Igor Blaska Interview: ‘Timbaleros’, MAD Club’s Success, and More

Igor Blaska interview discusses his new single ‘Timbaleros’ and the creative philosophy that has kept MAD Club at the forefront of global clubbing since 1985. Igor Blaska, the man behind one of the world’s most iconic nightlife venues, Lausanne’s MAD Club, makes his FLAMENCA Records debut with new single ‘Timbaleros’, out for global distribution today via FLAMENCA partner Toolroom Records. The track, as the name suggests, is an unadulterated celebration of percussion and rhythm, “timbaleros” referring to musicians who play the shallow “timbales” drums heard throughout Latin music at the limit of ‘samba’ vibes. The cut is an uplifting, energetic slice of rhythmic production, Blasko peppering his beats with infectious trumpets and driving, flamenco-inspired melodic runs in electronic moves. Shot on location across Wynwood and Calle Oche, the track’s official video celebrates the vibrant Latin community that forms the heartbeat of downtown Miami. It may be a world away from the colder climes of MAD Club’s Swiss setting but the heat and energy of ‘Timbaleros’ is something FLAMENCA Records boss STBAN has experienced many times on the venue’s iconic dance floor. “MAD Club has been like a second home to me,” STBAN said, “so to have Igor bring his music into the FLAMENCA family is a real treat and something I’ve been looking forward to releasing. We’re steadily building the label into a real home for music inspired by Spanish culture and ‘Timbaleros’ absolutely falls into that category. I’ve been playing it out for a while now and the reaction from the dance floor is always huge. Big thanks to Igor for trusting us with his work.” EDM House Network managed to catch the MAD Club legend as he returned from a whirlwind tour of South East Asia, and managed to pin him down to find out more about the new single, and what it’s like to run one of the world’s most infamous dance music venues… Tell us about your new single Timbaleros – what was the inspiration behind it? I drew inspiration from Cuba, a magnificent and colorful island that I’ve had the chance to visit several times. I added trumpet over an afro-based beat for a festive vibe and to get the biggest dancefloors in the world moving. You’ve been releasing music since ‘Embrace’ your 2009 release on Sirup Music. How has your sound evolved since then and where are you at musically now? Sounds, trends, and new musical movements change very quickly—about every two or three years. It’s essential to constantly adapt to new generations and emerging electronic cultures. Timbaleros is coming out on FLAMENCA Records, who’ve been carving out a fierce reputation since they launched last year. How did your involvement with them come about and why did you decide to release Timbaleros with them? For Timbaleros, Flamenca naturally stood out to me as the go-to label. I knew the spirit and identity of my new track would be perfectly respected. Not to mention that the people at Flamenca are long-time friends. As well as producing music, you’re the owner – and resident DJ – of the mighty MAD Club in Switzerland. For any of our readers who haven’t been to MAD Club yet, why should they visit? MAD Club is one of the best clubs in the world. We’ve been featured in the prestigious DJ Mag TOP 100 for years. In 2025, MAD Club ranked 49th! We’ve been offering four different atmospheres across our various floors since 1985. What’s been the best party you’ve ever thrown at MAD? Every night at Mad Club is unique and like no other. We’ve hosted everyone from David Guetta to Karol G. The secret is to never let it become boring. The club is constantly ranked in the DJ Mag Top 100 club list – how important is it for you to be on it? Being ranked in DJ Mag’s TOP 100 is extremely important for a club today. But there are only 100 spots—and they’re highly competitive! It represents worldwide recognition for all the work accomplished. It’s an immense source of pride for us, our staff, and our customers. It’s also very important for internationally renowned artists who otherwise might never come to perform at our venue. How do you build – and maintain – a club that stands the test of time like MAD Club has? We’re constantly re-evaluating ourselves. What’s the secret to throwing a great party? The secret is to never stop believing. Is there one DJ who you haven’t had a MAD Club that you really want to get down there? It’s difficult to answer that question: the best DJs in the world have all played at MAD Club at one time or another. We would love for some of them to come back, but today it’s no longer possible due to our capacity (2,000 people) and economic considerations. What’s next for Igor Blaska? What’s next for me? To keep feeling the same passion and enjoyment. The post Igor Blaska Interview: ‘Timbaleros’, MAD Club’s Success, and More appeared first on EDM House Network.