Adriatique at Hatshepsut temple, in Luxor, Egypt for Cercle

It's very strange to have them here four years later. Even I think about the same day or... Yeah, I thought the same thing. It's the same time range. It's four years. Exactly four years. Exactly four years ago. What differences did you see when approaching your set four years ago and now? Because now I imagine that the pressure was something else. What changed in your mind and your approach to this set? I mean, you always evolve or maybe change your style a little bit. Or at least we are constantly reinventing ourselves and trying to develop. So I'm not sure if we had a particular approach, let's say, to make it different because it's a different place.

Not really because when I made the playlist, like when we made it together, I was thinking about the way that... It was a good way to do it, like switch between styles, go more melodic, then more like more. crashing, you know. And we try to do the same as today. I think that's how we play in our regular DJ sets too, that we try to take a journey, you know, through different... - Combine slightly different styles. We get bored easily if we just... Yeah, I can't. If it's just the same bass line, the whole track is like...

Yeah, definitely. And now that you've played for us twice, what defines for you a good song for a Cercle set? A track that you, as a DJ or performer, whatever your craft, really love and like because you need to translate it. And I think some people might... They might play something for the audience, but we really need to feel it. It doesn't matter the style or the genre, I guess it's about conveying that energy or love for that particular song. And there was a question online saying that someone noticed that you're playing more vocals than before.

It's... And the question was, is it a coincidence or... or was it your idea to play more songs with vocals over the years? Yeah, I mean, honestly, to prove it we have to listen to old sets again. But I think I know pretty much... I'm pretty sure there was a time, years ago, when we played even more vocals than we do, say, today. I guess, again, what you said before is a constant or the only constant is change. So sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less, but I don't think it's... I like the voices. Yes me too.

Then you have your answer, Jan Likens. And speaking of good voices, the beautiful song you made for this show in collaboration with Eynka, the beautiful remix, how do you select the people you're working with? I'm speaking like singers. What is your creative process? Do you make the track first and then add the vocals or do you work directly from the beginning with the vocals? If we talk particularly about this topic, if I'm not mistaken, this was recanted. It's a UK song probably from the 90s. Was it the 90s? I'm not sure. Probably from the '90s, but it was sung again by someone who did it with Eynka and we really loved it.

So we approached them and basically did a collaborative project. And I mean, I think for the people we work with in general, it all comes pretty naturally. People we know or you meet online or there is a match at the event. We don't really have a particular audition strategy or process, let's say, or anything like that. You are welcome. Brilliant. Yes, it's natural. And for a lot of artists, when you're at the top of your career, I can't say if you're at the top of your career or not, but it's very difficult to keep evolving, keep creating, keep trying new things.

How do you handle that yourself? And how do you stay connected with your audience and try to incorporate their feedback? Or do you try all that? Again, this goes back to what he said at the beginning, the DJ set, our whole career is kind of based on that: not worrying too much and just doing it. And then every once in a while there's a certain change in style or there's a particular moment where he plays something or does something where you think, Oh my God, this is like something new or it's so fresh. Because you get a little bored or stuck in your creativity.

But we were lucky that on a couple of occasions in our already quite long career, this particular moment happens and then you feel or have this new kind of renewed motivation and commitment to people. And we also have very, very good fans. We love them. Yes, they have been following us for a long time and they continue to do this and they are also always curious to know what we will do next and they stay with us. So I guess we're lucky with that. And I imagine that being a duo is also great to put your ideas into practice and always keep them.

It also makes it easier. So it's not the only pressure you have when you are one person. Yes, I believe you are not alone with the good and bad times. Of course. I mean, it has to fit. So if you have completely different ideas, it will be a disaster. - That was my other question. - You have to speak the same language musically. Otherwise, yes. - I imagine that after 15 years of knowing each other, they now truly understand each other. But how do you handle when you disagree on something? You have to. Yeah, like I'm trying to think of times when, let's say, decisions or opinions that we had, that...

Let's put it this way. That was never a major decision creatively or in terms of business decisions that were so out of line that there was a big argument. That's why I think that in the important decisions of our careers, we were always on the same page. - It's lovely. And I have other questions from the audience. But first I wanted to talk a little more about X, which is your new project. So you are producers, DJs, but now you also organize your own events, which are X. Can you tell us a little more about this concept?

Yeah, basically, we just had the first event. So we've just started. Yes. Yes. And basically we wanted to start this journey, particularly like this. We wanted to start in Zurich because it is our home. And we thought it was kind of cool, you know, to see the whole operation and what's happening. Yes. It all started when we did our 10 year anniversary tour. Yes. And then COVID happened. So back then we really wanted to continue and he basically put us on hold. And yes, now we are happy to get it back up and running. Yes. So X is a symbol of many things in mathematics, geography, science and physics.

But you say that X marks the place where two paths intersect. - Exactly. - Can you reflect on a specific case in which two paths crossed in a way that was significant or transformative for you? Yes, in general, duality is always something important in our lives. If we talk about major incidents, it is when our paths cross. Our paths crossed in a dark and dusty club in Germany, we introduced ourselves under the same name. And this was this particular moment. And so this dualism, duality . first, and then they grow into something. And this is basically this, this idea where it comes from.

It's a very open symbol, as you said, for many things. And that's exactly what it represents. - That is incredible. We brought... He made some points, more or less. Yes, thanks! In fact, we are very happy that you met. We really want to see more of X. Let's talk about AI. Do you like AI? - I mean, you, I mean... - You more? - Well, I don't know, in everything he is the most technical guy. But in terms of probably these fancy things, I'm super, you know. Of course, it's super interesting, you know, we didn't have much contact yet.

But there are some very, very interesting things too in terms of music and creativity, obviously. Have you ever tested any of your programs to work with AI? Well, especially in the first act, there were some AI images. So technically yes. And this is a very interesting topic to explore. I mean, AI-rendered content was basically that. Ah OK. - Depending on the track you were playing. Yes, according to the information provided. Yes. - That's incredible. And you see? Can we talk creatively about the limitations of AI? Because you're talking about more AI, as a tool to improve creativity.

But do you think that when creating and performing music, do you see any limitations and how it can shape the future of the industry? Well, I'm not very aware of what state we are in, but I personally think... - I'm a big fan of science fiction, for example, I love science fiction movies and I read about things that are not real yet. maybe. So I think there probably isn't any limitation. And I think that's a very interesting thought, but also very scary. But it will definitely take shape. And I think if you close your eyes, you might be left behind because these things are going to become more and more important and become more involved in all of creativity and in all of business, I think.

Definitely. And now AI creates its own music. I don't know if you saw the Taylor Swift song, which has been created by AI with Taylor Swift's voice, actually. I didn't see this one in particular, but I saw other things, which again are like soup. It's crazy, but it's also very scary. - Exactly. I think... it's exactly this. To be honest, I'm still not 100%. I like real things. Okay, I see. - Okay, I see. If you were us, which artist would you invite to play at which venue? Do you need ideas or? Yes, please help me! No, I want your point of view.

Oh it's interesting. It's hard to choose one because, you know... - Story of our life! I don't know. Very hard. I think we can make a statement on that because. Yes, I don't want to choose one or the other because... Sorry, the Swiss are very diplomatic! The Circle shows that they became very rare and, you know, choosing one because now is a difficult decision. No? I mean, of course, I would cast some newcomer, a new artist on the rise, who is doing very well. Yes. You can take some time to think about it and maybe respond later.

Don't worry. I'll text you. - It's good, awesome. And we will put it in the comments so you know online. We have some questions from our Patreon users. This one is deep. Do you think your music defines you or do you define your music? Again... - He has an answer for everything. - I see that! It's basically like an AI. Well, again, this goes back to the X thing where we talked about X marking a sport with two crossed paths. I think it's a two-way street, right? And I think that if one or the other also possesses too much of the balance, he could lose the balance.

So I think it's a little bit in the middle. And if you look at the beginning and the end of your career, it's probably something else. At first it was all about this, I just want to do it. And then you do it and then it becomes a reality in your entire existence. And the importance of the responsibility of that weight increases greatly. Then this will probably change in your life a couple of times. But I think it has to be somewhere in the middle to not let that get the better of you. I see. What is emerging, I see.

What do they incorporate emerging? Sorry, what emerging sounds are you incorporating into your new music? And are there any trends you would like to see disappear? This is the latest question from a Patreon user. Well, now move on to the modular. So it's not a day-to-day thing. Definitely new emerging sounds. What was the last part of the question, sorry? Are there any trends you wish would go away? Voice? No, no, no, I mean, like... We don't think about trends. So no, because, like, inclusive. Excellent. Thanks Great, thank you very much guys. It was a great honor to have you back at Cercle.

Thank you all again for having us. - And also have the opportunity to interview you for the second time. And we would also like to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for allowing us to hold this concert here – the first electronic music concert here. It's a big, big milestone. So I really wanted to thank you for your trust and also our partners, which are Kord plus Vodafone, and I also wanted to thank the whole team, hundreds of people who worked for this show, working very hard over the last few months. So thanks to all of you.

And we have, you know, our little tradition, which is the Mystery Box. And the Mystery Box is coming. So I'll let you discover your gift. Yes, you can open the box. I'm sorry. Yes. It is actually a small instrument that we bought in Aswan during our trip to Luxor. His name is Rabab... I think, I hope I pronounce it right. I tried to learn how to play it so I could show it to you. Yes. Yes. Maybe not live because... Please, not live, but I'll try to show it to you and I think it would be a great thing if they managed to incorporate some of this sound into one of their tracks. - We set the time and then I show you what we've done with it.

Amazing. Well, thank you very much guys. Thank you. Thanks guys. And we'll see you next time for maybe round three. Thank you so much guys. Thanks guys. Thank you so much. Thank you.