Will Sparks Interview

Will Sparks is at the forefront of dance music Down Under, and as a result, he was asked by Ultra to create the Ultra Dance 2015 compilation. Out now, the mix speaks volumes about the music culture in Australia and what’s making Sparks sit up and listen. To find out more about the release, we had a quick-fire session with Sparks, including why he chose the tracks he did and where he’s heading to on tour.

Congrats on ‘Ultra Dance 2015’; how are you feeling now it’s finally released?
Satisfied & Excited!

You’ve got some great local and international names on the compilation; how did you choose the artists and tracks that would feature?
I chose my favourites that have been recently released through Ultra/Sony.

It’s been described as the “first dance music compilation tailored for Australian dance music fans under Ultra Music”; how did you ensure that the tracks would appeal to the right audience?
The Australian dance music scene is growing so fast and we’ve even got our own genre now… I’ve been a part of this movement and knew exactly what the people would want.

With festivals like Stereosonic and Future Music, dance music is bigger than ever for live events in Australia; why do you think this is?
The movement and evolvement of ‘Melbourne Bounce’ is going crazy… but it’s also because of the new generations growing up with electronic music.

As someone that has experience in both clubs and festivals, how do the two compare for you? Do you have a preference?
Totally different things… Both just as fun and loose… Clubs are great because you get to mingle with a lot more people and everything is intimate. Festivals are great because the atmosphere and energy is on another level.

As well as residencies at home in Oz, you’ve toured globally, playing at Tomorrowland, XS Las Vegas, and you completed an Asia tour this January; is there anywhere you’re yet to play that you really want to?
Mexico and Germany!

With the Australian summer coming to a close, what are your plans for the next few months? Will you be hitting up Europe for any gigs?
Just chasing the sun really… Going all around North America, then off to Europe… I’m basically away until the end of winter.

Finally, what experience do you want listeners to have when listening to ‘Ultra Dance 2015’? What do you want them to do and feel?
Well, if they’re dancing and singing then they’ll be feeling the natural high that music gives you.

You can buy Ultra Dance 2015 now from iTunes.

Remaining Ultra Dance Tour Dates Featuring Samual James

20th March – Hidden Forrest, Melbourne
21st March – Levels, Melbourne
27th March – Groove Saint, Albury
28th March – Home House, Geelong
2nd April – Level 3 Crown, Melbourne
4th April – Cloud Nine, Melbourne
11th April – Platinum Nightclub, Gold Coast
18th April – Marquee, Sydney
2nd May – Red Square, Adelaide