Huge year ahead for the mestro from Dordrecht as he gets set for his brand new album Full Circle
Interview : Dan Prince
Sander welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
“Thanks Dan, right now I’m working in my studio in the Netherlands on the final edits for the album singles that are going to be released spread out trough the year. Lot’s of fun as I love to geek out in my studio.”
A new year and a new massive tune for the dancefloor, this time round it’s your tune with Kyler England ‘Take The Fall’ which is guaranteeing carnage everywhere. Talk us through the history of this stunning vocal trance cut which is now out through Magik Muzik.
“I appreciate the kind words man, “Take The Fall” was a track I recorded with Kyler a while back and to be honest it took me about 15 versions to get it where it is now. It’s always amazing to work with someone as talented as Kyler England and actually I prefer working with people that have a big musical background like herself. It saves me hours of tuning and it makes the voice stand out and more natural sounding and simply said easier to mix. It was great working on this record as I love to mix the pop influences that I love so much, into a dance record and I think that worked out well on this one.”
Can you remember where you first road-tested the track?
“Yes that was in India in Delhi in a club called Kitty Su, great vibe and as much as they wanted to sing along to this one, it was way too new.”
A lovely thing you once said in an interview when discussing the merits of the dance music industry. You said our scene is “one of those rare places where dreams still come true”. Is that how you felt when Tiesto asked you to play at his Elements Of Life party in 2008…or did you basically just shit yourself?!?
“Haha great question and actually both your ideas about it are true. At first I was like blown away by the fact that I got asked and because of that I could only say yes to that. What I didn’t realize at that point was that I’ve never played in a club before and I had to close the room after the number one DJ of the world. When I think back to this situation it could have backfired really bad, but it worked out so well. Because of that night I’m still playing on events for promoters who saw me play that night.”
The biggest news for 2014 though has to be the release of the new album ‘Full Circle’. Is the album completed yet, if so when is it released?
“Yes it’s finished and completed indeed – and I’m really happy to tell you the album will be available on March 3rd (pops a bottle of champagne).”
We hear rumours of some great collaborations…what can you tell us about the tunes with…
Relyk
“The track with Relyk was amazing to produce and has almost the feel of a ballet turned into a dance record. I always like to follow the structure of a pop record. Verse Chorus etc. And I think the track came out really well.”
Quilla
“The record with Quilla is a record I wrote together with Quilla on the piano and we came up with something really nice, after she added her vocals the picture just felt right.”
Eric Lumiere
“It was great working with Eric Lumiere on this record, the track we’ve made together was at first a draft he made himself as he’s a great writer. After hearing that I heard that it had great potential and this melodically beauty will soon see the light of day.”
Neev Kennedy
“Neev Kennedy is a great vocalist mainly know from the more trancey records. This is why I wanted to give her a little more edge and we came up with a nice record with some experimental influences .”
Tyler Sherrit
“The record Tyler wrote on a draft of mine was really deep and emotional and I have to say that I had to get used to this song. But the more I’ve listened to it the better I felt it and understood what I had to add to make it something that draws you in.”
Does the name of the album have any significance with your music – and how do you think this album has progressed/changed from your previous two?
“The name Full Circle came to me as I think I’m a different producer and artist then I was in the beginning of my career and with that being said, the album sounds different then the two other albums as for some records I’ve just closed the studio for a few days and came out when the record was finished. I also produce a lot of pop records/ urban records on the side and this made me rethink the way dance records with vocals are being produced. Like I said earlier in the interview. I’ve followed the pop format with allot of records, but still gave it that dance twist.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
1. First State ft. Relyk – Take The Fall (OUT NOW)
2. Switchfoot – Who We Are (Michael Calfan Remix)
3. Tritonal & Paris Blohm feat. Sterling Fox – Colors
4 . Merk & Kremont vs Amersy – Charger
5. Arty, Matisse & Sadko – RIOT
6. JoeySuki & Kill The Buzz – Life Is Calling
7. Jus Jack – Stars
8. Jewelz & Scott Sparks – Unless We Forget ft. Quilla
9. AN21 Dmitry Vangelis – Rebe
l 10. Lucky Date & R3hab – Rip It up
Your Crossroads radio show seems to be going from strength to strength, where are some of the far flung countries picking up your show and what was the original idea behind it?
“Yeah my radio show is still growing every week and this is something I’m very grateful for. Right now my radio show is being broadcasted in North America, United Kingdom, Columbia, Poland, Russia, India, Indonesia and more. The idea behind Crossroads was to play a broader spectrum of electronic music and leave the trance scene for what it is. As I don’t see that genre moving forward in any way. So what I prefer is to play more progressive house and electro oriented tracks. Of course I still love my melodic dance music, but I don’t think that needs to restricted to one genre. That mainly describes why I went for the name crossroads as I was on a crossing point of my career.”
Okay let’s rewind for a moment, you have been producing now for ten years…who were the early producers/artists that first drew you into this crazy world of dance music when you were growing up?
“I remember back in the days when I first listened to dance music, I heard all the euro dance and cheesy tracks and that didn’t really cut it for me. Until I heard a live set from Paul van Dyk’s love parade while I was at work at my IT Job at that time and the only thing I thought was “ I want to know how this is made”. As I loved the emotions and feelings in the electronical synths and chords. ”
What did your family think of your choice of career?
“I have great parents and they are very open minded, they are pretty much hippies that’s why I decided in 2005 to quit my IT Job and give it a go. And here we are!”
You hail from the city of Dordrecht in the west of The Netherlands, what sort of music/club scene does your home place have?
“To be honest there isn’t really a club scene in the town that I live. For the serious clubs you have to go to a nearby town called Rotterdam or to Amsterdam. But to be honest I’m not really a big clubber as I see so many clubs when I travel I don’t mind the lack of them being in my hometown. ”
Who are some of the producers from around the globe you are giving high fives to right now?
“Axwell, Matisse & Sadko, Hard Rock Sofa, Swanky Tunes, Michael Calfan, Fedde Le Grand, Thomas Gold. These are the guys that just got it right and are really inspiring to me.”
What 1 piece of advice can you offer to the thousands of aspiring producers reading this interview?
“Ask if you don’t know something, I always like to help young producers out when they are stuck. Hit me up on twitter @firststatemusic and I will always write you back. As for a quick advice, use your ears not your eyes.”
What was your favourite DJ gig of 2013 and why?
“I think that was my gig in Croatia at the Papaya Beach Club. I’ve never played there before and I have to say it was amazing. Every track just worked, it’s that moment you’re doing it all for.”
Where are some of the dates already in the diary that you cannot wait for this year?
“As for now I kept all dates off as I was working on my album, but as of next month we’re starting to schedule a “Full Circle” album tour. ”
Tell us about your studio set up…
“Right now my studio setup contains :
Imac I7 3.2, with a Apogee Duet 2 soundcard my UAD 2 Duo Box with lots of plugins like the SSL G Compressor, Neve 33609 and 88S Channelstrip, Pultec Plugins, 1176 Limiter Collection, LA2A Classic Leveler Collection. An Acces Virus Snow. SSL Duende Classic and allot more. But most of the stuff happens in the box. Apart from the rare guitar recordings.”
What do you think your greatest attribute as a producer is?
“My mind, and the fact that I’m not afraid to put some emotions in a track. It’s not always about that huge impact on the dancefloor as I think emotions have a way bigger impact.”
Who away from dance music are some of the artists you are currently listening to?
“I listen to a lot of Indie rock to be honest and of course the usual suspects like Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Switchfoot. But also bands like the Foo Fighters I can really appreciate.”
Not many people know this buy Sander van Dien is really good at?
“You won’t believe it but my botanical knowledge is off the hook. I’ve studied that in my younger years and I still can appreciate that allot.”
And finally, are you still riding your bicycle to work???
“YES!! Haha, here in Holland the distances between places are so short that I don’t need to spoil the environment with unnecessary fumes. ”
Thank you dude, appreciate your time!
“Thank you Dan, loved this interview. Hi 5 broheim!”
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