Andy and A-Trak

When speaking about internationally known DJ, Producer, and Label Co-Owner A-Trak, it’s hard to fully run down his list of achievements. Named the World Champion DJ at only fifteen years old, his achievements since have only made his first accomplishment appear more fortuitous. You only need to watch the guy behind turntables for five minutes to understand that he’s amazing at what he does. From DJing for Kanye West’s historic ‘Glow in the Dark’ tour, to creating the inescapable single ‘Barbra Streisand’ as a part of the group Ducksauce, A-trak has become part of the popular lexicon of music, going from an excellent turn tablist to a full on pop artist.

Fashion and aesthetic play heavily into everything A-Trak does, from his recognizable clean look, (he’s often seen in a suit, or simple designer wear), to his taste in modern art (he’s gone on the record about design, and yes, even his love of Warhol, numerous times). It’s no surprise that he finds the mass appeal of Warhol’s work engaging, as his own work is dynamic, yet roundly loved.

All of this made A-Trak a natural fit to collaborate with fellow artists and Absolut to reach out to the spirit of Andy Warhol at our NYC event on October 1, 2014.

We spoke briefly about the commonality of Warhol’s work, which is also a strong undercurrent in A-Trak’s music, as well as the pleasures of going with the flow, and the event itself. Known for his mellow demeanor, we found it interesting how simply he saw things, but ultimately we think his direct nature clues you into his process:  

You're a known fan of pop art, how has Warhol's work personally affected you?

Warhol fascinates me in the way his art can be appreciated by everyone. There's a simplicity, but it's also extremely recognizable. I try to apply that to my music too.

Did you have a special set intended to bring out his spirit?

I started my set with some songs that reminded me of his era.

How do you prepare for a more experimental set like this?

I prepare by not preparing too much. I like to see where the vibe takes me.

Did you speak at all with the artists you're collaborating with, or were you improvising?

We only spoke the day before the show. It's mostly improvised!

Nightlife has always been a place for creativity, how would you like to leave your mark in that respect?

Whenever I play in nightclubs I make sure to play sets that are different from what that crowd would have heard the previous week or the previous night, etc. I want them to remember every time that they see me play.

To follow up, what is it about nightlife that is so freeing to people?

It's the opposite of daytime office hours.

Has working on this project influenced anything else you've been working on, just from thinking about Warhol's aesthetic and philosophy? 

Everything I do is part of a bigger continuity. Every set informs the next one for me. So in that respect, yes it has!