Tronic’s Christian Smith Discusses Label’s RESISTANCE IBIZA Takeover

• Q

  This coming Tuesday, Tronic will be hosting the Privilege Terrace at RESISTANCE IBIZA. What went into curating this lineup? How excited are you to be a part of this residency?

  A

  Resistance initially wanted to book just myself for a gig for them, but then the day after asked me if I would be interested in doing a Tronic Room and programming the entire line-up. I am very excited about partnering up with them, because they have an amazing production and a great team! I have also been doing lots of Tronic branded events around the world, so timing seems to be perfect.

• Q

  You recently released a collaboration with Harry Romero, “Neon Jungle.” What process went into this production?

  A

  Harry Romero is a NYC house legend. I come from a more techno background, but I always appreciated and loved house music. I also like to challenge myself and try to do different things in the studio. So when I was recently in New York for a gig and had a few spare days we decided to work on a few tracks together. It was really inspiring to work with Harry because he is a master in the studio, and we had a great chemistry personally as well as musically. The single is a big bomb and I can’t wait to play it in Ibiza this coming Tuesday!

• Q

  Tell us more about how you began your career as a DJ. What led to creating Tronic Recordings?

  A

  Like with most people my DJ’ing started as hobby. I was 14 years old when I got my first decks. From that point I became a battle DJ entering DMC championships etc. Then I got into house music in the last 80’s. But it was not until while I was getting my masters degree at Stockholm School of Economics that my international career took off. I produced a few records that DJ’s such as Carl Cox and Jeff Mills were hammering. I suddenly got requests to DJ all around the world and the rest is history! As for Tronic, the label has always been a labor of love thing for me. I am really happy that it has grown so much and is now one of the biggest techno labels in the world. I feel truly grateful to be doing what I love for a living.

• Q

  Last year, you revealed your third studio album “Input-Output.” What goes into this creative process? How did you decide what sounds fit the canvas?

  A

  I love the challenge of producing albums. It’s one thing to make a single, it’s a whole other ballgame to produce a cohesive album with 10-14 tracks that all somehow fit together yet have different styles. It’s an opportunity to think outside the box and make music that I would usually not release on singles. I really feel that I need these projects to evolve as a producer.

• Q

  What are some musical influences that you incorporate throughout your productions?

  A

  Lots of early 80’s music ranging from late disco like label Prelude, Italo Disco, to early electro like Newcleus or Egyptian Lover. Of course Kraftwerk has also influenced me immensely. But I also have to say that funk, soul, and Chicago house has a played a big part in what influences me when I make music today.

• Q

  Why do you think Ibiza means so much to dance music?

  A

  Because It’s a place with a really special feeling. It’s hard to describe, but whenever I arrive on the Island it has a feeling of freedom and openness. It also happens to have some of the best clubs in the world. That certainly doesn’t hurt 😉

Don’t miss Christian Smith and the Tronic label in action this coming Tuesday at the PRIVILEGE Terrace at RESISTANCE IBIZA.