The sun keeps on rising for Dutch EDM
Welcome back to DMCWORLD Jesse. A great Summer ahead with some fabulous releases coming our way. Let’s kick off with your rework of Ivan Pica’s ‘Two Suns’ track communing out on Hotfingers. talk us through your work here…
“Yeah, I did that remix for Ivan, because he’s a friend. I liked the original, but it was a hard one to remix, because it was very stripped down, very techy. And my style is more bigroom, so I was like, what am I gonna do with it? So I took some of his parts and built a track around that, and kept the basslines I’m using a lot.”
We here you have several tracks all fired up and ready to go for the summer, what can we expect…
“I’ve got a new record just out on 17:44 Records and lots to come. In August you will see my new release on Juicy Music, called Fuel To The Fire, featuring Jamie Lee Wilson. She delivered some great vocals for the track. Other than that I’ve a new one ready for Stealth, with vocals by Ron Carroll and I’ve got like 4 other records ready to roll. And remix wise there also will be some tracks this summer.”
You have just rocked the Level of Destruction Festival in Lyon, France. How was that?
“That was nice. I love playing in France. It was a festival by Electro Sound Radio, that broadcasts my radioshow as well, so that was a nice connection.”
How do festivals compare around the world. For instance, the levels of production are pretty much standard now, what festivals in recent years come to mind that have stood out for reasons such as crazier crowds, incredible settings etc.?
“One of the festivals that stands out in all that is the Kazantip festival in the Ukraine. I’ve played there last year and most likely this year as well. It was a very nice industrial setting, great decoration and it’s on the beach, which is fantastic. The crowd was amazing as well. But the standard for festivals has been improved so much the last years, it’s always a pleasure to play at one.”
What are the big festivals you are booked for this year?
“Roskilde. I’m headlining the electronic area there and I’m really looking forward to that. I’m also returning to Global Gathering Russia in july, which is in St. Petersburg and which was amazing two years ago. And we’re still working on a few more.”
You enjoy playing in Mexico and Russia very much. Why these two territories?
“Tequilla and vodka of course, lol. No seriously, I always have a blast there, because the crowds are so nice. They are very open minded and really go wild.”
You were in Croatia last weekend, their festival season is looking amazing this year. What is clublife like there at the moment, the atmosphere there seems to be more enthusiasm led than drug led?
“Yeah, I played at Club Aquarius in Zagreb and that went off. Croatia is very cool and I think festival wise and specially beach wise, it’s really like a new Ibiza. Sun, sea, beaches and cheaper drinks. The clublife is cool, but kinda strange. Most people don’t pay to get into a club. They get in for free and even get free drinks every now and than. They’re not used to pay for clubbing. But the atmosphere in Aquarius was fantastic en the crowd was very enthusiastic. And I think that’s indeed real enthusiasm, instead of certain chemical or alcoholic stuff.
“What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
01. Jesse Voorn + Ron Carroll – Open Your Eyes
02. Adrian Lux – Teenage Crime (Thomas Gold 2012 rework)
03. Denzal Park – Militia
04. Sebastian Drums – French Rules (Hot Mouth remix)
05. Matthew LeFace & DJ Dstar – Xomp
06. Dero & Rivera – Moocher
07. Third Party ft. Loleatta Holloway – Thank You
08. The 8th Note & Nilson – Transformers
09. Richard Grey – Bites The Dust
10. Nuff! – Wake Up Ibiza (Nuff!, E-Stylez Wake Up Call remix)
“Hahaaa, unfortunately not. I did some occasional running though, but not enough to get into a better condition. Still up high on the list.”The last time we spoke I asked you ‘if you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?’ – and you answered ‘I need to go to the gym more, my condition could be better’. So did you!?!
Other than when a clubber once asking you to sing happy birthday to her friend at a club in Germany, what other strange requests have you had?
“It’s all not too strange, haha. Clubbers are very modest.”
Tell us about your collaboration with Strobe…
“That one is in progress right now. I met him when I was playing Pacha Munich and we had a great time. He suggested it would be cool to do a track together and I was all up for that. So basically we’ve been pingponging some stuff to eachother. I came up with an anthem, he changed it a little, I started with beats and percussion and basslines and he’s working on it now. So probably gonna be ready soon.”
What is the greatest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“That’s a hard one. For me lots of records that I play are at that moment a great record!”
What are the plans for Ibiza 2012?
“I’m gonna be several times on the island. We’re gonna bring Amsterdance, a new Dutch concept I’m resident of, to Ibiza. That’s gonna be really cool.”
Tell us about your radio show, how many countries do you broadcast to and what is the format of the show?
“I have a weekly radioshow. It’s basically a two hour show, which is hosted. I do two mixes, one hour each, with the latest promo’s I get in, tracks and remixes from myself of course and other music I like. In between, not with every record, but like three times each hour, I mention the records that I’ve played, give updates on my releases, schedule or whatever I think is cool. There’s also a one hour version, which is just a mix. It’s being broadcasted in over 25 countries now, both online as in the air. So it’s my little playgarden.”
You are without doubt one of the rising stars in the Netherlands, a country churning up a plethora of stadium selling trance stars at the moment. Who were the early artists you were getting into that sent you down the tech house, house and progressive track…
“I think several, but when I started deejaying and producing, my style was more electro, fidget and mash-up based. After that it went more techy and proggy. I think Roger Sanchez broke it down for me with house music. Been a fan from his first album. I also was in contact with John Digweed, even almost released a track on his label. He loved it very much, but one way or another it didn’t happen. Tech house wise it were guys like Jesse Rose and Claude Vonstroke that I was really into, played a lot of their stuff at that time. The key always was, wether it was house, tech house or progressive, a certain level of energy, which I still have.”
What is coming next from the Voorn studio…
“I’ve like some releases ready. Other than that I’m currently working on a new track, for which I asked Lizzie Curious from the UK to do the vocals. I’m gonna work on a track for Hannah’s new album soon and I’m gonna do some more remixes, amongst others for Richard Grey and Ron Carroll.”
What is your favourite ever album?
“Another hard one to choose. It could either be Purple Rain by Prince or Bossanova from The Pixies.”
What producers from around the world are you giving high fives to at the moment?
“Roger Sanchez, Robbie Rivera, Denzal Park, Sebastien Drums, Jean Elan and I’m probably forgetting lots. High Fives for everyone.”
“So many. I’m a massive hiphop fan, so artists such as Beastie Boys (Paul’s Boutique was my first ever hiphopalbum, and it’s sad MCA passed away), Stetsasonic, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan. In other genres I enjoy listening to Prince, System Of A Down, Pixies, Hot Chip, Grandaddy, DJ Shadow and I could go on for another 5 pages.”Aside from EDM, what artists do you enjoy listening to?
What is the best thing your parents ever taught you?
“Always to stay close to yourself and trust your own feeling. Which you can do in many ways. They also wanted me to play an instrument, since music is very important to them, and I’m very happy they did it that way.”
Who is the most famous person on your mobile phone?
“Might be Moguai, or Kaskade.”
My greatest weakness is…
“Candy.”
The best day of my life was…
“I hope the best day of my life still has to come. Would be a terrible thought it already has been.”
