DJ Ron: What's been your favorite live gig?
Darude: Out of the 500+ it's really hard to pick one. Maybe MTV Ibiza 2000, 12000
people, outdoors, one of my first big ones outside Finland. Definitely one
of the finest gigs.
I just hade an amazing gig in Washington @ Platinum. I've had pretty good
ones just about everywhere with the new material (I play old stuff too) but
this was just off the hook. It was not the front row but the whole floor and
the balconies which were feeling it, every beat from the beginning to the
end, hands up, whistles, screams, everything... Still giving me goosebumps.
DJ Ron: Speaking of new material, what is the inspriation for the new track "Music"?
Darude: Kicking bassdrum and equally pulsing bass sound. We wanted to create a
kick-ass track for the dancefloor, something that nobody else had, not too
dark and underground but not too happy and cheery either, just kickin'
DJ Ron: What is your favorite song on the new album?
Darude: Well, depends on the day... but Serendipity at the moment. It's a sleeper,
it slowly builds up half way and then all the hell breaks loose... :)
DJ Ron: Talking about all hell breaking loose can you clarify the rumor - you and JS-16 are the same person.
Darude: No, we're not. I really don't understand where this comes from. Anyone who's
read any sleeves of my records or checked out my site would know better. I
am working with JS16 and without him I wouldn't be here but he is not me.
DJ Ron: Why are your remixes also always called Darude vs Js-16? Is it a competition?
Darude: It's co-operation. We remix the tracks together.
DJ Ron: Besides JS16, which other producers/remixers out there inspire you?
Darude: Bostik, Paul van Dyk, Bt, Mauro Picotto...
DJ Ron: Your music has really blown up huge and infiltrated the popular culture being played at sports events. Have you heard your song played at a sports event? Are you into soccer?
Darude: Yeah, I heard Sandstorm at the Olympics, at the hockey games. I also heard
that Saku Koivu (the Finnish hockey player) lead Montreal Canadiens on ice
with SS playing in the arena many times during the last two years or so. I'm
not really in to soccer, I don't follow it too much. Soccer is much bigger
in Finland that American football though.
DJ Ron: You've also done cool videos for "Sandstorm" "Feel the Beat" and the new single "Music," How do you like making videos?
Darude: Exciting, boring, easy, stressful, cool, uncomfortable... As long as the final result is good it's all good. I'm really interested in the video and film industry and I want to learn something in that field also.
DJ Ron: Now, just one last simple question. How does it feel to have one of the most successful instrumental songs of all time?
Darude: Duh. Good.
