The Amsterdam based artist with Spanish roots is always about thinking forward and creating a buzz with every project he starts. From making waves in early 21st century Amsterdam nightlife to headlining gigs at the biggest events and festivals around the world like Awakenings, Nature One, Time Warp, A Day At The Park and Welcome To The Future and tours through Europe as well as North and South America, Daniel Sanchez has grown out to be a familiar force in today's electronic music. He is also known for his Bla Bla nights in the Wester Unie and studio80, his record label Bla Bla, and of course his hit record 'Mumbling Yeah' which dominated clubs and festivals throughout '07 and '08. We had a quick sit-down with Daniel, ahead of his South African debut, a first not only for him, but also for Sensation as its “Innerspace” is also visiting South Africa for the first time.
There are some comments people were dropping on mention of your Tour to SA requesting you bring back some wild life. Jokes of course, or maybe not, it’s a common misconception that we have the wild on our door-steps. What are your expectations being your first time out? Thanks for the question, it's simply just amazing. I have been on to many places in the world but this will be my first time in South Africa and I’m honoured to let the people hear my music.
You do a lot of traveling, a lot of the time. How do you manage the married life and being on the road as often as you are? You need to find a good balance between traveling and staying in your own city to spend time with your family and friends. Otherwise your social life will be gone. I get a lot of energy from my private life and I'm blessed to have it.
What do you have planned after Sensation? Do you plan to stick around and get a taste of the scene out here? Yes for sure. We always try to make a good afterparty.
Just recently you played an abstract live-set at the ‘Old Honig Fabric’ in Nijmegen on the 31st of August. Can you tell us what inspired you to play a set inspired by Cosmic noise and Plasma Rain? What’s behind that? I’m a big fan of ambient music. When I was starting to produce music I was fascinated by ambient music and started to make it myself. The ambient scene is a completely different experience than all the other parties we have nowadays. Once in a while I try to do a live set on an art festival, for my own inspiration. It keeps me sharp!
Have you ever had your hand at producing? Do you think it’s the next step for a DJ to go in one's career? It’s all a combination and it has to fit! Right time, right moment.
A lot of DJs are against the idea of a DJ reality show based on it exploiting and trivialising the industry. What’s your stand point on that? Do you share the same sentiment or do you think it would be a good thing to have these reality shows enter the realm of EDM? That’s nothing for me either, but everything is changing these days and the young people are now deciding. If a reality show comes up, you can’t do anything about it. Just keep your stuff close to you, that will bring you further.