Alesso
At 21 years old, Alesso (Alessandro Lindblad) is one of EDM (Electronic Dance Music) brightest and youngest talents. Being taken under the wing of Sebastian Ingrosso after giving his father a c.d. of his music, things have gone from strength to strength and his rise to the top continues to grow with interest. Earlier this year he was named EDM Artist To Watch for 2012 by MTV. Following that up he recorded a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix in March. His latest single, Calling (Lose My Mind) feat. Ryan Tedder – a collaboration with Ingrosso is a dance floor filler and is still winning new fans after Zane Lowe branded it ‘The hottest record in the world right now’ back in late January.
I caught up with the Swede straight after smashing a set out at Swedish House Mafia’s last U.K gig at the Milton Keynes Bowl. We spoke about his favourite super hero, going on tour with Madonna and his love of New York City.
Piers: Hi Alesso
Alesso: Hi,
P: How was that playing in front of maybe plus 50,000 people?!
A: Laughs, yeah it was good P: Is that your biggest and best gig yet?
A: umm yeah it was amazing but I think the best was my 21st birthday party in New York, you know it was so good because it was my own show and I got to invite people to play…. To play so that was amazing.
P: Who are your biggest influences? Are they mainly Swedish electronic bands and dj’s or is it more of a varied wider mixture?
A: I love house music and obviously Swedish House Mafia are a big influence, working closely with Seb has had a big influence on me but I loved the guys (Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, Steve Angello) individually before they were in Swedish House Mafia. I love rock music and pop as well though
P: How would you describe your sound?
A: Dance but melodic and beaty
P: How do you think EDM has changed in the last 5 years?!
A: it’s got much bigger, more mainstream. It’s becoming really big in the U.S so I’ve been spending a lot of time in New York. It’s kind of become my second home because of that.
P: You’re going on the MDNA tour with Madonna?!!! How did that come about, you must be psyched?!
A: Yeah it’s great; she got in contact with me and asked. Madonna is nearly Michael Jackson status, everyone knows who she is so it’s gong to be amazing. It’s something I’ve never done before, playing to a crowd like this so it’s definitely something I want to do.
P: Who’s your favourite superhero and why?!
A: Ah I love questions like these, it has to be Spiderman and well cause he’s a New Yorker.
P: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Michael Jackson status?!
A: umm haha no no, no one is that big except maybe.. Elvis. I don’t know, hopefully bigger and better, maybe I’ll be doing my own show at Milton Keynes Bowl?! that would be nice.
P: For all the ladies out there, is there a misses Alesso?
A: Haha, umm no there isn’t.. so my number is 07… hahaha
P: One last question, Do you have any advice for aspiring dj’s and producers?
A: yeah, sure, I think work hard, all the time and don’t party too hard. At the beginning when I was like 19 I was partying a lot but It is important not to party too much or it’s easy to lose track of where you want to go and who you want to be.
Tour Dates with Madonnna:
July 19 – Birmingham NIA Arena
July 20 – Edinburgh Murrayfield Stadium
July 24 – Dublin Aviva Stadium
August 7 – Moscow Olimpiski Arena
August 9 – St. Petersburg Skk Arena
August 15 – Oslo Telenor Arena
Listen in here http://soundcloud.com/alesso
