gives further testiment to your creative nature. Was there a definitive moment where you put down the can and picked up the head phones?
I turned a major bummer into something positive I can tell you. The first piece I was able to put outdoors I did it with a big crew. One of our crew didn’t manage to finish his piece in one night so he kept on coming back to it for at least four other nights. This not so smart guy got caught and he gave all the other crew member’s name to the police. I got busted for this and served a 2 day community service punishment. After that I decided to focus more on music.
It was a choice that has resulted in you taking the world by storm. Just last year you were voted #46 in the World DJ rankings. What do these kind of accalaids mean to you?
To be honest I was so surprised! I didn’t see it coming at all. For years, I never reached the top 100 and I pretty much gave up on even looking at the list. It means a lot to me that people in the world appreciate my work that much to actually vote for me. This support is amazing to me!
You have worked with some of the industries finest; the likes of Diplo, Steve Angelo, David Guetta, and Junior Sanchez to name just a few. How was it collaborating with Steve Angelo again? (2006 “Otherwise then” and 2009 “Show me love”)
It always was such a breeze to work with Steve Angello. I learnt so much in production from him! The way I work now is an image of how he used to work back in 2005 actually! I’ll never forget it, I was putting out records for ten years and spending four days with him in the studio completely changed me as a producer.
Anybody on your radar for future collaborations?
More recently I collaborated with Steve Aoki and Lee Mortimer.
Is there anyone you would like to work with?
I would love to do something with Armand van Helden and I’m looking to do something with Riva Starr. Offcourse I’d probably give my right arm to do a collab with people like Daft Punk or Timbaland!
Luke smashing it at Dim Mak Tuesday’s at Cinespace in L.A. this year
What should the world expect from Laidback Luke in the Summer of 2009?
My label Mixmash is currently doing really well! After we released Be and Break Down The House on there, we just made an Essential Tune with one of the talent’s of my forum on laidbackluke.com called Avicii! There’s gonna be some new remixes by me coming out. I’m still keeping them low to focus on my album though. There’s a new track called My G.O.D. (Guns On Demo) on the horizon which is currently smashing my floors!
Sounds like you definitely live your life at 200mph how do you switch off?
It’s not easy for me to switch off. I do have a feeling I live on the threshold of what one can handle. I do have an intense family life, which keeps me sane and grounded.
Delving into the history of LBL you have been all over the world, accompanied some heavy hitting DJ’s, spent days in the studio, days on the road, played club nights, and festivals! That must be a fierce timetable to maintain. This is your opportunity to give a shout out to the people who get Luke to the interview, get him on that plane, in the studio on time, put hot meals on the table, and checked into that plush hotel. Who are the people around Laidback Luke? Shout out for the team!
They know who they are, check out any inlay of any CD I put out! Just want to know I love all of you and I couldn’t do this without you. All these people are my fundamental and thanks to them I can make my dreams come true! Thanks so much!
absolute pleasure talking with you man!
Luke and Steve Aoki
