The Dutch dynamo smashed it with Cubic
Interview : Dan Prince
Jochen welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Thank you, I just got back home from a small tour in India and have locked myself in the studio today and will do so for the coming fortnight, haha. Nice to sleep in my own bed tonight for a change though.”
You have The Buzz Chart office going ballistic at the moment thanks to your mighty ‘Cubic’ track, a tune that has been hammering the top 5 for these past few weeks. Talk us through this massive record set for release on W&W’s Mainstage label…
“Ward and Willem of W&W and I have known each other for quite some time and since we’re represented by the same agency, we often meet while touring. We listen to each other’s new unreleased work every now and then over dinner, so when I started working on the melody for ‘Cubic’ they were among the first to hear it. They loved the melody and told me “to finish this track asap buddy because this will be big on the dance floor and festivals”…and so I did…haha! I’m very pleased to have this track released on my buddies’ label Mainstage and am thankful for the early support I’ve been receiving on this track by W&W, but also by Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Gareth Emery, Andrew Rayel and Bassjackers, great to hear such a great variety in DJ’s are featuring the track in their sets and radio shows!”
It must be fabulous getting support from the world’s finest producers when you release a big record…who are the names you are always happy to see giving you the thumbs up?
“It definitely puts a huge smile on my face hearing the amazing fellow DJ’s mentioned above play my track, but I must say that I also get inspired when I see EDM lovers appreciate the track, after all, it’s you guys that need to dance to it in order for it to be huge on the dance floors worldwide.”
It was minus 26 degrees in Omsk a couple of weeks ago when you headed to Russia to spin. a) just how cold did that feel and b) how was the gig?
“Well, I’m still trying to defrost several body parts but the audience made it worthwhile. Russia never disappoints…we’re experiencing a rare gentle winter in the Netherlands this year, so the difference in degrees was huge. The cold in Omsk is just paralyzing when you’re outside, but to then enter the venue and see people go ballistic in their well-groomed party-attire was very special. The vodka also helped take the edges of the cold…”
Another fascinating place in the world you have just rocked was Jerusalem back in January. Tell us about that experience…
“Israel was among the first countries that really had a big audience for EDM and that’s something you still feel when you play there, it kind of has a history with this music. I always love to come to Israel, the vibe is amazing, and I really look forward to dinner before the gigs, I don’t know whether you’ve ever had Israeli food, but it’s amazing! I love me some ‘hummus’!”
You are part of the remix team of the Fedde Le Grand & DI-RECT ‘Where We Belong’ tune alongside Bakermat, Henry Fong, Holi & Rush and Zomboy. Were all of the remixers made aware of the other producers on the project, or did you just go into the studio and do your own thing?
“All the producers were aware of the others on the project and that was a fun element, as we are all so different. I was curious to hear what the other producers what make it sound like given the same ingredients. And I had never been in a remix-package with a deep house and dub step version before…. But to answer your question, yes, I just got in the studio, did my own thing, and I think it got dipped in the Miller-sound quite nicely.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
1. Jochen Miller – Cubic
2. Jochen Miller vs Paris & Simo – Flash
3 Fedde le Grand & Di-rect – Where We Belong (Jochen Miller remix)
4 Energy 52 – Cafe del Mar (Ravenkis remix)
5 New World Sound & Thomas Newson – The flute (Danny Howard remix)
6 Bastille – Pompell (Audien remix)
7 StadiumX & Tylr Renee – How At The Moon
8 Twoloud – Track One (Original mix)
9 W&W – Bigfoot
10 FLG & Hardwell vs Showtek – How We Good To Do (Jochen Miller bootleg)
Miami WMC is just around the corner, are you hitting South Beach this year and if so, where can we catch you?
“Yes, I’ll be present for the mayhem in South Beach! You can catch me on Ultra Music Festival and another yet undisclosed location, which I’ll be announcing on my Facebook page soon. Really looking forward to both!”
Your father was one of the first club owners to book DJs who mixed rather than used the mic, fair play sir! What does he think of the records that you play and does he ever come to your shows?
“Haha, yes, my dad had a foreseeing eye in that! Nowadays he listens to my new tracks, tells me which ones he likes best, but then probably blasts the car speakers with the Eagles and Pink Floyd on the way home. He used to be at my gigs a lot when I played in the Netherlands, but since I have been all over the place for the last couple of years, the frequency of him joining me has diminished. On my rare Dutch gigs he’s there most of the time though. He’ll be the one introducing himself as ‘dad Miller’, letting everyone backstage know which tracks are mine…Cool isn’t it?”
Who was the last amazing new DJ you spotted?
“There are a lot of new very talented guys at the moment, but I haven’t had the opportunity to listen to anyone of them live yet, so I’ll need to get back on that after Miami!”
Away from dance music, who are some of the artists you are into right now?
“Away from dance music, I’ve always been a great fan of Coldplay and U2, and MJ still rules. When I need to unwind a bit after a tour or long studio session, I play Ibiza-style lounge music. That, with some wine, and I’m back at ease in an hour.”
“I cannot play or produce a certain style of music just because it’s hot at that moment.” Discuss…
“Music comes from within, from the heart, so I don’t think you’ll ever be any good at making music that doesn’t come naturally to you. And when performing, you can’t truly bring it if you have to like it because you think the majority does. Every track I’ve ever played, I really loved at that moment. Obviously your taste in music will evolve over the years, but that’s what’s keeping it fresh.”
Not many people know this but Jochen Miller is really good at…
“Playing FIFA on the PS4!! Every chance I get…..My friends are surprised I’ve never had to have the controller surgically removed.
Will you be hitting Ibiza this summer?
“I will definitely be there, Ibiza is always one of the highlights of the summer! We are currently working on the dates, very exciting!”
What is the strangest request you have ever had from a clubber?
“To sign the belly of a true fan, to find out he actually had it tattooed on there the day after! Guess he’s stuck with me for life…”
And finally, what is coming next from you studio wise…?
“Lot’s off big bangers coming up, Cubic is just released on W&W imprint Mainstage music, April 14th is the release date of my collaboration with Paris & Simo called “Flash”, out on Trice recordings and in May my collab with the very talented LA-based Dmitry KO, called “We Back” will get released on Big & Dirty. I have four other solo singles finished and ready for release as well, so a lot of Jochen Miller tunes coming up in 2014!
Thank you dude!
“Thanks for having me Dan, see you in Miami! Greetz, Jochen.”
