The Gaze of Alle Farben: "This isn't just spinnin' records"
- *
This task isn't solely an individual endeavor. - "Multitasking required, not a solo endeavor"
The dance world has been under the spell of DJ Alle Farben, aka Frans Zimmer (39), for over a decade. Despite the thrills of success, earlier this year, he revealed a harsh reality - a devastating accident. In an exclusive chat with SPOT, the spinner opens up about the future, confessional dreams, and the highs and lows of his professional and personal life.
A Deck's Worth: How does a decade of success feel?
Alle Farben: Feels bloody brilliant, mate! (laughs) I've been drivin' this beat for 21 years - eleven of them like a boss. The bookings keep rollin' in, I play at massive festivals, make tracks with the big guns - and I ain't complainin'. I'm more thankful than anything to keep on keepin' on at this level for so long. It's a privilege to see the world through the spin, visit places that ain't on your bucket list. That's bloody cool.
Keepin' it Real: Navigating the heights of success
Alle Farben: Mates and coworkers are the ones that keep me grounded. If I ever lose a handed touch with reality, they're quick to yank me back - but thank realness, that don't happen often. I've been chillin' with the same lot for decades, and I'm dead grateful for that. At the end of the day, I'm 'uman - I cook with water, too. You've gotta remember that you ain't better'n anyone else just because you're successful. Everyone's got their cross to bear. My job's no different than that of a mate who teaches at a primary school - sometimes we talk about primary school kids, sometimes we talk about bumpin' into Kygo backstage.
The Evolution of Sound: How has your music evolved?
Alle Farben: I'm pretty excited about my own music's comeback - my latest single "Flowers" is a trip back to the roots. I ain't just goin' for the sound - I'm also collaboratin' with the artist I worked with eleven years back, Graham Candy. That's bloody smashin', really brings the circle full - it's all in the heart. We've been in bed together on stage for eleven years. Lahos, my trumpeter, he's been on tour with me for nine. That's pretty cool, innit?
The Man Behind the Mask: Changes and growth
Alle Farben: I've had my ups and downs, that's real. At the start of this rodeo, I was overwhelmed - no one tells you what it's like to be on stage, to be recognized everywhere. That was tough, mate. But now I'm livin' my dream. I use my success to do what I feel like doin'. I've had to learn that lesson through the years.
The Twists and Turns: Still sufferin' from stage fright?
Alle Farben: The excitement never went away - and I still ain't figured out a good way to deal with it. I know now that it's always gonna happen, and I know not to eat anything a few hours before (laughs). It's okay to be excited - I think it's beautiful that I'm still feelin' it before the shows. 'Cause it still touches me.
When the Party Don't Go as Planned: How to keep spinnin'
Alle Farben: I'm a perfectionist, see, but I've learned that I can't control everythin'. When things go south on stage, you gotta be a pro. I've seen a thousand cock-ups on stage - just smile and keep spinnin'. I'm blessed to have a team that gives everything in the wings. Alle Farben ain't just one man's gig, it's a team effort, you feel me? Without all those people workin' together, I wouldn't shine. I do my bit, they do theirs, and it all works.
The Pitfalls of Fame: Handlin' the haters
Alle Farben: Haters ain't gonna affect me much, but there was a time when I didn't read any news. Social media ain't pretty at times - it brings out the worst in people. I gradually started readin' comments again, eventually even respondin' - but not to everyone. I won't give the internet trolls a platform. But some news still hits me somewhere deep.
Share the Limelight: Equal chances for the spotlight
Alle Farben: Nah, mate, I ain't Florence if a singer's on stage with me. Everyone gets their time to shine on stage - that's what makes my show. I ain't just spinnin' a setlist, I'm a bloody entertainer. When Graham Candy runs on stage, and the crowd erupts, I'm bloody proud. It makes my show even more beautiful, even more powerful.
The Tune That Speaks Volumes: Favorite features and tunes
Alle Farben: Graham Candy (laughs), dude. But I've had some mad features, man. The collab I'd like to do is with bloody Pharrell Williams, the man's a legend. My most personal track is "Please Tell Rosie," it was about my life and daily routine at the time. But the song I still love to play is "Bad Ideas" - if it pops up anywhere, I crank it right up.
Alle Farben the Man: A life outside the limelight
Alle Farben: Apart from music, I'm deep into cookin' and sports - two huge passions of mine. From a hobby, it's turned into something more: During corona, I got good at cookin' - now I've even got a cookin' channel that's doin' well.
Could Have Been a Chef: Other paths taken
Alle Farben: I've always done what I felt like doin'. I've worked in a patisserie before - I ain't that far from the stove. I think I could've been happy in other areas - physio, kindergarten teachin',...
The Horror, the Horror: On surviving a serious accident
Alle Farben: My mates, my family, and of course my team helped me through it. I realized people support me a lot - whether close or far away. That made me feel better.
The Festival Season Ahead: Ready to reignite the dance floor
Alle Farben: I can't wait - I feel like I've never had so much time to prepare for a festival season. It's the first time I'll be back on stage after the accident, to see smiling faces and spin tunes. I'm bloody excited for festival season - after that bad accident and the uncertainty of whether I'd ever play on stage again. Now everything looks good again, and I'll be back on that stage like the old days.
Preparin' for the Dance-Off: Rituals and routines
Alle Farben: I've got a damn good team behind me. Take my tour manager - he makes sure I stay hydrated. There are three things I pay attention to - you never know what'll happen: I sleep when I can, eat when I can, and hit the toilet whenever I have the chance. That's how I keep the show goin'. (laughs)
The Calm Before the Storm: Peace and quiet or people power?
(No direct translation provided in the original text)
Alle Farben: I ain't all calm before a performance, mate. Maybe a bit quieter, but I ain't calm. There's somethin' stirrin' inside me, the adrenaline starts pumpin'. It's a moment that gets me fuckin' excited, feel me?
The Future in Focus: Wishes and dreams
Alle Farben: I'd love to perform more in Asia again - before COVID, I did it a lot and regularly. It's become less common due to the pandemic. I'm an Asia gearhead, diggin' all the countries and cultures in there, so I'd like to have a presence there musically, too. Privately, nothin' much has changed: I just want to live a good life, and I believe I'm walkin' the right path if I keep on keepin' on as I am now.
- DJ
- Music
- Accident
- New
- Cooking
- Sports
- Festival
- AsiaDJ Alle Farben's determined march through the music world continued unabated, even after a serious accident in February. In a candid conversation with SPOT, he touched upon various aspects of his life, including his love for Asia, the importance of a good team, and his passion for cooking.
For more information about his future plans, wishes, or any other topics not covered in this interview, additional sources or direct statements from him would be necessary.
Here is a general overview of what might be considered when discussing future plans and wishes for someone like Alle Farben:
- Professional Plans: Expanding his music's reach worldwide, focusing on a comeback in Asia.
- Private Wishes: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and focusing on happiness, which he finds through cooking and sports.
- DJ Alle Farben, a fan of Asian cultures, hopes to have a stronger music presence in the continent after pandemic-related restrictions ease.
- After the setback of a career-threatening accident, Alle Farben continues to uphold the importance of a strong team and good teamwork for his future in music.
- Alle Farben wishes to maintain a well-balanced life by focusing on cooking and sports alongside his music career.
- When looking toward the future, Alle Farben aims to keep making music that reflects his heart and connects with his audience.
- In the interview, Alle Farben mentions his passion for cooking and the growing appeal of his cooking channel, suggesting a potential future expansion into cooking-related ventures.
