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10 Questions with ... Felix Jaehn
April 12, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FelixJaehnMusic Twitter: twitter.com/FelixJaehn Instagram: www.instagram.com/felixjaehn
1) Where are you from and when did you start DJing?
I'm from Hamburg, Germany and I started DJing when I was like 15-16. I was just playing at birthday parties and student nights, and those kinds of stuff.
2) Was that two or three years ago?
No, actually it's a bit more! I'm 21 now. Come on, I'm not that young! I am young and I look even younger, but I'm not that young! LOL
3) You've had a couple of big records this year including "Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)" [featuring Jasmine Thompson] was really big; what made you decide to remake that record?
Well, that's a tough question, people always ask me that and I guess I don't actually know. You just need to hear a song and kind of feel it or whatever. And I think that it's such a big tune and it's definitely a classic. Every one knows this song. Even though I'm younger than the song, I still grew up listening to it at hotel bars or my parents spinning it, or whatever. So I always liked the song and I felt like it's about time for a new version.
4) Were your parents an inspiration for you musically?
Definitely. They're not into music as I much as I am and they don't play any instruments, but those are the people you spend the most time with and they give you advice with everything, so my parents are definitely an inspiration.
5) Is there another favorite song that we should be looking forward to?
Not really, to be honest. Now the focus will be on my own original music. I want to show the world that I am capable of writing my own music. I've spent enough time at studios all over Europe. So there's a lot of new music coming out, but no covers for now.
6) What's new for you, music-wise?
I just did a collaboration with Steve Aoki called "Can't Go Home." Adam Lambert did the vocals, so that should be huge!
7) You must be touring the world; is there a favorite city for you to DJ in?
I would have to say Miami. I just played Ultra and also did a set in Miami supporting David Guetta. That was amazing.
8) Did you think that you'd be here five, six years ago?
No, I didn't ever think I would be here. But Ultra was actually one of my dreams; it's just that kind of festival that you watch the livestream and dream of when you're sitting in your room. making beats ... you just play the live stream, and "Oh, I want to be there one day." So yeah!
9) One of the biggest records, worldwide, has been Omi's "Cheerleader" and I remember hearing the song and thinking it's basically a Reggae record. If I heard the story right, Patrick Moxey reached out to you to remix it and it became a game-changer for you?
Pretty much, it was Tom from Ultra Music Europe who reached out first, and then they just sent me a remix request that was originally a Reggae Pop song as you mentioned. I kind of felt like it had potential and the vibe was amazing already, so I just asked them for the a cappella and kind of filled it with a new track around it. It's definitely a lot faster ... and it turned out great! Definitely was a game-changer! It was my first hit, and it was the second biggest hit worldwide last year besides "Lean On," so yeah, it couldn't be any better!
10) It seems to have happened pretty quickly, almost overnight because of that song; if you were to give some career advice to a young person starting out, what piece of advice would you give them?
I guess the main advice is just to focus on yourself and on your music because a lot of people spend time hating on big artists like "he's not even good, why is he popular" ... stuff like that is a waste of time. So just focus on your own music and productions, and then try to use the Internet as a platform to reach out to people like contacts, blogs, build a Facebook fan base or Soundcloud, Instagram or Twitter or whatever. Put out your music and people will find it.
Bonus Questions
If we were back home in Germany, and we wanted to get something to good to eat, is there a favorite restaurant?
If you ever make it to TravemÜnde, which is close to the sea, go to Casablanca.
In Germany, if we were driving in your car, what would your fans be surprised to hear you're listening to?
Actually, I mainly listen to Classical radio in my car at home. I don't think that most people would expect that when you're making popular beats and vocals and just pop kind of stuff all day. You're listening to it and making it, so when I'm in the car, I just want to shut down and just chill. Classical music in the background is perfect.
On the Autobahn, what's the fastest you've driven?
About 260 kilometers, which would be around 160 MPH
What's harder, driving 260 kilometers per hour or playing Ultra?
Ultra because it's definitely harder to get booked there, but in a fast car you just have to go for it.
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