High energy and fun vibes would be an understatement for this duo. Ahead of Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival, EDMTunes sat down with Dutch-duo Bassjackers to talk about their upcoming Ultra set, how they met, and what to expect this year.
You’re playing at the 20th annual Ultra Music Festival, what does that mean to you?
Marlon: We just established that this is our 7th time coming to Miami, and this will be our 5th Ultra. I mean Ultra is one of the biggest festivals in the world and it’s just really cool to be a part of it and we’re really happy we’re playing there again.
Ralph: Ultra is really cool for us, it’s the big gig you’re working towards, a lot of people back home are listening so it’s a big one.
You’ve worked with so many people from Afrojack to Martin Garrix, who’s someone you’ve always want to collaborate with?
Ralph: If I had to think outside of the box I think Blink-182 would be really cool to do something with.
What can you tell us about new music coming from you guys and will you be playing any at Ultra?
Marlon: This set is packed with new music, this guy (Ralph) worked really hard in the studio. A lot of unreleased Bassjackers stuff in this set. We have so many collaborations coming out, but one that is we have now is with Dmitri Vegas & Like Mike super high energy festival stuff. It’s cool to test it out, especially in front of a crowd at Ultra.
Ralph: There’s actually not enough time to release it all. We’re picking and choosing what we like best to release and some stuff will never see the light of day.
I understand you’ve been friends since high school, how did bassjackers form and how did you find your unique sound?
Marlon: I started djing as a hobby and I thought it was really fun to mix records and make mixtapes. At some point I started to play small local parties, and I kinda got the hang of it. But then I knew he [Ralph] was already making music on his computer, and I’m like OK, to maybe take this to the next level you need to make your own music and I didnt know how to do it. So I’m like Ralph can you make something like this or this.
Ralph: Because I was making a little bit weird music at the time and then he kinda schooled me with house-
Marlon: I kinda pushed him in a direction that I had envisioned- stuff that I can play at my little hometown shows for like a 100 people or whatever, but I really thought the first track he made was super cool and we sent it out to a bunch of DJs and they all started supporting it. Then Spinnin‘ (records) came into play and released it and that’s how it all started.
What are you most looking forward to in 2018?
Marlon: We got confirmed again to play the MainStage at Tomorrowland, which was one of the highlights of last year. I think we’re getting a better time slot this year too.
Ralph: We have so many new cool tracks coming out, with so many cool artists. You can’t see me smiling right now, but I’m smiling. We’ve been doing this for 11 years now.
Marlon: Still having fun everyday. 2018 is going to be exciting.