For globe-trotting Dutchman Fedde Le Grand, three Top 10 UK hits in the last 18 months has demonstrated his appeal both in and out of clubs and, as he explains to ITM, there’s plenty more to come. Following the runaway success of last year’s party anthem Put Your Hands Up For Detroit and its follow up The Creeps featuring Camille Jones, Fedde is once again sitting pretty in the ARIA Top 20 with Let Me Think About It, his latest Ministry Of Sound released single featuring Ida Corr on vocals.
It’s been a whirlwind time for the softly-spoken 30 year old who, only four years ago, was relatively unknown outside Holland’s underground club scene. Following the release of several well-received underground house singles on Toolroom Trax, Work Records and his own Flamingo imprint, Fedde was juggling a modest DJ schedule with running his own Sneakerz club night in Holland until Put Your Hands Up For Detroit burst out of the clubs and hit prime position in the UK Singles charts, consequently catapulting him into the international spotlight.
It’s been like that ever since and now, 18 months later, Fedde is looking forward to returning to Australia after his stint earlier this year on the lineup of Future Music Festival. He was here when Put Your Hands Up For Detroit was at a peak in terms of popularity, and he speaks glowingly of Australian crowds. “If it’s anything like last time I will be enjoying myself for sure,” he says. “The thing that struck me most was [how] the Australian people really really really know their music; they are so into it, it really amazed me actually.”
High praise indeed from a man who this year has clocked up some serious frequent flyer points, playing over 200 dates everywhere from Ibiza to London. And the secret to not burning out? “You have to be a little bit of a monk sometimes,” he says. “You have to treat your body in the right way and try and stay healthy or else it can really really get to you. Of course from time to time you’re tired but it’s actually more from the traveling than playing out.”
Nonetheless, these sentiments shouldn’t be mistaken for a dwindling in enthusiasm. “I have been playing for 14 or 15 years now; mostly in Holland in the beginning but I never get tired of it.”
Consistent chart success has ruined more than one credible DJ-producer’s reputation in the past but Fedde denies having ‘sold out’ to a commercial sound; rather, he concentrates doing what he loves, regardless of its commercial appeal. “For me it’s not about being commercial or having crossover hits or about being as underground as possible,’ he explains. “I just try and do the things that I like. If it crosses over it crosses over, if it doesn’t it just doesn’t.
“I’m working on my album at the moment and I’m not sure if anything’s going to cross over. As soon as you label yourself you also kill your creativity; when you’re as open-minded as I try to be I think you’re able to be more creative than when you start labeling yourself or limiting yourself.”
On the topic of his album, rhe eagerly awaited release is set to feature new collaborations with Ida Corr, Camille Jones, Bodyrox’ Luciana, the Stereo MCs and even Moloko’s Roison Murphy, as well as a few surprises that Fedde believes will reinforce his versatility as a producer.
“With an album, it’s really nice to pretty much do everything you like,” he says. “There’s one almost RnB track on the album… Not that I’m all of a sudden playing RnB music but I think production-wise it’s nice to do different stuff. I think the most important thing for me is that it’s all about love for music and not about being popular.”
Popularity aside, of which Fedde has no shortage of, there’s nothing he likes more on a night off than doing ‘normal stuff’. “When you travel so much you actually get to appreciate the normal simple things even more. I’ll probably just go to a movie or have some dinner with friends. Last night I actually had a night off because I have to work on my album a lot. I went gaming with a few friends so it was kind of nerdy but really nice.”
You can catch Fedde Le Grand playing at the following shows around the country…
30 November – Platinum Nightclub, Gold Coast
1st December – Stereosonic, Melbourne
1st December – Foreshore Festival, Canberra
1st December – Ministry of Sound Festival, Sydney
2nd December – Ministry of Sound Festival, Perth
Let Me Think About It is out now through Ministry Of Sound/EMI, check out the clip below!
DJ Benji says...
Any dates on the release of this album???
Timmac says...
Quote from Fedde Le Grand regarding his album release date: 'I hope to finish it around March probably. You know how it is with albums; it’s always later than you think.'
benpeake says...
I am in love.