Exclusive Interview with Plastik Funk
Rafael Ximenez born in Madrid and Mikio from Tokyo are the DJ Team PLASTIK FUNK. Together the two DJs, who are now living in Duesseldorf, Germany, form an important part of worldwide nightlife. Gigs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Hawaii, Zurich, Ibiza, Mallorca, Barcelona, Prague, Vienna, Tokyo that are some of the places which they have already enchanted with their sound. All major events in Germany (Mayday, Sensation White, Loveparade) have seen their performance already. But touring abroad and bringing their sound to all the continents of the world is their mission since 2002. In the summer-season, they are residents at the legendary Space Ibiza.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with PLASTIK FUNK, shortly before their performance at The Club Khaosan on 5th June.
PLASTIK FUNK consists of Rafael (born in Madrid) and Mikio (from Tokyo) – both of you are now living in Germany. What brought you to Germany, how did you guys meet and what made you team up to produce music together? How did you guys - independently of each other - get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place?
WE BOTH STARTED DJING WHEN WE WENT TO HIGHSCHOOL. WE STARTED WITH PARTIES IN OUR PARENTS HOUSE AND AT ONE POINT WE JUST WANTED TO DO IT AS A FULL TIME JOB! WE GREW UP WITH HIP HOP BACK IN THE DAYS BUT AFTER WE HEARD A MIXTAPE OF FRANKIE KNUCKLES AND DAVID MORALES WE HAD MOVE TO HOUSE MUSIC, THERE WAS NO WAY BACK!
How would you describe your music in just a few words?
WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE WE PLAY ALL KINDS OF HOUSE/DANCE MUSIC. WE TRY TO MIX DIFFERENT GENRES IN OUR PRODUCTIONS AND SETS. ITS A MIXTURE OF ELECTRO, PROGRESSIVE HOUSE, HOUSE.
In 2011 your remake of "C&C Musicfatory – Everybody Dance Now" entered the German sales charts Top50 and "Who" – which was released in 2012 - has been one of the most supported and played tracks at recent major music festivals, such as the Winter Music Conference 2013 (in Miami, USA), and Tomorrowland 2012 (in Belgium). What other tracks would you recommend to those that are not yet familiar with your music?
AFTER WHO WE GOT A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR REMIXES AND WE ARE SUPER HAPPY THAT THE NEW REMIXES FOR REHAB&SHERMANOLOGY, FOR GET FAR AND NOW FOR ERICK MORILLO & HARRY ROMERO ARE DOING SO GOOD. WE JUST RELEASED A NEW TRACK CALLED “LET ME SEE YA” WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY A LOT OF BIG NAMES LIKE LAIDBACK LUKE. WE HEARD OUR TRACKS “WHO” AND “LET ME SEE YA” SO MUCH AT WMC MIAMI 2013 AND ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL, IT WAS JUST CRAZY!!!
What are you currently working on? What’s on your agenda for the near future?
WE ARE TOURING MORE THEN EVER BEFORE. WE SIGNED RESIDENCIES IN MIAMI, LAS VEGAS, NAPLES (ITALY), MOSCOW (RUSSIA) AND MANY MORE. WE JUST HAD TOURS IN CHINA AND THE USA AND WILL LEAVE TO BRASIL RIGHT AFTER OUR SHOW IN BANGKOK. ALSO WE WILL PLAY A LOT OF FESTIVALS THIS YEAR. ABOUT PRODUCTIONS, WE HAVE 7 NEW TRACKS READY AND 3 REMIXES ABOUT TO RELEASE. ALSO FINISHED COLLABOS WITH KURD MAVERICK, GEORGE ACOSTA, OLIVER TWIZT AND PINK FLUID! SO THERE IS A LOT TO COME!
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?
MOST IMPORTANT: LAPTOP, MUSIC BACK UP ON HARDDRIVE AND STICKS, GO PRO CAMERA TO RECORD ALL THE CRAZY THINGS WE SEE AT THE MOMENT, SMALL BACK WE DONT HAVE TO CHECK IN AND PILLOW SO WE CAN SLEEP WHERE EVER WE HAVE TIME :)
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played?
THERE WERE SO MANY CRAZY SHOWS LATELY, ITS HARD TO PICK ONE. BUT WE DEFENETLY REMEMBER SOME GREAT FESTIVALS LIKE IN PORTO (PORTUGAL) WITH 15 000 PEOPLE, AMAZING CLUB SHOWS IN ITALY AND DEF ONE OF THE BEST CLUB GIGS EVER WE HAD AT M2 CLUB IN SEOUL (KOREA). ONE OF THE WORST GIG WAS SHOW IN FRANCE, BECAUSE THE CLUB LOST HIS LICENSE AND HAD TO CLOSE. SO WE DIDNT PLAY AND SPENT A NIGHT IN THE HOTEL....
You will return to Bangkok on 5th June to perform at The Club Khaosan, where you have already performed once in 2008, followed by performances in 2010 at Bed Supperclub and in 2011 at Club Insomnia. Did you keep the gigs in good memory? Are you excited to return to Bangkok?
EVERYTIME WE PLAYED IN BANGKOK WE HAD AN AMZING TIME. WE LIKE THE THAI PEOPLE AND THE ENERGY IN THE CITY. SPECIALY AT THE CLUB ITS ALWAYS SPECIAL AS MARCO WONG IS A OLD FRIEND AND FEELS LIKE COMING HOME WHEN WE PLAY AT THE CLUB! ITS GOING TO BE A CRAZY NIGHT!
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? Do you enjoy Thai food?
WE ALWAYS TRY THE FOOD OF THE COUNTRY WE ARE VISITING, JUST LEARNED TO BE CAREFULL WITH FOOD FROM THE STREET AND SPECIAL THINGS WE DONT EAT IN EUROPE. IF YOU TRY THE WRONG FOOD IT COULD DESTROY OUR SHOW :))
What can Bangkok expect of your performance at The Club Khaosan on 5th June?
WE WILL BE BACK AT THE CLUB WITH A LOT OF NEW PLASTIK FUNK TRACKS, REMIXES AND EDITS. WE CANT WAIT TO ROCK AND PARTY WITH THE PARTY PEOPLE OVER THERE! LETS GET CRAZY!!!