The Dutch dynamo duo setting the world alight. Have some faith
Interview : Dan Prince
Thom, Idir – welcome to dmcworld. Where in the world are you right now?
“Hello guys! We just came back to our homeland The Netherlands after a trip to Colombia (Cali), still a bit jetlagged. It was an amazing trip!”
You have just smashed into the world famous Buzz Chart with your latest tune ‘Faith’, give us a little history of the track…
“Well…to be honest, the vocals were originally designed for another track we did almost a year ago but we didn’t feel the instrumental that much as we did back then. We felt the vocals were so strong that we had to make a new track around it…and so we did! We were a little bit insecure about the ‘’raw’’ style of the track and the question if it was credible enough for radio-airplay. Luckily for us it all turned out very well and Faith became an big radio hit in The Netherlands, with more countries to follow!”
Can you remember the first place you road tested it and the reaction?
“The first few times we tested ‘Faith’ we found out that the vocals were still too dry and noticed some other minor details. The reaction to the drop was good but not great. After the release, the track was more recognized and embraced by the crowd which resulted in explosive reactions by the clubbers while playing it live!”
What is the reason you go with different labels for each release, this time it’s Powerhouse who hit the jackpot…?
“Each label has its own strategy, followers and adopters of the sound they release. With dropping tracks on multiple platforms we are able to reach a very large and diverse number of fans. Powerhouse Music is a relatively new label but already showed their strength with their first chart successes in The Netherlands, which made us feel comfortable to sign ‘Faith’ to them.”
You are the guys who remixed Tiesto’s ‘Adiago For Strings’ earlier in the year, a daunting task for many but you took it on. That whole experience must have been so rewarding for you, must have been pretty special to join him in Miami?
“The Miami adventure, haha…well, this is an awkward story to tell but yes, it’s true we were invited by Tiësto personally to play at his party. But upon arrival in the US, we were refused at customs in Detroit while flying to Miami and we were sent back straight away…still a painful story though!”
Everyone loves their tune played at the biggest events in the world, what was going through your head when Yves V dropped your ‘That Big’ collab at Tomorrowland?
“Haha yeah, we saw the video of Yves who dropped the tune and the crowd went crazy. It was amazing to see! On the other hand we had five more tunes of us played by David Guetta, Tiësto, Chuckie, Afrojack, Hardwell, Nicky Romero and more so the whole Tomorrowland thing was one big positive thing for us.”
So let’s rewind a little. Who were the DJs/producers that made an impression on you growing up?
“We both looked up towards Tiësto, I think he’s the guy who opened doors for the whole EDM industry worldwide and especially in the US. Also Hardwell was (and still is) a big hero for us.”
What did your families think of your career choices?
“Now they see that all pieces of the puzzle come together it is accepted by both our families. In the beginning were they a bit skeptical about the chances in the future and the fact we are chasing an ‘impossible’ dream. We’re very happy with their support nowadays!”
Thom you were DJing on your own as Scalix – tell us how the whole Blasterjaxx project happened
“Scalix was just a project I used to experiment with to get in touch with other DJ’s and producers. The Blasterjaxx project was something I used to develop a ‘new sound’ within the current scene at that moment. Using melodies was something that didn’t happen very often at that time, especially in the Dutch sound of 2010/2011. In the beginning we focused on the typical Dutch sound which was very popular in The Netherlands, we had some moderate successes. Since one and a half year we decided it was time to step out of the Dutch/afro sound and started making big room/progressive which turned out great for us. We’re still very happy with that decision and how it all worked out.”
Why does Blasterjaxx work so well, who excels where in the studio?
“Idir is extremely musical and Thom knows how the scene works and is always stuffed with crazy ideas and themes for tracks. Crazy ideas and a modern Mozart in one studio is the perfect atmosphere for making unique and original tracks.”
You spend so much time together, in the studio, on tour and even in the gym! do you ever argue?
“Haha, and as a matter of fact, we also live in the same house! But we don’t argue that much actually, we know each other from the inside and out and know where we can help each other out and at which point we should give the other one some space.”
You are nearing the end of a huge summer tour, where has really been brilliant for you?
“All locations where brilliant! But if we would really have to choose, it will be a location inside the caves somewhere near Barcelona.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
- 1) Blasterjaxx – Snake
- 2) Henry Morgan – Ding Dong
- 3) Blasterjaxx – Mystica
- 4) Wiwek – Angry Birds
- 5) Showtek – Slow Down
- 6) Hardwell & Makj – Countdown
- 7) Sebastian Ingrosso – Reload
- 8) Skitzofrenix – Clap
- 9) Zed – Clarity (Tiesto Remix)
- 10) Blasterjaxx – Faith
You are part of the new wave of superstar producers coming through, who are some of the other guys you are giving high fives to right now in studio world?
“Makj is producing great stuff lately. Also GTA and Wiwek are guys to look out for.”
Not many people know this but Blasterjaxx are really good at?
“Haha…ask our girls! No seriously, I think that we are good at playing music that really satisfies the crowd without getting too cheesy or playing only the entire Beatport top 100.”
It may not be good for our image, but Blasterjaxx really love…
“Energy drinks, girls and good food!”
What one person has given you the most support and advice in your careers?
“Our manager Wiraj. This guy is the one who’s in control of everything what is going on around us. We have known each other for a very long time and we blindly trust him on his skills and choices.”
And finally, what is coming out from you guys next…
“The next thing coming out is our collaboration with Tomorrowland resident Yves V, and following after that, a lot of solo releases with some surprising vocalists and big remixes! Thank you for this interview, we appreciate it Dan”
https://twitter.com/Blasterjaxx
Soundcloud preview: https://soundcloud.com/blasterjaxx/blasterjaxx-faith-release-soon
YouTube preview: http://youtu.be/BQ2XZkODx8A
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