Exclusive Interview with Aly & Fila
Since they burst into the international clubbing consciousness with their massive hit Eye of Horus back in 2003 they have been a full-on inspiration to clubbers and DJs alike. Their gorgeous, euphoric, uplifting blend of sweeping trance has seen them rise to A-list status alongside the likes of Armin, Blank & Jones, Johan Gielen, Tall Paul and more. At the forefront of the next generation of dance music superstars, they’ve already broken through into the UK, Europe and Asia.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Aly & Fila, shortly before their performance at SONIC on Friday 15th February.
Your music is often referred to as melodic trance. Do you agree or how would you describe your music?
That is certainly a way to describe our music, uplifting melodic trance, sometimes really driving.
You are friends since childhood. How did you get in touch with electronic dance music and what made you start to make music together?
Fila started to travel into Europe and saw Paul Van Dyk etc then brought back mix tapes of Paul Van Dyk for us to listen to, that was the beginning of our love for Electronic Dance Music.
Out of all tracks you have made, which would you recommend to those that are not yet familiar with your music?
I suppose our most famous tracks would be Aly & Fila feat Jwaydan – We Control the Sunlight and Aly & Fila – Lost Language.
Your tune “We Control The Sunlight” will soon reach 2 million views on YouTube and was chosen as "Tune of the Year" on Armin Van Buuren's show “A State of Trance” in 2011. Are you surprised about the huge popularity of specifically this tune?
It has already reached 2 million views and was a huge honour for us for the track to be Voted Tune of 2011 on ASOT. We felt it had the makings of becoming an anthem and it did so, we are very happy with how it has been received , thanks for all the support.
In DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ poll you were voted #31 in 2008, #22 in in 2009, #20 in 2010, #22 in 2011 and #19 in 2012. What does the poll mean to you?
It means a great deal, it a sign of recognition from fans worldwide for the work we do, we are so thankful to everyone who votes for us, 2013 would be great to climb higher again.
You were the first international DJs to come from Egypt. How do you feel about that?
We are very proud of this and also very proud to be Egyptian, you could say we are ambassadors for Egypt in Electronic Dance Music. We are very proud , it was very hard at the start to receive the recognition, as was very different for a DJ to come from Egypt because it was usually from Netherlands, Germany or the UK, when we were starting out. As the years have gone by, we have received more recognition worldwide which we are very happy about and thankful for.
What were your highlights in 2012?
2012 was a great year. Entering the Top 20 in DJ Mag Top 100 and also celebrating 250 Episodes of our radio show Future Sound of Egypt was a great highlight for us, there was many many more.
You host a highly popular Internet radio show called “Future Sound of Egypt”. What can you tell us about the concept and where can people listen to it?
In 2013 we will celebrate our 300th Episode , and we are very proud of this. The radio show gives us the chance to showcase up and coming talents worldwide. The radio show can be heard on various FM Stations worldwide and premiers by being Broadcasted Every Monday ( 4:00 PM US Eastern / 22:00 CET ) on DI.FM www.di.fm.
You are currently working on your second album “Quiet Storm”. What can you tell us about the name and the album itself? Is a release date in sight?
This album has been a work in progress over the last 2 years, and we are very happy with the product so far . The name emphasizes a storm that is Quiet that is brewing, then bang it hits . The album will contain lots of new material on there and also some new collaborations. The album will be released this year.
Obviously you travel a lot. What are the essential things you need to have with you at all times and what are the things you miss when you are on tour?
Passport, phone, phone charger, iPad, laptop, headphones, USB sticks, clothes, oh and toothbrush.
You have played in Bangkok at Narz in 2010 and at 808 & Narz in 2011. Did you keep the gigs in good memory? Are you excited to return to Bangkok?
Of course, Bangkok is a great city and a great crowd, really excited to be back on Friday.
Are you adventurous if it comes to food? Do you try the local dishes of the countries you travel to, or do you usually eat what you know from home? Will you give spicy Thai food a chance?
100%, we always try and sample for the local cuisine , we love Thai food so much.
What can Bangkok expect of your performance at Sonic on 15th February?
An uplifting journey, see you all on Friday at Sonic.