Pig&Dan

Alex Smoke

2012 has been by far the most exciting start to any year in Pig&Dan's 10 year strong career. After beginning 2012 with the much acclaimed release “Pollerwiesen” on Stephan Bodzin's cult label Herzblut, the Dynamic duo once again teamed up with fellow Cocoon super hero Mark Reeve and produced the techno bomb release “Origami”. Soma records launched “Origami” into the Beatport top 20 and saw the title track just skim the outskirts of the top 10. Almost immediately after, Pig & Dan released the Beatport top 5 smasher “Machines” on Bedrock.

Before summer even strikes hot, they have two more collaboration releases ready to go on Bedrock and another solo release set with Soma. The vibe is sizzling around the boys as they build up to their most anticipated highlight of the year “Decade.” It seems that there’s a non stop flow of success in the air around the two musical madmen.

Looking back, the meeting of minds during a chance encounter of Igor Tchkotoua (Pig) and Dan Duncan on a flight to Spain in 1999, sounds like the opening scene of a Hollywood movie, certainly neither musician could have the written the script of what happened next. Recognizing a mutual philosophy and using their own musical background that dated back to the start of the dance scene, they combined to create a slick production outfit that would entrance clubbers and soon win compilation support from the likes of Sander Kleinenberg, Felix Da Housecat, John Digweed and Nic Fanciulli.

Most significantly though, their tech tour de force ʻOh Yeahʼ (2005) signalled the start of their ongoing relationship with Cocoon Recordings, which has seen their status as DJs and producers soar on a global level.

From humble beginnings in late 80s, playing the tea boy and exploring the workings of a recording studio, both Igorʼs & Dan’s experiences stem from an era of primitive technology and old fashioned production techniques. Dan’s own history saw him as part of the hugely successful drum ʻnʼ bass act ʻIntenseʼ, during which time he also played alongside luminaries such as LTJ Bukem and Fabio & Grooverider.

When Pig&Dan decided to join forces, they began a truly prolific production schedule – with 18 releases in just over year – establishing their reputation as producers of pulsating electronic music that straddled dark house and high energy techno whilst creating their signature of twisted and experimental breakdowns.

These releases on their label Submission would prove to be merely a stepping stone though. In 2005, they commenced Sonic Society and focused more toward the edgy minimal that would attract Cocoon Recordings, as well as all the leading jocks such as Sven Vath, Loco Dice and Tiefschwarz. As testament to their continued master production skills, the disturbingly dark "Oh Yeah" has been followed by 8 more releases on the seminal Frankfurt imprint, including their own artist album, "Imagine".

During this time, their profile as in-demand remixers has reached the point where such electronic pioneers as Underworld were coming back for more!

Since then, they have created a repertoire that not many can match and have constantly been releasing on respected labels and DJing in most of the best events worldwide.