Meet Monkey Safari, the dynamic electronic music duo of real-life brothers Sven and Lars, who have been shaping the scene with their distinctive melodic sound for over 20 years. Renowned for blending infectious melodies with groovy beats, they’ve delivered hits like ‘Cranes’ and ‘Walls’, earning praise from icons such as John Digweed, Kölsch, and even collaborating with legends like Moby, Carl Cox, and RÜFÜS DU SOL. Their expansive discography boasts four albums—Odyssey (2018), HI (2019), and Love Will Set U Free (2021)—plus a slew of singles on top-tier labels like Anjunadeep and Spectrum. Onstage, they’ve electrified crowds at massive events like Time Warp, Fusion Festival, and Awakenings, solidifying their status as dance floor favorites. Now, as they transition from their decade-long Hommage label to their new Good Vibes from Paradise project, they debut on WhoMadeWho’s innovative label The Moment with their hypnotic single ‘Oasis’, a Middle Eastern-infused banger packed with organic percussion and magnetic melodies.
Curious about the magic behind their music? Join us in this exclusive interview as we dive into their creative journey, their evolution, and the sunny inspiration fueling ‘Oasis’.
What’s one moment from your 20 years in electronic music that you’d say defines who Monkey Safari is today?
I firmly believe that there’s never just one single moment or one single decision. It’s all the little and big choices we make every day that shape who we are now—whether in the studio, on stage, or in our everyday lives.
With ‘Oasis’ bringing those wild Middle Eastern vibes, what sparked that direction, and how do you think it shapes the track’s soul?
We’ve always been fans of Middle Eastern culture and the people. We’ve had so many beautiful moments and encounters there, and with this track, we tried to capture a bit of all that.
How does being brothers shape the way you collaborate in the studio—does it make things easier, or does it bring its own set of challenges?
Since we’ve known each other our whole lives, we naturally know exactly how the other ticks. That can be exhausting sometimes, but the upside is that we always find our way back to each other. That kind of friction actually fuels the creative process and keeps us from settling too quickly.
Out of all the epic spots you’ve played, like Time Warp or Awakenings, what’s one gig that left you with a crazy story or memory you’ll never forget?
There have been so many over the years that it’d be hard to list them all, and it would feel unfair to leave out certain spots. But one thing’s for sure: it’s often not the big, well-known parties or festivals that have that special magic. More often, it’s the smaller ones that create those unforgettable moments. For us, it usually involves water, beaches, palm trees, and a big sound system.
With your packed schedule, could you share any updates on what exciting projects or plans you have lined up for the next few months to keep us and your fans in the loop?
We can definitely say that a very special version of ‘Oasis’ is on the way. On top of that, we’ve got several original tracks coming out this year on Good Vibes from Paradise, along with remixes for Röyksopp, Chris Luno, and a few others. So yes, there’s plenty of new music coming from us.
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