Your new single “Get You Higher” with Pavlo Vicci hits harder and deeper- is this a hint that the techno spirit of Dakota is bleeding into your main sound?
Yes, this one was a demonstration of propulsion over peaks. Pavlo’s hugely talented and is someone we are all excited about watching his development in the coming years. He had this hypnotic Get You Higher vocal, and I added it on top of a gritty techno bassline to give it that powerful drive.
It’s a track that’s less about stopping to put your hands in the air and more about body hypnosis – letting groove and bassline carry the emotional weight.
Let’s talk “In Search of Sunrise.” As the new curator of this iconic series, how do you plan to leave your imprint while respecting its rich legacy?
It’s a huge honor to be associated with such an important piece in the history of our scene, and it’s not one I take for granted. We are moving into a fourth era of In Search of Sunrise – you had Tiesto at the outset, continued by Richard Durand, and then the multiple DJ approach from edition 14 to 20; of which I was proudly part of those.
Now in this fourth era, I’m going to be curating all three discs for the first time, and I feel it will allow me to demonstrate the full palette of my sound.
I feel it is my duty to carry In Search of Sunrise into a future era. This next edition is designed to be a portal – where tribal, cinematic, and hypnotic textures converge with a meaningful, emotional journey.
Global DJ Broadcast is now in its 20th year. In a world of fleeting attention spans, what’s the formula for keeping a weekly radio show this relevant?
My belief is that radio is one of the greatest gifts we have on earth. You can be broadcasting to an audience of millions, but at the same time, there is a bond of one to one communication.
I had a lonely childhood, because I’d be moving to various spots around Germany as a child; and it meant that I couldn’t really establish any lasting friendships. But there was one that lasted forever – the radio – the friend who is always there no matter what time of day or night.
It’s because of this that Global DJ Broadcast remains so important to me, because it can inspire those listening, make people forget about their troubles, and be that friend who is always there.
There are three particular strands to Global DJ Broadcast now – the regular studio editions, where you are breaking new music and gauging which songs resonate with the listeners – the monthly World Tour episodes, featuring live recordings of my sets at various clubs and festivals around the world – and the seven special collector’s edition shows which are based on a particular style and theme.
Now more than ever, the show is a testing ground for my sonic experiments. It’s where I preview future-facing music and showcase artists I believe are reshaping the dance music industry.
