October 2, 2023 • 23 mins
Celebrating the release of his latest smash “Jungle”, Alok shares how the song was born w The Chainsmokers & Mae Stephens! Plus, how his song “Car Keys (Ayla)” was born w Ava Max and who originally wrote it.
Alok also talks his amazing climate change eventj at the United Nations, and how it came together!
We also get to know Alok better w #FinkysFavorites!!
Find out about his:
Follow: @AmericasDance30 on all socials!
Count down the biggest dance songs in the country every week with Brian Fink on America’s Dance 30; listen on stations around the world!
Alok also talks his amazing climate change eventj at the United Nations, and how it came together!
We also get to know Alok better w #FinkysFavorites!!
Find out about his:
- favorite pizza topping
- favorite thing about playing Tomorrowland
- favorite thing about playing in Brazil
- favorite dance song of all time
Follow: @AmericasDance30 on all socials!
Count down the biggest dance songs in the country every week with Brian Fink on America’s Dance 30; listen on stations around the world!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Man, Alock, you have beenbusy, not only dropping music with Ava
Max, not only dropping music withthe Chain Smokers and May Stevens, not
only remixing Calvin Harrison's sham Smith,not only wrapping your summer tour, but
(00:22):
also still doing shows all over theworld. Should I keep going, Allock?
I mean, the music part isthe easy part. Yeah. And
beyond all that, you're also justin New York hosting a climate change event
at the United Nations headquarters, whichis amazing. My most important question for
(00:44):
you, Alock, is is thisthe real Alock or is this his clone?
Because there is no way you're doingall of this. You know.
It's funny because I have a twinBoughter, we don't look like each other.
Unfortunately, otherwise you would be inmy plays, you know, replacing
me on those moments. I lookway more like you than my twin brothers,
(01:04):
to be honest, that's a littlescary dance counting down the biggest dance
songs in the country. This isAmerica's Dance thirty. A long welcome back
(01:30):
to America's Dance thirty. It's greatseeing you. It's my pleasures and honored
to be here. I'm sorry aboutmy voice. I mean, I haven't
slept for the last four months.We are just talking about that. You
literally just woke up like ten minutesago. Yeah, because I fell asleep
and I don't know why. Ithink my subconscious and just woke up.
(01:53):
It was just some time of theinterview, so I asked if you guys
could delay for ten minutes, butI could grab a co few, wash
my face and just got well.Let me take a second and thank your
subconscious for waking you up. Iappreciate it. Congratulations on the new smash
Jungle with the Chain Smokers and MayStevens. It is such a smash.
(02:15):
I really love this one as well. And it's interesting because this one came
across like very quickly. You know, I've been trying to do a collabive
Chase Books, I think for thelast four years, changing emails and songs
that we never really got there becauseevery time it's like it's a song that's
(02:35):
too much related with them or toomuch related with me. We never found
this balance. And then you know, draw he started to date the Brazilian
girl, and he's dating Brazilian girlright now, and I think I think
she might be the one like toassist with them, like, hey,
you should be sending me about likeso it's kind of like you set it
(02:58):
up. He exactly said it.I was thankful and and then as soon
as I send them the idea,they got in love with it and they
worked, you know, very well. They really changed the song to a
way where it felt much better.And it's interesting because it's it's like this
kind of style that's really hyping themoment, which is like this kind of
(03:22):
a little bit faster if am butyou can really find them there and you
can really find out looks. It'sa very you know, a balanced and
I love the song. Yeah,it's interesting that you mentioned the sound of
now because as a DJ that's beendoing this for so long, could you
ever imagine because I couldn't that thenext sound would be the faster, harder
(03:45):
trance kind of like the old cascada. You know, I didn't imagine too
as well, to be honest withyou. And it's interesting because I feel
that also the new generation they area little bit more anxiety, you know,
they have anxiety, and I thinkthey listened to the songs and to
interviews everything in one point five,you know, a little bit faster.
(04:06):
They just want to do it fast, and it's interesting to see, like
also how the music became faster,you know with everything if you think about
it, like all the contents andeverything has to be fast and quick,
you know, fifteen seconds and yeah, I want the whole information before seeing
the vida. I don't want tolose time. And maybe cerdadenly this just
(04:29):
also convert with the music. ButI think like for our generation, it
also fits well because it's something thatwe are used to write. It was
like beforehand, something but was verybig. Yeah, it's all cyclical and
it's definitely great to have it back. I mean you you kind of use
that sound for your remix of Desirewith Calvin Harrison Sam Smith. I can't
(04:53):
wait to talk more about Jungle andfind out how it was born, and
of course car Keys I and findout how that was born. Coming up.
But let's get to know Alock alittle better with Finky's favorites. Okay,
so last month you had a partnershipwith I Food Brazil for the Alock
(05:18):
and Cheese pizza, which is rightdown my lane. What is your favorite
topping on pizza? I think it'scheese for sure. The name says everything.
You know. My flavor was likefive different cheeses. I love it.
I'm just happy you didn't say pineapple. No, it's a crime,
(05:39):
isn't it? Because it is nowin Italy. You know if you say,
if you tell this, I thinkthey would they would deport you here.
Yeah, they would take your passportaway. Now. Tomorrowland just dropped
an in depth doc on YouTube,which is amazing. It includes you as
(06:00):
well. I've actually never gotten thechance to go to tomorrow Land yet.
What is your favorite thing about playingTomorrowland. I think people that go there
they're looking for something different. LikeI would say, it's a place where
you can really like bring something that'sfresh. You don't have to do the
same set you're playing the whole summer. It's a moment where you know you
(06:23):
have kind to challenge yourself. Andalso what happens in Tomorreland becomes a very
big influence for the future for allthe DJs. So I think that's mostly
I most liked because it's kind ofeveryone goes there, I have to share
new stuff and then everyone listened toeach other set and see what everyone did.
(06:44):
I think that's what I'm most likelyto play. There is Tomorrowland as
surreal as it looks, because itjust looks amazing. It is surreal,
and it's like, you know,it's a Disneyland for Aldens in a way
where it's amazing everything. But Ithink more than that, it's it's a
(07:04):
place where you can be free,you know, where most of the time
we cannot. And we know alot of people work so hard, have
so much challenging stuff, and youknow, they accumulate so much of this
energy and they have to just releasethis energy some moment and you can release
this fighting, you know, likeyou know on the you know, on
(07:26):
the Metro station, on the work, we can release this with love and
music and you know, just andI think to Marnland is those moments where
you can release this energy but ina very good way. Yeah, I
hope to go soon. It's definitelyon my bucket list. Now. You
(07:49):
posted an awesome video of you landingin Brazil and taking a young fan and
his family up on stage with you, which was so incredible. What is
your favorite thing about playing in Brazil? I would say I'm in Brazili,
you know, and to be Brazilian, you know very well our culture and
our soul, I would say,and I would say that the bus part
(08:13):
for me to play in Brazil,it's because they feel me as someone that
represented in the world and they're soyou're so receptive with me. You know,
they share so much love. It'ssomething so intense that is not even
closing anywhere in the world. SoI think that's what I'm most like,
you know, to have this lovefrom the crowd. It's impressive. It
(08:35):
just looks amazing the crowd in yourvideos. It's like I feel that,
you know, we as Brazilian aswe we miss sometimes its representativity because we
are always thought that, you know, we're inferiors and what happens outside is
superior. And you know, andwhen you have someone to present us on
(08:56):
you know, on sport like footballor you know, and something we feel
represented and that becomes so big atour country and we receive them bigger than
any other, you know, internationalsuperstar because we feel proud of it.
And it's magic, you know,to have this support of the whole community,
(09:16):
not only in Brazil but all over. You know, I have something
that we plays a lot in myadvantage, which is like, there's so
many Brazilians around the world. Theysupport so much that you know, when
I'm playing sometimes in clubs in Europe, like the first night is sold out
because the Brazilians don't allow no onehere to buy the tickets, so I
(09:37):
have to open the second night,will move to a bigger venue, which
is very important because you know,sometimes for us to cross the bird frontiers
and you know, to get loosedand noticed and opportunities outside, sometimes we
need to prove ourselves setting tickets right, and so they come. Everyone like
us, and it's amazing. That'sa good problem to have exactly now.
(10:00):
Finally, in Finky's Favorites, yourlatest song with Ava Max Carkeys is climbing
the charts. It of course samplesa classic dance song. Isla, this
is gonna be a tough question.What is your favorite dance song of all
time? Yeah, the tough one. If I would say you won't dance
(10:22):
artists, I would say Deft punkO good Joy. He changed the lot
of things, you know, andbut my favorite dance song, Wow.
So I asked the question a lot, and I'm just waiting for somebody to
say the same one that I haveand it's never happened, which is kind
(10:43):
of upsetting. But two of myfavorites are Josh Wink Higher State of Consciousness
and this I don't know if you'refamiliar with Lustrol. It's a song called
every Time that was just a beautifulfemale vocal. Those were two of my
favorites. I will search this one. What's the name of the second one?
(11:03):
I might have heard it, butnot similate with the name. You
know that happens often. Yeah,make sure the google lustrol and every time
it is a beautiful female vocal.Well interesting, I will check it out.
Maybe something can happen. Maybe thatwill be your new favorite. Yeah
no, But also not only that, you know, and my last release,
(11:24):
I've been sampling a lot of likeyou know, Gold that were very
big in the past, because Ithink that the new generation don't really know
it. And also it's a hit. So everything it's good. It just
as you said in the beginning,is a cycle, right, it's coming
back. If you see my lastrelease, deep down, I'm all by
(11:45):
myself, the one of the Jamesart to work with my love. They
all have an cartis. They allhave this sample from back in days,
and it really worked, But Idon't know if I have one specifically song
that really you know, I remembera lot of things of massive attack of
the Prodigy, you know, ChenkoBrothers. I think the one that really
(12:07):
changed my mind, if I couldchoose two, would be Chemical Brothers He
Boy, he Girl, because ofthe whole concept for me that I think
that was very disruptive when I heardfirst listeners as well, but the artist
I would say, you know,it's complicated. It definitely is, but
that just shows you the difference.See, I'm more of a block rocking
(12:28):
beats by the Chemical Brothers, whichwas a classic as well. But let's
talk about car keys Isla. Howwas this song born with Ava Max?
So this song is very interesting.I think it had way more challenging on
the backst you know, a backoffice, than on creating it. I
(12:48):
started to work on a on abeat, and then after that I sent
this beat to Rate actually to mymy A and R, and then he
sent to Ray I had a songthat she wrote it like five six years
ago. It was fitting perfectly withthis Beata ascent. Then after that I
(13:09):
got the you know, the sampleof Isla which fit very well on the
beat. So it was you knowwhat I mean. So it was like
a lot of things won't be alot of big combinations. And and then
after we we tried some some featurings, it didn't really match. And then
Ava she cout it and was soundingperfect. She also changed the lyric,
(13:31):
so yeah, it's it's it's.I think what I did was just putting
all the pieces together and that waschallenging, like of course, to make
everyone happy on the back you knowthe paper. Yeah, yeah, Now
how long ago did you start workingon it? I would say one year,
(13:54):
Oh okay, so it's not thatlong, or one year before sending
to Ava too, because it waspretty when I sent her, right,
We just had to do some adaptand then her producer also got involved did
some there. But yeah, wasRay not on it because of her schedule,
her release schedule. I don't knowwhy, but I have a feeling
(14:16):
that she was focused on her youknow, her her solo, Yeah,
exactly, And I think that shedidn't want to do electronic at the moment
because she was getting too much relatedwith electronic and she wanted to and we
released almost at the same time asshe was focused on her single called Escape.
(14:39):
I think, yeah, escapism.It's very big, and I also
couldn't lose the moment because it wassummer and the ISLA sample is so summer,
that's so perfect. Exactly. Yeah. Well, let's talk about your
latest smash Jungle with the Chain Smokersand May Stevens. How was this smash
(15:00):
worn? As I told you inthe very beginning, I was trying to
collaborate with them for the last fouryears. I sent this idea to them.
They really loved it, and youknow what I was, I was
thinking if they would accept to jumpon and a song that was one hundred
and forty DPN, you know,and it was like this kind of but
they really liked it, and assoon as they listened to the first time,
(15:24):
they were I think they really likedit in a way where they just
wanted to jump on and want torelease in the next week. And this
is very important, you know,because when you're collaborating with someone, you
want your decide to be also interestedabout it, you know, and promoting
it, you know, and performingit and believe you in it. It's
(15:46):
most important. And since the veryfirst moment, they were living in it
and then they're working a song.They made it feel much better, and
we had this. I present thiswhen I was in La I think and
may I present them and July wasready to release. They're pushing me to
release every week and we could andI couldn't because of car Keys. But
(16:11):
we found this specifically date now inSeptember. Now, something I love to
find out is how many different versionsthere are from when you start working on
it, all the tweaking and everything, and then finally putting it out.
Do you know what the final Vwas of Jungle? Do you remember?
Yeah? V? Seven? Butmany different but not the many different things.
(16:34):
I'll tell you a story. Icollaborated already with with Mick Jago for
two songs. One was his solosolo record called got A Got a Grip
that I produced like a remix forhim. And then for this one,
I remember that I had to dolike also seven or eight versions, but
(16:56):
not like only tricky, like verydifferent versions until he really got satisfied and
it was a challenging. And thenwhen it started the pandemic, he called
me and said, listen, we'regoing to release a song after eight years
of non released from Rolling Stones,which is called the Ghost Down because it's
really really what we're living right,everyone is locked down and stuff. Do
(17:18):
you want to remix? I sayfor sure. So I started to remix
this one and it was interesting becausehe was calling all the time because he
dived into it. He really likedput all his tricks and it's very interesting
to see how perfectionism is. AndI have a video recorded because I was
just recording myself on piano because Iwas just feeling like something was inspired me.
(17:40):
I have two phones, and thenthe other phone started to ringing.
It was him, so I answered, and then I told him like,
because I was already on the tenthversion of this new remix and then I
call it. Are you happy?He said yeah, because listen now I
understand why you did this song backand get no satisfactions because you're never satisfied.
(18:07):
You never said, I mean thisis the version. I don't know
what to do anymore. He no, no, no, Now I'm happy,
said thank god. He just said, like, can you just bring
a little bit more of like apsychedelic vibe of the guitars? Yeah?
Sure, yeah, sure, Butare you going to take the call from
Mick Jagger next time he calls?Yeah? And I had this video recorded.
(18:33):
It's funny because I forgot that wasrecording myself and at piano. That
is so awesome. Y well,congratulations on that, Congratulations on Jungle,
Congratulations on this amazing event that youdid at the United Nations headquarters. Uh,
(18:59):
the second annual Future is Ancestral event, which also ties into your album
that's going to be coming out nextyear. Share with us how this was
born. So basically in fourteen,I was living like a very depressive moment
of my life, looking for answersand also looking for inspirations, and so
(19:19):
I went to a very related indigenoustribe which was like I don't know how
many flights and then thirteen hours ina row win then nine hours and very
smoke Canoa and it wasn't a heartof Amazon. And I finally got there
and I spent ten days. Itwas a real life changing for new experience
because I was just changing a lotof perspective and also my mindset about so
(19:41):
many things, but also connecting withthe nature. So twenty twenty one,
I was asking myself where it wasa future in candns like the future Ancestral,
which means like we're always talking aboutlike how can we create a sustainable
future. And I think that thebest way to do this is to co
(20:03):
create with the ancestral knowledge, youknow, from the addition, because the
additions they really understand about the nature. We are very disconnected. And the
way they do with it, it'snot only about like a lot of people
have the mindset that the forest standis not protective. But for them,
the forest it's not about only theterritories. It's their culture, their spirituality,
(20:25):
you know, their way of living. So it's interesting how they deal
with it, and I think theyhave a lot of things to share.
So I started to produce this thisalbum in collaborating with collaboration with them,
but the main goal of this albumis to give them, you know,
voices, potensilize their voices. SoI won't even release the album as Alok
(20:47):
album. We release like their albummaybe produced by Alok, because it's I
just want to be you know,really the platform. So we're I was
invited to join us and the climatewould change and I said, okay,
fine, but you want to discussabout you know, protecting the forest,
you know, and all all thisaspects. We should bring the indigenous here
(21:11):
so that they can be heard alsothey can, you know, and I
think it's time to hear then.So last year we divided them and it
was beautiful, and this year wedid it again, but he was much
much bigger than last year. Andhopefully next year I don't have to go
there to be speaking. Maybe theycan be downstairs applauding them. And that's,
(21:33):
you know, the transition that I'mdoing. So this album is way
more about like an album to bringconscious about. We always think about the
future like in a very apocalyptic way, you know, flying cars and neon
CITs. Why can't the future beindigenous? In his small boat on the
middle of the Amazon, and hejust takes out his phone their technology and
(21:56):
he scans the birds, which Imean is like the future don't have to
be always in this aspect of thetechnology just taking over everything, because there's
nothing more technology than the nature.It can we're not possible to recreate it,
you know. And I've been there, and I have technology as a
big alliance in my in my careerbecause I don't sing, I don't dance,
(22:18):
I don't act, I don't havea band. Wait a second,
favorite, wait a second, Iwe got to stop this interview then if
you can't sing and dance, Autock. But honestly, it's funny because like
I use technology in my favor,you know, as a big alliance in
my life, and I would saythat there's nothing more technology than the nature.
You know, it's it's it's incredible. So the point is the un
(22:44):
performance performance and this indigenous album,it's it's to bring you know, the
conscience about this topic. I lovethat and I love that you're using your
platform to do that, and thatall the proceeds are going to go to
benefit the Jinnis communities, which isamazing. Congratulations on that. Congratulations on
(23:06):
Jungle Alock. I know you areinsanely busy. You still got shows throughout
the world throughout the end of theyear. People can check alloc music dot
com for your tour dates. Allock. It's always great seeing you. Thank
you for your time. On America'sDance thirty Amazing slip pleasure this weekend Old
(23:26):
be in america America's Dance thirty,counting down the biggest dance songs in the
country. America's Dance thirty
Man, Alock, you have beenbusy, not only dropping music with Ava
Max, not only dropping music withthe Chain Smokers and May Stevens, not
only remixing Calvin Harrison's sham Smith,not only wrapping your summer tour, but
(00:22):
also still doing shows all over theworld. Should I keep going, Allock?
I mean, the music part isthe easy part. Yeah. And
beyond all that, you're also justin New York hosting a climate change event
at the United Nations headquarters, whichis amazing. My most important question for
(00:44):
you, Alock, is is thisthe real Alock or is this his clone?
Because there is no way you're doingall of this. You know.
It's funny because I have a twinBoughter, we don't look like each other.
Unfortunately, otherwise you would be inmy plays, you know, replacing
me on those moments. I lookway more like you than my twin brothers,
(01:04):
to be honest, that's a littlescary dance counting down the biggest dance
songs in the country. This isAmerica's Dance thirty. A long welcome back
(01:30):
to America's Dance thirty. It's greatseeing you. It's my pleasures and honored
to be here. I'm sorry aboutmy voice. I mean, I haven't
slept for the last four months.We are just talking about that. You
literally just woke up like ten minutesago. Yeah, because I fell asleep
and I don't know why. Ithink my subconscious and just woke up.
(01:53):
It was just some time of theinterview, so I asked if you guys
could delay for ten minutes, butI could grab a co few, wash
my face and just got well.Let me take a second and thank your
subconscious for waking you up. Iappreciate it. Congratulations on the new smash
Jungle with the Chain Smokers and MayStevens. It is such a smash.
(02:15):
I really love this one as well. And it's interesting because this one came
across like very quickly. You know, I've been trying to do a collabive
Chase Books, I think for thelast four years, changing emails and songs
that we never really got there becauseevery time it's like it's a song that's
(02:35):
too much related with them or toomuch related with me. We never found
this balance. And then you know, draw he started to date the Brazilian
girl, and he's dating Brazilian girlright now, and I think I think
she might be the one like toassist with them, like, hey,
you should be sending me about likeso it's kind of like you set it
(02:58):
up. He exactly said it.I was thankful and and then as soon
as I send them the idea,they got in love with it and they
worked, you know, very well. They really changed the song to a
way where it felt much better.And it's interesting because it's it's like this
kind of style that's really hyping themoment, which is like this kind of
(03:22):
a little bit faster if am butyou can really find them there and you
can really find out looks. It'sa very you know, a balanced and
I love the song. Yeah,it's interesting that you mentioned the sound of
now because as a DJ that's beendoing this for so long, could you
ever imagine because I couldn't that thenext sound would be the faster, harder
(03:45):
trance kind of like the old cascada. You know, I didn't imagine too
as well, to be honest withyou. And it's interesting because I feel
that also the new generation they area little bit more anxiety, you know,
they have anxiety, and I thinkthey listened to the songs and to
interviews everything in one point five,you know, a little bit faster.
(04:06):
They just want to do it fast, and it's interesting to see, like
also how the music became faster,you know with everything if you think about
it, like all the contents andeverything has to be fast and quick,
you know, fifteen seconds and yeah, I want the whole information before seeing
the vida. I don't want tolose time. And maybe cerdadenly this just
(04:29):
also convert with the music. ButI think like for our generation, it
also fits well because it's something thatwe are used to write. It was
like beforehand, something but was verybig. Yeah, it's all cyclical and
it's definitely great to have it back. I mean you you kind of use
that sound for your remix of Desirewith Calvin Harrison Sam Smith. I can't
(04:53):
wait to talk more about Jungle andfind out how it was born, and
of course car Keys I and findout how that was born. Coming up.
But let's get to know Alock alittle better with Finky's favorites. Okay,
so last month you had a partnershipwith I Food Brazil for the Alock
(05:18):
and Cheese pizza, which is rightdown my lane. What is your favorite
topping on pizza? I think it'scheese for sure. The name says everything.
You know. My flavor was likefive different cheeses. I love it.
I'm just happy you didn't say pineapple. No, it's a crime,
(05:39):
isn't it? Because it is nowin Italy. You know if you say,
if you tell this, I thinkthey would they would deport you here.
Yeah, they would take your passportaway. Now. Tomorrowland just dropped
an in depth doc on YouTube,which is amazing. It includes you as
(06:00):
well. I've actually never gotten thechance to go to tomorrow Land yet.
What is your favorite thing about playingTomorrowland. I think people that go there
they're looking for something different. LikeI would say, it's a place where
you can really like bring something that'sfresh. You don't have to do the
same set you're playing the whole summer. It's a moment where you know you
(06:23):
have kind to challenge yourself. Andalso what happens in Tomorreland becomes a very
big influence for the future for allthe DJs. So I think that's mostly
I most liked because it's kind ofeveryone goes there, I have to share
new stuff and then everyone listened toeach other set and see what everyone did.
(06:44):
I think that's what I'm most likelyto play. There is Tomorrowland as
surreal as it looks, because itjust looks amazing. It is surreal,
and it's like, you know,it's a Disneyland for Aldens in a way
where it's amazing everything. But Ithink more than that, it's it's a
(07:04):
place where you can be free,you know, where most of the time
we cannot. And we know alot of people work so hard, have
so much challenging stuff, and youknow, they accumulate so much of this
energy and they have to just releasethis energy some moment and you can release
this fighting, you know, likeyou know on the you know, on
(07:26):
the Metro station, on the work, we can release this with love and
music and you know, just andI think to Marnland is those moments where
you can release this energy but ina very good way. Yeah, I
hope to go soon. It's definitelyon my bucket list. Now. You
(07:49):
posted an awesome video of you landingin Brazil and taking a young fan and
his family up on stage with you, which was so incredible. What is
your favorite thing about playing in Brazil? I would say I'm in Brazili,
you know, and to be Brazilian, you know very well our culture and
our soul, I would say,and I would say that the bus part
(08:13):
for me to play in Brazil,it's because they feel me as someone that
represented in the world and they're soyou're so receptive with me. You know,
they share so much love. It'ssomething so intense that is not even
closing anywhere in the world. SoI think that's what I'm most like,
you know, to have this lovefrom the crowd. It's impressive. It
(08:35):
just looks amazing the crowd in yourvideos. It's like I feel that,
you know, we as Brazilian aswe we miss sometimes its representativity because we
are always thought that, you know, we're inferiors and what happens outside is
superior. And you know, andwhen you have someone to present us on
(08:56):
you know, on sport like footballor you know, and something we feel
represented and that becomes so big atour country and we receive them bigger than
any other, you know, internationalsuperstar because we feel proud of it.
And it's magic, you know,to have this support of the whole community,
(09:16):
not only in Brazil but all over. You know, I have something
that we plays a lot in myadvantage, which is like, there's so
many Brazilians around the world. Theysupport so much that you know, when
I'm playing sometimes in clubs in Europe, like the first night is sold out
because the Brazilians don't allow no onehere to buy the tickets, so I
(09:37):
have to open the second night,will move to a bigger venue, which
is very important because you know,sometimes for us to cross the bird frontiers
and you know, to get loosedand noticed and opportunities outside, sometimes we
need to prove ourselves setting tickets right, and so they come. Everyone like
us, and it's amazing. That'sa good problem to have exactly now.
(10:00):
Finally, in Finky's Favorites, yourlatest song with Ava Max Carkeys is climbing
the charts. It of course samplesa classic dance song. Isla, this
is gonna be a tough question.What is your favorite dance song of all
time? Yeah, the tough one. If I would say you won't dance
(10:22):
artists, I would say Deft punkO good Joy. He changed the lot
of things, you know, andbut my favorite dance song, Wow.
So I asked the question a lot, and I'm just waiting for somebody to
say the same one that I haveand it's never happened, which is kind
(10:43):
of upsetting. But two of myfavorites are Josh Wink Higher State of Consciousness
and this I don't know if you'refamiliar with Lustrol. It's a song called
every Time that was just a beautifulfemale vocal. Those were two of my
favorites. I will search this one. What's the name of the second one?
(11:03):
I might have heard it, butnot similate with the name. You
know that happens often. Yeah,make sure the google lustrol and every time
it is a beautiful female vocal.Well interesting, I will check it out.
Maybe something can happen. Maybe thatwill be your new favorite. Yeah
no, But also not only that, you know, and my last release,
(11:24):
I've been sampling a lot of likeyou know, Gold that were very
big in the past, because Ithink that the new generation don't really know
it. And also it's a hit. So everything it's good. It just
as you said in the beginning,is a cycle, right, it's coming
back. If you see my lastrelease, deep down, I'm all by
(11:45):
myself, the one of the Jamesart to work with my love. They
all have an cartis. They allhave this sample from back in days,
and it really worked, But Idon't know if I have one specifically song
that really you know, I remembera lot of things of massive attack of
the Prodigy, you know, ChenkoBrothers. I think the one that really
(12:07):
changed my mind, if I couldchoose two, would be Chemical Brothers He
Boy, he Girl, because ofthe whole concept for me that I think
that was very disruptive when I heardfirst listeners as well, but the artist
I would say, you know,it's complicated. It definitely is, but
that just shows you the difference.See, I'm more of a block rocking
(12:28):
beats by the Chemical Brothers, whichwas a classic as well. But let's
talk about car keys Isla. Howwas this song born with Ava Max?
So this song is very interesting.I think it had way more challenging on
the backst you know, a backoffice, than on creating it. I
(12:48):
started to work on a on abeat, and then after that I sent
this beat to Rate actually to mymy A and R, and then he
sent to Ray I had a songthat she wrote it like five six years
ago. It was fitting perfectly withthis Beata ascent. Then after that I
(13:09):
got the you know, the sampleof Isla which fit very well on the
beat. So it was you knowwhat I mean. So it was like
a lot of things won't be alot of big combinations. And and then
after we we tried some some featurings, it didn't really match. And then
Ava she cout it and was soundingperfect. She also changed the lyric,
(13:31):
so yeah, it's it's it's.I think what I did was just putting
all the pieces together and that waschallenging, like of course, to make
everyone happy on the back you knowthe paper. Yeah, yeah, Now
how long ago did you start workingon it? I would say one year,
(13:54):
Oh okay, so it's not thatlong, or one year before sending
to Ava too, because it waspretty when I sent her, right,
We just had to do some adaptand then her producer also got involved did
some there. But yeah, wasRay not on it because of her schedule,
her release schedule. I don't knowwhy, but I have a feeling
(14:16):
that she was focused on her youknow, her her solo, Yeah,
exactly, And I think that shedidn't want to do electronic at the moment
because she was getting too much relatedwith electronic and she wanted to and we
released almost at the same time asshe was focused on her single called Escape.
(14:39):
I think, yeah, escapism.It's very big, and I also
couldn't lose the moment because it wassummer and the ISLA sample is so summer,
that's so perfect. Exactly. Yeah. Well, let's talk about your
latest smash Jungle with the Chain Smokersand May Stevens. How was this smash
(15:00):
worn? As I told you inthe very beginning, I was trying to
collaborate with them for the last fouryears. I sent this idea to them.
They really loved it, and youknow what I was, I was
thinking if they would accept to jumpon and a song that was one hundred
and forty DPN, you know,and it was like this kind of but
they really liked it, and assoon as they listened to the first time,
(15:24):
they were I think they really likedit in a way where they just
wanted to jump on and want torelease in the next week. And this
is very important, you know,because when you're collaborating with someone, you
want your decide to be also interestedabout it, you know, and promoting
it, you know, and performingit and believe you in it. It's
(15:46):
most important. And since the veryfirst moment, they were living in it
and then they're working a song.They made it feel much better, and
we had this. I present thiswhen I was in La I think and
may I present them and July wasready to release. They're pushing me to
release every week and we could andI couldn't because of car Keys. But
(16:11):
we found this specifically date now inSeptember. Now, something I love to
find out is how many different versionsthere are from when you start working on
it, all the tweaking and everything, and then finally putting it out.
Do you know what the final Vwas of Jungle? Do you remember?
Yeah? V? Seven? Butmany different but not the many different things.
(16:34):
I'll tell you a story. Icollaborated already with with Mick Jago for
two songs. One was his solosolo record called got A Got a Grip
that I produced like a remix forhim. And then for this one,
I remember that I had to dolike also seven or eight versions, but
(16:56):
not like only tricky, like verydifferent versions until he really got satisfied and
it was a challenging. And thenwhen it started the pandemic, he called
me and said, listen, we'regoing to release a song after eight years
of non released from Rolling Stones,which is called the Ghost Down because it's
really really what we're living right,everyone is locked down and stuff. Do
(17:18):
you want to remix? I sayfor sure. So I started to remix
this one and it was interesting becausehe was calling all the time because he
dived into it. He really likedput all his tricks and it's very interesting
to see how perfectionism is. AndI have a video recorded because I was
just recording myself on piano because Iwas just feeling like something was inspired me.
(17:40):
I have two phones, and thenthe other phone started to ringing.
It was him, so I answered, and then I told him like,
because I was already on the tenthversion of this new remix and then I
call it. Are you happy?He said yeah, because listen now I
understand why you did this song backand get no satisfactions because you're never satisfied.
(18:07):
You never said, I mean thisis the version. I don't know
what to do anymore. He no, no, no, Now I'm happy,
said thank god. He just said, like, can you just bring
a little bit more of like apsychedelic vibe of the guitars? Yeah?
Sure, yeah, sure, Butare you going to take the call from
Mick Jagger next time he calls?Yeah? And I had this video recorded.
(18:33):
It's funny because I forgot that wasrecording myself and at piano. That
is so awesome. Y well,congratulations on that, Congratulations on Jungle,
Congratulations on this amazing event that youdid at the United Nations headquarters. Uh,
(18:59):
the second annual Future is Ancestral event, which also ties into your album
that's going to be coming out nextyear. Share with us how this was
born. So basically in fourteen,I was living like a very depressive moment
of my life, looking for answersand also looking for inspirations, and so
(19:19):
I went to a very related indigenoustribe which was like I don't know how
many flights and then thirteen hours ina row win then nine hours and very
smoke Canoa and it wasn't a heartof Amazon. And I finally got there
and I spent ten days. Itwas a real life changing for new experience
because I was just changing a lotof perspective and also my mindset about so
(19:41):
many things, but also connecting withthe nature. So twenty twenty one,
I was asking myself where it wasa future in candns like the future Ancestral,
which means like we're always talking aboutlike how can we create a sustainable
future. And I think that thebest way to do this is to co
(20:03):
create with the ancestral knowledge, youknow, from the addition, because the
additions they really understand about the nature. We are very disconnected. And the
way they do with it, it'snot only about like a lot of people
have the mindset that the forest standis not protective. But for them,
the forest it's not about only theterritories. It's their culture, their spirituality,
(20:25):
you know, their way of living. So it's interesting how they deal
with it, and I think theyhave a lot of things to share.
So I started to produce this thisalbum in collaborating with collaboration with them,
but the main goal of this albumis to give them, you know,
voices, potensilize their voices. SoI won't even release the album as Alok
(20:47):
album. We release like their albummaybe produced by Alok, because it's I
just want to be you know,really the platform. So we're I was
invited to join us and the climatewould change and I said, okay,
fine, but you want to discussabout you know, protecting the forest,
you know, and all all thisaspects. We should bring the indigenous here
(21:11):
so that they can be heard alsothey can, you know, and I
think it's time to hear then.So last year we divided them and it
was beautiful, and this year wedid it again, but he was much
much bigger than last year. Andhopefully next year I don't have to go
there to be speaking. Maybe theycan be downstairs applauding them. And that's,
(21:33):
you know, the transition that I'mdoing. So this album is way
more about like an album to bringconscious about. We always think about the
future like in a very apocalyptic way, you know, flying cars and neon
CITs. Why can't the future beindigenous? In his small boat on the
middle of the Amazon, and hejust takes out his phone their technology and
(21:56):
he scans the birds, which Imean is like the future don't have to
be always in this aspect of thetechnology just taking over everything, because there's
nothing more technology than the nature.It can we're not possible to recreate it,
you know. And I've been there, and I have technology as a
big alliance in my in my careerbecause I don't sing, I don't dance,
(22:18):
I don't act, I don't havea band. Wait a second,
favorite, wait a second, Iwe got to stop this interview then if
you can't sing and dance, Autock. But honestly, it's funny because like
I use technology in my favor,you know, as a big alliance in
my life, and I would saythat there's nothing more technology than the nature.
You know, it's it's it's incredible. So the point is the un
(22:44):
performance performance and this indigenous album,it's it's to bring you know, the
conscience about this topic. I lovethat and I love that you're using your
platform to do that, and thatall the proceeds are going to go to
benefit the Jinnis communities, which isamazing. Congratulations on that. Congratulations on
(23:06):
Jungle Alock. I know you areinsanely busy. You still got shows throughout
the world throughout the end of theyear. People can check alloc music dot
com for your tour dates. Allock. It's always great seeing you. Thank
you for your time. On America'sDance thirty Amazing slip pleasure this weekend Old
(23:26):
be in america America's Dance thirty,counting down the biggest dance songs in the
country. America's Dance thirty
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