The latest incredible talent to come flying out of The Netherlands – full of ammunition
Interview : Dan Prince
Mr Lens welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Thanks a lot! I’m in one of the studios in my school at the moment.”
You have the planet dancing right now thanks to your massive ‘Drop The Guns’ track that has been heavily supported by the likes of Martin Garrix. Talk us through the history and sound of the record…
“I actually made the track seven months ago with another drop and than sent it to Martin who is in the same class as I am. He really liked the track but didn’t like the drop so I specifically changed it for him and than the ‘Drop The Guns’ track was born. He almost played it at every gig. Followed by Hardwell and many more. The voice of the track is actually also a classmate of mine!”
Great story! Okay let’s rewind for a moment. How old were you when you first heard dance music and who were the artists that first grabbed your attention?
“Well I think it was my brother who always listened to the radio and they were playing some dance tunes. And I kind of got into it and started following artists like Afrojack and Chuckie…”
Was the original idea to get into DJing or production?
“Into the DJing. I played some very small gigs and then realized that if I wanted to play bigger venues I needed to make my own music. And that was like 3 years ago.”
What were your first steps into production…?
“Oh man when I created my first full track I thought I was the new Afrojack. Sent it to all the big labels in the market that time. Of course I didn’t receive any answers because it was so bad. And than 2 years later I auditioned for the Herman Brood Academy and got accepted. So now I’m here.”
What did your family think of your new choice of career…were they worried or did they see you had the skills?
“My family were very supportive from the beginning, but they always said I needed to have a back up plan in case it wouldn’t work out. But I never actually got a back up plan because I thought that would hold me down.”
Can you remember your first ever DJ gig and how much you got paid?
“Oh yes. That was at my high school for 20 minutes in front of like 10 people. I didn’t get paid anything for it but it was a fun experience.”
Where have some of the stand out gigs been for you this summer?
“I will play a lot in Amsterdam this summer in two of my favorite clubs; Jimmy Woo and Club AIR. I’m super new to the EDM world, but my ambition is to play all the good festivals next summer!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
Depends on the kind of gig of course, but this are some tracks I like…
Alpharock – Drop The Guns
Jetfire & Happy Enemies – Brazil
Steve Angello, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – Payback
Marc Benjamin – Rocket Science
Duck Sauce – NRG (Skrillex, Kill The Noise, Milo & Otis Remix)
Alpharock – Get Wild
David Guetta & Showtek – Bad
Cazette – Sleepless
Julian Jordan – Up in this
Fox Stevenson – Tico
What is coming out next from you studio wise…?
“My new single called ‘Get Wild’. It will be out soon on Oxygen/Spinnin’ Records. Really excited for this one!”
How did the hook up with Funs at Steel Entertainment Group happen and what do they bring to the table?
“I visited the Steel Studios a lot last summer because of my studio sessions with my boys Delivio Reavon and Aaron Gill. We made a couple of tracks and they told Steel about me. So that’s when we got in contact and how it all started. I signed a management deal with them, which I’m very excited about. We are off to a good start with “Drop The Guns” but we have some more big things coming!”
Tell us about your studio set up…
“I work with a very basic set up. In school I work with 2x KRK Rocket 6 Monitors and in the ‘big’ studio we have 2 dynadio’s and a big sub. I sometimes work with a midi keyboard to fix my melodies. But that’s pretty much it. I think I don’t need all the studio gear yet.”
If you could spin back to back with any DJ, who would it be?
“Definitely A-Trak or Laidback Luke. I wouldn’t even DJ I will just look at their skills behind the decks!”
What is the 1 track in the world you wish you would have made?
“Wow hard question but I think it will be Avicii – ‘Lay Me Down’. I think he broke some barriers with his album and this is the best track in my opinion.”
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Don’t have one specifically but I think ‘you can’t rush perfection’ or ‘hard work pays off’ are some great pieces of advice.”
What is the last song you heard today?
“Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake – ‘Love Never Felt So Good’. WHAT A TRACK!!”
And finally, are Holland going to win the World Cup?????
“Of course!! Last time we were very close, so this time we will win it all!”