Energy, collaboration and the global pulse of the dance floor.
From Australia to Mexico City, the duo arrives at Indie Rocks Forum! with new music, unexpected collaborations—including one with The Warning— and a show designed to take electronic euphoria to the limit.
With more than two decades exploring the edges of dance, PNAU has made collaboration its own language. In recent years, they have expanded their sound universe by working with artists of different genres, geographies and creative processes. In this conversation with Peter Mayestells us how those connections are born, the man behind his new single “Your Heart” next to The Warning and what we can expect from their first show in Mexico, this May 1 at the Indie Rocks Forum!
Indie Rocks!: There are many things that interest me about their project, especially these new singles and collaborations that they have been releasing, in addition to their upcoming visit to Mexico. I would like to start there: how do collaborations work and how do they end up connecting with other artists?
PNAU: We've always been big fans of collaborating, especially in the last ten years. Sometimes you write a song with someone, like in the case of Medusawhich we did with a great singer or composer. On other occasions you decide to leave that voice because it works perfectly, as happened with Namia friend of ours from Los Angeles, who is an incredible singer and songwriter.
There are also times when you make a song and you think: “this would be perfect for that artist”, you send it to him and ask him if he wants to participate. Or you even have just a verse or chorus and decide to invite someone to develop it. It happens in many ways.
The best way is usually when you are in the same room with the artist, creating in the moment. But nowadays, after the Pandemic and with the way people work, many times everything is done by sending files around the world. So yes, collaboration is very important to us, but you never know exactly how it's going to happen.
GO!: And how do they end up in a session with someone like Meduza? Do you meet at festivals, at organized sessions?
Q: We had a contract with sony in Germany for a while and our A&R was very involved in our creative process. He organized many sessions and one of them was with Medusa. In that case, they were in town, they had a few hours free and we went to the studio.
Sometimes it happens on tour, at festivals, or even by instagram: You simply contact someone and tell them you like their music. but with Medusa It was something organized by our A&R and we didn't even know them before. They are very talented and it was a great experience.
GO!: Music is something very personal. How complicated is it to work with someone you just met?
Q: Sometimes it doesn't work, of course. But even when it doesn't work for that project, something good can come out of it that you can then offer to another artist.
Most of the time it is a great experience. Talented people are usually very nice, so you always find a creative middle ground. You go into the studio with the idea of doing something in four or six hours, and then over time you decide if it's worth developing it further.
The initial creative impulse is usually quick, but then comes all the work of production, mixing and adjustments. In the case of Medusawe were sending ideas back and forth until the song took shape.
GO!: Speaking of collaborations, are there any you dream of? Or something you want to do now that you come to Mexico?
Q: I'm sure there are many Mexican artists we would like to work with, but this is a good time to announce our next single: “Your Heart”. It is a collaboration with a Mexican band called The Warning.
GO!: Are they going to play it in the show?
Q: Yes, definitely. We are very excited to share it. It's half in English, half in Spanish, and right now it's playing in a Jumex commercial, I think related to the World Cup. Everything lined up perfectly to come to Mexico with this song.
We love collaborating with artists from other genres, bringing them into our world and seeing what happens. In this case it worked amazing.
GO!: Is there a possibility that The Warning will join the show in Mexico?
Q: I'm not sure if they'll be in town, but it's a great idea.
GO!: Speaking of the show in Mexico City, what can the public expect?
Q: We have a lot of new music and an album on the way, so there will be new material and also classic songs. Our live show takes the energy to another level: it is intense, full of visuals, color and a lot of party vibes.
We want the public to feel our new music and give us that energy back. It's our first show in Mexico, so it's something very important for us.
GO!: For someone who has never seen them live, what mood should it arrive?
Q: Tequila helps (laughs). But above all, come with a desire to party, with energy. It's a show without breaks, very high all the time. You have to arrive with a good vibe and ready to dance.
GO!: For someone who wants to start listening to your music, where do you recommend?
Q: “Chameleon” It's a great starting point. It was a key moment for us. But the new material is also going very high, very focused on the dance floor.
We have many styles because we make full albums, so it's worth exploring beyond the singles.
GO!: And to close: if you had to describe your project in three words, what would they be?
Q: Positivity, energy… and rave.
