Each week Beatport adds thousands of new tracks to its already outstanding catalogue. The online music store is recognised by DJs and producers alike as the foremost legal source for downloading dance music. Swedish musician AXWELL has been named Best House Artist in the prodigious Beatport Music Awards for the past two years yet he remains coy about his ongoing success.
"I rarely know if what I am making would be considered a hit," says Axwell of chart toppers I Found U, Tell Me Why and Feel The Vibe. "I don't know what makes a hit, it is still mystery to me. I can sort of say what might work on the dancefloor because I know what anticipation might work, you know - the build up. But I don't usually like tracks that become hits. For example I hated Viva La Vida off Coldplay's last album, I even took it off my playlist, and that was a really big hit! You might say I have an inversed hit meter."
After developing his taste for electronic music from early PC games Axwell has evolved to become one of the industry's most sought after remixers. His discography includes reworked hits for the likes of N*E*R*D, Usher, Moby, Madonna and Faithless. However it is Axwell's work with the prolific Swedish House Mafia (including Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello and formerly Eric Prydz) that prevails. The group's formation has none of the grandiose revelry one expects of such notable artists.
"I moved to Stockholm from the south of Sweden in 2001 and I invited them to come to my studio to make house music," says Axwell. "Stockholm isn't that big and we were some of the only ones making just house. I thought we should hook up and we started developing a friendship. Now we tour together as the Swedish House Mafia and make music together."
Unlike his collaborators though, Axwell has adopted an approach to production that ensures his work remains unclouded by the many gadgets available. "Mostly I use software plugins to make music," he says. "When I started out I could only afford a computer, I couldn't afford any synths or any other equipment and I couldn't play the keyboard. So for me to go and buy synths would not be staying true to my roots. I think when you have a limit to your sounds you can be inspired by those limitations. Maybe that is too philosophical," he laughs.
Beatport awarded Axwell another accolade for Best Remix of 2007 regarding Dirty South's Let It Go. The Swedish Mafioso is looking forward to a reunion with the Australian producer upon his impending return to our shores. "I want to make a track with Dirty South in Australia," stirs Axwell. "We work really well together. I also want to hook up with Australian singers!"
Catch Axwell Saturday November 28 at Commonwealth Place as part of a massive lineup at Foreshore Summer Music Festival. Final release tickets are still available at www.lexingtonmusic.com.au, Parliament Clothing, Qjump, Moshtix, Ticketek and Landspeed Records.
