When we moved to the Coachella Valley, we had no idea how big of a deal the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival really was. But after living here for a few years, we’ve come to understand just how massive it is. Every year the lineup is incredible, and this year was no exception.
What made it even more exciting was discovering some of the parties happening throughout the Valley. One of those was at The Saguaro Palm Springs. As soon as I saw the lineup for Dim Mak Afloat: Desert Pool Party Edition, I cleared my schedule. I didn’t care what else was going on. I had to be there.
The lineup was stacked. There were a few names I didn’t recognize, but I was especially pumped to see Linney perform. Her single “Opposites” with Vicetone has been on repeat for me the last few months. I was also fired up to see Party Pupils live. I mean, what could be better than a pool party in Palm Springs during Coachella with a DJ who literally has the word “party” in his name?
Before he took the stage, I had the chance to spend some time with him in the green room. We talked about his music, what inspires him, and how his sound has evolved over the years. He started as a producer, and now he’s remixing and collaborating with some of the biggest names in dance music. Oh, and just wait until you hear the story behind the tattoo on his left hand.
This was an unforgettable conversation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with an artist like this. So turn up the volume and enjoy this in-depth interview. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Party Pupils.
Palm Springs sunshine, good vibes, and a pool party—what more could you ask for? What do you think takes a daytime party from fun to epic, and how do you keep the energy flowing?
That’s a really good question because anytime I do a daytime set, especially a pool party where you know that part of the attraction is going to be people in the pool and it’s not necessarily going to be a front-facing crowd with everybody up front looking at what you do, you really have to think about the energy between people and what they are trying to do during the day at a pool party. I usually try to keep it disco—it’s always a good way to break the ice in almost any setting. I think for any party that I go to, especially a pool party, I want to hear some disco. So I’m going to be throwing down some disco house today.
You picked a great time to be in Palm Springs! Are you heading to Coachella this weekend?
I’m actually not, and I’ve never been to Coachella. My rule is that I will only go when I play, and I haven’t played yet. I have FOMO every year. A ton of my friends, basically all of my friends, have either been there or have played it. I am just keeping this going until the wheels fall off or I play Coachella, whichever comes first.
I don’t know if you saw the set last night, but I actually fell asleep. But Lady Gaga was spectacular.
Oh, wow. I expect nothing less from her. I have to catch up on some of the sets from last night because I, too, went to bed early.
You’ve carved out a style that nods to the past while staying totally fresh. How do you strike that balance when you’re both on stage and in the studio?
That’s also a really good question. I think that my thing is just a matter of finding the pocket of what I enjoy, and I think that for everyone in my position, every DJ, every producer, they want to hear what they like first, you know. Then we move on to why we do it, which is for other people as well. I have always loved really funky music, everywhere from super funky disco old school stuff to, you know, modern stuff. Jamiroquai is not exactly modern, but the 70s funk and stuff. I think what I do and my style is making sure people are feeling good. It’s not about trying to please everyone, but I feel like I have something for everyone. Me and my girlfriend both hate that phrase, “something for everyone.” It really is, I just try to think about what is the common theme in dance music, and it’s about making people feel good. And that’s what I try to do.
You’ve done some killer remixes—what’s your process for reimagining a song while still keeping the essence of the original?
I always try to listen to the original song maybe once. If I get someone who wants me to remix a song, I don’t want to get too familiar with it. I like to reimagine it in a way that it’s a new song. I take a vocal, and I will use pretty much any of the other elements in the track. It’s a reimagination. A remix is almost not fair to call it that, the way I do it and the way a lot of people do it. It’s a reimagination of the song. How can I make it better? How can I make it mine? And that’s my approach.
When working on a remix, have you ever found that the remix ended up better than the original or the other way around?
I have remixed plenty of songs where the original is absolutely untouchable, and mostly like big, big songs. I’ve remixed “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. You’re not touching the origins. I know my version is good, and it’s solid for what I do, but come on, man. There are some things you don’t even need to remix. It is such a classic. When it’s songs that are new or contemporary artists I work with, I never want to do anything they’re doing. It’s just different. Not better, just different. That’s all.
Dim Mak Afloat: Desert Pool Party Edition has a killer lineup this year. What’s it like getting to share the stage with talents like Angel D, Linney, and Mild Minds?
It’s always a pleasure, whether it’s a local DJ who’s been playing for a year or an absolute legend. I’ve been on bills with everybody, and to me it’s always the same—people just trying to have fun. Human beings, we’re all equal as much as possible, and on that stage, that’s what I feel. I have wild imposter syndrome. I am more a producer DJ and not a DJ producer. I started producing first. There are DJs who have been doing it twice as long as me, and they are so much better than me, and I’m on the lineup and I’m like, “How am I even here right now?” I know I am good at what I do, but I am always impressed by people on the lineup. I am always learning from someone on the lineup.
Who are one or two DJs you’ve seen that truly inspired you and left you with your mouth on the floor?
I am trying to think who really blew me away. I saw Oakenfold. I played Ultra Japan two years ago, and I got to see Skrillex for the first time. And it was everything that everybody says. My jaw was on the floor. I had a burst of energy that I never get when I am in the crowd, and I am watching him play, and I am losing my mind like a kid. I haven’t gone this crazy at a show since I was 16 or 17. It was amazing.
He’s on a side quest at this point. He’s just experimenting and having fun and bringing his friends into the mix, and I love pretty much everything he does at this point. I can see the goodness. Not every song is my favorite song, but I can always recognize just how incredible he is in everything that he does. I am actually really excited to see what he does after this, to see if he’s going back into the pop sphere. I don’t know if he’ll do more Jack Ü stuff, but something in that realm. He’s the best of all time.
You’ve built a loyal fanbase that loves the Party Pupils experience both on and off stage. What role does social media play in shaping that experience and keeping the party going beyond live shows?
If you talk to most people in general, especially artists, it’s the bane of everybody’s existence to a certain degree because it’s a full-time job trying to get people aware. It gets harder and harder to reach everybody’s following, just the way things are now. I have to be on my social media game pretty heavily, as much as I like and don’t really want to be. I want to be in the studio, I want to be making music, or I just want to be hanging out with my girlfriend or my friends, disconnecting. I don’t want to find another reason to be on social media, but it’s part of the job. We’re lucky to do what we do, so if that’s part of it, that’s part of it, and just do it.
I’ve got to ask about the tattoos. Do they have any specific meanings, especially the ones on your hands?
This one right here on my left, it’s a crop circle, but it’s also a logo from my favorite band that I grew up absolutely loving. They actually became friends of mine, and I work with them now. It’s like a whole story. I actually have two remixes for them coming out next month, which is crazy. The band is 311. Love them to death. I became a fan of them when I was 11, and I’m going to be 41 this year.
Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share about Party Pupils—maybe something fans might not know yet? And what’s the rest of your summer looking like? Any big releases or surprises we should be watching for?
I’ve got a song coming out called “Touch” with two Japanese artists that I’ve worked with. It’s a really funky song. I’m actually singing on it, but it’s one of those songs. I posted a snippet of it. Even Zedd was like, “Dude, send me that immediately.” That’s coming out April 18. It’s going to be a good one.
How do you decide what artists to collaborate with? Do artists reach out to you, do you reach out to them?
Both. Basically, if I’m a fan of someone, I’ll reach out and see what the vibe is. If they want to work on something, we get together. A lot of times, people do hit me up directly, and it’s great. My DMs are always open for artists or anyone who’s trying to send me music or possibly work together. My biggest collab that I’ve had was with Oliver Heldens, and that was through a DM on Instagram. That’s the power of social media. The walls have come down from artists and fans, and artist to artist. It’s so much easier if you have any kind of steam whatsoever as an artist to get in touch with another artist you want to work with. Just shoot them a DM. You never know who’s going to answer and what the vibe’s going to be. I’ve been left unread. It’s a bit of a sting, but it happens.
Thanks for doing this. That was fun! In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Ain’t no party like a Party Pupils party.
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