We talk to Pink Panda, one of the most exciting electronic music groups of the moment.

Pink Panda are well on their way to becoming the Next Big Thing this year. With multiple world tours under their belt, a Ministry of Sound residency, and their new single ‘Follow Me’ feat. Zy on Armada Records seeing support from Martin Garrix, Dimitri From Paris and David Guetta, the group really do look unstoppable. We caught up with Pink Panda to ask about their career so far, and some of their biggest musical influences.

MN2S: What inspired you to get into music in the first place?

Pink Panda: We were DJs first, which was born from being clubbers ourselves before that and loving the dance music we were into back then and the club culture in general. Beginning to make our own music was the natural progression I guess as we wanted to play out unique music that no one had heard before along with the biggest tracks of the moment in our sets.

What do you consider your biggest achievement so far?

That’s a hard one actually. We’ve realised many of our first dreams over the last few years. I guess being asked to be residents at The Gallery, Ministry of Sound is up there for sure and I think being released on Armada Music and Spinnin Records is something we’ve worked hard to achieve! Feels amazing getting your music out there on those labels because so many people get to hear it and it really helps get your name out there. To be honest we still feel like we’re just getting going, we have big ambitions for the future and our biggest achievements are definitely still to come!

What plans do you have for Pink Panda in the future?

Our focus is always on improving our shows and making great music. I think the main thing that’s changing is we’re getting the opportunity to work with some amazing singers and songwriters right now so the music is naturally sounding more mainstream and is coming from more of a song-based place rather than instrumental grooves. We always go in on the dub mixes pretty hard for our sets but our new original music has much more of a radio feel than ever before.

Are there any labels or artists in particular you would like to collaborate with?

Yeah definitely! We’re loving all the Major Lazer stuff and new artists like Paff, also Cheat Codes are smashing it. For us it’s that genre that’s exciting us, lots of live drums and that Reggae / Soul vibe driving the sounds. Label-wise Tropic Electric are amazing right now. Anyone who has a great roster of artists to collab with would be exciting for us!

Finally, what’s the story behind the Pink Panda name?

Haha. We always get asked this! It’s pretty simple: Favourite colour and favourite animal. Initially we wanted this cute image to juxtapose the hard and intense music we were playing out but over the years things have changed and we’re now kind of futuristic, rave-loving pandas obsessed with the colour pink!

Under the Influence: Pink Panda

1. ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ – E-Craig

One of our all time faves from Ibiza 2003/4 E-Craig’s take on Rockwell’s ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’. This would destroy any dance floor and made us want to get into remixing other people’s records. The drops were never heard like this before. Absolutely blew us away as a young clubbers in the Balearic scene.

2. ‘Put ‘Em High’ – Stonebridge

A classic in its own right. Stonebridge’s ‘Put ‘Em High’ was a perfect house record. Still to this day this track gives us goosebumps and takes us back to that summer.

3. ‘The Way I Are’ – Timbaland

‘The Way I Are’ definitely was ahead of its time and was one of the first records where we saw RnB fused with an electro beat/synths. Timbaland is defo up there with Guetta and Neo as one of the first to create an urban/EDM hit. This track was released back in 2007 and literally blew our minds when we first heard it, and still does today!

4. ‘Save the World’ – Swedish House Mafia

The early 10’s saw the rise of Swedish House Mafia. These guys were definitely kings & knew exactly how to make an anthem. We followed Steve, Seb & Axwell back in 2002/03 when they were still solo artists. To see them grow and become the Swedish House Mafia was very influential & made us want to be at that status one day in our own right.

5. ‘Young Hearts’ – Henry Fong

Our final song choice brings us bang up to date: Henry Fong’s ‘Young Hearts’. We instantly fell in love with the overall production and sounds he used with the beautiful vocals by Nyla & Stylo G. It’s a 2017 Summer Anthem for sure and is currently a big track in our sets!

Book Pink Panda now to bring these influences to your venue.