With a Plethora of Retro-Flavored Club & Radio Hits, Plus a Grammy In Tow, Purple Disco Machine Scales New Heights.
We first interviewed Tino Piontek during Amsterdam Dance Event in late 2017. For the German DJ/producer known as Purple Disco Machine, it was a newfound ascension point in a hard-won musical career that began in 2009. Little did we know at the time just how much higher his profile would rise.
During our ADE convo, you could tell that Piontek was quietly simmering with excitement. After a succession of well-received, retro-vibed club hits, like 2013’s “My House” (with James Silk) and 2015’s “L.O.V.E.” (with Boris Dlugosch), plus his transcendent 2014 remix of Hercules & Love Affair’s “Do You Feel the Same,” he was on a roll with his well-studied, impeccably executed nu-disco sound. And he’d just released Soulmatic, his debut album, which saw its stellar singles, “Devil in Me” (feat. Joe Killington and Duane Harden) and “Body Funk,” make waves in clubland and beyond. He was on the verge of breaking out big.
Fast forward seven years, and Piontek’s career has skyrocketed, as he’s become one of the globe’s top hitmaking DJ/producers. Another hit-filled album – 2021’s Exotica – helped put him there with singles like “Fireworks” (with Moss Kena & The Knocks), “Dopamine” (feat. Eyelar), “Hynotized” and “In the Dark” (both with Sophie & The Giants). And club-friendly tracks like “Playbox” kept the nu-disco purists plenty happy.
His higher-profile gigs and remix work picked up as well. In addition to playing the globe’s top venues and festivals, he took on mixes for major artists that included Dua Lipa (2019’s “Don’t Start Now”), Calvin Harris (2019’s “Giant”), Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande (2020’s “Rain on Me”), and Elton John & Britney Spears (2022’s “Hold Me Closer”). That run culminated with a 2023 Grammy Award in the “Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical” category for his work on Lizzo’s sassy mega-hit “About Damn Time.”
This past year has seen Piontek’s rise continue with his third album, Paradise, an even brighter, more pop-leaning effort that he describes as “a throwback to the golden age of disco.” On the wings of top collab singles like “Substitution” (with Kungs feat. Julian Perretta), “Beat of Your Heart” (with Ásdís), “Honey Boy” (with Benjamin Ingrosso feat. Nile Rodgers & Shenseea) and “All My Life” (with The Magician), Piontek did his first-ever live tour with a full band, vocalists, and dancers. And just recently, he released the 18-track, ultra-dancefloor-friendly Club Paradise, which includes the bumpin’ single “Get Up 24.”
It’s safe to say that the 44-year-old, Dresden-based talent is in an even better place, career-wise, than he was when we connected seven years ago in Amsterdam. For example, at press time, he’s the No. 2 Beatport artist of all-time. But back then, among other things, we discussed his rise through the ranks of European clubland. And more revealingly, we talked about his musical influences while growing up in East Germany behind the Iron Curtain and how his father would travel through Eastern Bloc nations and return with rock and funk records that were impossible to find in his hometown. From that interview, it was clear that Piontek had a hunger for success with a true vision of what his artistry would entail.
From our recent interview, it’s clear that, success aside, Piontek’s mostly the same guy. Down-to-earth as ever, but, quite obviously, he’s still completely dedicated to his retro-fueled sound and certainly enjoying his newfound accomplishments. He’s in a great place. It all went like this:
DJ LIFE: You recently returned from a run of shows in Europe that were very different from what you usually do – can you explain what went into this recent tour?
Tino Piontek: On the “Paradise Tour,” I performed with live musicians, vocalists and dancers. The live show was a completely new production – actually, it was like nothing I’ve ever done before as a DJ. My songs are combined in mash-ups – new songs are included, old songs are included – in new variations.
DJ LIFE: Any immediate tour highlights you can report?
Piontek: The whole tour was a highlight of my career, to be honest. I’ve never experienced touring with such a big group of talented people. I believe it has changed me as a person to spend such an intense and joyful time with so many wonderful characters. I’ll never forget it or them!
DJ LIFE: So, at this point in your career, how do you balance your studio life, your touring life, and your family life?
Piontek: By saying, “No,” to things! Seriously, it is something I have to think about a lot. I love my career in music, but I also love my family life. The balance between the different aspects is so important for health and happiness.
DJ LIFE: And in your studio life, how do you balance your original tunes, collabs and remixes?
Piontek: The last two years has really been about originals and collaborations for the Paradise album. I’ve done very few remixes recently. However, now that the album is released, I will be returning to remixing a bit more I think. The artistic process is different for each.
DJ LIFE: When it comes to remixes, you’ve gotten some great big pop hits to work with – how do you decide on which songs to take on? What are you trying to accomplish with your Purple Disco Machine remixes?
Piontek: It is always a privilege and an honor to remix great records, and I’m fortunate to do so with so many iconic artists. I think that for some reason I’m connected to keeping the original song intact, while adding that dancefloor flavor, which is why I keep getting asked by these legends. However, I do not take on remixes if I don’t believe that I can bring a Purple Disco Machine twist to the song in such a way that I can play the remix in my DJ sets.
DJ LIFE: What was the whole experience of winning the Grammy like for you? What did it feel like to win and what does it mean to you?
Piontek: It was a massive moment, for sure. I was really just so grateful to be nominated and with no expectations to win the Grammy. So when it happened, it was quite surreal. I’ve joined a very exclusive club, especially regarding German producers, and it will always remain a big highlight of my career. I feel honored and proud to have won a Grammy.
DJ LIFE: Has winning a Grammy affected your career?
Piontek: I don’t think that it has, particularly. Maybe it has encouraged artists and record companies that had never heard of me to check me out and request a remix… like The Rolling Stones [on 2023’s “Mess It Up”], for example.
DJ LIFE: Your sound has evolved a bit since we last interviewed you – at ADE in October, 2017, around the time of your first album. To my ears, the funk and the heavy groove is still there, but many of the productions have become brighter and a bit more pop-leaning. How do you see your artistic growth since that time?
Piontek: The obvious answer is that I started to have radio hits in Europe and got signed to Sony Columbia Records. Naturally, they wanted to keep up the momentum and not only focus on club records. However, I was happy to oblige, as I believe that all my radio hits still have the integrity of the original Purple Disco Machine sound. But I have definitely evolved as an artist, in that I’ve now worked extensively with many vocalists, producers, and musicians. But I never left the dancefloor! For every “Hypnotized” or “Substitution,” there is a “Playbox” or “Bad Company” or “Paradisco.” These are records that represent the clubbing core of my musical style.
DJ LIFE: What went into putting together the Paradise album? You had three years since your second album – any differences in its approach?
Piontek: The creation of Paradise was a meticulous and evolving process spanning over two and a half years, with each song carefully crafted and selected. It is definitely a companion piece with my previous album, Exotica, in that I mostly continued with the ’80s disco template. Collaboration with vocalists played a more crucial role in this album, though, allowing me to blend my sound with the influences and talents of my collaborators.
DJ LIFE: Tell me about the collaborations…
Piontek: It was, of course, an important step to bring in artists who have followed me musically over the last 10 or 15 years, people like Metronomy, Chromeo, Jack Shears, Roosevelt. It was so much fun to suddenly be in the studio together, from this fanboy moment, and to have the opportunity was just so nice. That’s why I enjoyed the album process so much, and I also explored more producer collaborations this time with talents such as Kungs, Duke Dumont, The Magician, and Yung Bae. These often came about through meet-ups at shows and we sent each other demo production tracks, as we finished the process.
DJ LIFE: I know that you have tons of old-school vinyl albums in your collection. Why does the album format still intrigue you?
Piontek: I still believe that the album is still the best way for artists to really express themselves – a body of work, not just a compilation of records. In this era of streaming platforms with the playlists, algorithms, focus singles, etc., the album is even more important, as they push listeners to listen to music in other ways and not as the artist envisioned.
DJ LIFE: What’s your DJ-gear set-up now?
Piontek: My set-up is the classic Pioneer DJ set-up. I create a playlist for almost every show and use a Pioneer DJ DJM-V10 and three Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000s, which I absolutely love. The V10, especially, is a must-have in my set, as it comes with a compressor knob. I play a lot of ’70s and ’80s disco classics and, with the compressor, you can beef up the mostly quite-flat original sound.
DJ LIFE: How much of your DJ set is your music/remixes, as opposed to other artists’ music or classic cuts?
Piontek: The majority of my DJ set is my own records – be it originals or remixes. And if I play a classic, it tends to be my own edit of it, or a mash-up with one of my records. However, if I play an extended set in a club, then I’m more likely to play new tracks from other artists.
DJ LIFE: After all these years behind the decks, what are you trying to say as a DJ now in 2024-25?
Piontek: For me, it’s still the same as 25 years ago – telling a story and taking the crowd on a journey. Every night is different and my sets are now a journey through my music live, music which influenced me, mixed with my remixes and releases.
DJ LIFE: What’s a perfect night for you as a DJ?
Piontek: I think that with my sound, it would have to be in an outside venue on a warm summer night, taking the audience on a journey as the sunset turns into night.
DJ LIFE: The nu-disco scene just seems to grow and grow in popularity – why do you think that is? It seems like new generations are always discovering this great groove-based music.
Piontek: Disco has been around for maybe 45 years, so it is a really established genre. People’s musical tastes change over time and very often within dance music sounds from the past re-appear. Right now, disco is definitely back and I’m very happy to be part of it. In fact, I think I might have helped with this return. But, of course, it is likely that the trend will move on to something else, but as I said, disco is such a classic style of melodic dance music I’m trusting that there will always be a place for it. Because disco is a genre, which is mostly positive, uplifting and fun, it incorporates songs, as well as grooves and everyone can relate to it. Therefore, it is relevant in many parts of people’s lives – listening at home, exercising, and, of course, dancing at clubs and festivals. In a way, it is the ultimate melodic dance music. There is always a place for that, I think.
DJ LIFE: Which music producers and DJs are impressing you nowadays?
Piontek: There are a bunch of young and talented producers with a completely different approach making music. Joplyn is a super-talented artist from Germany I really like. David Bay is a great DJ and producer with a unique sound. He supported me on tour, and I was pretty surprised about his smart selection of songs for each show.
DJ LIFE: What are three top tracks that you’re playing now?
Piontek: My current tune, “All My Life.” It’s such an anthem and brings the summer back every time I play it. Also, O’Flynn’s “Swiss Sensation” is such a funk monster with a super-clever arrangement. And then C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” is one of my all-time favorite classics. I made an edit only for my sets and people go nuts every time I play it.
DJ LIFE: What are your feelings about playing festivals vs. nightclubs? Is there a preference?
Piontek: I like both. Like most DJs, I grew up playing sweaty clubs in the early hours for four or five hours at a time. But, as my career has progressed, I definitely now play more festival sets and I’ve grown to enjoy them more and more. I have to be more disciplined with what I play, as I generally only have 90 minutes play time, whereas the longer sets in clubs can be a bit more freeform.
DJ LIFE: What are your favorite festivals to play and why?
Piontek: Coachella [in Indio, Calif.] – I was so honored to play it this year. Also, the Kappa FuturFestival [in Turin, Italy] was on my list for many years, and it was one of my highlights in 2024.
And there’s Defected Croatia [in Tisno, Croatia] – it’s different from all the other festivals, but with the most lovely and peaceful crowd.
DJ LIFE: What’s next for Purple Disco Machine?
Piontek: A rest! Seriously, though, after three years of releasing music and intensive touring, it is time to take the foot of the gas for a while.
