Much like their name suggests, Monkey Safari and heading over to Geelong to give us one helluva time. Also owners of a club themselves, they sure know a thing or two about how to create the perfect club atmosphere. We had a chat to Lars on what to expect from the night and their experience in the club scene.
Hi Monkey Safari, thanks for taking the time to chat to Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
Thanks, we’re fine. We are currently in our hometown in Germany, taking a little break from working in the studio and all those shows over the past weeks, before we’re headed to Australia.
We saw that you’ve been jetsetting across the world touring, most recently Cairo, how was the gig there?
Cairo was amazing. The scene in Egypt is not very huge but it’s really powerful. We had a really good time there and hopefully we’ll get invited again!
Have you had much of a chance to stop and take a look around at each place you’ve visited?
Unfortunately we have not. We have a tough tour schedule and most of the time we’re not able to stay longer at a place than the show and some sleep at the hotel.
It seems with each place you’ve visited there’s been a cute graphic uploaded on Facebook, who’s the graphics whiz behind those images?
Paul Arne Meyer is the guy behind the graphics. He is a friend of us since many years now and creates all of our graphics and artworks. We think it’s nice to have something like a digital postcard for each place we play and most of the clubs and promoters are really happy about the graphical support.
You’ll be heading to Geelong too for an upcoming show, have you ever been to that part of Australia before? Looking forward to it?
Yes, of course. We played in Geelong twice before and every show was really great for us. It’s a really small place but with a very special atmosphere and we love this kind of club. You get the better vibes and a better connection with the crowd. It’s not easy for smaller cities to build up a good scene, especially when they are close to larger cities like Melbourne, because people often go to the bigger clubs. However, we’re really looking forward to play in Geelong again!
How long is the selection process for what you decide to play on the night? Have you already picked things out for your Australian performance?
We never pre-select any tracks we’re playing, since every night and every crowd is different. It depends on the night which tracks we pick. Sven and I normally play something like a back 2 back set, he plays a track and I play the next one. I never know what songs he is playing, so I have to decide what track to play while the current track is already running!
I understand you guys actually own a club of your own, Charles Bronson, what do you think makes a club a great one?
A perfect sound system. Everything else is a bonus! When you have proper sound the DJ’s will love it and the crowd will thank you for not getting ear bleeding. It’s important for electronic music to transport that special feeling and in order to do so a good sound system is essential!
Given that you play late night gigs, do you both still enjoy going out after and enjoying in the nightlife?
Usually we don’t have much time to go out. Our flights are leaving early and we don’t have much time to sleep already. But sometimes it happens of course…
Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up?
Thank you too, hopefully we will see you in Geelong at the bar and have some drinks together… And check out our latest release Cranes, including great remixes by Kölsch and Wolf + Lamb, which will be re-released in Australia through Sweat it Out very soon!
When & Where: St James Bar & Nightclub, Geelong – April 18