To Cajuan, making music and playing live is essentially connected to socialising. Not that he doesn’t take his work seriously, he does, but what lies underneath it is the important stuff – friendships bound together by music. Almost everything we speak about during our short fifteen minutes he relates back to his friends. It’s almost a German way of thinking – and especially in cities like Hamburg, where he’s based – where creatives mix together, work together and party together, like an extended family.
His connection with Digitalism began like this. “We know each other from Hamburg when we were DJing together,” he says in a thick German accent. “It took a few years. They had some major offers. I pre-produce their records.” But the relationship is much deeper than this. “We’re good friends. We hang out with the same friends.”
His work managing Digitalism obviously takes up a large chunk of his time, and he says it’s harder work than playing. “The production takes more of a concentration. I always want to deliver something of high quality standard.” He says his sets are much less stress-free. “I’ve DJed for more than fifteen years. Before I go out on weekends, I prepare my set. I take some old stuff out and put some new stuff in. I use instant messenger programs and find out some hot new tunes. I’ve got a big collection of records – 15,000 records.” 15,000 I gasp, where does he house them? “That’s a good question,” he laughs. “I’ve just moved into a flat, and they’re all in one room.”
His next record is going to be funkier and groovier. “Maybe I go down and play more groovy DFA [James Murphy’s label],” he says. “I also wanted to include some instruments. More disco and also electronic.” The song to look out for, he insists, will be a remix of Eric D Clarke’s… “You know the one,” he asks. “You know, Jacques lu Cont, Les Rhythms Digitales,” he continues. “So, whatever. It’ll be a remix of that. But more old school.”
Interestingly, Cajuan is one of the few artists I’ve interviewed who knows who he’ll be playing alongside when he tours for Parklife. Often DJs just don’t have the time or energy to check out their counterparts at these kind of events, but Cajuan insists that he is not one of those types. “I know who’s playing there. We’re a small circle of musicians who play this banging electronic music. There’s like thirty people you hang out with. I will stay and look at some people, definitely.”
“I’ve never played in Australia, I’ve been touring in Europe and Japan. But I always had a really good vibe [about Australia]. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll stay some days in Sydney, meet Modular, hang out with the Presets, and go for dinner.” Hmmm, sounds like he’s trying to make us jealous, especially when he hints at the Parklife afterparty. “Everyone said ‘you’re not allowed to talk about it!’,” but he assures me there will be one, and he will be there.
If you’re heading to Parklife for any of the remaining dates, you’ll be able to check what Cajuan is all about. Even if he does have the ‘throw some records in a bag’ kind of attitude towards DJing, he still takes his audience’s reaction seriously. “I play my style,” he says. “I build the sound to a climax, then I smooth it down again. I like to be in communication with the crowd. I like seeing the people all together. I don’t play too long.” And what exactly is the ideal reaction from the crowd? “I would like to see them jumping up and down,” he laughs. Get ready to bounce!
Cajuan continues his tour of Australia with Parklife this weekend:
Sat Sep 29 – Parklife, Brisbane
Sat Sep 29 – Parklife Afterparty, Brisbane
Sun Sep 30 – Parklife, Sydney
Sun Sep 30 – Afterlife, Sydney
