From: Sweden

Rising star DJ/producer of 2021: “Charles D.”

Swedish producer Eric Prydz hasn’t spent much time away from the spotlight for a long while. His career has been one of constant growth since striking gold with 2004’s ‘Call On Me’, dropping his aptly titled long-player ‘Opus’ in 2016. He’s been ranked in the Top 100 DJs list since 2007, relentlessly touring lavish technical feats of live shows, unfurling rich melodies as Pryda, diving into darkness as Cirez D, and helming popular radio show EPIC on Apple’s Beats 1. 

In personal terms, it’s been an especially busy period for Prydz, including a move from California back to Sweden. He’s been cooking a lot at home, he says, and “planning for post-pandemic things”. Musically, however, 2021 was about getting back to a busy touring schedule over the summer.

Coveted unreleased tracks from the producer, as ever, slowly appeared in 2021. Summer saw the return of his Tonja Holma alias’s dark clean beats and hypnotic bass with a track premiered on BBC Radio 1 in July — ‘All Night’. Crowd-pleaser and teaser in equal measure, it feels like Prydz is sitting on piles of material, biding his time.

How was your first gig back after lockdown?

“Surreal experience going from lockdown to standing in front of thousands.”

How have the last 18 months changed how you view your work/life balance?

“It has not changed my view on it really. I work when I feel inspired. I’ve never tried to push that part like a nine-to-five job.”

What’s the best album you’ve heard this year?

“To be honest, I have not listened to any albums this year. But it’s going to be really interesting to hear all the new stuff made during lockdown.”