The bomb has exploded! Welcome to the future of trance
Interview : Dan Prince
David welcome to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you today?
“Hey guys, thanks for having me! At the moment I’m enjoying the fabulous sunset in Tunisia, could be worse right?”
It could indeed! Tunisia on Saturday night, looked mental – was it?
“It was my first time in Tunisia and it was fantastic! The crowd was amazing and the vibe was super.”
A massive weekend for you with the release of your latest masterpiece ‘Timebomb’ – talk us through the sound and history of the track…
“Well, it’s actually a pretty good story. I started this track off I think 2 years ago but didn’t really felt the finished version so I decided to put it away for a while. A few months after, I re-opened the project, one thing led to another and ‘Timebomb’ was born. I really liked the outcome of the track and I wanted to thank my fans for their support so I wanted to give it away for free, haha! It’s crazy to think that I almost gave ‘Timebomb’ away, especially when I heard that Armin wanted it for the ‘A State Of Trance’ label!”
You have been sitting on this tune for quite a while, it must have been torture waiting for the release?
“Well yes, that’s something I tend to do…I always play my tracks out to see how the crowd responds to them and try to see where they can do better. I just want everything to be perfect and that’s exactly how it turned out!”
Another night I wanted to ask you about was your debut in Russia in April, what did you make of our Russian party friends – did you get drunk on vodka??
“Haha, Russia was amazing! I always wanted to play there since I heard the crowd is fantastic there. To be honest, my expectations were high but I never dared to dream that it would be so good!”
What is the record that…
…always reminds you of your childhood?
“Andain – You Once Told Me.”
…reminds you of having your heart broken?
“Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody.”
…will ALWAYS gets you dancing?
“Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten – Brute.”
…you wish you had made yourself?
“Michael Jackson – Thriller.”
A recent quote from a certain superstar DJ…“I believe true DJing is actually an art, but it’s a dying art, as everyone is pushing the sync button…it’s a real shame when you see a ‘DJ’ plug his laptop in and call this DJing. Music will always evolve but sometimes not in the best way.” What are your thoughts on that?
“I think every DJ has his or her way of performing. Some feel comfortable using the sync button and some are still rocking shows playing vinyl! It’s about the experience you have during your performance and the experience you give your audience J. I think music has evolved a lot and it will continue to do so even faster the upcoming years. There is so much talent out there combining all the genres, mixing everything up and creating music that nobody has even thought of creating. That’s also my goal, keep it fresh, new and inspirational! Artists like Armin van Buuren, Porter Robinson, Andrew Rayel and Orjan Nilsen really inspire me as they always know to add a different flavor but never lose their signature touch!”
Who were the first musicians that you adored growing up?
“Mike Oldfield, Michael Jackson, The Beatles…”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
1. David Gravell – Timebomb
2. Andain – Beautiful Things (David Gravell Rework)
3. Orjan Nilsen – The Late Anthem
4. Andrew Rayel – Dark Warrior
5. Mark Sixma, Jerome Isma-he – Refused (David Gravell Remix)
6. David Gravell – Melbourne
7. Aruna – Reason to believe (Paris Blohm Remix)
8. David Gravell – Megatron
9. Cosmic Gate – Fire Wire (Cosmic Gate’s Back 2 The Future Remix)
10. Porter Robinson – Language
A big Summer in Ibiza is already under way, ASOT at Ushuaia looks a definite day in our diaries…you looking forward to the white isle with the big man…?
“Absolutely, my debut in Ibiza as well as at Ushuaia could not have been better!! Really looking forward to playing there.”
A quote from you from last year…”I made the major decision to make trance music with my own stamp on it.” Have you succeeded, have you put your own stamp on it?
“Well, I try. As I already mentioned I want to keep innovating, keep doing new stuff and keep doing the unexpected – in a good way! But I’m currently working on something that, in my opinion, is one of my biggest tracks yet. If you want a sneak peak you should re-listen my A State Of Trance 650 set!”
When was the last time you let your hair down and got trashed in a club?
“The last time I got trashed, I can’t remember…is that a good or a bad thing…?”
Who are some of the producers you are giving high fives to right now?
“I think the new Andrew Rayel album is fan-tas-tic! I also love the tracks I heard so far from the upcoming Cosmic Gate album, love the sound of Alexander Popov and of course, Porter Robinson never seizes to amaze and I’m really looking forward to his album as well!”
Not many people know this, but David Gravell is really good at…
“Skateboarding, snowboarding, Photoshopping his friends in weird pictures!”
Best ever festival moment?
“Electronic Family 2013, definitely. My track ‘Bulldozer’ was released around that time and it got played in almost every set!”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Well, as I already mentioned. I’m working on a few originals and one remix I am dying to preview to you guys! So keep an eye out!”
