Eddie Halliwell talks Cream, crowd interaction and constant evolution

Hey Eddie! Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. How was your Christmas season? Which parts of the Globe did you manage to visit?

Christmas was great – I managed to spend some quality time with my family and friends before heading off on a two week tour of Australia to do the Summerdayze festivals, taking in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth… always enjoy playing in Australia! 

Sorry for the cliché, but can you sum up your 2012 in five words?

Amazing, chaotic, fast and full-fire!  

We’re itching to get the ball rolling in 2013. What are your hopes for 2013, and what will you be doing differently this year?

This year I’m going to be putting more time into the studio – getting a better balance between touring and working on music. 

You’ve always been an undoubted favourite of the Cream crowd… What should we be expecting from you this year at Nation that’ll keep the “Eddie” chants rolling?

I love playing Cream at Nation, always a great atmosphere; the crowd can expect the usual full fire high energy antics! 

You’re notorious for your technical wizardry behind the decks. Should we be anticipating any stage diving, scratching, and blinding effects during your set?

The connection with the audience is one of the most important things for me, the more feedback I get from them the more expressive I tend to be in both my mixing and energy on stage. It’s a two-way thing.  

Should we be prepared for any classics at Nation?

I always enjoy dropping the odd classic in – music has memories attached to it so the crowd loves hearing a classic!

Progressive House and the EDM world has obviously become an all-encompassing global movement of late. Have you unearthed any raw international talent that you’re showcasing in your latest performances?

There’s some amazing new talent coming through at the moment, which is good to see; it keeps things fresh and also gives the young kids inspiration. We recently had Zedd on at one of our ‘Fire It Up’ parties – he’s a great new talent.  

Is there anybody you’re looking forward to seeing perform alongside you at Cream this March?

I hardly ever get to see other DJs perform as I’m usually dashing off somewhere else, but Cream at Nation is a local one for me so I’m looking forward to getting up there early and catching up with Third Party... always a good laugh when they are around. 

How would you say you’ve evolved your sound over recent years? How would you describe your sound today?

My sound is continuously evolving and I’m always embracing new music. I would describe my sound as simply… good dance music!

What should we expect to hear from the studio of Eddie Halliwell in 2013?

I’ve just released my remix of Perfecto’s 'Bullet In The Gun', which is getting an amazing response in the clubs, and I’m currently working in the studio on a couple of new projects hopefully due for release early this year.   

How was your last set at Nation? What do you remember most, and what is your favourite aspect of Cream at Nation?

Loved it! Cream always put on fantastic events. My favourite aspect has got to be the crowd. 

Being placed in front of one of the most loyal crowds in electronic music, what would you say keeps Cream so fresh and innovative after all these years?

Cream always put excellent line ups together… they are varied and book a broad range of talent, from up and coming to established artists, to legends. I think they have the right balance between giving the audience what they want and introducing them to new, fresh up and coming talent. Cream is totally in tune with what the fans want.

How would you say the global welcoming of electronic music has affected your tour diary? What territory would you say is the most lucrative and up and coming in the world of music, in regard to your own recent experiences?

Obviously the explosion of dance music has affected my diary to some degree as it’s opened up new territories that I might not have had the chance to get to before. I’d certainly say that USA is the most lucrative – but when it comes to up and coming Croatia is a good place to check out, and South America as a whole is getting bigger.

Eddie, thanks again for taking the time out for us! 

Catch Eddie Halliwell at Cream in Liverpool on March 2nd with Paul van Dyk, Nicky Romero, Eddie Halliwell, Aly & Fila, Third Party and more. Tickets are on sale now through Skiddle.

Interview: Chris Yeomans

Photo: Anthony Mooney

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