Let’s get RESTRICTED
Restricted is a name you are going to hear more of as he continues to carve his path in the world of electronic music. Having already collaborated with likes of Dimatik and Savage his ability to create solid dance music is already generating him a solid reputation. As Restricted’s Australia & New Zealand tour is coming to an end we grabbed the chance to ask this rising EDM star a few questions about his tour, what it’s like when big name artists play his music in their sets and the opportunity to play at this year’s massive Lunar Electric Festival.
You were one of the Artists that performed at Lunar Electric, that happened in Parramatta on the 4th of June. Were you excited to be a part of this epic festival series?
I was super excited to play alongside this massive line-up, as I have always looked up to quite a few artists on the roster & to now be playing alongside + even working with quite a few of them is pretty cool. Looking forward to playing some major festivals within Australia & overseas coming into summer.
How do you prepare yourself for an event like Lunar Electric?
Every set festival is different music wise but usually I just work on finishing any new stuff that I’m wanting to play out and adding them to my go to playlists. I don’t usually make new playlists every gig as I usually just get a feel and play to the crowd, however for some bigger shows I put together rough playlists as a guideline of what I’m going to play.
“Most my sets have been starting at 128bpm and then speeding up towards 150bpm ”
What can punters expect from your sets?
Punters can expect all the classics + a bunch of new stuff I’ve been working on. Most my sets have been starting at 128bpm and then speeding up towards 150bpm as I’m preparing for overseas shows and have been working on a lot of new 140 tech trance style tracks.
Restricted, Dimatik & Savage on stage together at Lunar Electric
Apart from your own, who’s set were you most looking forward to watching from the side stage at Lunar Electric?
I can’t pick one artist in particular as I listen to such a broad selection of music, but I was definitely keen to see Hooligan Hefs, Chillin’ It perform + Carnage as it was his last show in AUS under the “Carnage” Brand.
If you could collaborate with any artist from the LE line-up, who would it be and why?
Probably Hooligan Hefs as I think our styles would work really well together.
What are the best and worst parts of being on a multi artist bill? Do egos ever get in the way, or does it just add to the party?
I love being listed on multi bill posters, especially alongside so many super talented artists. As expected some artists can have issues with being listed below certain artists, etc, however this isn’t something that I have encountered before. I think it’s pretty simple, the artist who is bigger overall, more experienced, has a bigger fan base, is putting in more work & releasing music consistently over long periods, should be listed over other artists, etc
Do you enjoy playing festivals and being a part of that festival scene and atmosphere?
Love playing festivals, it’s a completely different vibe to club shows and something that I’m really looking forward to doing more of over the next few years.
Do you find festivals present your music to new fans or people who haven’t heard you before?
100%, every show I play presents me to new people that have never heard my music before. At festivals this can happen on a larger scale as there is generally more people, but it’s always unreal to play my music out to new people. This is also one of the reasons why I give every show 100%, as I have the potential to further grow my following with every show that I play which is super cool.
“I treat every show just as important as the other, as I always appreciate anyone who comes out to watch me play”
Lunar Electric came in the middle of your own Australian/New Zealand tour, did the festival serve as a reset for you given you don’t have to cover the whole show?
Not necessarily, like I mentioned earlier I treat every show just as important as the other, as I always appreciate anyone who comes out to watch me play.
What's your favourite song to perform from your back catalogue?
Lately it’s been my track with my good mates Dimatik & Savage, “The Chant”. I love how much energy this track has. I always get such a good response playing it out, also it was really cool working with Savage as I’ve always looked up to him as an artist ever since I first got into music.
What’s the one essential you HAVE to take on the tour?
I’m currently figuring this out at the moment as I have only just started touring frequently over the last 12 months. I’m pretty simple, if I have my laptop, food & sleep I’m usually happy, which I definitely lack both food intake and sleep when I’m travelling. But if I had to list three essentials other than my laptop because that’s a given it would be probably be a big water bottle, my noise cancelling headphones (so I don’t have to listen to crying babies on the planes) & protein shakes.
“It’s sick to see some of my music getting played by artists I’ve supported my whole life across some of the biggest stages in the world”
Your music has been played by some huge acts on some of the world’s biggest festival stages. What does that feel like? Surprise? Envy? Pride? Happiness? Or a combination of all four?
It’s sick to see some of my music getting played by artists I’ve supported my whole life across some of the biggest stages in the world. Usually when I see it, for example when Zedd played my latest track at EDC for example and I’m always like this so fkn cool and then I go on with my day, but I think if I was actually at that festival in person, it would be a whole different experience.
What are your career highlights so far personally? And why?
Personally for me would be running a sold out show in my home town. I pretty much gave up 1 month of my life planning my own show top to bottom, from the production, legal documents, booking artists, marketing, etc. It was really fulfilling to watch it all come together and exciting to see how endless the possibilities are and growing my brand, along with the shows over the next few years. Also discovering a way to really build my profile/sound through making TikTok’s, which is a fun way to creatively grow any business at the moment.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
A massive shoutout to my good mate Dom “Dimatik”, who is now my manager. This guy is on the phone with me 7 days a week, 365 days a year, running through any day to day issues or opportunities that pop up. Always admire his hard work and effort that he puts into making sure that I make the right decisions and do what’s best for me and my career.
What is in the pipeline? What can Restricted fans look forward to?
So much new music on the way, A LOT of TikTok’s, some exciting collabs with some big artists, new oversized hoodies and a lot of shows nationally & internationally throughout the second half of the year.
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2022