It's not something you could state with any mathematical certainty, but it seems safe to say that Joel Zimmerman (a.k.a. Deadmau5) made more people dance in 2007 than anything, or anyone, else. The Toronto-based producer set the bar for progressive electro-house so high that it's practically visible from space, with everything from "Not Exactly" and "Jaded" to "We Fail" and "The Reward is Cheese." Zimmerman even tore it up in the collaborations department with his work in BSOD ("This Is the Hook") and on various remixes (the highly illegal "Jump Around"). Producers rarely ever stay that hot for that long, and nobody does it right out of the gate, and Zimmerman managed it by staying busy. He gave me five quick minutes, and I asked questions as fast as I possibly could, and here's what happened... |
Step back, I wanna kiss myself! Deadmau5 with Deadmau5, in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Deadmau5's Myspace.
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You won pretty much every award you could win in the Beatport awards, and got a ton of accolades from people like Tiesto and Armin Van Buuren. How does it feel to have been one of the year's biggest producers?
Well it's amazing that so many people voted for me at the Beatport Awards, that's why we gave them a free track back to say thank you for all their support. It means so much. And then to have the support of so many of the top guys is just the icing on the cake. It doesn't feel like I am doing anything different, I just love making tracks in the studio, and then to have so much support for what you love is great. A very big thank you to all the supporters and the fans!!
Given all the success you enjoyed, I'm going to ask you geeky fan-boy bests: best party you've ever played?
[laughs] I have to answer so many geeky questions, this one is a cool question. Mansion in Miami - it was off the hook! Can't wait to go back there!
Biggest party/event you've ever played.
That was this weekend when I supported Fatboy Slim at WIRELESS 02 in London: 35,000. It was huge on the main stage.
Favorite festival.
So far, I think it would have to be the two sets I did at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami this year. We worked really hard doing a video for the show and it worked really well. 
Favorite remix or collaboration.
WTF was really fun with Tommy Lee, Steve Duda and DJ Aero. We had a great time at Tommy's house making these tracks. Remix-wise it has to be Jorgensen - "I Don't Care," on Toolroom.
Okay, that's enough. On a completely unrelated note, how did you start working with Tommy Lee? Does he bring anything to the table besides babes and trouble?
Well, we have been friends for some time now. We linked up through Steve Duda, and have all been friends from there. We all work really well together and have a great time making the tracks at Tommy's house. Great studio there.
If you could collaborate with anybody (and we do mean ANYBODY), who would you collaborate with?
Wow. Tough question. It would be maybe Boards of Canada. They have a great sound. Or Autechre from Germany. But I'm open to anything and everything, if it could work.
Would you say you have specific musical influences, or were you just somebody who went out a lot and took it all in?
No, I didn't go out that much. I have always just worked in the studio. I've listened to so much, and I like so much.
In terms of influences, what's Toronto like as a club spot?
Well right now we have a great club scene. My favorite is Footwork, but there are so many good producers coming out of Toronto right now so it really makes the scene so good. I Can't wait to come back to play the Virgin Festival later this year.
Do you have any interest in making albums, or do you think it's just singles?
Yes. We are doing a live mix album this year, and then early next year we will be doing an artist, this should drop around February of next year. I will be touring the live album in the U.S. starting in September this year, really looking forward to the North American tour! Then we move to the U.K. for October.
Finish this sentence: in five years, Deadmau5 will be....
Totally burnt out and retired....Just kidding!
Deadmau5 will be performing live at Irving Plaza on Friday, July 18. Tickets are available here and here (no service charge at this one!). Do not miss it. |
