Interview: Laidback Luke

Your most recent release ‘Stealth LIVE!’ recorded in Amsterdam just came out on Beatport. Can you tell us more about this series?

The Stealth Live compilations are an extension of the Stealth Live events that Roger Sanchez’s label is throwing, all over the world.

It’s a new concept, as they are trying to catch the vibe of a night and put it on a CD.

For this compilation I mixed it in one take in a club and in front of a crowd. It’s really live!

That must have been a lot of pressure. While you’re known for your fancy handiwork behind the decks, were you at all nervous to perform under the gun like that?

To be honest, it was quite nerve wracking!

I can handle pressure, but I had never done something like this before.

Think about it: Every touch is recorded and put out on the CD.

Luckily I had one hour to get used to the booth, the environment and the crowd before we actually pressed the record button


So, did you prep your set completely beforehand?

No, what we did was license 50 tracks, and I could pick them out in the moment itself.

It’s really the best thing to do in front of a crowd as you want to keep the vibe going in the moment, and there was lots of room for spontaneity.

I think it’s important to have that kind of edge in a compilation like this.

What was your DJ set up for this production? Did it vary at all from what you usually use?

Yes, it did actually vary to what I would normally choose to use.

This was because the big boss (Roger Sanchez) was playing right after me and he has a different setup than me.

I had to mix it on a Pioneer DJM1000 mixer with the external EFX 1000 and 3 MKIII CD players.

I’m really a DJM 800 man so I was kind of bummed having to mix the compilation on Roger’s setup.

Then again, I can get really crazy on a DJM800, whereas I mix safer on a DJM1000, so I guess it was better for the compilation in the end.

What was the setup in the venue like?

They had mics hanging in the club and had them coming in on separate channels.

We did have to fade the crowd in and out in the mix though, because it can sound kind of reverby when the club’s sounds blends with the whole audio.

Why was Amsterdam the city of choice to kick it off with?

Amsterdam was the chosen starting point because I’m Dutch. This first compilation is linked to me so it’s a logical choice to make it an Amsterdam kick off!

So now with this album under your belt, are you planning on busting out some remixes? You have a pretty well established reputation on that front.

Thank you! Well bad news then, as I’ve stopped remixing completely for now.


What made you decide to do that?

I’m focusing on new own material at the moment.

And at the rate I’m going with my new demos, I’m thinking of doing an album actually.

We’ll keep an eye out for that. So, as the year comes to an end, can you tell us what were some standout moments/gigs for you in 2008?

2008 was such an amazing year for me! It was one big standout really.

Doing the Essential Mix in February was amazing. Geez, I had so many cool gigs.

Like, Sensation White Amsterdam on prime time, Mysteryland mainstage, and the UK festivals were awesome.

All the Ibiza gigs I did, I had never been to the island that much like this summer.

Doing this well in the DJ top 100 was a big surprise to me as well.

I know there’s been rumours of an Ibiza residency – any word on that?

Nah, I can’t tell you anything about that I’m sorry. Let’s say it’s looking really good.

And finally, any other information you’d like the readers to know?

I just would like to thank all of you for the amazing support.

You are the real superheroes! Let’s keep making more music and enjoy music!


Fuente: BP