“I will continue to write music until the mustache doesnβt grow anymore.”
Giorgio Moroder is no less than an icon in electronic music history. Considered the Godfather of dance music, the thespian continues to be an innovator in the field, moving from Donna Summers during the prime of Disco to the newer voices of Sia and Britney Spears. For fans of music, the legend will be gracing Johnnie Walker The Journey on December 12, at Mehboob Studios, Bandra.
The Sherp got talking to Giorgio ahead of his upcoming India debut and he had a lot to say about his music and mustache!
Itβs such an honour to have you play in India, Giorgio! How does it feel to finally beΒ here, in a 5-decade long illustrious career?
Iβm glad Iβm finally making it to India for Johnnie Walker The Journey. It is going to be very exciting.Β Iβve played some great sets on my travels- canβt wait to feel the energy India has to offer
Can we expect a career-spanning set at the Mumbai gig?
I have about 45-50 songs of which about 25 are my older songs love to love you kind of songs, andΒ some which I composed in the last ten years and some songs which I did from the album of DejavuΒ and some EDM songs by David Guetta and Avicii.
Youβre consideredΒ the Godfather of dance music as it is. To you, what does danceΒ music really signify?
Great new way for dance!
You helped kickstart the electronic genre, at a time when popular music was ruledΒ by rock and roll. Then came hip hop, and today, electronic music is finally seeing theΒ kind of popularity that has never been as intense. What do you think changed?
It’s great because I remember 4-5 years ago you could not hear any EDM or dance music while nowΒ itβs almost 50 % EDM. I like it because I like dance music and the radio is actually playing it!
Is it this upsurge in the genreβs popularity that prompted you to come back with aΒ new album in almost 30 years?
It’s not like I decided βDaft Punk and the music industry decided it for me! After having a big song byΒ Moroder it was obvious I would go back to recording β to be honest Iβm happy I did it. Iβm happy toΒ be coming to India that probably wouldnβt happen if I didnβt come back in the music business.
(Source:Β Michael Hurcomb/Getty)
Donna was considered the undisputed queen of disco. If you had to pick one nameΒ off the current crop of songstresses, who would be your choice?
I know Rihanna is a great artiste. She is incredible. So many today that Iβd like to write for.
What would you say of the dance music culture prevalent today β the EDM music,Β the rave festivals?
I like it β the rhythm is really strong now. the EDM shows are becoming real big. They have greatΒ videos, great sound, great shows, great dancers, great lighting. They are becoming the biggest likeΒ Madonna who had the biggest shows. The bass is very good, all the DJs try and look for new sounds,Β and the sounds in the last 5 years are really good β very different, very clean and very pleasantΒ actually.
There was a vibrant disco scene in India too, just around the time Saturday NightΒ Fever released and much later in the works of some of our indipop artists. Have youΒ ever managed to check any of that out?
No but the only musician I met is the composer of Slumdog Millionaire β Mr. A. R Rahman. β he isΒ very good. No I donβt think Iβve heard of it.
When you were making music, people thought your work was extremely futuristic,Β computer-based work. What do you think the future of music looks like today?
You know what β I donβt know! The thing is that all the synthesizer sounds are so great so everybodyΒ has them β but I donβt think there was any new kind of trend except maybe EDM. But right now IΒ have no idea of what is about to happen.
Lastly, is the iconic mustache ever coming back?
I will continue to write music until the mustache doesnβt grow anymore. That could be tomorrow orΒ in ten years β I hope it continues to grow while I get older.
The genius will be in action along with Tycho and Explosions in the Sky at Johnnie Walker The Journey! Book your tickets here.
