Guys! Team MissMalini got an exclusive interview with David Guetta before he steals our hearts at the Enchanted Valley Carnival this weekend. The popular DJ answered our questions on music, Bollywood and also Priyanka Chopra. I know you’re curious to find out more about him. We can’t wait to camp in Aamby Valley and watch the maestro perform, can you?
Team MM: How does it feel to be back in India?
David Guetta: The main attraction of this country is that the audience here is extremely warm and the emotional response you get from them is something which every artist yearns for. Some DJs have decided to bet everything on the United States because that’s the big market right now, while others are really invested in Ibiza. For me, I’m also there but I also want to go to places where not everyone else is. I’m going, for example, on a tour of India. It’s a country where there’s little in terms of album sales, but I want to take advantage of this opportunity to discover countries and cultures. I loved playing in India. Last time; it’s been hard with my recording schedule to find time to go back, but now the album is released, I’m so happy to be able to go again to this magical country. The dance music scene has really escalated to a different extent after my debut visit and I’m very excited to see it.
Team MM: In one of interviews you said that you are quite in awe of Indian actress-singer Priyanka Chopra. Would you like to collaborate with her?
David Guetta: I met Priyanka Chopra at the Grammys a couple of years back. She’s an extremely warm person and it was a pleasure to meet her. She is part of a project I am doing with UNICEF; she sings one line of Imagine by John Lennon; I speak it along with other artists, actors, sportspeople – even Ban Ki Moon! We are inviting people from all over the world to record their duet with John – a message of peace and unity and for every share, a dollar is unlocked for UNICEF to help children across the world. As far as a collaboration goes, I’m always open to discovering talent. Mine is not acting! So maybe it’s best I just watch the movies and play music.
Team MM: Would you be unveiling any of your new songs for your Indian fans during your performance here?
David Guetta: I really liked the concept of EVC and the vibe it gives out. So I decided to play music from my new album Listen, here first. It has hit no.1 on iTunes in like 47 countries this week. Our single, Dangerous is smashing it! That one will be played at EVC for sure and I look forward to seeing the reaction. Of course, I won’t disappoint by playing my previous hits too! Get ready to party!
Team MM: How did your latest album ‘Listen’ come about? How different is it from your previous albums?
David Guetta: It’s more organic. It is one of my most personal and challenging albums till date. Honestly, I’m a little bit scared. It’s completely different from anything I’ve done before. There are featured artists of course, but none that you’d expect with me, and really it’s just completely different from anything I’ve done before. That’s why it has taken almost three years. It’s just different. This next album has tracks I couldn’t compare to any other record. I have always been drawn to harmonies and emotional music and this album is no exception, and it is even more song-based than my last one. Where it differs is in the production styles and featured artists. The first single Lovers On the Sun (ft. Sam Martin), was produced with Avicii, and features some of the electro-country vibe that Avicii has become known for. It’s a record I produced together with Avicii and my original influence for the track was Spaghetti Western movies. There’s an Italian composer who writes the scores for all those movies called Ennio Morricone so the idea was originally influenced by him. As the track was sounding so Western it had a bit of an Avicii vibe to it, so when I was in Sweden he called me and I said, “Listen, I have this record that I think will be pretty huge but it sounds a little bit too much like you, so do you want to finish it with me?!” So that’s what we did — he’s really talented and I think the track sounds amazing. I haven’t been in the studio with others as much. I wanted to perfect the album first, and then play it to different people to find the right featured artist for each song. I just wanted to push myself to the max, and then play it others. I know I can make beats that make people dance, so now the challenge is to create the best possible music and songs that are timeless.
Check out the track!
Team MM: Which Indian DJs will be collaborating with you for your acts in India?
David Guetta: I love to collaborate with talented people from all over the world. I’ve just finished my album Listen, so I am promoting that and not producing so much right now. At the moment what’s really exciting for me is to find really talented people who are not necessarily the most famous. Of course I’m happy to work with really big stars – it’s a huge honour for me – but I’m also happy to discover new people and I think that’s going to be a big challenge in the next few year. I would have loved to collaborate with Michael Jackson but it’s too late now.
Team MM: How is your Bollywood music awareness? Any likelihood of every working in a Bollywood movie?
David Guetta: Well I’ve heard Bollywood has a huge fan following in India but I’m only focusing on touring and promoting my new album currently.
Team MM: Do you see India’s EDM scene evolving? What has been your experience during your last tour?
David Guetta: I’ve only had a couple of experiences of India but I fell in love. So I’d say that the main reason more and more global artists are setting foot in this country is because of the responsiveness of the market. India is a growing destination that has an evolving audience. Dance music is the next thing for the next 10 years. There’s only moving ahead now.
Can’t wait to see him LIVE! Tell us your favourite David Guetta tracks 🙂