DADA LIFE: REACHING INTO SPACE

It’s certainly safe to say a lot has changed in the world of electronic-dance music since 2006, but one thing remains the same. After 17 years of performing wild shows and making a string of popular party records, the Swedish DJ duo Dada Life still knows how to make a crowd go bananas.

Consisting of Olle Cornéer and Stefan Engblom, the group has built a global audience on the strength of its hard-hitting anthems, like 2011’s “Kick Out The Epic Motherf**ker,” 2014’s “Born To Rage,” and 2020’s “This Time (Never Be Alone Again) ” And the shows? That’s another level of craziness, complete with the duo’s ongoing obsession with bananas (consuming and wearing), champagne (consuming and spraying) and general frivolity. In fact, Cornéer and Engblom found themselves etched in some quirky history, as they helped break two Guinness World Records for the biggest pillow fights in the world – with 5,000 pillows.

As we enter 2023, Dada Life recently teamed up with one of China’s finest talents, DEXTER KING, for their booming collaboration, “Take Me Into Space.” So, we felt the time was right to catch up with the dynamic Dada duo.

DJ LIFE: How would you say that Dada Life’s sound has evolved since the group first popped onto the scene in 2006?

Stefan Engblom: We don’t think so much about the music we do. We never follow trends. We just make the music we love. So, our sound has probably changed a bit during the years, but not too much. Right now, we’re leaning towards harder sounds, more inspired by the kind of techno we grew up with.

DJ LIFE: What do you think has been the key to Dada Life’s success and longevity?

Olle Cornéer: I think the reason we keep doing this is because we love it. If you create music because you love it, you can ride the waves of success and failure easily.

DJ LIFE: In your view, how has the electronic-dance-music landscape changed since the group’s beginnings?

Engblom: You make us feel so old! [laughs] But, we actually do remember when vinyl was the main format and DJs carried huge bags for each gig. When we released our first single – “Big Time” in 2006 – it was on vinyl. It has changed a lot. It’s gone from being something “underground” to becoming “mainstream” and exploding in a thousand micro-genres. But the essence of dance music is the same: Getting together in a sweaty place to lose yourself and just smile.

DJ LIFE: What advice do you have for up-and-coming DJ/producers who want to ascend to a lofty spot in the electronic-music world?

Cornéer: Learn by copying other peoples’ sounds until you’re good enough. And then stop copying altogether and create your own thing. If you do it because you love it – and not because you want to be successful – you will make it. Hopefully.

DJ LIFE: When it comes to music production, what gear and programs are you using in the studio these days?

Engblom: We use Ableton Live and have for over 10 years now. When it comes to plug-ins, that changes all the time. We use our own plug-ins – Sausage Fattener and Endless Smile – all the time, of course. Apart from those, we love the stuff from Oeksound, Valhalla and Xfer Records right now. We also have a bunch of synthesizers we use from time to time – but most of our sounds come from plug-ins.

DJ LIFE: When you two have a rough week or hit a wall creatively in the studio, how do you get back on track?

Cornéer: If we hit a wall with a certain song, we just drop it for a week or two, and work on another one. Then, when we get back to the first one, it usually sounds fresh, and you know instantly what was wrong and how to keep going.

DJ LIFE: Tell us a little about your new single, “Take Me Into Space,” with DEXTER KING and how it came together.

Cornéer: The aim with this song was to make something that could shatter the Earth and lift you to the sky like a rocket, because when that happens, you can’t stop smiling.

Engblom: We both wanted to make something really hard and dark. With him being in China and us in Sweden, it was actually no problem at all! We sent stuff back and forth almost every 10 minutes when we were working on the song. It was a collaboration in the proper sense.

DJ LIFE: Monstercat, which has become a staple within the world of electronic music, released this single. What’s it been like to work with them?

Cornéer: Amazing! We’re so grateful this song found a proper home!

DJ LIFE: What does Dada Life have in store for the rest of 2023?

Cornéer: So much stuff! We have a few songs lined up, waiting to be released. And we’re working on a brand-new plug-in that will be released sometime during the year as well. It’s almost done!

DJ LIFE: Dada Life has traveled around the world and seen legions of new dance fans over the years. What’s your message to the newbies on the scene now?

Engblom: Welcome! This scene is for everybody! Just smile and you’ll be fine!

– Brian Bonavoglia