Remember 1993? Yes? Then you may recall an ever-so-catchy song called “I Like To Move It”. Fast forward 17 years and one of the guys responsible for the hit is one of the biggest DJs in the world. Colombian-American Erick Morillo has rocked the world from Ibiza to NYC and is now coming to visit the land of Oz again. We get a call from him, (as you do) while he’s chilling in Miami…
You’re coming Down Under for Future Music Festival. Will you squeeze in any travelling in between gigs?
Besides the gigs I’m doing I’m going to spend a week in Sydney as well so I’m looking forward to that.
What’re your favourite spots here?
I like going to the fish markets in Sydney, it’s really, really cool. You’ve got some great food so I’m excited about that. I’m going to head out on a boat, last time I was here I went out on a boat to… I forgot what the name of the bay is but it was great!
You studied audio engineering back in the day, how much of what you learnt applies to how you work now?
It was definitely a good thing. It was very important because obviously I produce music and I had to learn how to sequence and how to get it on in the studio, which played a very important role.
Would you recommend studying or do you think technology is advanced enough to bypass it?
I think if I had to do it over again now, I would probably take a course on the sequencer I use rather than doing a studio course because you know, realistically in dance music, you don’t really need a studio nowadays, everything can be done on your laptop. All the gear they used to use in the studio now has become obsolete because everything is done by a programme now. So, I would probably do it a little bit differently.
How has technology changed you as an artist since the Reel 2 Real days?
It’s changed quite a lot. These days you can get things done really quickly, computers move a lot faster, they don’t take as long to process certain things so whether you’ll be doing vocals or putting effects on vocals, it’s become a lot easier to make music. Things that would take you a whole day to do, you can now do in 30 seconds.
You’re known as one of the biggest DJs in the world, how does a title like that sit with you?
I never really think about it. I try not to focus on that and for me I look at it as I’m a very fortunate individual and someone who has had a really, really great run of it and loves what he does. To be able to be paid to do what I love is an incredible position to be in. I’m always more of the opinion that I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I’m in. That puts a big smile on my face.
You’ve worked with some pretty big names, Sean Combs, Diana Ross, LL Cool J, who would you like to work with next?
An artist like Prince is someone I’ve always loved and somebody I’ve always said I wanted to do something with. He’s definitely someone I respect. I’d love to do something with Beyoncé, she’s amazing, I’d love to get down and do a record with her.
Where’s your favourite place in the world to play?
Ibiza is definitely up there. Sydney is definitely up there. Buenos Aires, New York, Miami, I’m very lucky. I’m in a position that I get to play the gigs that I want to do so pretty much everywhere I play, I like.
Do you have a favourite gig of all time?
My gig in 2001 at Space in Ibiza, I was doing the closing set and it was right after the 9/11 attacks. My closing record for the season was Frank Sinatra, “New York, New York” and I think it took on an added meaning for everyone and it just sent chills down everybody, everyone’s singing the song along and a bunch of American flags were ripped out and it just turned into quite a moment and brought a tear to my eye. I think the whole world came together after those attacks and that was like a culmination and was really an amazing time for me.
Erick plays Future Music Festival in Brisbane on Feb 27, Perth (Feb 28), Sydney (March 6), Melbourne (March 7) and Adelaide (March 8). Tickets at www.futuremusicfestival.com.au
