During our recent visit to Akasha at Las Dalias Ibiza, we had the pleasure of meeting one of electronic music’s most respected and enduring figures, Matthias Tanzmann. His unique sound immediately caught our attention on the dance floor. As the founder of the influential Moon Harbour label and a long-standing resident of Circoloco at DC10 Ibiza, Matthias has played a key role in shaping the global house and tech house scene. His forward-thinking approach as a DJ, producer, label owner, and remixer has earned him worldwide recognition, including multiple nominations at the Ibiza DJ Awards. From groundbreaking releases on labels such as Dirtybird and Saved to collaborations with some of electronic music’s most respected artists, Matthias continues to push boundaries while remaining true to the underground spirit that made him a standout name in the first place.
Hello from Akasha! I’m here with Matthias Tanzmann just before his set. How are you, and how excited are you for tonight?
Good evening. I’m very good, thank you. And yes, I’m always excited when I play here. It’s a very nice club. Maceo Plex is playing outside right now, so I’m opening inside at 11. Everybody will come in later. It’s a beautiful place, there’s a great sound system, so I’m happy to play here.
Tonight is actually very special because on the the lineup, it was Maceo Plex, Matthias Tanzmann, and also Matador. Ibiza can be very picky because there are parties all around the island, but this lineup feels really special to me, and I think to you as well, right?
Yeah, it is a special night. I mean, it’s a Thursday and we’re still not in the main season, so they’re making a big event for a relatively small club here. I was talking to Igor, who takes care of most things regarding the lineup, and they also said it’s a very special night for them.
What’s the difference between Akasha and those more mainstream clubs?
At Akasha, you usually have fewer tourists and more locals, maybe also a slightly older crowd. That makes playing different because you have more time to build a story. The crowd is musically more educated and doesn’t need constant changes. You can play deeper tracks and make the build-up much slower and longer. As a DJ, that’s a more interesting story to tell.
So I guess you enjoy it more than the usual parties, right?
No, I also enjoy the other side of it. As a DJ, the challenge is always to connect with the people you have on the dance floor. But here, it’s maybe more like the pure old-school DJ style of playing. And for that reason, it’s always nice to come back to this kind of feeling sometimes.
You’re in Ibiza quite often, and you’re playing pretty much everywhere. Why is Ibiza special for you as an artist?
There are only a few places in the world that are so important for music, and Ibiza is definitely one of them. You have Berlin and Detroit for all the historical reasons, but Ibiza is the place where people come specifically for the party. It’s a holiday destination, but for most people, clubbing is a big part of their holiday plans. So the people on the dance floors are usually incredibly excited to dance. They come here for that experience and want to have the best night ever. You can really feel that energy on the dance floor, and as a DJ, that makes playing so much fun.
Is it the same for DJs? Do you sometimes feel like you’re not going to work but simply going out to enjoy yourself?
Absolutely. And also, because I’ve been coming here for so many years, I have a lot of friends here. That makes everything even better. If you go somewhere where you don’t know many people, it can feel more like work. But if you have your friends around, a good crowd, and a great setting, it feels more like a party. You don’t really think about working for two hours or something.
The summer season is here. Where can we expect to see Matthias Tanzmann this summer?
The next thing is Blue Marlin on a Sunday in July. Well, pretty much all around the world. The summer is full of festivals in Europe, but I’ll also be going to South America and North America at the end of July and beginning of August. So yes, a lot of festivals, mainly in Europe, and plenty of travelling.
You’re travelling a lot and living the nightlife lifestyle. What keeps you grounded? What’s your secret to staying balanced?
It’s not much of a secret. I enjoy what I do. It started as a hobby when I was still at school, getting interested in this kind of music, digging deeper, and buying my first vinyl records. For me, it’s still a dream come true to travel and play music because this is what I love to do. I still appreciate it. And of course, during the week, between weekends, I have time to decompress. That creates a nice balance, and it’s still a dream life to live.
You’ve been on the scene for a long time. Is there anything you still want to achieve? Do you still have any dreams?
It’s not about one particular thing. It’s more about being able to continue doing what I do while still staying relevant to an always-changing younger audience. That’s the challenge I enjoy, and if I can keep doing that, I’m very happy.
What feeling would you like people to have when they’re leaving one of your parties or listening to your set?
Basically, I want them to feel good. I want them to leave the club feeling like they had a great time with their friends and maybe discovered a track they didn’t know before, or heard some ideas and nuances of house music they hadn’t experienced yet. And then I want them to be happy and come back.
Exactly. That’s why we need to come to Ibiza for sure. Thank you very much, Matthias, for speaking with us, and let’s enjoy your set at Akasha tonight.
Thank you. It was a pleasure. Let’s dance a little bit.
