Madeon

Photo by Daniel Mendoza / The Recording Academy

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DJ/Producer Madeon Talks Debuting His 'Good Faith' Live Experience At Lolla 2019

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"I think it's a show that works best on a larger scale, and a festival felt like a great place to do that," the French DJ/Producer tells the Recording Academy
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Aug 4, 2019 - 3:58 pm

French DJ/Producer Madeon has had an enormous last few years, what with the success of his debut, 2015's Adventure. These days, he's taking an extended break from touring, relocating to Los Angeles and working on his sophomore LP, Good Faith, out this year. 

But the most exciting news to come out of this record cycle is that he'll be debuting the Good Faith Live experience at Lollapalooza 2019.

Madeon On "Shelter," 'Good Faith' & More

"I've been working on the album Good Faith and the live show Good Faith Live [over] the last few years," he told the Recording Academy on the ground at Lolla. "I think it's a show that works best on a larger scale, and a festival felt like a great place to do that so I can bring an appropriately sized production."

When asked what goes into creating such an expansive live production, Madeon had plenty to say. "It's so many steps," he elaborated. "From conceptualizing what the stage looks like to making those visuals to all of the technical implications to rehearsing all of your parts, it's been like this for months now... I've been spending weeks with the visual teams making the video content and actually rehearsing it and the light design. Everything that you see is an intentional decision that somebody has made. And it takes dozens and dozens of people being passionate about it to deliver an experience like that."

Check out Madeon's full Lolla 2019 interview above, and stay tuned for more amazing Lolla interviews on GRAMMY.com.

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Matoma

Photo by Daniel Mendoza / The Recording Academy

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Matoma On Playing Lolla 2019: "It's All About Spreading Love & Positivity, That's Why I'm Here"

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While On The Road At Lollapalooza 2019, Norwegian DJ and producer Matoma sat down with the Recording Academy to talk about his single "Bruised Not Broken," working with MNEK, when his next single is coming out and more
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Aug 3, 2019 - 8:22 pm

Norwegian DJ and producer Matoma has played Chicago many times, but this weekend marks his first-ever time playing Lollapalooza. He's pretty excited; the Windy City fest is an institution he really respects.

"Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the U.S.," he exclusively tells the Recording Academy. "I think Lollapalooza in general has delivered so many years of quality, good festivals. It's organized. They bring big acts but they also see the future in the up-and-coming ones."

Matoma Talks "Bruised Not Broken"

As for what he brings to his set, Matoma says he tries not to overthink anything when playing to a live audience. "I always try to play fresh new tunes that I believe in. Mash-ups, remixes that I've worked on. It's just a good combination. [If] people feel connected to the music, I'm more than happy. Music isn't rocket science, it's all about the good vibes."

Matoma also chatted about his collab with GRAMMY nominees MNEK, "Bruised But Not Broken," which, turns out, only took 40 minutes to produce in the studio. "Once Kiana [Lede] got locked and recorded her parts, it sounded amazing," he says. "I'm super-pumped and happy. If you ask me, every song I make is the best song I make."

And heads up: Matoma has a new single coming very soon, on August 23, to be exact. "It's called 'All Around The World,'" he tells us. "Basically it's a happy sing-along tune that's about finding that special person wherever it is, all around the world and traveling with that person and sharing moments and experiences and not taking anything for granted."

Watch Matoma's interview in full above, and stay tuned for more Lolla 2019 coverage, right here on GRAMMY.com

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Role Model

Photo by Daniel Mendoza / The Recording Academy

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Role Model On Playing Lolla For The First Time, Omar Apollo & New Music And Tour Dates

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"I'm extremely happy with the music I've been making, and I just want it out, like, now," the singer-songwriter tells the Recording Academy
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Aug 8, 2019 - 11:18 am

Tucker Pillsbury, who is better known as singer-songwriter Role Model, is just getting started. He recently released his debut EP, Arizona In The Summer, but already he's playing enormous festivals, like Lollapalooza 2019. 

The 21-year-old performer stopped by to chat with the Recording Academy before his debut Lolla set, where he talked about his mentality going into playing to live audiences (he doesn't like to overthink things), feeling impatient to release new music and more.

Role Model Talks First-Ever Fest Show At Lolla

"I'm not good at planning stuff ahead like that. I just can't overthink it," he said of his mindset going into playing live. "Me and my band members, we don't do any of the huddle stuff or anything. We just get on stage. We try not to plan too much. We just see how it goes."

But just because he's playing doesn't mean he hasn't had time to see some of his friends hit the Lolla stage. "I just saw my best friend Omar Apollo perform on the Bud Light stage, which was insane," Pillsbury tells us. "I had goosebumps the whole time. I [also] saw Maggie Rogers. She's amazing. Tierra Whack, love her. Big fan."

Finally, Pillsbury filled us in on what he's got coming up: "I have another single coming out soon. I'll be performing it today," he said. "And then a project and a tour that hasn't been announced. We're announcing the tour next week. And hopefully a project right before. 

"It's been stressful," he continued. "You've been sitting on these songs for a year and making songs that you think are much better. It's hard because you've been listening to them for so long that you're sick of it, but no one's heard it. So it's mad stressful. But I'm extremely happy with the music I've been making, and I just want it out, like, now. I just want to show people what I've been working on."

Meet Us Behind The Scenes At Lollapalooza 2019

J.I.D. at Lolla 2019

J.I.D. at Lolla 2019

Photo: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic/Getty Images

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J.I.D. Talks Lollapalooza Debut, Working With J. Cole & Dreamville, New Music & More

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"I've been doing a lot of shows this year, but this has been one of the best festivals," the Atlanta rapper told the Recording Academy while On The Road at Lollapalooza 2019
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 7, 2019 - 5:09 pm

Rising hip-hop artist J.I.D., part of J. Cole's Dreamville Records powerhouse squad, has been on fire lately. Late last year, just in time for his Halloween birthday, the Atlanta rapper released his sophomore album, DiCaprio 2, which is filled with big collabs and even bigger energy throughout its 14 tracks.

Just minutes after making his Lollapalooza debut, he explained the mood behind the album, saying: "I wanted it to be a festival-like project… So I made these songs specifically for energy, for working out, for cardio."

J.I.D. On Lolla Debut, J. Cole & Dreamville

He also talked about loving the crowd at his epic Lolla show, as well as working with his Dreamville labelmates and Cole on their recent masterpiece album, Revenge Of The Dreamers III. The Atlanta native also discussed the rich music scene in his hometown, his biggest influences and his eclectic list of dream collaborators—Beyoncé, James Blake and Little Dragon all make the list.

Finally, he teased some new music, telling the Recording Academy, "The first one was the introduction to me, second one was all about performances, energy and all that stuff. The next one, you guys will see." Check out J.I.D.'s interview in full above.



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Shaq at Lolla 2019

Shaq/DJ Diesel at Lolla 2019

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

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Shaquille O'Neil, A.K.A. DJ Diesel, On Lollapalooza Debut, Loving Bass Music & DJing Since '88

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"I like bass music. I'm seven foot, 350, I consider myself hard, when I played on the basketball court I was hard. I like the hard drops," the NBA Hall Of Famer told us before his lit Lolla set
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 7, 2019 - 12:56 pm

NBA Hall Of Famer Shaquille O'Neil may be best known for his awe-inspiring moves on the basketball court, but now he's perfecting the art of making crowds go crazy from behind the DJ booth as DJ Diesel. With his Summer League 2019 tour, Shaq has brought his favorite bass drops to clubs and festivals around the world, most recently at Lollapalooza 2019.

The Recording Academy caught up with him before he got the kids dancing at his packed—and apparently very lit—Sunday DJ set. We discussed his musical evolution, love of bass music, how he crafts his sets on the fly, scratching his father's Commodores record after getting his first turntables in the '80s and more.

Shaq AKA DJ Diesel On Lolla Debut & DJing Since 88

"I was taught a long time ago that when you find something difficult, break it down to where it becomes easy. For an artist, being a DJ, it's hard work. Everything has to be done right, so I always break it down. The only common factor that I'm familiar with is large crowds. So, then I say to myself, 'What did I do to make the large crowds go crazy in L.A.?' You make a great play," Shaq said.

He continued, emphasizing that he's not a celebrity DJ, as he's been doing it since before he was famous. At the end of the day, he just loves making people jump and have fun.

"I've been doing this since 1988, so a lot of people, especially on social media, they think I'm doing it for the fad. One, I'm not getting paid anything. I enjoy watching people jump up and down. I take pride in looking at people and saying, 'Okay. You paid money to watch me perform? I'm going to give you your money's worth.' So, it's about the sport. I could have chosen any style music, I like bass music. I'm seven foot, 350, I consider myself hard, when I played on the basketball court I was hard. I like the hard drops."



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JUMP @lollapalooza JUMP

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