DJ AND PRODUCER SIGALA IS PACKING HIS BAGS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL TOUR
Chart-topping DJ and producer Sigala is packing his bags for an international tour. MARION McMULLEN finds out how he plans to get everyone dancing
You’ve worked with many big names like Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Paloma Faith and Meghan Trainor. How does it feel having other people be the face of your music?
IT is one of my favourite parts of what I do – being able to work with amazingly talented people and learn from them and their creative processes.
I’m very happy they are the face of my music. I think people would get bored if it was just my face!
Sometimes I will have a track which I love and have been working on and just need the right person to come in and vocal it. This is what happened with We Got Love. It actually turned out great because Ella Henderson was able to come in and add her own twist and really smash the vocals!
Who would be the dream collaboration?
THERE are many, so I feel like I always change my answer, but a couple of names would be Anne-Marie or Tiesto.
Your were born Bruce Fielder. Where did the name Sigala come from?
IT’S actually an old family name. My mum was telling me about my greatgreat-grandfather and he was called Amos Sigala. I just thought it sounded cool.
When did your love of music begin?
MY parents introduced me to the piano at the age of eight and they were happy to see how much I loved it (and how quiet it kept me). But I do love the piano, to this day most of my songs still include it. I usually start off on the piano as an acoustic song and then go from there.
When did you first discover dance music?
I CAN’T pinpoint exactly, but I was involved in a lot of bands in my teens and would record us onto my computer and then edit the tracks. The whole production and song-writing thing naturally evolved from there really. I guess I get inspired by things that are happening at that moment.
You’re not yet 30 and have already achieved so much. What have been some of the highlights for you?
MUSIC has always been such an integral part of my life and I worked hard on many different projects before landing on Sigala. Luckily I have a great team around me who are amazing and help make the Sigala vision possible.
It never gets old hearing your song played on the radio. So much time and effort goes into each track. It’s always a hugely proud moment to know that people are listening and enjoying my music.
I was in Tokyo for New Year when I heard Say You Do in a shop on the other side of the world. I find it a little mindblowing each time.
What is it like performing at some of the world’s biggest festivals and venues?
IT’S honestly crazy. I have been playing to some huge crowds over the last few years and when I hear a sea of people singing my song back to me – often twice as loud – wow!
What can people expect from the forthcoming tour?
FOR me it’s essential that my live show is always evolving and feels new and exciting to everyone, including myself.
So before the tour starts I spend lots of time in the studio and in rehearsals trying to perfect the show and the experience. I’m really looking forward to showing people the next stage of the Sigala show.
I want people to come and experience for themselves so trust me on this one. Expect to see me jumping around behind the decks trying to contain my excitement.
What do you do during your down time while on tour?
I TRY and explore a place as much as possible. I generally only ever have a few hours in each city before moving on but I will fit in what I can. Often if I really like a place, I will try to go back and explore it outside of writing and touring.
I have been incredibly fortunate in being able to take the Sigala show to so many corners of the world.
Each show is a completely unique experience which is why I love it so much, but there is something special about playing in my hometown of Norwich. When I played there last summer the crowd was full of familiar faces, including my parents who were jumping up and down crazier than most.
What else is in the pipeline this year?
MY main priority for 2020 is getting out new music. I have loads of amazing music that I want everyone to hear, so that’s really going to be my focus once the craziness of my tour has subsided.
■ Sigala’s 2020 tour begins on February 9. Go to sigalamusic.com for further information.