Back with a bang! Maarten Hoogstraten makes an emotional return to the top of the charts
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Maarten welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Hey guys, good to be back! I’m actually at home now for a while. I just became a father for the first time in my life. So, in between changing diapers, I’m retreating to the studio to make new music.”
An extremely special and emotional release from you in June with ‘Knock You Out’ swinging our way on Positiva…one of the last songs you worked on together before Paul passed away in December. With the release of new music you must have media all over the world clamoring to speak to you and obviously talk about Paul, is it getting any easier for you to talk about your wonderful friend?
“Of course it was hard talking about his passing, it still is. People want to know everything, which I can understand. Talking about it brings back feelings from that horrible period. At the same time it’s easy to talk about Paul because he was a great guy.”
You spoke with Paul about continuing the Bingo Players name, he told you that if you could find the strength to carry on. It was obviously the correct decision so very well done Maarten for having the courage. What was that first time in the studio on your own like…?
“It felt (and still feels) strange and lonely looking at an empty chair next to me. We’ve been producing together almost every day for years. I really miss his feedback and more importantly, sharing that feeling when you hit that great idea and get all hyped up about it! When I’m producing and I’m stuck, I always think about what Paul would say or do.”
‘Knock You Out’ – talk us through the vibe of the record and the wonderful voice of Kim Viera, here’s a talent in the making!
“Sia wrote the vocal and when we got the demo, we immediately loved it. The lyrics, the melody, it really struck a chord with us. She’s such a great songwriter. We built the track around the vocal and let Kim Viera sing it. It was hard finding a great singer that could match Sia’s vibe and power. Kim really nailed it!”
What can you tell us about some of the other as of yet unreleased tunes you two began work on?
“In the last years we have built a lot of concepts, most of them are ideas with chords and melodies. At the moment I’m listening to them and picking out the best ones to finish.”
The world premiere of the track quite rightly took place at Remembrance Festival, man that looked an amazing experience…?
“It was so great to premiere ‘Knock You Out’ there and also to honor Paul on that special night. Felt so good seeing everybody with the “Fuck Cancer” and “This Is For Paul” signs and t-shirts. It shows how great the whole dance community is. It feels like a big family.”
So as you mentioned above, some incredible news a couple of weeks ago with the birth of your first child…how difficult are you finding it to leave the house and go to gigs NOW??
“At the moment I haven’t left my house yet, so we’ll see. I think it will be really hard leaving the little guy behind, but at the same time he’s in good hands with his wonderful mom.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
“In no particular order:
– Bingo Players – Knock You Out
– Chocolate Puma – Step Back
– Bassjackers & MAKJ – Derp
– Duck Sauce – NRG (Skrillex, Kill The Noise, Milo & Otis Remix)
– Tommy Trash – Lord Of The Trance
– Carl Tricks – Rock On
– Steve Aoki, Diplo & Deorro – Freak
– TJR & Vinai vs Da Luniz – I Got 5 On The Bounce Generation (Bingo Players Mashup)
– Audien – Hindsight
– MOTi – Anarchy
A big tease from you on your Facebook site telling us all you had just finished a new remix on an amazing mystery group…a duo from the UK. Your fans shouted out people like Disclosure, Above & Beyond, Basement Jaxx, The Chemical Brothers and London Grammar…my guess is…Wham!?!? You have remixed ‘Last Christmas’?
“Hahaha, yes – but George Michael kept declining our remix! No, it’s the new single from Gorgon City, called “Here For You”. The remix is a little bit different than what you’d expect.”
Miami WMC/Ultra now seems like a distance memory, what were some of your take home moments from the conference this year?
“Of course Remembrance Festival and also the Hysteria pool party. It was the second time we did it and it was an awesome day. Totally sold out and a great vibe!”
What is the 1 festival you are looking forward to this summer and also, what are your Ibiza plans…
“I’m looking forward to EDC Las Vegas and Tomorrowland! This year I will be in Ibiza playing at Pacha with Steve Aoki.”
Throw a couple of names at us, some up n’coming producers we should be looking out for this year…
“I really like how Henry Fong and Mike Hakwins are doing at the moment. I think 2014 will definitely be their year.”
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
“I’m working a various projects as we speak. Two of them are more vocal orientated. Another one is a bit harder. Watch out for some previews real soon.”
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“To ignore unconstructive criticism!”
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