In our CasinoBeats Rhymes and Life feature we are revealing the soundtracks that provide a backdrop for the gaming industry.
In this edition, we spoke to Christoffer Andersson, Chief Operating Officer at 500 Casino, about his own ventures into DJing and being “blown away” by a special crowd experience in Malmö.
What was your first-ever gig, and what was it like?
I was actually around 16 or so at that time, and have been both listening to a lot of house music and watching DJs play on stage, which made me buy my first setup. I practised for several weeks at home until I felt confident.
Later, I brought my setup to a relatively popular bar in Helsingborg, Sweden, and offered to play for free. I told them if they were satisfied I would come back the next evening and play but for compensation. I ended up playing at that bar for at least a few months on a weekly basis until I started playing in nightclubs.
What’s the best performance you have ever seen live, and why was it so good?
I guess a lot of people would go for the big artists/bands such as Michael Jackson, Queen, Whitney Houston, etc. Unfortunately I did not see any of them live.
Entertainment-wise, I would say the Sensation White events – it has been a long time since I attended such events, and I assume things have gotten even better.
But for a performance by an artist, that is quite hard, I do remember one particular time I was casually visiting Malmö during their festival week. A relatively popular rap group called Advanced Patrol were performing a song called “Plötsligt kom tystnaden”, where they had one additional person to sing the lyrics.
They shut off all the music and let that additional person sing accapella, and you could actually feel in his voice exactly how he felt. I believe the combination of this being so unexpected and surprising, with the singer being very good, kind of blew me away.
What is your most cherished album, and what makes it so special to you?
Michael Jackson, HIStory.
What song always makes it to your gym playlist? What activities do you usually do in the gym while listening to it?
Will Smith – Gettin’ Jiggy Wit it (Viceroy “Jet Life” Remix), you can do whatever with this song, it brings both joy and energy.
Which artist or song helps take your mind off work? Why have you chosen this artist and genre?
Samuel Jack. He tends to do a lot of slow-paced songs, and has a very comfortable voice.
Working in this business you tend to be ‘on call’ 24/7 because that is when our business is open.And in order to get that stress out of the body, I prefer to listen to slow-paced feel-good music.
If you could go on a night out with any musician, who would it be, and where would you take them?
Kenny Rogers, I would take him to play some poker at the local casino (of course).
