After a landmark 2012, which saw the launch of their new label Elevate, Pig & Dan talk to Change about what’s next…

“One of the biggest moments was when we came into the Cocoon family,” they recall. “Giving a CD to Sven at the Cocoon dinner with our first EP, and then being congratulated by him when we arrived at Amnesia after he heard the tracks in the car, was an unexpected surprise and a dream come true.” Playing the Amnesia terrace and main room for the first time was equally special. “We had always been at the other end, dancing to all that amazing music in that amazing club. It was probably our favourite.” Another defining experience came at Pollerwiesen festival in Cologne, performing in front of 8,000 people alongside Toby Neumann. “Such a wonderful experience,” they say.

Over ten years, Pig & Dan’s approach to producing has evolved. “Producing together has been a learning and evolutive experience for both of us,” they explain. “You need to have chemistry with someone to work in the studio. We had that from day one, but there were tough moments where we disagreed on certain tracks. At the beginning, we would argue, but over time we learned to accept criticism and get on with it.”

Collaboration has also become central to their process. “Working with other people is great because you get different influences and something different comes out,” they say. “There has to be chemistry, though. Without it, it can be a disaster. Making music is like cooking: if you have the right ingredients and mix the right styles, you can come up with something amazing.” Upcoming projects illustrate this philosophy: “We’re working on a track with an upcoming DJane called Rachel Lyn, and there’s an EP we’ve done with Mark Reeve coming out on Waveform in the next few months. It’s a complete bomb.”

A hallmark of Pig & Dan’s music is the “smiley faces” ethos they bring to the dancefloor. “Clubbing is about having fun,” they say. “The bottom line is that we are entertainers. The music is there to make people happy, to take them on a voyage, to let them express themselves and stop worrying about their problems while they are dancing.” This mindset guides not only their productions but also how they envision a set. “Before we produced, we were there putting our hands up in the air and dancing like madmen to the beats. That’s what we try to visualise when we’re making music.”

Label management has been another defining chapter. Pig & Dan have released music on some of the most respected labels in electronic music, including Soma, Bedrock, Cocoon, and Tronic. “At the beginning, you just want to release music, so you go with any label,” they reflect. “As time goes by and you see your music works, you become more selective. It’s like getting older – you have fewer but better friends. For now, we’re sticking to Soma, Bedrock, Cocoon, Tronic, and our own label, Elevate.”

Elevate, their third imprint following Submission and Sonic Society, is already shaping a new chapter. “We’re very excited about our label and all the people who want to be part of it,” they say. “There’s a different moment for different intensities of music, which is why we decided to open Elevate Groove, focusing on groovier, organic house sounds. We have great artists like Matador, Daniel Stefanik, Cristian Smith, and Guti ready to remix, with new original tracks coming from Mark Reeve and Basti Grub. We can’t wait to get all the music out there.”

Reflecting on the future, Pig & Dan remain ambitious yet grounded. “Running a label takes hard work, perseverance, consistency, self-belief, and time. You also need a bit of luck,” they admit. “The difference with Elevate is that we are more experienced and can be even more creative. The music is about what we love.”

Their 2012 highlights included standout gigs at Fabric, Egg, and ADE, where crowd energy left a lasting impression. Looking ahead, Pig & Dan have multiple releases and performances lined up, including a Waveform EP with Mark Reeve and appearances at Ultra’s Bedrock tent and Tronic pool party. “We intend to build Elevate as a label and brand, finding new artists and creative ways to connect with our audience,” they explain.

With over 20 years of collective experience in production, DJing, and label management, Pig & Dan offer advice to those starting out in electronic music: “Follow your heart and believe in yourself. If you really want something and are willing to work for it, you will achieve success.”

Pig & Dan’s story is one of evolution, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of joy on the dancefloor – a testament to why they remain a defining force in techno today.