Wally Lopez Interview
Widely considered to be the most internationally renowned Spanish DJ and producer, Wally Lopez has had one crazy summer!We caught up him to chat about festivals, DJ’ing for Madonna and his love for the London crowd!
Do you remember when you used to be a radio DJ in Spain?
Yes, I was 13 years old. I headed up a weekend radio show in a Spanish radio-station called Top Radio. It was the beginning of my career. Since then things has changed a lot, but I like to think I still put the same energy in my national broadcasted show, La Factoria (every Friday night on Maxima FM)
How did the idea come up to perform at the Madonna concert in Seville (Spain) in 2008?
Well, I had noticed she liked to have DJs opening for her concerts, so we contacted the Spanish promoter of the show and offered him to collaborate. We had to go through a lot of filters and finally her PR office approved me as the chosen DJ for the Spanish concerts. We were told Madonna herself gave us the thumbs up!
You have played lots of festivals this year. Which festival did you enjoy the most?
Well, it’s difficult to select one of them. Each festival has been so great with lots of good feelings and experiences. But if I have to select one of them I could pick Creamfields Almeria, Extrema in Holland or Tomorrowland in Belgium.
Are you working on any good remixes at the moment?
Yes, I’m just preparing some new releases and remixes which will be out very soon. There are some different surprises that I can’t reveal now.
In 2009 you were chosen as one of the Dance4Life Ambassadors, this organization fights the case against AIDS among young people. In what way did you help contribute to this?
Dance4Life is an admirable organisation. They have the support of many big DJs and I am honored to be one of them. Their aim is to prevent AIDS among kids and young people.
What DJ’s do you think we should look for this year in the Tech house genre?
Well, there are lots of great DJs and producers who are growing up. Coyu, Mendo and Ramon Tapia are three of the hottest names in the pipeline!
You used to be a resident at The End and at the Ministry of Sound, how was the London crowd?
London crowd is amazing, not only at Ministry Of Sound. I think most of British clubbers feel the music in different way than in other countries, the music culture is wider and deeper… You just have to look at the amount of specialised magazines you have there. Playing in the UK allows me to take more risks and try new things with my music, because the crowd is more likely to go with it.
You also host a national program of electronic music on Maxima FM, which counts for more than 540,000 listeners each Friday. How do you manage all of this along with your label “The Factoria” and your busy schedule?
It’s not easy because you have to spend most of your time working! But my job is my passion!!! This is one of the reasons why I can do it. Of course, the other reason and the most important is the Factomania team. I couldn’t do everything if I didn’t have the Factomania crew behind me. They help me in everything. The good understanding and rapport within Factomania is one of the keys to my success.
If you were invisible for the day, what would you do and where would you go?!
Wow, maybe I would sneak into the girls’ dressing rooms... hahahahaha! I´m joking!!!!
If I was invisible for the day probably I will live the same life that I live now. I don’t want any special skill or ability cause I’m so happy with my life and job. I’m a lucky man because I’ve managed to turn my passion into my work: playing music!!!!
If you could have a swimming pool filled with anything you wanted…what would it be?!
Well… this is a tricky question? Everyone knows I love champagne…
In a more spiritual way of answering, I would say my family, friends and good.
