This year marked the first Halloween I can recall where partiers chose to dress up like DJs (namely, the Swedish House Mafia guys) and didn’t have to explain their costumes. Just as cloned versions of Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and our interviewee, Steve Angello, were easily recognizable this past weekend, the three DJ/producers (the real ones, not the costumed ones) have experienced a similar phenomenon – getting stopped on the streets by people who know the face behind the DJ booth.
It’s safe to consider Steve Angello a rock star of this electronic music generation. Aside from his role in the Swedish House Mafia trio, Angello owns Size Records and has helped propel his younger brother, AN21, into DJ stardom. The guy is on fire, behind the DJ booth or in the recording studio, rocking Ibiza this summer or Miami and Las Vegas this past weekend. With a label compilation, a highly anticipated Swedish House Mafia DVD almost out, and a new daughter back at home, Angello has a lot to be proud of as 2010 comes to a close.
Clubplanet: Size Matters, is coming out in a couple of weeks. What inspired you to put together a label compilation? Why did you feel that now was the right time?
Steve Angello: Size has reached the point where we were ready to release our own compilation and it also ties in with the Size Matters tour. We have had a stellar year with Size so we wanted to show off a little!
Clubplanet: Aside from traveling and playing gigs together, you and your brother got a chance to co-produce on this project. How would you describe your relationship with Antoine in the studio? What is it like to work so closely with your brother?
Steve Angello: It’s so great to have the chance to work with Antoine both because he is my brother but also because he is a very talented DJ/ producer… but I would never tell him that to his face! There was no other choice for me when we came up with the Size Matters compilation of who I was going to mix it with.
Clubplanet: What is your favorite memory from Ibiza this summer?
Steve Angello: The Size Matters party at Ibiza Rocks Hotel playing with AN21, Max Vangeli, Sunnery and Ryan. Or the closing of Swedish House Mafia at Pacha. It went off!
Clubplanet: I’ve heard a lot about the SHM documentary, Take One, coming out soon. Can you tell us a little more about that?
Steve Angello: Imagine a good friend of yours following you around with a video camera for two years. That was what it was like with Christian Larson (the director of Take One) and us. The film shows the journey we have been on and shows the highs and some of the truths of the events we go to and how we spend our time.
Clubplanet: Have you seen the documentary yet? If so, what is it like watching your incredible journey to success?
Steve Angello: Yes, I have seen it. It was a little odd at first watching it back but it’s very well done and we are all very proud of it.
Clubplanet: 2010 has been a huge year for you—aside from the musical success, you’ve also become a dad (congratulations!). How is fatherhood treating you so far? Are you introducing your daughter to any music just yet?
Steve Angello: Thank you! Monday Lily is the just the best. She plays with my iPad and I have introduced her to Twitter but I don’t think she knows what’s going on just yet but I am a very proud dad.
Clubplanet: So, what's next?
Steve Angello: World domination! (Only kidding)! I just want to be happy, release some great tunes, and enjoy my family and the LA sunshine!
2010/2011 Tour Dates:
11/18 - Beta, Waterloo, ON
11/19 - Telus Theatre, Montreal, QC
11/20 - Glow @ Fur, Washington, DC
11/27 - Space, Miami, FL
12/03 - 4th & B, San Diego, CA
12/04 - Avalon, Los Angeles, CA
12/10 - Opera, Atlanta, GA
12/11 - The Mid, Chicago, IL
12/26 - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
12/31 - Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY
01/03 - Nikki Beach, Panama City, Panama
01/08 - Blue Parrot/ BPM Festival, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico