The incredible high energy trip from Holland round of the summer with the massive ‘Dagga’
Interview : Dan Prince
Max, Danny, Tim welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
“Hi Dan!! We are just back in our hometown Amsterdam after a CRAZY summer. About 50 flights, so many countries and a whole lot of festivals!”
Very exciting news concerning your brand new tune coming out on Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s label. Talk us through the sound and history of ‘Dagga’…
“We have known Jasper (Alvaro) for a long time now. We are signed to the same Agency (Stars Agency) and it was just a matter of time before we would create something together. It’s a 130 bpm high energy banger we’ve been playing for a while now, the reactions on the track were amazing and when Smash the House records offered us to release it we didn’t have to think twice! We are really happy with this one!”
So what a summer you guys have had…Solar looked mental as did DEFQON1 and as for Tomorrowland…no words needed. What has been your No. 1 memory of festival season 2014?
“It might be one of those but besides those three highlights, WISH outdoor was really sick this year. It’s one of our favorite festivals in the Netherlands!”
What is on a Dirtcaps rider these days? Some artists have towels, candles, the finest wines…
“Yeah, we do have towels on our rider as well…but the most important thing for us is Jägermeister! Our self proclaimed nickname is “the Jäger House Mafia”. We also have bananas and Red Bull on it. Our tour manager collects merchandise from all the festivals and parties we play, so we’re considering to put that on our rider as well!”
Max, Danny – imagine the scenario. Tim loses his voice through spitting his shit too hard. You’re on at Ultra Miami and need an MC…these 5 dudes are available. Who do you pick and why…Nas, Chuck D, Andre 3000, LL Cool J or Jay Z…?
“For a second we thought we read Chuck Norris, then the answer would be very simple! But from these five we would absolutely pick Jay Z. He’s a legend for us and it would be more then awesome if we can work with him! But still we think Tim is better than all 5 of them…hahaha…”
It’s that time of year again, the annual DJ Top100. I interviewed Arthur Baker this week, he remarked…“there are too many DJs and genres for a realistic competition – it needs to split”. What are your thoughts on that…do you give a shit?
“Yeah we do give a shit. But the only thing is, we have doubts about the legitimacy of the competition. In these times it’s possible to buy followers, likes, votes etc. It’s a commercial competition. It would be really cool if some real legends like Tiesto, Armin and Carl Cox for example would be in a jury a long side some huge promoters or other music business giants. So you both have the public vote and a judge vote. The top 100 sometimes makes no sense to us. It shouldn’t be only a popularity competition but also a DJ competition in our opinion.”
What are the big 10 tunes in your record box right now?
1. Alvaro & Dirtcaps – Dagga
2. Alvaro & Carnage – The Underground (Dirtcaps Remix)
3. Yellow Claw & Mightyfools – Lick dat
4. Dirtcaps – Invasion ft. The Kemist
5. Dirtcaps & Gianni Marino – Show me what you got
6. Dirtcaps & Raynor Bruges – Booty Down
7. Alvaro & Dirtcaps – ID
8. Yellow Claw & Dirtcaps – ID
9. Everything from Wiwek
10. The Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian (Boehmer edit)
The Forbes DJ Rich List for 2014 came out today with the likes of Calvin Harris and David Guetta earning well over $25 million. The chart has received a lot of stick on the socials these last few hours, people are saying it obscene. DMC views it as simply the world’s biggest market (America) finally tapping into the dance scene and blowing things up. What are your views…?
“Pretty much the same view as you guys. It’s becoming a leading business and there’s a lot of money to earn. The big numbers are divided by those who are the most popular well known DJs. For example, Calvin Harris and David Guetta have so many hit records. So it’s also logical that they earn the most in our point of view.”
A quote from Fatboy Slim this week…“Electronic house. What a refreshing prospect! EDM is dead, long live EH!” So do you think things are getting more vocal out there?
“Well, a good vocal/dropline is very important for us. But I think Fatboy Slim is a bit right here. People are digging the deeper/melodic house more and more. Also the raging harder styles are getting bigger and bigger. And there lies a really good connection to vocal drops etc. But let us say one thing about EDM; it’s not dead at all!”
The strangest place outside of a club where you have heard your music being played?|
“In the waiting room at the dentist.”
August 2nd 2014. The Boothstock Festival, The Indicolor Festival and Clubnight. Three big Dutch gigs in one 24 hour stint. Did you go to the after party???
“Hahaha, yeah actually we have a lot of those days where we play 3 or 4 shows in the Netherlands. Compared to the world, Holland is a small country so the maximum drive you’ll have to make from north to south is 2 or 3 hours. That way we can play more shows in 1 day. We are getting more and more selective on shows though. Because you still have to make it special for fans who come and see you!”
Your press people claim that “Tim is the all-round playboy” of the group. That true?
“No comment.”
Okay let’s rewind for a moment. Talk us through when you first met…and when did the idea of Dirtcaps begin?
“Dirtcaps is the act Max and Danny started in 2008. We were really into the fidget/electro thing back then. We only played a few times a month. In 2012 we produced ‘Money on my Mind’ and asked Tim to join the group as we noticed our “show” wasn’t complete without a MC. Since 2012 we are with the three of us and we will be around for a very long time!”
What is each other’s most annoying habit on tour?
“Sometimes we are a bit late, all three of us. And we have some “diva” elements in our behavior, but most of the time it’s one big party on tour!”
Favourite city in the world to appear in and why?
“Nothing beats Amsterdam! And we have a really big heart for Zurich.”
And finally…what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Another track we did with Alvaro! Also we have an EP with Yellow Claw and an EP with Eva Simons comin’ up. Besides that, we are going to release a more Twerk/Trap kind of EP with some talents and we are currently working on some single tracks. We’re are also working in the studio with Jordy Dazz, LNY TNZ and Sebastian Bronk!”
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