INTERVIEW: ADRIAN LUX

The Swedish music export phenomenon is much more than ABBA, Roxette and The Cardigans. SACC SD managed to get a word with the world famous Swedish DJ and music producer Adrian Lux, who openly talked about his career, his view on Swedish DJ’s success in the world and what career he would have pursued if he didn’t have music.

Prinz Adrian Johannes Hynne, better known as Adrian Lux, is a 28-year-old Swedish Grammy nominated (2011) disk jockey and music producer. His biggest chart success is “Teenage Crime” released in 2010. Since then, Adrian Lux has released his debut album (2012), collaborated with many of the most prominent DJs and toured all around the world with his unique techno/house sound.

Welcome to sunny San Diego Adrian! How are you?
Thank you very much! I’m great, it’s hard to feel bad when in San Diego. This is the definition of good life, right?

When did you decide that you wanted to work with music full-time?
I actually took that decision quite recently. It’s basically just now that I have decided to really take a hold of my life and give this a shot. Music has always been a big part of my life, but it has never been something I thought I would do for a living. Just as many other house producers, I’m actually a bit nerdy. Sometime when I was a kid I stopped playing computer games and started playing with music production programs instead. It was basically the same thing, you stay up all night playing with different settings and sounds, you talk to other friends online who are doing the same thing…

What do you think you would do if you didn’t continue with your music?
I would actually like to be a marine biologist! Haha! Unfortunately I never had the grades for it though… but I am very fascinated by the ocean and stuff.

But then when I was 16, I started taking music a bit more seriously. I produced more music and played at different clubs around Stockholm. And from there it has really just accelerated.

And then there was that song ”Teenage crime”….
Haha yeah. Teenage crime was a huge success. I did have some limited success before that with a more pop-dance sound – but Teenage Crime was on a whole other level. It was an over-night experience. The success continued for some time, but then I felt that it died out a little over a month or so – and I thought ”OK, that was that.” but then it took fire again and just continued to grow over a 4 year period. It was crazy.

And now you are in San Diego, just one of many stops on your upcoming tour. Do you notice any difference in playing in the US compared to back home in Sweden?
A few years back when I was touring Sweden and the US, there was a huge difference! I still believe one of the reasons for Sweden to produce that many great and world known DJ’s is that it’s ridiculously hard to get Swedish people to dance. You have to be really good in order for the stiff Swedes to let go, dance and just surrender themselves to the music. It maybe not be the ONLY reason, but still…

My experience is that Americans go out to have fun, to dance and to go all in, which you can clearly tell from the stage. I love when the crowd is just getting in their zones and go bananas, rather than staring at the DJ and jump around when the drop comes.

What are your plans for the future?
San Diego is actually the start of a new tour for me. After this I’m going to San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis… any some other cool places. That is going to be a lot of fun. Other than that I will be spending a lot of time in a studio in Los Angeles to produce new music that will be released next year.

But first you have a concert at Bassment in downtown San Diego. Maybe not the biggest club on your tour, but still. What are your expectations for the night?
I have actually played at Bassment a few times now and I love the place. The low roof and the great crowd make a very tight sound. I think I will try a lot of my newly produced music and give the audience a good show!

I always want to leave a mark and give the crowd something different – something new. We will just have to wait and see if that is a wise choice – maybe I will be working down at the grocery store pretty soon! Haha.

Thank you very much for meeting us Adrian and good luck on your tour and future career. We will make sure to bring a big group of Swedish people to the concert tomorrow night!
Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to it. How awesome wouldn’t it be if we could fill Bassment with only Swedish people?? That would be crazy. I know that there is a strong Swedish community here in San Diego, it must be a blast to live here.

It sure is. Welcome back any time!
Thanks, I definitely will.

Written by Truls Olterman
Interview conducted by Adrian Millen