World travellers

It’s a little unusual: a musical performance duo who live continents apart but who insist on playing live together, however that’s just how life is at the moment for Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello who as Swedish stable-mates (since school) have developed alongside each other in the progressive house music mixing business. Making up one half of the world renowned ‘Swedish House Mafia Collective’ with whom other house lynchpins Axel and Eric Prydz keep them company, the pair will tour their way around these parts when they feature on the bill of Future Entertainment’s, Future Music Festival.

For Sebastian, obviously bleary eyed while chatting via telephone to me from his home in Sweden (a reckless night of debauchery preceeded our phone call; the Bloody Beetroots were in town) this fun-loving party boy is the first to admit his current working relationship with Angello is far from ideal.

‘I mean at the moment Steve is living in Los Angeles and I live in Sweden so it’s a bit difficult for us to work together, as soon as we get together like for this tour we’re sure to make something between the gigs.”

Ingrosso is high spirited and convincing in his love and desire to visit Australia again. Returning after just over a year since their last visit fans will be treated to sets that are unrivalled by those previously seen in other countries.

“It’s going to be better in Australia.” He says emphatically.

“We love it there, we love the people, cos they are so nice, the food is so nice, everything is just perfect there.”

Just how much preparation will have gone into the sets they prepare for the Future Music round of shows is not an issue for Ingrosso, his confidence, which borders on slight arrogance will carry him through regardless.

“When we play festivals like this it’s a huge crowd, we prepare a little bit, you know we prepare a few bootlegs, some special tracks to shock the crowd. “

Sebastian Ingrosso on his own is an accomplished producer, owner to his own label: ‘Refune’ for over six years. Making music since the age of 16 the integrity he applies to his craft is incontestable the world over. He’s not one to listen to criticism should it fall in his path and remains self assured that what he does is pretty damn good.

“You always make music and you will always have people who will hate it and people who will love it. I think I know what I’m doing.

“I don’t make singles featuring whoever, I mean I make dance music and I wanna make people dance and if I make myself wanna dance and my ass is shaking then I am quite satisfied,” he says matter-of-factly.

When he’s not scouting for new talent in the clubs of Sweden (a small but fertile scene he assures) you can find Ingrosso occupying himself with other people’s music. Remixing a long repoirtoire of artists at the moment he finds himself trying to finish the remixed version of Tiga’s Mind Dimension.

However his most prominent and passionate project of the moment involves of course playing partner Angello and some old friends in music mixing, Bloodshy and Avant who are known for their remixing of Britney and Madonna, much more commercialised music tastes from what one can gather. The collaboration goes under the name of ‘We Music Murder’ has been borne in the past two years of friendly banter.

“It’s very very strange it can be played on radio but still at home or in concert it’s very very different but, he adds, cool!”

For Ingrosso the desire to continue on this music-making journey is in no fear of ending, he maintains he and Angello will continue their chosen career because it’s fun.

“I mean we want to have to fun, of course you know it’s our job, I mean to make music and play it for a big crowd that’s the best feeling ever so you need to keep making music.”

Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angelo will take the stage nationally for Future Music Festival this month, visitwww.futureentertainment.com.au

Ruth Bailey

Posted: March 15th, 2009 under FESTIVALS, INTERVIEWS, international.
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