Photo Credit: SKINNY

The first Axtone Nights took place in Japan on June 30th and July 1st, 2017 at Club Joule in Osaka and Club Camelot in Shibuya, respectively. Shapov, MEG \ NERAK and Dave Winnel were all very excited about their first trip and performances in Japan and both clubs were packed with energetic fans.

Following around these talented electronic producers for two days, we were surprised at how friendly and talented they all are. With mutual respective for each other, passion about the music and proud to be a part of the "Axtone" label.

They were also very interactive with their fans and spent as much time as they possibly could with them both before and after the show; taking pictures, signing autographs and just chatting. We feel very honored to spend this precious time with them and hope that they can all come back to Japan again soon.

Please enjoy our exclusive interviews with Shapov, Meg & Nerak and Dave Winnel. 

Axtone Night / Shapov Interview

iFLYER: “This is your first time to be in Japan, correct? Is there anything in specific you would like to do while you are here? What do you think about your Japanese fans and experience so far?”

Shapov: “My first purpose to come was to play my music and have fun with my fans but maybe in Tokyo, tomorrow, I’ll have more time so maybe I can visit some good sushi restaurants and maybe see the city. I’m really excited.”

iFLYER: “Last summer, you played at the Axtone Stage in Tomorrowland and this year, you are going to play at the Main Stage. Considering that you've just started your solo project in 2015 it seems that your carrier is moving quite quickly. What do you think is contributing to this and how do you feel about it?”

Shapov: ”Last year we did the Axtone Stage and we'll do it again this year. Also, it's great that I'm performing on the Main stage for the first time and of course, it's a proud moment for me and I’m excited to play new music.”

iFLYER: “I was actually at Tomorrowland last summer when you and Axwell premiered “Belong” and I felt like the two of you must have been working really well together. It was so happy and emotional. Could fill us in on the back story on how “Belong” was born?”

Shapov: “Axwell gave me the voice and then I tried to create some melodies and sent it back and then he said “Maybe you can change the melody a bit here and a bit there, and there, OK?” Then I changed it, and, oh, I got goose bumps! This will be really big, and he said yes. After I started Shapov I went to Stockholm to work in Axwell and Ingrosso’s studio, and we finished the track there and came up with the remode version idea. In my opinion, it’s the best vocal that I have now because it is really magic there.”

iFLYER: “Any hints for what's in Shapov’s future? You have just released “Four Corners EP” but is there any plans to release new tunes or/and collaborate with any other artists?”

Shapov: “Actually for my next single I’m working with a vocalist from a nice band from Singapore. It will be (released) in September. I really feel that that vocal tracks live longer lives than clubbing tracks which I play in my sets and make music like that, but, I feel that to release music, vocal tracks are important now and it’s kind of in my life as well."

Axtone Night / MEG \ NERAK Interview

iFLYER: "How did you guys get started?"

MEG \ NERAK: “We sent our music to Axwell. Axwell told us that it was really interesting and then we started to really believe in ourselves and work seriously. “

iFLYER: "We heard that you, Nerak, are inspired by Sharam (from Deep Dish). Can you tell us more about that?"

MEG \ NERAK: “Yes, I really love him and I’m a big, big fan of Deep Dish. I also like Sasha, John Digweed, and other artists from the British school.”

iFLYER: "This is your first time in Japan, right? Are you planning on doing anything on your time off?"

MEG \ NERAK: “Maybe Shopping (laughs).”

iFLYER: "Speaking of shopping, your fashion is so incredible. Do you guys have a stylist?"

MEG \ NERAK: “Thank you. No, it’s all our own style. We love Russian brands but we also love French and US and maybe now Japanese (laughs). “

iFLYER: "You have been touring in Asia (Jakarta, Bali and Macau), and of course the Axtone stage at Tomorrowland. What do you enjoy the most about your shows in different countries?"

MEG \ NERAK: “Every country is different: different emotions, different vibes, means different shows. We think about the people, the playlists. Every show is a different set. We’ve never done the same set twice.”

Axtone Night / Dave Winnel Interview

iFLYER: "How did you join the Axtone family?"

Dave Winnel: "My connection with Axtone started four years ago when Axwell started playing one of my tunes called “Achtung!” (It’s German for “attention”) in Europe during the summer. Then everyone else started playing it and that started my friendship with Axtone. From then on it kinda grew. I started sending demos, and then eventually, one clicked, called “Old School.” 

iFLYER: “How do you pick tracks to remix? Do people ask you or do you search for tunes to remix?”

Dave Winnel: “So there’s two ways it happens. The first way is the label will contact me and ask me to remix the song, like Axwell and Ingrosso when i remixed “On My Way.” But then sometimes it also happens the other way. Like SHIBA SAN, I remixed “Okay” but it was unofficial. I did it just to play in my DJ set. I’ve also just done one for San Holo but the release date isn’t available yet. I’ve been playing in my set and on my radio shows and stuff. Everyone’s been loving it but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for it.“

iFLYER:  "I read that you were greatly impacted by a rave that you went to when you were fourteen. What kind of music did you listen to while you were there and what kind of music influenced you back then? "

Dave Winnel: "I would love to go back to that rave. After all these years of knowing music, now I am so involved, that I would love to go back and actually listen to who I listened to then. It was super underground, no vocals. I recon it was techno. I remember thinking that it was the best place in the world."

iFLYER: "How did you feel about your Japanese fans?"

Dave Winnel: "Japanese fans are the best I’ve encountered. Asia is always better than everywhere else, but in Osaka and Tokyo, everyone was crazy. People saw that we were on the train, and they came to the station and were waiting for us. I’ve never seen that before."

iFLYER: "Can you give us a final comment for your Japanese fans?"

Dave Winnel: “I love you and I will be back. Sayonara!”

 

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Axtone Night