Sam Feldt wrapped up his Asia Tour 2016 with two performances at SUMMER SONIC TOKYO & SUMMER SONIC OSAKA respectively.
He kindly shared time with iFLYER for an exclusive interview. If you're keen on video answers to questions provided by fans via asQme check it out here.
Dishing on some upcoming new tracks and sharing his thoughts on the music scene in Asia, check out the interview below.
Welcome to Japan! How was your set at the Beach Stage today?
It was great! It started raining during my set but the crowd turned up in the rain too! It was just amazing.
Great to hear! So you recently released a single with Lucas & Steve and vocalist Wulf. Walk us through how that collaboration happened.
So we are all from the same Amsterdam area and so we've been in the studio together a couple of times.
One day I got a rough raw demo from Wulf, the singer on the track. He sent over some vocals and guitar parts and I thought it was really cool so I started playing around with it.
So that got me thinking 'What do I play in my sets?'. I realized that I play a lot of Lucas & Steve tracks in my sets and I've been a big supporter and fan of their music. So I messaged them if they were up for a collab and they were like 'Let's work on it together!'. I'm really happy how it played out because now we've ended up with two really good versions.
How do you know the two?
We belong to the same label (Spinnin' Records) and the same management so we've had experience of being in writing camps and Spinnin' crew studio sessions together. So I guess I know them from there. But we also have one big community of DJs that live in Amsterdam. We all go out eating together or bar hopping when we have the time. It's one big fun community to be part of.
Who else is in that group?
Ahh there's a bunch! Just to name a few there's Mike Mago, Mr. Belt & Wezol, The Him and just so much more...
That sounds like super fun! Moving on to your music, you started off your musical career as a DJ. Your signature remixes started catching attention and now you work as "Sam Feldt". Do you feel you've found your signature sound or are you still experimenting with new sounds?
I've been active as Sam Feldt for about three to four years now and it's really cool to see my music developing. But I feel there's that similar signature sound in my music that I've been releasing these couple of past years. I've centered my releases on 100-128 BPM so if you compare my tracks before and my recent one like 'Summer On You' you'll still hear that similar style.
As long as people are able to recognize that sound as my music when they hear it even after three years, I think I've succeeded in some way. Every genre and every artist develops but it's great to have that signature sound.
Your recent releases include a lot of collaborations. In terms of singer songwriters or vocalists is there anyone you'd like to collaborate with?
So that means at least 50 more tracks?
I can tell you about one of the singles. I've been a big fan of Joshua Raidn. He's a singer songwriter and he's made so many beautiful tracks. Yesterday, I actually found out that he was a big fan of my music. It's so cool because after getting some success (especially with the 'Show Me Love' track in my case), now my idols want to work with me. That's a great honor. I've always looked up to them and I still do of course, but to have them want to work with me in the studio means I get to connect with them on a more personal level so it means so much more to me.
Speaking of accomplishments, you also made you debut Coachella performance this year. How did that feel to you?
It was the biggest honor for me because especially with Coachella they don't book a lot of DJs. They book a lot of live acts and then there’s a few DJs every year and I was one of the lucky DJs to be there this year.
To be honest it was one of the best shows I've ever done. I did two weekends but the second weekend was even better than the first one. I played in the afternoon around 3-4pm in the Sahara Tent which was fille with like 20,000 people to the max. It was the sickest show of my life.
Now you're touring around Asia! How do you feel about the electronic music crowd in Asia?
EDM culture and dance music in general hasn't been around for decades in Asia, so it's quite fresh and open. They sing along with the lyrics and listening to each song with so much passion. When I go back home back to Amsterdam, the crowd there enjoys it but they are a bit spoilt. But, the crowd in Asia is so untouched so every show I do here is a blessing.
Speaking of the electronic dance music culture, this genre in specific has a very strong community dynamic. Do you feel this bonding through music spirit with the fans or even between artists? Please share some episodes on that strong connection of energy.
As an artists so obviously I feel as I'm part of the big community.
We all share the same crazy life and get the chance to meet up with each other all over the world. But because of that some DJs I would see three times a week, I won't see them for another year again. It's this really cool connection. Wee are all friends forming this one big community. You don't get to see your friends and family while your on tour but those DJs friends seem to be on the journey with you and they're like family too.
Before we wrap up, anything you can share with us on that EP that you're working on?
Yeah so there are many good tracks I've made the past few years that are not necessarily big radio hits. I'd say they are more on the alternative side. But I do want to release them. I think I've got about 14 now but will probabaly put six on the EP. Might release each one as a free download but it will be out this year!
It was a pleasure to talk with Sam on his new music and thoughts on the Asia music scene. We can't wait for the new music he has in the works!
Dank Je Sam and we hope you come back to Japan and slam the crowd with the new material!
You have the chance of winning a Sam Feldt Signature Board + iFLYER Sticker!
All you have to do is follow iFLYER on Twitter (@iflyertv) & Instagram (@iflyertv), Retweet our article tweet and that's it!
This twitter campaign will run until the 9th September 2016 12:00PM JST.
Lucky winners will be notified in their Twitter DM inbox!
Start following and tweeting!
*Please note this campaign is only eligible to those who live in Japan.
He kindly shared time with iFLYER for an exclusive interview. If you're keen on video answers to questions provided by fans via asQme check it out here.
Dishing on some upcoming new tracks and sharing his thoughts on the music scene in Asia, check out the interview below.
Welcome to Japan! How was your set at the Beach Stage today?
It was great! It started raining during my set but the crowd turned up in the rain too! It was just amazing.
Great to hear! So you recently released a single with Lucas & Steve and vocalist Wulf. Walk us through how that collaboration happened.
So we are all from the same Amsterdam area and so we've been in the studio together a couple of times.
One day I got a rough raw demo from Wulf, the singer on the track. He sent over some vocals and guitar parts and I thought it was really cool so I started playing around with it.
When I finished 90% of the song,
I was really happy that it was going in the right direction but I thought it was lacking energy, especially for the Club Edit.
So that got me thinking 'What do I play in my sets?'. I realized that I play a lot of Lucas & Steve tracks in my sets and I've been a big supporter and fan of their music. So I messaged them if they were up for a collab and they were like 'Let's work on it together!'. I'm really happy how it played out because now we've ended up with two really good versions.
How do you know the two?
We belong to the same label (Spinnin' Records) and the same management so we've had experience of being in writing camps and Spinnin' crew studio sessions together. So I guess I know them from there. But we also have one big community of DJs that live in Amsterdam. We all go out eating together or bar hopping when we have the time. It's one big fun community to be part of.
Who else is in that group?
Ahh there's a bunch! Just to name a few there's Mike Mago, Mr. Belt & Wezol, The Him and just so much more...
That sounds like super fun! Moving on to your music, you started off your musical career as a DJ. Your signature remixes started catching attention and now you work as "Sam Feldt". Do you feel you've found your signature sound or are you still experimenting with new sounds?
I've been active as Sam Feldt for about three to four years now and it's really cool to see my music developing. But I feel there's that similar signature sound in my music that I've been releasing these couple of past years. I've centered my releases on 100-128 BPM so if you compare my tracks before and my recent one like 'Summer On You' you'll still hear that similar style.
As long as people are able to recognize that sound as my music when they hear it even after three years, I think I've succeeded in some way. Every genre and every artist develops but it's great to have that signature sound.
Your recent releases include a lot of collaborations. In terms of singer songwriters or vocalists is there anyone you'd like to collaborate with?
So many. I actually have a list on my PC of all the people I want to work with.
There's about 50 on that list now so there will be a bunch of new music coming.
So that means at least 50 more tracks?
Actually, two singles are done
and there is an EP coming.
I can tell you about one of the singles. I've been a big fan of Joshua Raidn. He's a singer songwriter and he's made so many beautiful tracks. Yesterday, I actually found out that he was a big fan of my music. It's so cool because after getting some success (especially with the 'Show Me Love' track in my case), now my idols want to work with me. That's a great honor. I've always looked up to them and I still do of course, but to have them want to work with me in the studio means I get to connect with them on a more personal level so it means so much more to me.
Speaking of accomplishments, you also made you debut Coachella performance this year. How did that feel to you?
It was the biggest honor for me because especially with Coachella they don't book a lot of DJs. They book a lot of live acts and then there’s a few DJs every year and I was one of the lucky DJs to be there this year.
To be honest it was one of the best shows I've ever done. I did two weekends but the second weekend was even better than the first one. I played in the afternoon around 3-4pm in the Sahara Tent which was fille with like 20,000 people to the max. It was the sickest show of my life.
Now you're touring around Asia! How do you feel about the electronic music crowd in Asia?
What I really love most
about the crowd here in Asia
is that you are all super open-minded.
EDM culture and dance music in general hasn't been around for decades in Asia, so it's quite fresh and open. They sing along with the lyrics and listening to each song with so much passion. When I go back home back to Amsterdam, the crowd there enjoys it but they are a bit spoilt. But, the crowd in Asia is so untouched so every show I do here is a blessing.
Speaking of the electronic dance music culture, this genre in specific has a very strong community dynamic. Do you feel this bonding through music spirit with the fans or even between artists? Please share some episodes on that strong connection of energy.
As an artists so obviously I feel as I'm part of the big community.
But looking at it solely from an artist side,
the strongest connection for me is between the DJs.
We all share the same crazy life and get the chance to meet up with each other all over the world. But because of that some DJs I would see three times a week, I won't see them for another year again. It's this really cool connection. Wee are all friends forming this one big community. You don't get to see your friends and family while your on tour but those DJs friends seem to be on the journey with you and they're like family too.
Before we wrap up, anything you can share with us on that EP that you're working on?
Yeah so there are many good tracks I've made the past few years that are not necessarily big radio hits. I'd say they are more on the alternative side. But I do want to release them. I think I've got about 14 now but will probabaly put six on the EP. Might release each one as a free download but it will be out this year!
It was a pleasure to talk with Sam on his new music and thoughts on the Asia music scene. We can't wait for the new music he has in the works!
Dank Je Sam and we hope you come back to Japan and slam the crowd with the new material!
Lucky Information for the Sam Feldt fans out there!
You have the chance of winning a Sam Feldt Signature Board + iFLYER Sticker!
All you have to do is follow iFLYER on Twitter (@iflyertv) & Instagram (@iflyertv), Retweet our article tweet and that's it!
This twitter campaign will run until the 9th September 2016 12:00PM JST.
Lucky winners will be notified in their Twitter DM inbox!
Start following and tweeting!
*Please note this campaign is only eligible to those who live in Japan.
