10 Things You Didn’t Know About Adam Holiday (Interview)

Adam Holiday is an artist who has had quite the career; he has had releases on incredible labels such as Solid Grooves, 99 Waves and Suma. He has DJ’ed at places such as Café Del Mar, Tibu, Dreamers and Buddha Beach, drawing influences from the likes of Todd Terry and Paul Van Dyk, Adam’s sound is wholly unique and evolves as the scene progresses. We caught up with Adam Holiday to chat about how the music he has grown up with has shaped the artist he is today.

1 — What sort of music did you listen to during your childhood?

I listened to a quite a variety of music growing up, my mom was a huge Queen fan and she would make us listen to their greatest hits on the way to school.

Michael Jackson and Nirvana were on my playlist a lot too and I also remember being quite a big fan of Eminem when he first hit MTV.

It wasn’t until I was around 13 when I started getting into electronic music.

2 — What is the one artist who has constantly inspired you?

Erick Morillo for sure, he has been one of the most in-demand DJs for over 20 years and for me personally, no one rocks a club as he does.

He has adapted his sound to suit the changing times but he has still stayed true to his original vibe which can’t be said for many DJs.

3 — What song first drew you to the dance music industry?

Paul Van Dyk – For An Angel, I first heard this song in school. Paul came out to a play at a rave in Johannesburg and at the time I didn’t know who he was. I searched for his music online and ‘For an Angel’ came up. I liked the song straight away, I thought this music is so different and that’s when I started looking for more electronic tracks and artists.

4 — How has your music taste evolved over the years?

My taste has definitely evolved with the how the house music scene has developed over the years but I would still like to think that the essence of my sound is still the same to what I played when I started out.

Also, now I appreciate different forms of house music, whereas before I was quite set on what I would play and listen to. I think when you start producing a lot of music you begin to appreciate different forms and styles.

5 — When you think of a favourite memory, what song comes to mind and why?

Who Da Funk – Shiny Disco Balls, I heard this track on my first night ever in Ibiza and it happened to be at Pacha. It was one of the best nights of my life and when I think back on that night, this song always comes to mind.

6 – If you could produce any other genre of music what would it be and why?

Other than house music, I think I would be producing trance but later in life, I wouldn’t mind making soundtracks for movies similar to the stuff Hans Zimmer produces.

7 — What decade of music do you feel was the most influential?

2000 – 2010, these are the years where I developed my sound to what I play today and produce especially in the early 2000s. The vibe has changed a lot since then but I think if you look back at all the great house tracks they come from this decade.

8 – Where do you mostly find new music?

Haha, that’s a secret!

I try to stay away as much as I can from the Beatport top 100, I have my selection of producers and labels that I follow. I also get a lot of promos sent but it is all about hunting to dig out them underground gems that no one is playing.

9 — Tell us one song that we should go and check out?

Do yourself a favour and listen to “Chriz Samz & Maysa – Makuna” on Sondos records I can’t stop listening to it! Deep, dirty and driving just the way I like it.

10 — Finally, how do you think the music you listen to defines you as an artist?

Listening to music gives me inspiration when I am in the studio producing a track. I try to listen to different genres to pull ideas or get inspired. I can’t speak for everyone else but what I listen to definitively has an influence on the tracks I produce.

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