Festival summer is coming back this year. In an interview, the DJ reveals how “happy” Alle Farben is about it.
After a two-year break, festivals are finally possible again this year. DJ Alle Farben (36), who recently released his new single “Let It Rain Down”, is “very happy to be back on the road and on stage,” he says in an interview with spot on news. In addition to his work, the music producer, whose real name is Frans Zimmer, also talks about his sports program and his passion for cooking: the 36-year-old can even imagine opening his own restaurant or food truck.
Her new single is entitled “Let It Rain Down”. When was the last time you felt the need to wash everything off yourself?
All Colors: I think the last time I felt the need to wash it all off was in the middle of the pandemic. The second winter and what felt like the tenth lockdown came and I didn’t know how to continue. I would have preferred to reset everything. Luckily things went very positively and we can now play festivals again.
The single is sung by PollyAnna. What makes your voice special to you?
All colors: The voice goes deep and is special because it has a very strong, concise and unique sound. I found that impressive and great. I’m always looking for the special voices, you can hear that in songs like “She Moves”, “Please Tell Rosie” or “Bad Ideas”.
Festivals are finally possible again this year, you’ll be appearing at the World Club Dome or the Parookaville, among others. What do these performances mean to you after the long festival break?
All colors: For me, festivals mean my life and what I want to do. I want to perform. After two years I’m very happy to be back on the road and on the stages.
Do you also like to go to festivals privately?
All colors: Privately, I hardly manage to go to festivals. I like to go to a concert. But because of my job, I travel to festivals a lot and then I like to stay longer or come earlier if I want to see a band. So I rarely plan to go to a festival privately.
Many big festivals are often criticized for not being sustainable enough. How much value do you attach to this topic, both privately and professionally?
All colors: Of course I deal with this topic. We take the train most of the time, trying to save on flights here and there. I myself run a blog where I mainly cook vegan. In any case, it is a very present topic and therefore of course also something that concerns me.
Despite your great success, you have kept your feet on the ground. How do you manage to stay so humble and down to earth?
All colors: I stayed grounded through my environment, my friends, family and my team. I think that’s the most important point about it. On the other hand, of course, I also like to enjoy good food or a little luxury when I travel. But overall, I’m more comfortable when I’m grounded and doing more down-to-earth stuff.
You have a great passion for cooking and have acquired many professional skills. Could you imagine opening your own restaurant one day?
All colors: I love the kitchen, cooking, culinary art and everything that has to do with it. Of course, the idea of opening my own restaurant came up. In the middle of the pandemic, the plan was also to open its own food truck. These are all things that I haven’t discarded but have definitely put off while I’m touring again. When I open a restaurant, I want to do it right and not on the side. I would look forward to it working out in the future.
Pharrell Williams is still on your list of artists you’d like to work with. Has anything come of these plans?
All colors: Unfortunately still not. I don’t think I would approach him either until I have the right song. Of course I work a lot in the studio, also in the last few months and years. There were always ideas that could go in that direction. But I haven’t taken the step yet, I don’t feel ready yet. But as soon as the right song comes out, I’ll go ahead and ask him.
After your first big success with “She Moves” in 2014 you reached a point where you couldn’t go any further. They pulled the emergency brake and took a break. What did you learn from this time for later life?
All Colors: No one can really prepare you for success. You are overwhelmed at the beginning. The people who made it and have great success are busy with themselves. And the people around you or the people who didn’t make it have a hard time explaining what it’s like. There is a lot of literature about it. But still: When something happens so quickly, you first have to be able to handle it. Looking back now, I would say: It was a learning process that went very well. I think it could have gone in a different direction, like you’ve seen with other artists.
During this time you also changed your diet, stopped drinking schnapps and did more sport. Do you keep doing that?
All colors: Yes. I eat well and still don’t drink liquor. Sport is even more important to me than it was then. I really enjoy being on the road and doing sports, from the gym to rock climbing to squash. I also really enjoy doing sports with others, whether with other artists or colleagues. It’s definitely become a big hobby.
What do you pay attention to in your diet and exercise program?
All colors: When it comes to sports, it is important to me to exercise and have fun doing it. Sometimes it is not so important that it has the same intensity or effectiveness every day. It’s about making me feel good and healthy doing it. When it comes to nutrition, I make sure it is balanced. It can also be a burger or a pizza. But on the other hand, I have a lot of vegetables at home. I make sure I always have something fresh with me. That’s not so easy when travelling. But I’m going quite well that way, I would say.
Before the pandemic, you played more than 150 shows a year, then came a complete standstill at times. How is it for you to start again now?
All colors: I would like to start like this again. However, the booking is still a bit hesitant. Some festivals don’t even exist anymore. In 2019 it was only a good 100 shows. I think that would be my goal again, to play the 100 shows. This year we’re getting to about 80, so we’re very close again.
Many have become more mindful during the pandemic. After Corona, do you now take more time out just for yourself, your family and friends?
All colors: Even before the pandemic, I made time for friends and family. I also focus on that, my environment is important to me. Of course, the pandemic gave me more time, but that doesn’t mean that those around me had more time. So not much has changed for me. I’ve had mindfulness before.
At the beginning of June you celebrate your birthday. Are you planning something special? What do you wish?
All colors: For my birthday, I just want to see as many friends as possible. I’m playing at the World Club Dome the night before. That means I’ll celebrate there too and then gradually meet friends over the weeks that follow and catch up on the socializing. I’m really looking forward to it and haven’t made any plans. I just want to have a nice party.
