Grandtheft Interview

What can we say about Grandtheft? With support from the likes of Diplo, A-Trak and Skream, residencies in Las Vegas and some of the best remixes on the planet, he’s fast becoming Canada’s biggest DJ. With an Australia/New Zealand tour kicking off on 18th July, he’ll be hitting up Brisbane’s Oh Hello!, Hamilton’s Block Party, and Oxford Art Factory in Sydney, playing his own originals and a few remixes for the crowds. To find out more about this eclectic club heavyweight, we had a chat with Grandtheft about collaborations, ideas and how he spends his free time travelling the world.

Hi Grandtheft, where in the world are you right now and what have you been up to?
I’m in Las Vegas at Wynn to play Encore Beach Club tonight. Then Toronto, Evolve Festival this weekend and Australia/New Zealand tour starting next week!

Your remixes are phenomenal, from Calvin Harris and Florence Welch’s ‘Sweet Nothing’ to Jay Z’s ‘Miley’ and Drake ‘0-100’; how do you choose what you work on?
Thank you! All of those just came from ideas. I often look to take a song I like and make it into something that will kill in my sets. Something that will set the rave off.

How did your collaboration with Diplo and his Major Lazer crew come about?
I’m not sure how that came about. The first song we did was the ‘Sweet Nothing Remix’ for Calvin Harris. That went really well and we have done a few other songs since. I am helping a little with the upcoming Major Lazer LP as well. I really respect Diplo’s ear so it’s been cool to see how he moves in studio and how he puts projects together. He is really creative and, like me, he likes to work fast.

Do you think connections and networking are important in the industry? Does it make your work easier or more creative?
I don’t know… In my opinion, it’s mostly about being able to write great songs yourself. Sometimes making beats amounts to a LOT of time by yourself stuck in your head though. So I love collaborating – but more for the process of collaboration itself. I love to learn from others in studio and share my studio/writing tricks as well. It’s fun to nerd out, learn from others and come out with music that’s a combination of ideas.

Your music has been described as beyond categorization, so how would you describe it?
I write a lot of different stuff. I always have. Most of my music as Grandtheft is various forms of club and bass music. But I make House stuff too… I’d just describe it all as ‘music to make people move their ass’ [Laughs]

Besides remixes and producing, you’re non-stop touring all over the world; what has been the most outrageous moment that you can remember?
The whole month I spent touring with Riff Raff.

You regularly hit up Las Vegas, Europe, New York; but where would you say was the clubbing capital of the world?
No one city for me… It depends on the venue, crowd, DJ… Wherever/whenever people come out to get wild.

If you have time off while on tour, what do you like to get up to?
Eat the best foods.

Why did you choose to call yourself Grandtheft?
It’s just a name. Came from jacking samples from records… and making bootlegs.

What was the first record you bought?
I can’t remember honestly. But I still have thousands of vinyl 45s. 12″‘s and albums.

What’s your favourite drink while on stage?
Right now I’m on a tequila soda kick. Usually vodka soda though.

If you could put the Grandtheft spin on any track, which would you choose?
I can and do remix whatever I want! Next up is…. Guess you have to wait and see!

Thanks, Grandtheft!

Click here to get your ticket to see Grandtheft at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory on Friday 25th July

Check out Grandtheft’s remix of Calvin Harris’ ‘Summer’

By Charlotte Mellor