If last summer's hints at Solomun's thriving dominance over the White Isle were verified, with three residency takeovers and a smattering of gigs covering yet more of Ibiza's most worshipped clubbing haunts, 2016 is hell bent on overtaking as the benchmark. Before even reaching Balearic soil, the Balkan bon vivant had already scored off four continents with a relentless touring schedule that's had him transmitting a distinctly emotive trademark sound.
Now that we've already been propelled through the entrance to season 2016, we got a lucky shot at speaking to the underground beacon to get word on his expectations for the summer, his Diynamic imprint, Pacha's underground identity, and much, much more.
You had some weeks off touring over the winter months. What'd you get up to?
"I was trying to chill out and to work on producing music. The most important thing was no parties of course. After almost 10 months of travelling this is really important to me, and I am thinking about doing a longer break early next year maybe, something like three months or so."
It's the fourth season of Solomun +1 at Pacha. How are you feeling about the big names on the line-up that are making their +1 debut and how they'll each suit your residency?
"For me it's an honour that so many of my incredibly talented colleagues tend to return to Solomun +1 or are keen to give their debuts this year. It's great that Richie Hawtin will play for the first time - same with Damian Lazarus and Black Coffee. It's also amazing that Sven Väth and Dubfire return this year. And then we have the regulars - the guys who have been with me from the start like Âme, DJ Koze and Dixon."
Richie Hawtin joining you is some of this season's biggest news. What can we expect from that night with yours and Richie's contrasting styles?
"It's a huge challenge. Richie and I have never played B2B before, so it will be an interesting experiment - we will see how it works out. But this is something I like so much with the +1-concept, that I can play B2B with such artists who play a different sound than me in general like Richie, Sven or Dubfire. And the people at Pacha, they know since four years now that they can expect also a harder sound on the Sundays, so I am not worried about that at all - I'm totally looking forward to it."
How are you feeling about being locked in for a second residency swap with Sven? Is there an added pressure to outdo last season's performances?
"Of course there's always pressure, especially when the last time at Cocoon was so special. I have to take it relaxed anyway, but I will be nervous before I start to play."
We're thrilled that + LIVE has returned to Destino, and we're also really excited for its debut at Ushuaïa. How did this addition come about? What made you think Ushuaïa was right for the concept?
"Ushuaïa and Destino are two amazing outdoor venues - both great - but also both with a different character. We had to split the residency because Destino didn't get the needed amount of licences for outdoor parties, and we all know how political this is in Ibiza at the moment with outdoor parties."
With Diynamic reaching a milestone 10 years in the game, what's your plans for the label's artists this year?
"In the first place we celebrate 10 years of Diynamic this year. With some nights in several cities where we take over two or three clubs the same night and all Diynamic artists play in every club. We did this to start in April in Berlin, and it was just a blast to play Diynamic sound at Watergate for like, 30 hours. Besides that everybody at Diynamic is doing really well. And we have more festivals and showcases then ever before, so I'm looking really forward to it."
How do you keep the interest with your different projects going on in Ibiza?
"You name it: balance is always the key. Our life is so hectic that without balance you can burn out too fast. I am in the lucky position to always trust my gut feeling and I have a team around me of long-term friends that I can trust. Without those two things it would be much harder for me."
What do you think about Maceo Plex and his residency at Pacha taking the club further underground?
"When I started Solomun +1 at Pacha, I got - besides lots of positive reactions - also some bad feedback from people that I know and respect. 'How can you go to Pacha, this is not underground at all', but I always said 'Trust me, I know what I'm doing', and of course it's a challenge, but it will be good. And luckily so it was. But it took me lots of effort in the first year to convince colleagues to join me at Pacha and to play with me, and all of them were happy and totally convinced after the night. That's why I was always hoping, during the last years, that another underground night at Pacha can be established, like Guy Gerber tried it in 2013. Luciano did the first step at Pacha with more underground sounds, I did the second one together with Guy Gerber, and I guess the risk for Maceo now is not so high anymore, since the people know how great Pacha can be with the right sound. I think it's a good pair with Maceo, he obviously goes more for the darker techno sound. I wish him all the best."
You rework tracks from artists across different genres and just released two from NYC rock band, Interpol. You normally spend some days to see if you have a feel for the track. How does the visionary process differ between reworking electronic dance tracks and say rock or indie?
"At the end of the day it's the same process. I try to feel if there is something for me to discover in the original track. And then I take it from there and try to find a new access."
When was the last time you felt that you'd taken a risk in your career and why did you take it?
"Oh my there were quite a few, when we started with DIY parties and Diynamic music, nobody had any money, so it was a risk to run a label."
With so many hats to wear (DJ, producer, promoter, label owner), how do you prioritise your time?
"That's a tough question because sometimes I don't know it too. But at the end it mostly works. With the years I tend to decide faster, since I have less time to think over things than back in the day."
What's the strangest display of affection you've had from a fan?
"That would be a rude thing to tell."
I read that you like to unwind with TV and snacks. What are you watching at the moment?
"I just finished Ray Donovan and the third season of House of Cards."
WORDS | Aimee Lawrence