One of the hottest DJs of the moment, Chris Stussy is riding a wave of popularity.
On a typically wet and grey Friday afternoon in London, I caught up with Dutch underground hero. Before his headline appearance at Mixmag LAB LDN, we got to discuss all things music and what Ibiza plans he has in store this year.
Having already played at Hï Ibiza's 2023 Opening Party, The Signal, he's still got five more dates in the diary this season. Two at Amnesia for Paradise, two dates with The Martinez Brothers at Hï Ibiza and a date at DC10.
Chris Stussy opened his 2023 Ibiza account at The Signal in April
Needless to say, and in keeping with the rave reviews he's been receiving, the Mixmag LAB stream put the internet into meltdown - and we were fortunate enough to be there in person. That very ordinary afternoon soon turned extraordinary, in spite of the weather.
Littered with many of his own unreleased productions and other highly sought IDs, it underlined the cult status Stussy is currently basking in.
He has since released All Night Long on Up The Stuss, which has become an overnight sensation, largely thanks to the Mixmag LAB set - make sure you check it out below. It's a staple of his DJs sets and a strong contender for track of the year.
Lissy Lü x Chris Stussy
How did you get into DJing?
"It came about by accident at a house party at my friends when I was 15. He had this little controller. He was like 'I need to pee! Can you take over?' I didn't know how to mix, but I stayed on there for like five hours afterwards. Everything is by accident, my name, my label..." (laughs)
Right, let's talk Up The Stuss then! How's it going for you?
"It's going really good. Obviously, we've had the label since November during first year of the pandemic. I felt like it was the best time to bring something new into the equation. I did the A&R at PIV for five years and I decided I want to do something for myself."
How did you coin the name Up The Stuss?
"The name came from when I was in Australia during my first visit there. I played SASH Sundays and I saw on Twitter people posting the hashtag #UpTheStuss, and I was like, 'what does this mean?!'. So I claimed the name on Instagram, YouTube etc."
I feel like that's a really British thing to say..
"It's an Irish thing! People were messaging me like you're saying it's an Aussie thing, but it's actually Irish."
Have you considered throwing Up The Stuss parties?
"It's a work in progress. I don't want to rush it, because when you rush things, it doesn't feel right. I want to have at least 20 releases on the label first, let's say, so as a partygoer you can feel like you're really a part of this sound and movement.
Then from there, I want to do a party, but something different, you know? I don't want to just put a logo on a poster and that's it. That's boring for me."
Where would you want the debut to be?
"For sure in Amsterdam, followed by the UK of course."
You recently returned from another trip to Miami. Tell us all about that.
"First I played at Ultra. The crowd was huge. I would say I adjusted my sound a little, as I think the US audience need to digest these newer underground sounds. When you come to a certain party or country, you need to feel like, 'oh, okay I can play a little different here'.
Like in Club Space, I can just do the real thing. I did Solid Grooves, then Club Space closing. I think maybe that's my seventh or eighth time playing Space. Then Coachella!"
Did you ever think you'd be playing Coachella when you first started out?
"To be honest, I wasn't thinking about Coachella, but when my agent called me, he said it so casually!" (laughs)
Let's talk about my favourite subject: Ibiza! When was your first trip to the island?
"I think it was in summer 2019. I played at Zoo Project for a one off show, in the Benimussa Hills. Great location."
You played for PIV on the island last summer. How was it for you?
"I played the closing PIV party last summer. It got moved from Cova Santa to Amnesia last minute because of technical difficulties. I'm still close with Prunk. We speak a lot, but I don't play for him as much anymore."
How if at all, has Ibiza influenced your musical style?
"I wouldn't say it's changed my sound, but when I am on the island I get inspired, but that's the same wherever I'm travelling. I take inspiration from everywhere."
What is Chris Stussy's ultimate Ibiza classic?
"The first track that comes to mine is Blaze's Lovelee Day. You know when you're in Ibiza, you want to see the sun go down. I'm a sucker for a sunset. Me and my friends love a sundown session. If I could play that record, it would be at that moment."
In terms of music releases for this year, is there anything we can look forward to?
"I have a remix coming out for Rudimental in the next month. From the album they released like ten years ago, so it's like an anniversary edition for them. So that's the next thing. Then at the end of May, I've got something special coming on my own label."
Do you get to spend much time in the studio now you're flying here there and everywhere?
"Not so much. It's more hotel rooms, planes, airports, on my desk at home."
Let's do a quick fire round! Favourite club in Ibiza?
"Hï Ibiza. To play and visit as a raver."
Ibiza or Amsterdam?
"Amsterdam."
Best DJ to do back-to-back with?
"Benny Rodrigues. Dutch legend."
If you weren't a DJ, you'd be?
"I used to hope I was going to be a footballer. But that failed!" (laughs)
Sunset or sunrise?
"That’s a tough one. I played sunrise set in Romania which was just epic. But then you play a sundown set in Holland and it's equally as amazing."
Favourite country to play outside of The Netherlands?
"Italy."
Favourite genre?
"Jazz."
One item you can't live without?
"Footwear."
Who's the next hot name on your radar?
"It's not someone that's new for me, but Locklead. He's from Utrecht. If you don't know him already, I'd definitely check out his music. He did an album on Up The Stuss.
S.A.M and I did a double vinyl, but he did the very first album on the label. Every track I get from him is, like, wow! He inspires me."
For tickets to Chris Stussy's dates at Paradise on 19 July and 6 September, please head here.
For tickets to Chris Stussy's dates at The Martinez Brothers on 27 June and 29 August, please head here.
You can find a full list of his Ibiza appearances by visiting this page.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Louis Nesbitt
