Will Sparks is the 24 year old Melbourne producer who has earned the title of Australia’s No.1 DJ for the last few years.
Impressing audiences the world over with platinum selling hits like ‘Bring It Back’ and ‘Ah Yeah So What’, Will features on the lineup for Australia’s first taste of the world famous Ultra Music Festival – ‘Road To Ultra’.
Set to hit Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on February 24, the line-up will also include dance music heavyweights Axwell ^ Ingrosso, Afrojack, Timmy Trumpet and Tigerlily.
But Will Sparks is the man of the moment in our latest Q&A.
Q. First of all – Congratulations on making the DJ Mag Top 100 for a third year running! It’s been named the biggest music poll in the world. What does it mean to you to make the cut?
A. Thank you! Of course it means a lot, but I’ll admit I’m not all about it. As producers, we’re all different in our own unique way. You can’t judge music. Each to their own always but it spins me out how many people voted!
Q. Do you ever wonder what you can do to climb higher on the list for the following year?
A. You could pay money for advertisements haha but I don’t do any of that. I’m not fussed at all. As long as I’m still making my stuff and people are liking it, I’m happy.
Q. You have been credited as being a pioneer of the Melbourne bounce music style along with your mate Joel Fletcher with whom you released ‘Bring It Back’. How would you describe the style of music? What does it mean to you?
A. It’s my whole world. I live and breath our beloved style. To describe it, it’s upbeat, boppy, sometimes happy, sometimes dark. But you’ll always wanna get down.
Q. I love the way Melbourne bounce remixes stay true to the song whilst turning them into club bangers. Your 2013 remix of ‘Blurred Lines’ was received well – could you see yourself doing these type of remixes again? Any Australian pop tracks perhaps?
A. Ah what a time 2013 was for remixing commercial music! I’d love to try. Pop is hard to remix into a Melbourne beat. ‘Blurred Lines’ was perfect though.
Q. You worked with one of our old favourites Elen Levon for your monster track ‘Ah Yeah So What’. How did that come about? Have you kept in contact with her at all since?
A. Yeah Elen kills it. The label organised her to sing the top line. Since then we met and performed it together a few times. Other than that I really just follow her Instagram haha.
Q. The Road to Ultra lineup is very impressive. Have you had much interaction with the other artists on the bill?
A. For sure! Basically everyone. Pretty nervous to have Carnage in the country. Dude goes hard and I shall go hard with him.
Q. Would you intend on being on the bill for the full scale 2019 Australian Ultra Music Festival?
A. Bloody oath!
Q. You’ve been touring all around the world this year including Asia, Europe and the States. Is there anywhere in particular that you like to play the most? (Excluding Australia)
A. Bootshaus Club, Cologne (Germany) is insanity. A DJ’s dream!
Q. What is essential to you in the lead up to performing a great set?
A. A shot and an intro that creates the mood.
Q. What music are you currently listening to?
A. Hard to say.. I like this Brazilian bass style. May be putting my own swing on it too.
Q. You clearly have an impressive physique. So much so that you have your own “willsparksfit” profile on Instagram. How do you keep fit while on tour?
A. Thanks a lot yeah I try my best.. basically just go every day, at any cost and any time. No real secret to it. Eat heaps (when you can) and train your ass off.
Q. Lastly, could you please reveal a fun fact from when you were young!
A. I broke my arm seven times doing extreme sports haha.
The Road To Ultra Australia line-up includes Will Sparks, along with Axwell ^ Ingrosso, Afrojack, Timmy Trumpet, Tigerlily and many more.
It’ll take over Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on February 24, 2018.
Tickets at https://ultraaustralia.com.