Mau P talks global stages & local energy

The globalisation of dance music means that, more and more, prominent artists come to town. Australia has, in recent years, become a considerable place for touring, with our biggest festivals becoming musts on any internationally renowned artists’ touring schedule.

So too, headline shows by international acts are becoming more regular, even in Australian cities generally seen as being overlooked. At the root of all of this is a clear and focused attention towards dance and electronic music being felt by a large percentage of the ticket-buying population.

Announced last week, Dutch DJ and producer Mau P is the latest in a string of huge international acts visiting Australia’s shores across our summer. The artist has garnered huge attention across Europe, Ibiza and North America in recent years due to the size of his shows and energy in his sets.

But what does it mean when an artist plays to some of the biggest spaces, venues and festivals in the world, to visit Australia?

We spoke with Mau P about what an Australian tour means in the grand scheme of his career, particularly when compared to the places, spaces and venues he’s more used to playing.

MAU P: It feels very exciting! I’ve met so many Australian people over the years, and I’ve always loved their energy. Also heard amazing stories from fellow DJs about the Australian crowds. I can’t wait!

MAU P: Every time I do something it’s new. I never repeat. Every song is an entirely new concept or idea. Otherwise, it gets boring for me. It’s the same for shows. I never play the same set twice. I also spend a lot of time making sure I’m doing something that no one else has done before. I think it’s really important we keep pushing the industry forward and keep it fresh.

MAU P: I think overall it’s always a little rough and rowdy, in the best way possible. It’s just that in Australia, you guys are a different breed, and that translates to the music too. It makes sense though, cause it’s so far away from everything else in the world. Of course, you guys do it differently.

MAU P: It definitely made sure a lot of different styles get merged, and it creates exciting new sounds. For example, Italians making tech house with sounds that originate from Brazil, awesome. Many barriers have been broken down over the past few years.

The “downside” is that at the same time, there are so many producers that originality is at risk. There are a lot of people making the same thing over and over again. But then again, that should make it easier to stand out as well.

MAU P: I’ve never been compared to Australians, but I definitely always feel connected to them in some way. They’re just very easy to talk to for me, and I always end up being super unserious around them, which I love. Most of all, I love how “free” they seem to live. I’d have to find out more when I visit.

MAU P: Dutch people and Australian people meet where we are both very straightforward. We both don’t f around. The other day Fisher and I were cooked in Ibiza, and we ended up in some sort of discussion where we both stood our ground and just appreciated each other’s realness.

I think he said “I’m from Australia, you don’t talk to me like that” to which I replied “well I’m from Amsterdam and I’ll talk to you however I want”... and then we both started laughing and we hugged. It was a beautiful moment.

MAU P: I think I try to really show who I am as a person through my DJ’ing and my performances. I try to implement my way of understanding music and my history and upbringing.

Every person connects different songs in different ways. That’s how we are all unique curators.

MAU P: The crowds.

MAU P: Who knows, it depends on whether they deserve it or not.

MAU P: I’m not. I’m rawdogging that shit.

-

Tickets for Mau P's appearances on Gadigal Land/Sydney and Naarm/Melbourne are available now.

This article was done in collaboration with Untitled Group.