In a little over four weeks, Dutch fireball Martin Garrix will be wading into his 21st birthday celebrations. The fact that he's only recently waved cheerio to his teenage years and this summer will be able to legally order in a round in the U.S should be of surprise to no one, as the music press hasn't ceased to weigh in on his age by way of comparing his staggering list of achievements to that of his industry peers.
Garrix slammed into public focus in 2013 with breakout track ´Animals´ at the age of just 17, and anyone who waved him off as a one hit wonder has been choking on humble pie ever since. Four years on from that breaking moment, and his discography now reads like a who's who of commercial dance and pop world heavyweights. You've got Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Sander van Doorn, Afrojack, Dillon Francis, Usher, Tiësto, Christina Aguilera, The Weeknd and David Guetta, among plenty more.
Taking 2016 as the year he firmly established himself as a behemoth of both the electronic and pop worlds, you can ascertain that he's proven he can be as shrewd as any other dance music bruiser. He launched his own record label, STMPD RCRDS, closed Ultra Music Festival with a set that packed in ten unreleased tracks, Sony Music International signed him with a worldwide contract, he became DJ Mag's youngest ever artist to score the number 1 position in its annual top 100 poll, and he won Best Electronic Act and Best World Stage Performance at the MTV European Music Awards. Now that would be considered an absolute stonker of a year by all accounts.
He tore into 2017 with a similar objective: to monopolise and surpass anything he's done already. Take Ibiza as a prime example, as he's already held a residency on the island and this year he's giving us two residencies, with a return to Ushuaïa Ibiza and a debut at new superclub, Hï Ibiza. And that leads us nicely into the very purpose that you're here, as we caught Garrix amidst a rampant touring schedule to discuss just that, and much more. Dig in.
Hi Martin, how you doing? What's happening in Garrix's world today?
I'm really good! There's so much happening in my world lately, but I'm definitely not complaining. I have a busy schedule and can't wait to kick off my Ibiza residencies at Hï and Ushuaïa.
You'll be giving your fans good reason to vote for you as DJ Mag's No. 1 DJ again this year with your 2017 tour schedule being jam-packed with dates in South and North America, and Europe. What are you already picking out to be major highlights over the coming months?
I have just played Ultra which is a big highlight obviously. Currently I'm in Los Angeles and I'm playing Coachella this and next weekend. Really exciting. Next to that I will also have 2 Ibiza residencies this year at Hï and Ushuaïa and I'll be performing at loads of great festivals over the summer.
You've got youth on your side, which means that managing some of the negative side effects of such extensive touring is easier than it might be for some older DJs. But what do you do to stay focused, energised and healthy (both physically and mentally) while touring?
I am definitely paying more attention to that lately. I've started working out again and try to eat healthier. Next to that, my team makes sure that I have my days off to rest and recharge again. It's important to listen to my body and stay healthy, otherwise you can't keep up with such a crazy tour schedule.
You've bagged two summer residencies, which very few have accomplished. David Guetta is one of the few to also have two residencies. To be on the same level as him already must be incredibly rewarding?
Absolutely. I love to spend time in Ibiza during the summer, it's a legendary place. I'm really happy with my residencies.
You've previously hinted at having an alter ego. Does having two residencies mean we could see a different side to you this year?
That's the idea for sure. I'm very thankful that I'll be able to build two different concepts in two different venues and I will definitely be showing different sides of myself and my music during both residencies.
Multiply is headed to Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa's residency takes your name. Will they have their own defining characteristics/production/vibe? Will they have their own individual appeal to fans?
Yes. We are working on two different concepts. The residencies will have their own look and feel and differ from each other. Hï and Ushuaïa are both amazing venues and really deserve a unique approach.
You launched your own record label, STMPD RCRDS, early in 2016. How's it going with managing your own label?
It's just really cool. I have so much creative freedom now and it's great we created a platform for new upcoming talent as well.
You turn out tracks quickly, but has managing a label pushed you further to prioritise studio time?
I do make sure that I have enough time in the studio. Besides, I have a great team that makes sure everything is running smoothly with the label.
What else can we expect to see on the label from you and new signings in the next few months?
Lots of new releases. And I definitely want to continue with releasing music of new talent on there as well. I started this with the idea to create a platform where creativity can just flow and people from different genres can come together to make amazing music no matter what genre.
Considering how big your global status is, is it sometimes difficult to not get sucked in and believe your own hype, and how do you do to stay grounded?
I guess I am a very down to earth guy. But I also have people around me who definitely make sure that I stay grounded like my family, my close friends and my team. It's important for me to keep realizing how fortunate I am.
As your profile has grown, how have you adapted to be able to maintain that close connection you have with your fan base?
It's great for me that we have social media nowadays. This allows me to connect to my fans from all over the world. I love it.
WORDS | Aimee Lawrence
