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Inside 003 – Fedde Le Grand – Exclusive

September 1st, 2010 at 1:24 pm (Interview)

Fedde le Grand has been producing since 2001 & since then he has teamed up with Funkerman and Raf creating Flamingo Recordings, an independent record label that allowed them to keep their underground identity and release fresh tracks sooner than most other labels.  With the release of ‘Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit’ Fedde le Grand became known to the world, with his further releases; "Let Me Think About It" and "Creeps" reaching charts across the globe. Arguably one of the worlds biggest DJ’s, he has headlined countless festivals, events and featured in many major magazines.

Some readers may think Fedde Le Grand as "commercial" but he also has a host of underground productions and mixes, and having seen him several times I can safely say he is a quality house DJ. I was very excited for the chance to interview him (not only due to his superstar fame) but also because his tunes paved the way to the type of music that I like now.

That DJ Selection:

Take No Shhh – Fedde Le Grand
Credible Electronic House

Praise You (Fedde Le Grand Remix) – Fatboy Slim
This tune was Huge!

3 Minutes to Explain – Fedde Le Grand & Funkerman
I used to love this house tune!

Pink Bird – Fedde Le Grand
Underground House Stomper

• What was the scene like where you grew up?
There were several scenes. We had a massive r&b/hip-hop and house scene. I actually started off DJing Hip Hop, you’d be surprised how many Dutch DJs actually started off in that genre! So it’s always been a sound that I’ve held a special place for, I think in a lot of my production you can hear its influence coming through in the beats, the syncopation of the rhythm.

• Which club/event have enjoyed the most playing at?
For me, the best place I’ve ever played in has got to be Green Valley in Brazil, that was one of the most amazing places I’ve ever had the pleasure of DJing at. Everything was perfect from the atmosphere to the people to the guys who run everything behind the scenes, and of course it’s just such a beautiful country as well. If you ever get the opportunity to go out there I would definitely recommend it.

• Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’
A new track I just made called Metrum – keep your ears peeled that’s all I’m saying : )

• Are there any projects, remixes or productions in the pipeline?
I’ve just released two new remixes of Rockin High from my Output album, one by Benny Benassi and the other one by Nicky Romero. We’ve had some amazing reactions to them already from other DJs and radio stations across the world, it’s out now on www.beatport.com and then everywhere else including i-tunes from September 13th. I’m really excited about this one, it’s a great tune. Other than that I’ve also just done a track with Tiesto, one with Green Velvet, I remixed one of Benny Benassi’s tracks but I’m also really heavily on the road now until halfway through October so it’s quite hard to fit some quality studio time in.

• When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
I really like chilling out with my friends at home, watching films and playing video games, I’m also really into fitness, it’s really important for me to have something that I can centre myself with and focus, there’s so much travelling and different times zones when you’re playing all over the world so it’s great to have a healthy way to unwind.

• Apart from house, are there any genres you like to listen to?
I have really eclectic tastes, I’m a real fan of funk and hip-hop, I grew up listening to funk bands like P-Funk – Bootsy Collins is a massive hero of mine. Anything that’s good, intelligent, original and has a great beat to it, I’m a really fan of.

• What’s your favourite tune of all time? (Or favourite artist)
My favourite artist is definitely Bootsy Collins. P-Funk (or Parliament) were a really groundbreaking band and he was the bass player, so I think I got my love or a great groove and bassline from him. He’s a legend in my eyes (and a lot of other people’s!). I’m also a massive fan of Michael Jackson, there’ll never be another one like him.

• What’s your favourite track at the moment?
I’m going to be selfish and say Rockin High : ) , Benny has done an amazing remix but there’s also a part in Nicky’s edit about two thirds through where it breaks down into this killer beat, it’s almost break-beat like with a huge bassline that rumbles underneath, it just smashes the dance floor every time it gets dropped.

Fedde le Grand ft. Mr. V. – Back & Forth (Full Vocal Mix) by FLG

(9 votes, average: 3.44 out of 5)

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