Exclusive Interview with San Holo

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with San Holo, shortly before his performance at Glow Nightclub on 25th August.

Where are you answering these questions?

I'm in Seoul right now! I just finished playing at the World DJ Festival over the weekend, so I've just been hanging out in Seoul before I continue on the rest of my Asia tour.

You are a 25-year old DJ and producer from the Netherlands. How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place and how did you get into DJing and music production?

I started producing electronic music because it was something that I could do on my own. I didn't need a band or recording studio; I could create entire songs with just a laptop. That idea really inspired me, and it felt very free.

After making hip-hop beats for a while I got exposed to bass music. I realized I could just make instrumental hip hop but still have some sort of a story throughout the song without needing vocals. That's how San Holo started, trying to make an instrumental hip hop track, replacing traditional hip hop vocals with interesting chords and melodies.

You play and produce a fresh mix of Trap, Future Bass and beyond. How would you describe your own music, what is distinct about it?

I'm not really good at talking about my own music and how it's different. I just want my music to have that San Holo vibe, which is emotional, nostalgic and a little hopeful. I try to use specific sounds that people will recognize as the San Holo sound. I want people to hear it's a San Holo track the very first moment it's being played!

You are best known for your remix of "Dr. Dre - The Next Episode" (which gained over 100 Million views on YouTube), your track “We Rise” and your collaboration with Yellow Claw “Alright” (which was released on the record label of Skrillex, OWSLA). What other tracks would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?

On of the very first tracks I made as San Holo is Fly. Still very happy with that track. Also, I've just released 'Still Looking' on my own label bitbird. I think that song is a pretty good example of that 'San Holo vibe'.

What are you currently working and focusing on? What’s on your agenda for the near future?

Right now I'm in the middle of a world tour. I've got shows coming up in Asia, Europe, America, Australia. On the road, I try to produce music when I can. Sometimes the traveling can be pretty intense, so I'm not always in the mood to produce music while on tour.

However, when I get back home I can't wait to lock myself up in the studio again. I think in the upcoming months I'll be releasing some singles, and them I want to work on a full-length album!

In early 2016 you have completed a 27-date, 2-month tour across North America, including performances at Ultra Music Festival and Coachella’s Do Lab. What were the best and the worst gigs you ever played, and what were the funniest things ever occurred during any of your performances?

Playing at Coachella and Ultra was something I thought would never happen with my music. But we did it! And I and my team managed to pull that off pretty quick. Proud of that! When you do a long tour, there's always gonna be some shows that are not as amazing as some others.

In the past I've played shows for let's say, 10 people. Those shows are really hard but you still just gotta try to give everything, cause still there's people coming to see YOU.

On 25th August you will make your Thailand Debut at Glow Nightclub. Have you visited Thailand before? What can the Bangkok crowd expect of your upcoming performance?

I've never been to Thailand before so I'm very excited! I've heard cool stories about this place. I hope I can take people on a journey with my set. Going from emotional vibes to intense bangers with lots of energy!