The dutch-filipino-born music artist is a famous producer in house/trance genres. For nearly twenty years, Laidback Luke (real name – Lucas van Scheppingen) has been a constant in the music industry, including producing new music and touring the world.
Lucas had recently made a stop in the area and we had a chance to speak to him.
LAD – What was life like in 2020 and was there anything you had to learn for the very first time?
LL – I had to learn to stay at home. It was the strangest thing! For a decade, I always had to tour the globe (nonstop). And it was frightening to be at home on the weekends. I remember my wife saying “Should you unpack your traveling luggage?..” I would always have in the corner of my bedroom and have it ready to go. And I didn’t really want to pack it up. I always hoped that I would have a chance to use it (down the line)
LAD – While traveling, what are your “go-to” equipment when working/producing?
LL – Just my laptop, really. I also have my Sennheiser HD600 headphones for mastering. And a Korg Nanokey.
LAD – Can you recall your moment of realization that “I can definitely work from the road..”?
LL – Actually, it was a really frightening time. I love making vlogs about mental health as well. And speaking about it – at a certain point of success ends that big, that you are never at home. And for a good two years of beginning of my touring, I was like, “I didn’t know what happened.” I used to love being in the studio at my house and in my comfort zone. And all of a sudden, I was never at home anymore. It was such a weird revelation. Because I never equated, never being at home, and having success. And that scared a bit.
LAD – In your alternate life, what would LL be doing right now?
LL – In my alternate life, LL would have a successful kung-fu studio. And he would teaching it [kung-fu].
LAD – Any memories of when you transitioned from your birth in Manila up to when you moved to Netherlands?
LL – Not really. When I was born as a baby, I traveled. And I actually grew in Africa for the first few years because my dad was a voluntary worker. So we settled there and then we came to the Netherlands. And then when I got back to the Philippines when I was 9 years old, I remember when I was playing outside on my own (in the provinces). And for some reason, some of other kids would call me “Baboy.” And I asked my mom, “What does that mean?” It means – a pig. Do I look like a pig? And she said, “No, but because of your skin-color being lighter than others.” So I am like, okay.
LAD – What’s your preference – martial arts or a quick nap?
LL – Preferably, a quick nap and then – martial arts.
LAD – In 2022, what’s your preparation of playing at a nightclub that you’ve never played at before?
LL – I come in with a tons of tracks. I carry about 3,000 tracks. And usually – the tactic is really trying to feel out the crowds out. And really – watch the crowds. What kind of tracks do they dance to. And to give them more of that. And the beauty of that – I often surprise myself, on the moment, with combinations. Sometimes when I come to the club, I would think that this track would work with this track. But once I am on-stage then I realize that, “No!, this won’t work.” So you need to move. And it’s nice to be with the crowd and in the crowd,
for the moments that you’ve helped reached their peak of their night. And you didn’t plan that.
LAD – Anything you want to mention and shoutout to your work?
LL – Currently, I have my new techno EP out, under my alias – Dark Chanell. Which is raw and abstract techno. And there will be tons more coming out. And I will be going out to a more housier sound this year.
For more information on Laidback Luke, please visit – www.laidbackluke.com