Joining us at this year’s ADE in the G-Shock popup studio at the Nexus Lounge Amsterdam, we had the chance to speak with iconic Finnish DJ and all-round creative force Darude about his recent performances, his upcoming album, his time at ADE, and more.
It’s been eight years since the release of his last album (Moments) but that’s not to say Darude hasn’t been busy. His new album (Together) has been lighting up dance floors across Europe with catchy collaboration “Outlaws” drawing particular acclaim.
The album as a whole comprises 12 tracks of classic dance music with a distinctly modern twist. Working with a wide variety of contributing artists (including PAENDA, Evan Henzi, and Gid Sedgwick) Together combines Darude’s recent work with tracks he’s been developing for over a decade.
Of course, it’s not all been about working on the new album. Hitting the stage at the 2019 Eurovision song contest, he joined popular singer Sebastian Rejman to represent Finland with the incredible track “Look Away”.
Of course, it’s not all about working on the new album. Hitting the stage at the 2019 Eurovision song contest, he joined popular singer Sebastian Rejman to represent Finland with the incredible track “Look Away”.
“It was the best experience,” he says, describing his time in Tel Aviv. “I didn’t do too well in the contest, sadly, but at the same time, I got to experience the whole Finnish part of the production, the whole promo tour in the spring, and then the Tel Aviv contest. And I made friends.”
Listening to his latest album, there’s a clear and present theme throughout the work – one that made it into the title of both the album and the opening track. Together, as the name suggests, is an album all about connecting with people, and it’s a message he well and truly lived up to at this year’s ADE when he hosted an A&R session with fans, listening to and giving feedback on their work to help them develop their sound.
“I’ve been thinking of this theme that I want to do like a kind of tribute to my fans… I want to thank my fans and followers, some of whom have been with me for 20 plus years! Hopefully, when I play for them, when I’m in the same space with them, we’re in it together. I don’t think of myself like a separate entity, you know, throwing down the music, but one of the party people. We’re in it together.”
If you’d like to learn more about Darude, his experiences in Finland and America, and the creative process behind his latest album, then be sure to check out the full, exclusive Nexus Radio interview below.
