Exclusive Interview with Rasmus Faber

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Rasmus Faber, shortly before his performance at Bed Supperclub on Monday 31st December (New Year's Eve).

You started playing Piano at the age of 7. What led you to electronic dance music?

I was working as a session musician in my early 20s. I also started frequenting clubs quite a bit around that age. I got in touch with some dance music producers from my town, and they asked me to come and lay down some piano on their records. I looked at what they were doing and was like "That looks fun!", and then I kind of just started doing it.

What was the first dance music record you bought?

You know what, I actually cannot remember. I started DJing after the digital revolution, so I actually never bought any physical records to play in clubs. And the precise moment you clicked "download" tends to slip away, don't they? Well, I do remember buying a Snap record when I was 11 years old, does that count?

What - artists and music genres - are your biggest influences?

That really changes a lot from project to project I would say. For dance music, I tend to be more influenced by whole genres, rather than individual artists. You know, listening to some tracks in a genre and going "Hmm, this is interesting, I could turn this into something cool". When I finished my new forthcoming album recently I was first influenced by the sound of my fellow Swedish colleagues, a quite banging euro sound. Later in the process though, I looked more towards the Complextro and Electro Pop sounds. Always with my musical take on it though!

How would you describe your music?

I guess these days I would say its EDM, with quite a lot of focus on the M. I've always been shifted towards melodies and harmonies in my productions, and I still have that mindset, even working with new sounds which aren't necessarily that open to lots of that to begin with. So I'm forcing the music into these genres hahaha!

Which songs (out of all of your songs) would you suggest to people that are not yet familiar with your music?

Right now, I would say the single that is currently out (well, the video is, the track itself will be released in a couple of weeks), called We Go Oh. It showcases quite well what I'm trying to do at the moment. Then of course, my career is quite long by now, so a search on me will come up with quite different results, depending on what year I made it. Bit confusing perhaps, but also somewhat interesting hopefully!

Part of your performances is a Live Piano. What made you decide to play the Piano live instead of working with recorded material?

Well, since I am a pianist, playing piano is something I simply enjoy doing. And I tried it once when DJing, and it was a lot of fun, so I just stuck with it. So what I basically do is I play a DJ set, but I play piano over it sometimes. Its cool, cause I can make some really dramatic transitions between tracks, make up my own breakdowns. The crowd tend to really like that something extra is going on as well. So there's that visual aspect to it too.

In 2003 you founded your own record label. What was the main motivation to do so and what are the benefits that resulted out of this?

Well, I think being independent artistically is what a lot of artists want. Having your own label lets you do that, but there's a lot of work to it too though! I've definitely enjoyed it, because it really allows you to see your own body of work in retrospect, and it really feels like its my own. Some tracks I've released on other labels tend to just disappear after a while somehow.. So its great!

In October you released your latest album “Reworks Vol.1." What can you tell us about it?

Well, actually I've been working on a new album the whole summer and fall, called "We Laugh We Dance We Cry", which is set to be released in early 2013. In building up to that, I kind of wanted some kind of closure on what I've been doing. Also, I realized that I made so many remixes, that I thought deserved to be put together into one album. I really like how it turned out! The sound is very diverse (and including vol. 2 as well makes it even more so), but thats one of the beauties of it I thought. But there's a completely new album coming out soon so do keep an eye out for that!

Please tell us your highlights of the year 2012.

Completing my new album definitely is one of them. I worked harder than I've ever done in my life I think. Can't wait to get it released now!

You travel a lot. What essential things do you need to have with you at all times?

My computer obviously. Sleeping mask and earplugs are essential too, since I'm a light sleeper. My custom made in-ear headphones are great for DJing, as well as protecting my ears from too loud sounds. But I find they also double perfectly as airplane headphones!

Do you usually try the local dishes of the countries you travel to? Will you give spicy Thai food a chance?

I'm quite adventurous when it comes to food I'd say. I LOVE spicy thai food, so no problems there!

Before you performance here in Bangkok at Bed Supperclub, you will play 3 shows in Japan. Do you enjoy playing in Asia? How does the crowd differ from Western countries?

I would say the crowds are pretty similar in Asia and Europe, but Japan differs quite a bit, in that they tend to see DJ shows more as concerts sometimes. So I have more people focusing on what I'm doing, and not thinking about dancing so much. Thats quite nice sometimes, but I also love when people just go crazy and have fun. So its great to have that balance!

Your debut single “Never Felt So Fly” was released in 2002. Featured on that track was the vocalist Melo, which will perform with you at Bed Supperclub on New Year’s Eve. You guys came a long way together, what can you tell us about your relationship?

Indeed, we've come a long way together, which is why its so great to perform with him again! It feels even better, since we have made two songs together for my new album, which are real bombs. Can't wait to perform those songs live on NYE, along with the classics if course! :)

It's your 5th time to return to Bed Supperclub. Do you enjoy the venue and Bangkok in general?

Absolutely, I really like Bangkok. Bed Supperclub was one of the first places I played when on my first tour to Asia, so it always has a special place in my heart. I haven't played now for a few years, so I'm really looking forward to it!

What can Bangkok’s party people expect from your performance at Bed Supperclub on New Year’s Eve?

Both me and Melo are super psyched to come back! You can expect a set going all guns blazing, all the energy that will keep your mood going high, and the live vibe to keep your heart happy too!