Alpharock

From Amsterdam WIth Love. A new superstar has arrived…

Interview by Dan Prince


Dude a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?

Thanks for having me again! I just finished my last exam at the Herman Brood Academy. So I’m kind of done with school right now! Good reason to celebrate!

What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?

Hmm, I think it’s ‘Destinations’ of Alesso’s new album…I’m completely in love with that song! It gives me a relaxed feeling.

So really exciting times for you at the moment thanks to the runaway success of your new single FAWL, the track that everyone and their dog has been trying to guess who the producer behind it is. Tiesto premiered the track on his radio show (https://soundcloud.com/spinninrecords/fawl-available-june-12 ) and Nicky Romero finally put everyone out of their misery last week. You had fun being a man of mystery?

Yes, the first few weeks it was a lot of fun, but also a bit hard because I couldn’t tell anyone about the track just yet…After a few weeks I thought it was time to reveal myself! Nicky Romero wanted to reveal it on his show so I was really happy and I’m receiving a lot of messages at the moment!

Loved the ‘Where Waldo’ artwork for the competition that Spinnin’ has been running offering your fans the chance for exclusive vinyl and other cool prizes. Who was behind that work?

My manager Funs came with the idea to make an artwork like ‘Where’s Waldo’ but with all the DJ’s. I was kinda skeptical about it at first but when I finally saw it, I was in love with it…And now I only hear positive feedback about it, so I’m really happy!

Would you say FAWL is your best work to date?

Yes, I’ve always loved to make progressive house music and this is really the most fun music to make in my opinion…The melody in this track is so strong and catchy, but production wise I still need to grow…But that’s just the perfectionist inside of me.

Check the video here : https://youtu.be/-uwqN-lUDVw

A quote from your Facebook regarding vodka I believe…”We provide you with an epic night but also with an unbearable morning” – when was the last time you had one of those mornings???

Haha I came up with this last Sunday when I had a lot of fun with friends the Saturday before…So yeah Sunday morning was one of those mornings…

Let’s kick back to how this all started, the days spent listening to Dutch radio with your brother when you first heard dance music. Can you recall any of the producers/DJs/tunes that first grabbed your attention?

It must have been Afrojack for sure! Back then I was a big fan of his work. I think ‘Bangduck’ was his best song at that moment! He really had his own style and I really liked that.

When did the idea of a career in music first start to form in your head?

When I bought my first DJ set and I had to make a choice about what to do with my future. I found out my biggest passion was music and I really wanted to take the risk of succeeding in the music business. I was always searching on the internet for new music from all my favorite DJs. So I educated myself about the genres I really liked, so from day one I already knew what I wanted to make and that was/is progressive/electro house.

What did your family think of your decision, where they happy with this route or did they want you to do something more sensible?

I worked a few years on my music before I really chose to do a musical education. But once I decided I wanted to do that they understood me. They explained me what the down sides of being an artist were and how hard it is to make money, but that only motivated me to go on and make it. Both my parents are hobby musicians too, so they understood what I wanted and why I wanted it..

What was your first break in the music industry?

It was the first support of Martin Garrix on my track ‘Drop The Guns’ in Australia. I posted it on my social media and I gained a lot of followers. After that I signed it to Oxygen (Spinnin’) and the hype behind the track became big! That was my first break in the music industry!

Early producer heroes?

Always been a big fan of Afrojack and Hardwell because they made the Dutch house go big! Also Pharrell Williams is one of my all time heroes. All the hits this guy made in his life…it’s incredible!

What are the big 5 tunes in your box this weekend?

1. Of course my new tune ‘FAWL’ is one of the highlights of my set.

2. I really love the new Henry Fong tune called ‘Wine Dem’. The unbelievably high amount of energy that drop has is insane.

3. My new tune together with the boys of JAGGS. The track is called ‘Bassface’ and is one of my most anticipated tracks to date.

4. The Audien remix of Pompeii is still one of my favorite tracks to play out in my sets. The song is so emotional with the awesome voice and the big progressive drops..

5. Headhunterz – ‘Live Your Life’ is an absolute banger I love to play out as well. The melody is so tight and powerful.

Some of the big summer dates you cannot wait for…

We’re working on some cool dates to get me to Asia for instance. A lot of fans are from that region so I hope to be able to visit soon!

The last time you pressed rewind on a track and listened to it again because it is so damned good?

I really love Avicii’s new song ‘Waiting For Love’ and when I heard it for the first time on Martin Garrix’s Ultra set I did rewind it to listen to it again. Such an awesome song!

“Everywhere I go I take my studio with me” – where is the strangest location you have ever made music?

Must have been on the toilet haha…But it’s normal for me to produce on the train or the bus.

Not many people know this, but Alpharock is really good at…

Well I recently found out that I’m pretty good at bowling haha…I was bowling with my teachers and classmates and I actually kicked their asses. So if any of you want to take me on with bowling, bring it on!

And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?

The next two tracks will be collabs…One with JAGGS and the other one will be announced soon enough!

Alpharock – ‘FAWL’ (out now on Spinnin’ Records)
Beatport: http://btprt.dj/1f6CwFa

https://twitter.com/AlpharockMusic