It is not often that one gets to sit in front of a global sensation such as Alan Walker. We got the chance to chat with 19 year-old Norwegian DJ and producer Alan Walker to find out all about his career, the songs that the world can’t get enough of, and his personal interests.
13th most liked video on youtube ever, over 1.4 billion views, and millions of song streams? No big deal… Alan Walker may be on the younger side, but his accomplishments and talent surpass his age. At only 14 years old, young Walker began his exploration of music production in his bedroom with his computer as his teacher. 5 years later Alan has gone from being a bedroom producer to one of the most sought-out music sensations in the EDM world. If the name doesn’t ring a bell then maybe listening to his most famous “Faded” will refresh your memory. If that does not do the trick, I am sorry to tell you, you’ve been living under a rock.
It was about a year ago when I was sitting in my uncle’s living room back in the Netherlands, when he eagerly came to me saying he had a song to show me that he knew I would love. That’s when I heard “Faded” for the first time and soon after that day, it became the most played song on my iTunes (until this day). It had only been a couple of months since the song was released, but it caused euphoria all over Europe as soon as it hit the radio. “Faded” is almost at the billion views mark on Youtube, “Sing Me To Sleep” and “Alone” have more than 200 million views, and the numbers just keep spiking up as the days go by. Alan has had many concerts of his own back in Europe since he ‘blew-up’ and now he has come to the US to show everyone what he is made of.
Although the whole EDM commercial genre does not appeal me much anymore, Alan walker continues to be one of my favorites because of the beautiful melodies he creates. In all of his latest songs, Alan walker manages to merge what alone could be a beautiful song with the beats of EDM music, which together combine to create a heartfelt tune. What I love about his songs, and he actually addressed this during the interview, is that his melancholic melodies could speak to either sadness or happiness, it all depends on the mood of the listener. Alan is an incredible artist not only because he is a self-taught genius that has managed to create his own sound in a world where it feels like everything has been made before, but also because of the messages he uses his music to communicate. Through his melodies, lyrics, music videos, and persona, Alan wants the world to feel like they are not alone. Behind the mask he wears, could be anyone. He likes to think that anyone is able to accomplish wonders, and he uses his success and separation of identity to share this idea with his fans.
But enough about what I think of the amazing Alan Walker, here you can read about what he has to say about his experience as a producer/DJ, his music and what he loves:
How did “Fade” turn into “Faded”?
It was pretty much back in 2014, after I released “Fade”. It got picked up by a local press and blew up in the internet. About a year later, I got in touch with my current management in Norway and we discussed about making a new version of “Fade” and renaming it. Maybe have some vocal chopped angles repetitively throughout the song and that’s how we started working on the new version. We tried to do new things, add some piano to the beginning, and that completely changed everything. That gave us the opportunity to write a few lyrics on it. It was actually a quite difficult track to sing on top of. It then got assigned to Sony Music in Sweden and since then it’s just been a crazy journey.
Did you have singer Iselin Solheim in mind for the vocals of “Faded” or how did the collaboration occur?
It was actually pretty random how we got in touch with her. One of the guys in the studio was like “Hey guys, I know one girl that kind of has this Adele/Ellie Goulding-like voice” and we thought why not try her and see how it goes. We got her in the studio and she did some demo vocals for “Faded,” it just sounded magical. We decided to go for her, she sang the official vocals for “Faded” and “Sing Me To Sleep”.
What has inspired you to release the ‘restrung’ versions of your songs such as “Faded” and “Alone”?
I have always been big fan of movie soundtracks. I think it is a good thing to do because that also gives me the opportunity to reach out to an even wider audience and I get to show people that I can do something else than just make electronic dance music. I think it’s pretty cool to make a genre that I also really like and enjoy to listen to on my free time. One of my biggest inspirations is Steve Jablonsky and Hans Zimmer, who are both known for movie soundtracks.
When you were growing up, what was your favorite album?
(Giggles) It’s kind of awkward but, I was a big fan of the Jonas Brothers. I don’t know why, I think I got it from my sister. She was a big fan and I think that influenced me.
So you are self-taught both in piano and music production correct?
Yes! For piano I have mainly been watching Youtube videos or just looking at the melodies that I write myself and learn them on the piano.
That’s impressive, so how old were you when you started working on your first song?
It was probably five years ago, around 2012 (when he was 14 years old). That’s when I released my first song “Celebrate” on Youtube and Soundcloud.
What would you say is the biggest difference you’ve noticed in your life since “Faded” blew up?
Since it blew up the biggest thing that has changed for me is that I have gotten to work on music on a full time schedule. I had to leave school for example, to mainly focus on music production and pursue it as a career. When it came to the school decision, I was very 50/50. I discussed it with the head of the school, my parents, my friends, we were all talking about what is the right decision to make. They suggested that I try both out for a couple of months to see how it went and as “Faded” continue to grow, I realized that I got less time to work in school and more at the studio. The two collided, it didn’t work out. I ended up in a situation that I had to make the final choice, either to take a break from music and maybe fight to hop on the train if it may arrive later on or jump on it straight away and work in music. I decided to work on music on a full time schedule and left school before I could finish.
What is the message you want your audience to get when they listen to your music?
It’s not necessarily a message but I just like to put out my music and tell people with it that they are not alone. It’s about showing feelings through my songs. It’s also melancholic, it can be either happy or sad, it depends on your mood.
What about the meaning behind your mask?
The whole mask is promotion as a symbol of unity. Anyone can be a ‘walker’. It’s just about putting a hood on and a mask. We are all the same.
This is the first time that you have come to perform in the US, what has been your experience like so far?
It has been amazing. I played in Vegas, Connecticut, New Orleans, LA, and Mexico. So far it has been amazing. There have been some really good crowds, I feel like I have been very welcomed to the different states and places I have been playing. I am definitely looking forward to continue.
Would you say there is a difference in the crowds of the US vs. the crowds in Europe?
Not really, I feel like they are all the same. I find it really hard to compare whether they are from Asia, Europe, the US or wherever.
How much input do you have on your music videos?
We have worked with a company from Sweden called Bror Bror. They have always provided different ideas, concepts for my music videos. They did the music videos for “Faded”, “Sing Me to Sleep”, and “Alone”. They really know Alan Walker and the whole brand around Alan Walker. They have really good ideas for the music videos, and yes of course I am able to give some input on some things I think could be cool or maybe shouldn’t be done.
You have gotten to remix a couple of songs, including Sia’s “Move Your Body”. What has been your favorite one to remix?
I think Sia’s and Coldplay’s “Hymn For the Weekend”. What I like about remixing is that you need to find a way to twist the original song into your own sound. Sia’s was a really tough one. I removed all of the elements except for, I don’t know if you can actually hear it in the original but, there is a very low piano playing in the background with four or five different chords. I used the piano as a starting point, then adding the vocals and then more and more elements. I removed all of the drums and kept working, then the main idea came together.
Are there any DJs you would like to collab with or learn from?
I would say Martin Garrix. He has been doing really good lately. I really like his new track with Dua Lipa, “Scared To Be Lonely”. I think it could be really cool to have a collaboration with him because I feel like he’s more and more trying out new sounds that could also be cool.
If you could play anywhere in the world (literally) where would you like to play?
Out of all places I would probably say Mount Everest.
Last but not least, what has been your favorite food in the US?
Burgers (laughs).
We are very excited for the future productions to come. If you want to catch him here are the dates and cities where he’ll be performing.
ALAN WALKER SHOW DATES:
DATE VENUE CITY
March 16 Palazzo Cancun
March 17 Empire Music Festival Guatemala
April 07 UNIUN Nightclub Toronto, ONT
April 08 Euphoria Music Fest Austin
April 14 Northern Lights Festival Edmonton, AB
April 15 Seasons Festival Vancouver, BC
