From his big-room house productions to the Super You&Me dress-up parties he throws around Europe, Laidback Luke is all about putting fun first. The flying Dutchman returns to Australia next month to play the inthemix 10 years main arena at We Love Sounds and Winter Sound System, following his energetic performances last year. He gets on the phone to inthemix to get enthused about round two.

I see you’ve got a lot of gigs happening before you come to Australia. Has that been the theme of 2010 so far?
It’s been like this for the last couple of years, although it’s really busy at the moment. I’m loving every second of it though. I’ve worked hard to reach this level, although sometimes to keep up I feel like a professional athlete.

On the ‘professional athlete’ comment, do you feel it’s important to be a performer and not just a DJ?
I actually live by this quote Sting once said, “Perform every gig as if it’s your last one”. With that in mind, I’m doing that at every gig I have. It’s really important not to take it for granted. I mean, people pay good money and it’s the thing I love to do. You need to put all the effort you can into it.

Does that level of intensity ever take it out of you?
The performing part is the fun part of it. The travelling can be hard, especially when you come back from a gig, sleep one and a half hours, then take three flights, drive another three hours and perform straight away. The DJing and enjoying the music is fantastic though.

Can you tell me a bit about the inspiration behind the Super You&Me parties?
Well I think we reached the point where house music and dance parties are way too serious. We should go back to having crazy, stupid fun with our friends. Those are the best moments of going out. So I came up with this fancy dress-up thing, which especially works for me because I’ve always wanted to be a superhero. This is a good excuse for me to dress up.

I’ve noticed from throwing my parties here in Europe, it adds a special flavour to the night. You’re leading up to it for a week, picking out what to wear, and then just having fun. Other than that, I did need a platform for all the talent I’m guiding, to get their names out there. My nights often feel like my own birthday and I’m blessed I can throw my own birthday parties every two months!

You mentioned that dance parties have turned serious – when do you think that sense of fun got lost?
There’s a lot of people who are analysing the music, for one. Then there are a lot of people who just try to look cool and not sweaty. Then there’s a lot of DJs who just try to stick with one musical genre and play for the coolness of it, and forget it’s all about releasing yourself. It’s about people coming from work after a tough week and having fun.

You obviously put a lot of value on getting the vocals right in productions. Is it a fine line to tread to get the right effect from vocals?
I love vocals in tracks. I think vocals are really important. Most of the time, that’s what you sing along to and remember. Whenever you see me DJ, I’m always singing along, so I really love the combination of having something to sing to and a massive dancefloor energy with heavy bass and kicks.

You’re playing the inthemix 10 years main arena at Winter Sound System and We Love Sounds. Given we’re celebrating our tenth birthday, I wanted to hear what you think some of the major changes have been in the last decade of dance music?
There were so many changes, it’s crazy. On the technical side, it went from vinyl to people playing CDs to laptops. On the production side, I used to have a big studio, and now I just produce on a laptop, on the road or in the aeroplane. The overall scene has become a lot more business-orientated than ten years ago. Ten years ago, it was more about passion and love of music rather than being the superstar DJ with the fame and the fortune.

What has been a major musical moment of the past decade for you?
Maybe just house music becoming so massive and mainstream. I’m so proud house music has become a genre like rock or hip hop. I’ve been always into this sound, and have battled to take it overground. Although you can always say something on the downside, I’m really glad. With every two or three years, there’s different trends. A lot of them are cyclic. It just keeps it rolling and less dull.

Do you ever get the sense that some people perceive you as a newcomer because of all your recent successes?
I get that often. I think it’s flattering at my age that people think I’m a newcomer! Sometimes I get the benefit of that. Promoters will hire me to play for them for the first time. They’ll be like, “Okay kid, this is your shot, if you mess this up, we’re probably not going to book you again, but if you do good, we’re going to make you big in this country!” Having 13 years of DJ experience, I can manage stuff like that. It’s cool to surprise people, coming from an underdog position.

You were here for the same festival tour just last year. How did you find those shows?
It was amazing and such a warm welcome. It was just such a surprise to see how my profile had risen since the tour before. I’m anxious about coming back actually. I really look up to the others acts in the main arena. I’ve played a few times with Crookers and we get on really well. Our music compliments each other. Underworld is legendary of course. I think it will just be crazy fun.

Laidback Luke plays the inthemix 10 years arena at We Love Sounds and Winter Sound System. Stay up to date with all the developments at inthemix.com.au/10years.