Spanish duo Pig & Dan are about to head to Australia, and with their Cocoon label-boss Sven Vath having obliterated audiences on the Future Music Festival tour just last month, their first ever visit won’t come a moment too soon. “We are all about music with balls and maximum dynamics,” the non-animal monikered half of the duo told ITM recently.

With a well worn reputation on the Ibiza scene, the duo have also made their mark in the production game with releases on the aforementioned Cocoon, as well as Pickadoll, Data Punk and their own Sonic Society imprint. When asked what they were looking forward to on their first visit down under, the reply was simple. “We can’t wait to mash up the crowd and make the best of the experience.” We can’t wait either.

You’ve both been in the industry a long time. What are some of the biggest change you have witnessed over that time?

I think the whole industry has become much kinder in general. It used be a scene of bad boys who ran the club industry, however now it seems to be run like a big family that’s devoted to making fun instead of just money making. Good vibes where always around, but it has become very respectful now too.

Who has been your major influence?

If we have to single a person out, Sven Väth has been our biggest influence, because he is a genuine person and someone who knows how to kick a crowd’s ass into having a real good time. I truly hope we do what he does to people.

Describe your sound and what dance music means to you?

Our sound is a real mish mash which has influences of acid house all way through to techno and trance anthems. As artists and DJs we are all about music with balls and maximum dynamics. [We’re] big room raving looneys.

What do you guys have in the pipeline for 2008?

Lots of work, remixing and producing, plus a load of work behind the wheels of steel. We have releases coming out shortly with Cocoon and Data Punk, plus our own label Sonic Society. Many remixes have been completed, for the likes of John Dahlback and Phil Kieran. We are also touring in between releases constantly. We hit Japan [before Australia], which we’re looking forward to. We hope there’s many good times and silly nights ahead.

You have worked with drum & bass identity Grooverider in the past, what do you think of the Dubai incident? How do you feel about the comment that DJs should stop playing there because of their zero tolerance policy?

Well, it is how it is, and I don’t feel you can boycott a country because of its beliefs and values. We are entertainers and have a job to do as professionally as we can. I’m gutted that he has to suffer a very long term for what I feel is such a small crime, however he should know not to take anything with him to a place that doesn’t accept it. He is being used as a media example, which is terribly unfortunate.

What was the defining moment for you in your career to date?

I can’t remember. That’s how good it was!

Vinyl or digital; what is your weapon of choice?

I’m mister digi these days and love playing CDs on big systems. It now holds warmth and is very light to travel with. Pig is still in the vinyl world, which I fully respect because I was as well for so many years. So the answer is both I guess!

If you got the chance to organise the ultimate party, who would be playing?

It would be three rooms; room one is Sven Väth, Pig & Dan and Ricardo Villalobos; room two is Earth, Wind & fire and the Jungle Brothers; room three would be The Orb all night long.

Besides DJing, what are you looking forward to most when you come down under this month?

The people, and sucking up the culture. I love the mentality of the Ozzy crew. We can’t wait to mash up the crowd and make the best of the experience. We’ve heard so much about your tiny island and just can’t wait to see it, touch it and feel it. “Tin ‘o blue Sheila”.

Where does the name ‘Pig’ actually come from?

A love for food is the true background of that nickname.

What do you listen to away from the scene?

Everything. Dub, reggae, soul, 70s rock… we love anything with feeling.

How do you stamp your personality on a set?

We base our sets on what we produce, so we feel that makes us unique. Also we really concentrate on the ride; the ups and downs and impact. It’s full on…

Don’t miss Pig & Dan ‘sucking up the culture’ along the east coast this month! You’ll regret it if you let this one pass you by…

Thu Apr 24 – Ffour, Melbourne
Fri Apr 25 – Empire, Brisbane
Sat Apr 26 – Kink, Sydney