“Dealing with major labels no matter on what is always pain in the ass“
– Solomun 2015
Solomun Printworks London 2022 – Review on Electronic Groove
Mladen Solomun (born December 27, 1975), better known under his stage name Solomun, is a Bosnian-German DJ. He spent his childhood in Hamburg, Germany. To stay away from the streets, he worked in construction for his father, which helped him develop a strong work ethic at an early age.
Solomun had a diverse career before becoming one of the world’s most renowned DJs. He worked in various jobs before realizing that DJing could be a viable career path.
He initially pursued a career in film and founded a small production company with two friends. Together, they produced and shot some short films. However, about 5 years later he eventually realized that his true passion was music, and he started producing and creating his own tracks at the age of 27.
Adrenaline Stadium – Moscow 14 December 2019
The Rise of a Techno Icon
In 2006, Solomun founded his own record label, Diynamic Music, with his friend Adriano Trolio. The label started out as a platform for their own music, but soon began to attract attention from other artists and DJs. His stratospheric rise in popularity kicked off in 2012, after a legendary first season on Ibiza with his own label-inspired Diynamic Neon Nights at Sankeys. He started playing at major clubs and festivals around the world, and released several successful tracks and remixes.
In 2009, Solomun released his first album, “Dance, Baby,” which featured a mix of house, techno, and pop influences. The album was well-received by critics and helped to establish Solomun as a rising star in the electronic music scene.
Today, Solomun is known for his unique style that blends deep house, techno, and disco, among other genres. His passion for music and his ability to create a mesmerizing atmosphere have made him a true icon in the electronic music scene, with a loyal fanbase around the world. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away or just enjoy some great tunes, Solomun’s sets are not to be missed.
Life isn’t about eating pasta every day; life offers you so many opportunities, so many choices, and I I try to transport that feeling into my music somehow.
Solomun’s relationship with Ibiza has been nothing short of extraordinary. Although he first visited the island in 2011, it was in 2012 that he really made a name for himself. He quickly built a strong bond with one of Ibiza’s most iconic clubs, Pacha. Together, they revolutionised the techno scene with their groundbreaking night parties and VIP guests. Solomun’s infectious energy brought everyone together on the dancefloor, creating an unforgettable atmosphere that kept fans coming back for more.
His two residency gigs on the island were a game-changer, giving him the freedom to experiment with his style and create some of his most memorable sets. His is groundbreaking concept of “Solomun +1” really set him apart from the rest. This unique format saw Solomun invite a different DJ to play alongside him each week, resulting in some unforgettable performances.
Ibiza and Solomun share an unbreakable bond that has redefined nightlife. From his electrifying sets to his one-of-a-kind parties, Solomun has brought an unparalleled level of excitement and energy to the clubbing scene. His legacy on the island will endure for years to come, as he continues to innovate and push boundaries in his musical career.
A Story of Triumph
Solomun is not just a master of his craft, but also an award-winning artist with a track record of excellence. He has been recognized as one of the best producers, DJs and melodic house DJs in the world, and has won multiple DJ Awards over the years.
With 4 wins to his name, including Best Producer, Best DJ and Best Melodic House DJ, Solomun has cemented his status as a true icon of the dance music scene. His unique sound, innovative approach and unforgettable performances have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and fellow artists alike, making him a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
[Rewind 2015]
Solomon Interview
Leading the House music scene with his awesome tracks, Solomun is growing his name with his record label and there are a number of new acts introduced to Diynamic. The Bosnia and Herzegovina born House DJ and producer, takes the time out from making hit records and touring to answer some of our questions.
How much planning goes into Pacha and your +1 night – do you pack certain records to play with certain DJs and guests or do you always take as much music as you can or….?
Nowadays since I use an USB stick and so I have all the music always with me.
You seem to have introduced some new talent to the label recently – Undercatt and Roberto Calzetta & Twin Soul for example – how do you decide who you want on board?
This is always a long process before somebody can be part od Diynamic family. And the whole family has to be convinced. This is a process that can take like easily more then one year from sending first tracks, then releasing on Diynamic, playing a few showcases and see if there’s harmony between all the members.
Are relationships important with these people or is it just about the music they make?
It’s definitely both. Of course the music has to fit to what we think Diynamic is at the moment. But if the chemistry between the people doesn’t fit – than it won’t work. So it is always both.
They fit in with the Diynamic sound to my ears – whats the Diynamic sound to you? Emotive, main room house music, would you say?
When we started with Diynamic around 10 years ago it was all about melody, harmony, because the main sound during that time was minimal. Over the years it changed, so we have a wider range of what Diynamic sound is. From dreamy landscape sound till Techno, like e.g. “Rollox” from Adriatique. So what is Diynamic sound? It’s constantly changing, that’s what it is. It still is a platform for House and techno with all its colors and nuances. For artists like David August who likes it more slow and Stimming with all his little sound details in his tracks.
Tell us about the Diynamic Festival – why take this on, why now, what is planned?
We do Diynamic showcases and Festivals in Argentina, Brasil, Amsterdam and Turkey. And maybe some more, but this is nothing I can reveal right now.
And you have a Sonar party too – who is on at that one and how do you decide? Is any work done at Sonar, do you go check out other acts?
Sonar is always one of the highlights of our calendar. That’s why all of our artists will come there to play on our showcase on two floors. Of course you also go out and check out what the others are doing besides our big Diynamic showcase.
How has the BBC Radio 1 residency experience been?
It’s been great so far, I mean it’s a big honor to be chosen by BBC Radio1, so for me it’s big big fun to compile once a month the music that I discovered. And of course I hope the listeners feel the same too.
The Solomun +1 parties have just been announced, are you excited to get back to Pacha this summer?
Of course, it’s always a little like coming home. I’m excited for the summer.
How did you go about choosing who would play with you for this series?
Some of my +1-artists I know since long time, some of them not so long but all of them have something in common: absolute passion for the music and for the party.
You’re also making your Cocoon debut this year, what have you got planned for that?
Tough question, I have to impress Sven Väth, this will be hard enough, haha.
What’s your all-time best Ibiza moment?
Every Sunday, when I land after a stressfull weekend in Ibiza for my night at Pacha. This always gives me new energy.
I hear you have a remix album coming – is that right? Who is on it and how did you put it together.
Yes, that’s right, one day I realized that I did quite a few remixes over the last years, I guess it’s gonna be a double CD. I haven’t compiled it yet, the main work was to get all the tracks licensed. Without saying too much: Dealing with major labels no matter on what is always pain in the ass. But finally we managed it to licence all the tracks I want on this compilation. To license my own Remixes that I made for them, that’s funny, eh?
Mighty you ever do an artist album do you think? Have you thought about it?
You’re right, it’s quite a while since my first album. But honestly I am not so sure if another album is the right thing to do. At the moment I tend to do some more EPs instead.
Have you got any 12”s coming this summer – what inspired them or influenced them? Can you always write music on the road or do you need to be in a studio?
I just released a remix for UK band Liu Bei on 2DIY4, then a remix for Paul Kalkbrenner will come out soon, also a remix for US-Indie giants Interpol. Then at least one EP on Diynamic is planned, so: there will be some new music. I collect ideas, no matter where I am. But to really work on music I need a studio place.
What do you think will be hot in terms of tracks this year – can you give us three future summer anthems?
Honestly: this is really hard to say at the moment. There are a few good tracks that I play and a few new demos that i test at the moment. But if one of those can be like track of the summer? I can’t say. What I am pretty sure with his track,” Sorry, I’m Late” from Kollektiv Turmstrasse has big potential to become a hit. I am playing this track since quite a while and Kollektiv Turmstrasse also have him in their live sets, the feedback is amazing and we already have some buzz going on with this track. So I’m curios if this one gonna be huge in the summer.