When we associate the words Clubbing and Switzerland, you can not miss the three unequivocal letters MAD. The establishment of Lausanne has built a solid reputation over time, be it in its historic headquarters opened there over 30 years, but also in Montreux, as the organizer of the main Swiss EDM festival, the Sundance Festival. In 2016, the Mad account regain its place of No. 1 in Switzerland Top 100 Clubs. Behind this success lie Igor Blaska and Camacho. Crossed Portraits!
IGOR BLASKA
Can you give a brief history of MAD?
Basically, the mean MAD Moulin à Danse! It was founded in 1985 by Pascal and his wife Monique Duffard. The place has always been a cultural center with theater, contemporary music and live shows that have always adhered to strong trends. Prior to specialize in DJ’s and electronic music, there applauded the artists as diverse as Peter Desproges, Mano Negra, Catherine Lara, Rita Mitsouko, Jean-Louis Aubert or Faithless …
How do you succeed in combining your DJ-producer career and stewardship of MAD?
I have a secret: Olivier Fatton, a partner that handles all the management and administration of the game Mad. I manage the programming and promotion. The roles are well defined. And then the Mad is a whole family. Tens of effective collaborators who, for some, are with us for years. Olivier and I are at the helm of Mad since 21 years!
As a DJ, you’re used to travel a lot … What is the difference between playing at home (in MAD) and elsewhere?
I would tend to answer that one is never better than at home, right? Although for me, playing Mad wonder more investment than playing in another club. Here, I can not afford to play twice the same set. Out of respect for clubbers and also to the idea that I have this job. When you exchange city every evening, the question does not arise in the same way. Perhaps was less demanding with oneself.
Your Top 3 artists who played at MAD?
David Guetta, the Mad was the first to booker outside France and who we remained faithful all these years. Faithless, which occurred three times at home, and the phenomenon Hardwell, a regular at the Mad.
CAMACHO
How long do you manage now artistic director of MAD?
I celebrate my twentieth year! As a programmer, I particularly look after the artists performing in the great room and Jetlag, but for consistency and reputation of the club, I validate all the other floors. It is a job that is learned on the job. I liked my heart, I listen to the radio, I watch television, I take a look on programming the best clubs in the world. Here’s how I operate.
Clubbing has he evolved in the right direction since your beginnings?
It was much simpler before because it was more family with the artists and their agents. Everything changed. The relationship with people has changed, it is now a big business. DJs have become true pop stars, while there was very little in the 90 …
Your Top 3 artists who played at MAD?
Erick Morillo is at the top for me. I always loved artist, showman. Technically and musically, this is the top for me. There is also Armin van Buuren for trance, Martin Solveig because he brought a really cool thing at the beginning of the French touch, or Laurent Garnier because it reminds me my debut in Mad.
And the artist you always dreamed of being able to come to MAD?
The only ones missing, it is the Daft Punk! So Thomas and Guy-Manuel, if y