A$AP Ferg's Still Striving

Matthew Weinberger: How are you?

 

DJ Solomun: I’m good, thank you. I’m in a nice rhythm right now between touring and still finding some time for myself. Summer is always intense, but also beautiful.

 

You’ve been doing this residency for a while now. What have been some of your favorite guest DJs you’ve brought on over the years?

Honestly, it’s hard to single out names, because what makes the residency special is the mix. Some of my guests are close friends, some are artists I admire from afar. Sometimes it’s about finding the perfect fit. Electronic music has so many different branches and nuances, and with +1 I can move freely between them: one night it might be about contrasts and surprise, the next about seamless harmony and shared roots. That possibility to cover such a wide range – from tension to alignment is what keeps it exciting for me, both as a DJ and as a fan of the music.

 

What made you reach out to The Dare, who seemingly has a very different musical style to your own, as the artist to include in your Sunday residency last week?

Exactly that difference. I’m curious about artists who come from another angle but still carry a certain energy that works on a dance floor. The Dare represents something very current in New York for me. I discovered his album and really loved it – such a great mix, it reminded me of the old Gigolo Records days, but with a fresh flair and a rock ’n’ roll attitude reminiscent of Joy Division. I visited him at one of his live shows in Sydney last year and really liked the raw energy of his sound. I also saw that he’s DJing now, which makes it exciting to see where the journey with him can go.

 

Do you think New York is setting global trends? What is your perception of the city as far as current musical/cultural influence goes?

 

New York is New York is New York, and it will always be New York. The city has always had a strong cultural gravity. Even if at times the scene feels more inward-looking, that energy eventually spills out into the world. For me it’s always been a place of inspiration – from my very first gigs there many years ago until now. And if you look at our scene, the dance culture, it has taken another big leap since the pandemic. I’ve always had a great time there, and it’s one of those cities where I never just fly in and out. I always try to stay as long as possible.

 

You’ve played in Ibiza for years. How does the island feel different now than it did a decade ago?

Ibiza is always evolving. Every summer feels a little different, because the island reflects what’s happening in the wider world - new generations, new sounds, new ways of celebrating. And of course, everything has changed in the past ten years: the music itself, the technology, the way people consume and experience culture. New trends and new artists come and go. But Ibiza has managed to hold on to its identity, trying to preserve an essence across the decades while still embracing change. That’s something I really value, for example at Pacha, a club that has been around for more than 50 years. I’ve been playing there for 13 years now, and I appreciate that sense of continuity. Amidst all the change, there is also a certain constancy.

Right now, in music and culture, what feels actually cool to you? What are you excited about?

 

I just discovered Kabeaushé, an artist from Kenya - super sick sound, very raw but playful, it really caught me. And I don’t know if this is the smartest thing to say in your magazine, but i-D coming back in print feels like a super-cool moment. I grew up flipping through magazines like that, so it’s kind of nostalgic but also a reminder that print can still have a place in culture. What I find culturally fascinating is the sense that the real, the tangible, the IRL is becoming important again – pushing the digital slightly into the background. People are coming together once more. Maybe it’s the disappointment in the unfulfilled digital promise that’s bringing us back to our roots. Either way, this feels like a beautiful development.

 

Are there any sounds, scenes, or even designers or other stuff you’re obsessed with at the moment?

 

Ann Demeulemeester, I’ve always loved, and I’m not great with names, but there’s some really great stuff happening in fashion right now. The Filipino duo LiFE DESiGN that just covered Paris around fashion week with hand-painted banners, very DIY-style as an anti- thesis to the modern times, I loved their quote: “In the age of AI, what will make humans human is the ability to be wrong”. That’s very smart and very relatable Also, when I’m on the road and have a few hours off during the day, I always go to museums. That’s something I’ve done for years. I get the best ideas there – not just for music, but for everything.

 

When you leave a night like Sunday, what sticks with you most—the crowd, the music, the feeling, or what’s on your mind?

It’s always the energy exchange. Sometimes it’s one track, sometimes it’s one face in the crowd, sometimes just the silence after. But what really stays is the feeling of connection. That’s the essence. And what lingers most for me is often the B2B at the end - because it’s so personal, and you never really know where it will go. Both of us give everything, and of course there’s happiness in that moment, but also exhaustion, sometimes even a kind of emptiness that comes after giving it all.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to the next generation of DJs, what would it be?

 

Who am I to give advice? In today’s world, music often feels like it’s pushed into the background, and I’m probably not the best person to guide anyone through all the modern ways of getting heard. I’m actually glad I don’t have to deal with most of that anymore. But even if it sounds like a cliché or a simple truism: if it’s meant for you, and you stay honest with yourself, the music will always find its way.

 

When are we hitting the Sauna Aufguss?

 

(laughs) Whenever you are ready. Solomun Sauna ist open every day.