AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH CLUB ORANGE
Music has no expiration date and Club Orange are determined to prove it. In this interview, the group discusses their mission to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams, challenging the music industry’s obsession with youth while embracing authenticity, positivity, and self-expression. From the dancefloor energy behind their latest releases to their growing connection with Spain, Club Orange reflect on the importance of passion over age, the power of feel-good music, and their hopes of reaching even wider audiences in the future. They also share stories from not-performing at Madrid Pride, their love of Spanish culture, and the values that continue to shape both their music and their message .
Álvaro Ramos: First of all, who are you as artists, and what message do you want to share with people?
Club Orange: We want to start a movement where people can truly be themselves. It doesn’t matter what kind of music you make, where you come from, or whether you’re 23, 43, or 63. You can enjoy music, and you can make music if that’s what you love. We want to be an example of that. Follow your dreams, that’s what we’re about.
AL: Age is something people often talk about in the music industry. Many believe you have to succeed when you’re very young. What do you think?
CO: We never think about age. If you want to do something, just do it. That’s one of the reasons we call ourselves a Men Band. We’re not boys anymore, and we’re proud of that. Music doesn’t have an age limit.
AL: Could you introduce yourselves and tell us a little about your backgrounds?
CO: Although music brought us together, our professional backgrounds are quite different. Albert, who is 63, works alongside his brother running their family real estate company in the Netherlands, while Kevin has built his career in the media industry, working across television, radio, and entertainment. Mortgages and real estate also are present in the mix. Music has always been a shared passion for us, and over time it has become an important part of our professional lives as well, allowing us to combine our careers with performing together.
AL: I really enjoyed the song. Nowadays people sometimes overlook remixes, but in your case they seem very important. What can a good remix do for a song?
CO: We love exploring music. Sometimes a song starts in its most basic form, but then you discover different versions, different beats, different energies. A remix gives a song a completely new life. It allows people to experience the same song in another way.
AL: You recently surprisingly not performed at Madrid Pride. How was that experience?
CO: The atmosphere was amazing because people really needed positivity. Unfortunately, we had some technical problems, the speakers were much quieter than they should have been. It was disappointing because it was our final song, which is always an important moment in the show. But these things happen during live performances. Spain has welcomed us incredibly well, and we really love performing here.
AL: Would you like to record music in Spanish?
CO: We’re trying! Hopefully one day. We listen to a lot of Spanish artists and really enjoy the music. Spanish has such a beautiful rhythm, and we’d love to connect with that audience even more.
AL: Your music has a very Mediterranean feel. How did that happen?
CO: We work with producers who have a long history in dance music in the Netherlands, but they’ve also spent a lot of time in Spain. That connection naturally influenced our sound. They understand both cultures, and that helped shape the music we’re making today. We already have several new songs finished, and we’re very excited to release them. There are even some bachata-inspired tracks coming.
AL: We still live in a society where ageism exists. There also isn’t much representation of older LGBTQ+ artists in mainstream music. What do you hope to represent?
CO: We hope people can relate to us by seeing that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. That message isn’t only for people our age, it also applies to younger generations. Many young people are told by their parents that music is too difficult or unrealistic, and they end up giving up on their dreams. We want to show them that if you really love something, you should go for it.
AL: Your music is full of positivity and dance energy. Is that intentional?
CO: Absolutely. The world needs positivity. We love dance music because it gets people moving without overthinking. That’s what music should do sometimes, bring people together and make them feel good. We’re also very excited that artists like Madonna are bringing dance music back. You can really feel that energy returning.
AL: Do you have any performances coming up?
CO: Right now we’re working on arranging different shows across Spain. Everything is moving forward, and we’re excited about what’s coming next.
AL: What advice would you give to young people who want to pursue music—or any dream?
CO: First, know exactly where you want to go. Have a clear goal. Second: work hard. Third: work even harder. And finally, do something that’s close to your heart. If you’re only doing it for money, it usually doesn’t work. Passion has to come first.
AL: Why did you choose this upbeat, feel-good sound?
CO: We’ve always loved the music of the ’80s. You can see those influences coming back today, and we wanted to capture that joyful, energetic feeling in our own songs.
AL: Besides your latest single, what song would you recommend to someone discovering your music?
CO: We’d recommend “Dolce Vita.” It’s a great introduction to our style.
AL: Any musical recommendations outside your own music?
CO: We listen to a lot of disco and dance music. We also love many Spanish artists. Rosalía is definitely one of them, and Pablo Alborán is another artist we really admire.
AL: You’ve spent some time in Madrid. Any places you’d recommend?
CO: We love El Retiro Park. We also discovered some fantastic burger restaurants. Walking around the city centre, especially near the Metropolis building, is always beautiful.
AL: Is fashion important to you as performers?
CO: Definitely. Fashion is part of the performance. We enjoy glitter, glamour, bold looks; it’s all part of expressing ourselves on stage.
AL: Finally, if someone created a Spotify playlist around “Vamos de Fiesta,” what other songs should be in it?
CO: Definitely some Rosalía. We’d also include songs by Pablo Alborán. The playlist should be full of feel-good music that keeps the party going.
Questions by @alraco43