Pretty Pink has been a mainstay of contemporary melodic deep house for nearly a decade. First rising to prominence in 2013 with her edit of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” the Deep Woods founder has gone on to release on some of the scene’s most established imprints including Sony, Warner, Anjunabeats, and Armada Music. Not many DJs are lucky enough to have gigs fall in their lap, but sometimes stars align ever so brightly. For Pretty Pink, it was life giving her lemons. Ahead of her Los Angeles show in January, the DJ and producer talks about her greatest inspiration: music and what she’s got in store for 2022.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What first got you into music, and how long have you been DJing and producing music – what came first?
To be honest, I came to DJing by chance. No doubt, I’ve always loved music. In my school days, I made money on the side by creating flyers for clubs. One day a DJ was missing in one of these clubs and they asked me. I immediately liked to play, watched other DJs and always practiced, practiced, practiced! That’s how it all started. Since then I have been there and I am delighted every day to have the opportunity to spend my life with music.
Whether in the studio, on stage, or during my live mix sessions – nothing inspires me more than the power of music. It’s sweet melodies and heavy grooves.
What motivates your work as an artist?
Working in the studio, touring, managing my two labels: it’s all a passion. So it’s not really work for me. I have to say that I get a lot of positive energy back from all these things. Be it from the feedback of the fans, from DJs who play the tracks or just from friends. Of course, I also try to eat healthy and do sports to be fit for the long nights in the club days office and in the studio.
What feelings or emotions do you seek to inspire with your music?
Especially a positive state of joy and confidence. I want people to have a good time and forget their everyday life for a while.
I am now very much reflecting on the here and now, experiencing moments more consciously, and also appreciating the little things of everyday life very much.
Anchoring down in the present, Pretty Pink cultivates mindful awareness.
What inspires you?
No doubt, I really enjoyed travelling and discovering new cultures, places and people . I have drawn a lot of inspiration from this. Of course, that’s what I miss at the moment. Due to the Corona crisis, we all have to live with many restrictions.
I still try to make something positive out of the situation. I am now very much reflecting on the here and now, experiencing moments more consciously, and also appreciating the little things of everyday life very much. From this, I gain a lot of positive energy and inspiration, which I can release during my live sets or in the studio.
Your newest EP, ‘Dark Woods’ What was the process like making the three tracks? What sparked the idea?
I can still remember the time in the studio very well. I really missed being a DJ, so I produced three tracks that come closest to a sweaty club night, full of intense moments and only short periods of breathing before it goes again with full force into the next peak.
What’s one thing you’ve most struggled with as an artist and what’s helped you manage that challenge?
To this question, artists, label owners and all other players in the creative industries can probably answer the same. The COVID crisis was definitely the most challenging for me. Whole tours had to be postponed. It was then that I found it most helpful to occupy myself with music and to do sports.
You were on tour in the USA this year – when will we see you again?
If everything turns out well – and I assume it will – I will return to the USA for a tour as early as January. I have very good memories of my American gigs like in Las Vegas and Miami. I am really looking forward to coming back to the wonderful country. I will play in Los Angeles at Avalon Club on January 7, 2022.
What highlight are you particularly looking forward to in 2022?
Next year I will release my first album, and I am looking forward to accompanying this with an album tour. I’m also playing at Tomorrowland Festival Winter Edition (Europe) in March; that’s going to be awesome.
