The World’s No. 1 DJ live and direct at DMCWORLD
A stupendous twelve month continues for Robbert van de Corput aka Hardwell. Now crowned the world’s #1 DJ, this internationally influential electronic music genius has literally made 2014 his own. Here Dan Prince gets a World Exclusive as the biggest producer on the planet talks about his beloved Revealed Recordings, Coldplay, Ushuaia, Creamfields and his future chart bound dancefloor anthems
The world’s #1 DJ welcome back to DMCWORLD!! Congratulations on an immense 2014, so, so much to talk about. So let’s go…
We noticed that you have re-launched djhardwell.com in a new interactive format, you are working with two companies hailing from your hometown of Breda namely Beer ‘n’ Tea and Flashin…what can you tell us about the new look site and it’s features…?
“Yeah, I decided to update my website to create a more interactive experience for the fans. This new site has been designed with the user experience at its core. So moving forward I’ll be putting add-on’s to it from time-to-time. Fans will be able to follow me on the road, engage better with what’s happening with my music and also follow my career, releases and projects more intensely.”
At our Buzz office we receive 100’s of demos a week to check out, do you have a big team putting the On Air show together and choosing demo of the week?
“Strangely no. There is myself, the producer of my radio show and my label manager who are the team listening to all the promo’s for the show. But all the tracks that end up featuring on the show are down to my decision.”
Some massive festivals stretching out over the summer, let’s begin in the UK at the mighty Creamfields – the original and still one of the best. What keeps these guys at the top every year…Creamfields just gets better and better?
“Yeah it’s incredible right? But then you only need to go to Creamfields to understand why that is. From the set-up and production to the wild atmosphere and up-for-it spirit of the UK people, Creamfields has something really special about it. I’m really excited to be playing there again this year!”
Can you remember your first time at Creamfields, must have been a MASSIVE buzz to be playing one of the world’s finest…?
“Yeah it was a really incredible experience. I’d heard a lot about the event from DJ friends and clubbers so when I finally got booked there for their 2010 festival I was immensely excited. I played in the Go Dutch Arena and I just remember the crowd going nuts from the second I got on the decks until the end.”
One piece of exciting news just released is that you will be spinning a special back to back set with Tiesto at Tommorowland this year. Who’s idea was this and will it be a Revealed VS Musical Freedom battle or a joint playlist with a few Dutch classics in there?
“Musically we’re still deciding how that will end up but it will definitely be something very special for sure. The idea was a joint one from us having a chat about Tomorrowland and both of us wanting to do something different, something really special for the fans, and this seemed the perfect way to do that.”
With the big vocals returning to the mainstage this summer, some critics question the amount of breakdowns in a set and the length before each drop, so question is how long is too long on a breakdown?
“I don’t think you give a specific length of time for a breakdown to be too little or too long. It’s really based on each track and how it fits. Personally I like to keep the energy high during my sets, I don’t want to lose the momentum on the dancefloor so I’m not a big fan of having lots of long, drawn out breakdowns. But breakdowns are great and can be really cool.”
All one big Revealed happy family or is there a professional rivalry between Dyro & Dannic in the studio and on tour?
“I know it’s a clique but we’re like brothers, helping each other and pushing one another to achieve bigger and better. Dyro and Dannic have a great connection as friends and artists. This is healthy for all us. You can hear this in the music they make and see this in the sets they play.”
Many beautiful releases coming up for the Revealed label this summer from Paris Blohm & Taylr Renee and Marcus Schossow & Arston, do you have a favourite engineer to use for your mastering – as the final mixdowns always sound amazing.
“I’m actually really protective when it comes to my music so I do all the mastering myself. I’m always pushing myself in the studio, trying to perfect my sound, my techniques and just get my ideas down and completed to a standard I’m happy with and a hugely crucial part of putting this all together is the final mix down.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. Hardwell & Joey Dale feat. Luciana – Arcadia
2. Coldplay – A Sky Full Of Stars (Hardwell Remix)
3. Dannic – Zenith
4. Bassjackers & Kenneth G – Rampage
5. Jordy Dazz & Jimi Frew – Vortex
6. Dyro & Dannic – Radical
7. Ftampa & Kenneth G – 97
8. W&W & Blasterjaxx vs Hardwell – Rocket Spaceman (W&W & Hardwell Closing Edit)
9. Hardwell – Everybody Is In The Place
10. Deorro & J-Trick – Rambo (Hardwell Edit)
Your Coldplay remix is featured in the chart above – dude incredible!
“I’ve long been a fan of the band so when I discovered they wanted me to remix one of the tracks from their new album, it was really a ‘wow’ moment for me. It’s such an honor and I’m really proud of the outcome of the track. When I dropped it at EDC Las Vegas, the crowd’s reaction was electrifying; it still gives me Goosebumps thinking about it!”
Check the teaser here…https://soundcloud.com/hardwell/coldplay-sky-full-of-stars-hardwell-remix
You shared a photo on Mothers Day with you and your mum, what on earth does she think of the meteoric success her little boy has had in recent years? Does she come to your gigs and get involved?
“I think at first she was a little worried how I’d handle the success but she knows me better than anyone. She knows how much this means to me, how hard I’ve worked to get here. She also helps keep me grounded and to focus on what really matters. Both my parents support me in this and I’m eternally grateful to them for the help and guidance they’ve shown me throughout my life. They do occasionally come to shows and they both enjoy it. I know both of them are really proud.”
Dude, Electric Zoo in Mexico and Milwaukee…you on the decks getting thousands and thousands of people doing a wave plus DJing underneath a giant spaceship…it’s moments like this right??
“Ah man those kinds of moments are breathtaking! I really can’t describe it to do it justice but what’s so amazing about that is the connection you have with the crowd. I’m really proud to be a part of this scene and I think dance music, on a global scale, is so vibrant right now. I don’t care whether you’re a techno person or electro person, dance music and everyone in it should be really proud of what we’ve achieved with our scene. It’s an open door to a world of fun and positive people.”
It must have been a few crazy months since you were voted the #1 DJ in the world in the DJ Top 100. Have you noticed a shift in gears at your gigs, has the energy and expectancy levels risen on the dancefloors at all…?
“Hugely so, the crowds are crazier than ever before. The intensitiy for the music is so wild now. All the shows I play at the crowds are buzzing hours and hours before the show. The dancefloors are packed from the moment the doors are open, which is amazing for the warm-up dj. I’m just happy to see so many people loving our music, loving this scene and embracing the spirit everywhere.”
Ibiza is around the corner and with it…Hardwell at Ushuaia!! What can we expect from you there this summer, how are you going to stand out from such legends as Guetta, Avicii, Armin, Axwell and Ingrosso down at Bossa’s finest?
“A very big summer of surprised and incredible music. As you know I’ve taken my I AM HARDWELL show to Ushuaia for a summer residency. We’ve brought in a special set-up, so the whole show will be exclusive and unique to Ushuaia. It’s going to be a real game changer and something that will have everyone buzzing long after the season is over. The opening show last week was insane, absolutely rammed and the crowds were loving it right to the very end. I’m really excited about this season and the shows to come. I’ve got guys like W&W, Dyro, Fedde le Grand, Dannic, Funkerman, Kill The Buzz, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Roul & Doors, Beauriche and Franky Rizardo joining me over the summer.”
What is coming out from you next studio wise…?
“My next release is the first single ‘Arcadia’ from my forthcoming artist album. This single is a collaboration with Joey Dale and Luciana…
Check the teaser here : https://soundcloud.com/hardwell/hardwell-joey-dale-feat-luciana-arcadia-download
The album is still in progress but I’m hoping to have it ready for the end of the summer. It will be something special and something that will showcase my full range as a producer. I’m keen to hear what you think when it’s ready (will send you a copy Dan…).”
Throw a few names at us, some up n’ coming producers we should be looking out for in 2014…
“Keep yours eyes out for Julian Calor, Thomas Newson, Sick Individuals and Kill the Buzz…”
Thank you pal. See you in Ibiza…
“Thanks Dan. Look forward to seeing you and the readers in Ibiza, come party with us…”
Hardwell returns to Creamfields on Sunday 24th August.
You can purchase your tickets here at http://www.creamfields.com/tickets
http://www.djhardwell.com
http://www.twitter.com/hardwell
http://www.revealedrecordings.com
