You want this party started right? These guys don’t fool around
Interview ; Dan Prince
Jelle, Andy welcome to DMCWORLD on this exciting week for you, where in the world are you today?
“Thank you Dan! It’s rare, but currently we are at home in the small town of Hilversum in The Netherlands where we both live, a few streets away from each other. Working our asses off in the studio’s we have at home! But we’re about to take off again for various dates in Asia, such as Dreamfields Festival in Bali Indonesia, World DJ Festival in South Korea, Cubic Club in China and ofcourse this is the month of Creamfields UK and Mysteryland NL! Crazy good times ahead…but for now the Playstation gets a bit of attention.”
As I said, a big week with the release of your massive new tune ‘Shaolin’ – please talk us through the sound and history of the track…
“Yes! ‘Shaolin’ is actually the result of the road we’ve walked for the past years. When we started our sound was heavily influences on acts like Switch, Crookers, Herve etc. back then…this was around 2007. Very bassline influenced, not much melodies. Over time our taste changed but heavy basslines and fat grooves have always been the focus in all our tracks and DJ sets. We decided to try and blend old with the new and this is the result. Also we chose not to work with a melodic break for a change, which feels very refreshing. The track is more of a DJ tool than a listening track, but it got received really well and we’re very happy about it!”
The track has gained some huge superstar support. Whose names on that list made you especially proud?
“It’s crazy, long before the release every big name already played it out. Of course having our good friend, and #1 DJ Hardwell supporting the track is great, but also knowing that from Oliver Heldens to Martin Garrix or David Guetta and even Knife Party, the track can be played by all kinds of different style of DJs. It’s not ‘just another EDM track’, and it feels great to know we’ve accomplished having a track that’s broader than just that!”
Jelle with house music all around you from an early age, you knew you wanted to be a DJ at the age of 12 !! What did your family think of this early career choice?
“Haha, they weren’t keen on it at all. My parents were both musicians and always told me there was no money to be made in the music industry. So it remained a hobby for years, until I graduated as a Graphic Designer, had an office job which I hated and was able to convince them to let me have a take on a DJ career. I asked them for 3 months in which they wouldn’t hassle me about having no job, doing no chores in the house, living in the attic for free, to get a career started. After no sleep, a lot of Redbull and midnight munchies our first releases were a fact. When they noticed I was happy and making some money too, they became my biggest supporters and fans. They will join us to Mysteryland Festival this year so that makes it even more exciting!”
Love that story! Andy, you however wasn’t keen on house music at all early doors – you were into heavy metal and rock. What changed things?
“Hardstyle changed my game, there was this similarity in loudness and energy compared to metal and rock which I really loved. So I started listening to Hardstyle, Techno, Hardtrance and House music all day. Bought my first turntables, danced my ass off on parties/festivals and fell in love with the vinyl/dance culture. Met Jelle in the process and things went uphill from there!”
What are the biggest 5 tracks in your box right now?
“Mightyfools – ‘Shaolin’. Of course, it’s the best feeling to play out your own tracks! Out right now for everyone to do so as well, so get your copy! http://btprt.dj/1meEsIo
Dyro – ‘WOLV’. We were after this as soon as Revealed had it in one of their touring videos and immediately mailed their A&R to hook us up. The production is insane, probably Dyro’s best work so far. One of the highlights in our sets.
Herve Pagez – ‘Yo Ready’. Don’t know much about this producer, we found it as a promo in our mailbox. The groove is perfect, as one of our best friends describes: Hard enough for the guys, soft enough for the girls.
Mightyfools – ‘Footrocker’. We know it’s not cool to put a top 5 full of our own tracks, but as most people know us for this one, it got our shows to a next level and will always have a special place for us. We’re forced to play it for the rest of our lives anyway lol.
Tony Junior & Baggi Begovic – ‘Plur Warriors’. This track really puts the positive vibe on festivals and the second drop takes things to another level.
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
Jelle: “Stardust – ‘Music Sounds Better’. Fell in love with house from this point on. First I was all about Hardstyle and Techno.”
Andy: “Bucketheads – ‘The Bomb’. They used to play this everywhere on my drunk booze holiday’s with friends. Made me want to become a DJ!”
…always get you dancing?
Jelle: “Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo – ‘Your Smile’. When the piano starts I need to jump like I’m a 10 year old on a sugar rush all over again.”
Andy: “RUN-DMC vs. Jason Nevins – ‘It’s Like That’. That groove man. That’s all.”
…reminds you of being broken hearted?
Jelle: “Schoolboy Q – ‘Blessed’. “I know the world got more problems and it’s much bigger.” Pretty clear.”
Andy: “Lenny Kravitz – ‘It Ain’t over Till It’s Over’. I think many can relate to this one. Haven’t we all been there? Poor us…”
…you wish you would have made?
Jelle: “Daft Punk – ‘One More Time’. ROYALTIES! Haha no – this track is so simple and effective I’m jealous man. Still works on the floors today!”
Andy: “SHM – Don’t You Worry Child. That mixdown tho.”
In your opinion, is it possible for someone to make it as a DJ in 2014, without any production behind them?
“It’s possible but we think you’re a bit more limited to local clubs than it used to be. People in Australia won’t have a clue what you’re doing in your local city club, and the other way round. Having tracks out gives you a profile, people get to know your style. But no need to be a superproducer, just look at us hahaha.”
Who is the last GREAT young up and coming DJ/producer you have spotted around the world?
“Wiwek, he’s the man! Some of you maybe know him for Angry Birdz or On Your Mark, but he’s got a lot more in store. We’ve spent a couple of days in the studio with him and are currently finalizing a collab. Also our homie Martin Garrix who had a kickstart career, we were hanging out before he was close to his fame now, spreading his first promos at ADE. Now he’s one of the biggest around, crazy how that goes, but (this is the truth, no buttkiss) he’s really one talented mofo. Oliver Heldens is also making moves this year, no doubt 2015 will be his peak. Glowinthedark are our homies, we’ve heard a bunch of their new tracks and they are straight up killers.”
What a weekend a couple of weeks back, the mighty Tomorrowland! Come on then, your big take home memories from that mad event…
“Oh man, Tomorrowland is insane. The size of the main stage is incredible, it’s like all other festival mains combined into one big festival madness. Especially when it got dark everybody’s bracelets were lighting up and it looked amazing. Backstage everybody was there, so we had a whole day of bumping into good friends and doing interviews. Besides the great atmosphere we mainly took home a lot of motivation, rocking that main stage some day is definitely a dream to reach for!”
How many times do you think ‘Shaolin’ was played at the festival?
“We’re not sure! Various people told us of many DJs playing it, but besides a couple of videos of guys like Benny Benassi, it’s hard to get proof, as we couldn’t be at every stage at once haha! However ‘Footrocker’ still made it in the Top 10 most played again this year…it’s crazy!”
I live in Ibiza and was lucky enough to see you at Ushuaia a few weeks back. How was that for you?
“That was our first proper gig in Ibiza, the Revealed night at Ushuaia! We came in a day early to enjoy some Ibiza vibes and the experience was amazing. Ushuaia is a sick venue, great sound system and looks amazing. We were a lucky with the beautiful weather (though, what are the actual chances on rain haha) and the crowd was up for it! Also a lot of backstage fun with the homies Dannic, Bassjackers and Jordy Dazz and def one of the better shows we’ve done this year. People were chanting along with all our tracks, even ‘Shaolin’, long before release!”
Give me 3 reasons why you love Ibiza…
“It’s not too hard haha! Gonna sound cheesy for the people who haven’t been, but Ibiza is magic. There’s no stress on that whole island at all, parties everywhere, amazing hotels, sunshine, good food…if you want to treat yourself, it’s the place to be. And for a DJ, the crowd is perfect. Mixed nationalities and so much energy! And a special shoutout to all the girls. You know who you are.”
What is each other’s greatest skill in the studio?
Jelle: “Somehow Andy has an internal groove that comes out on stage, studio, car and any random other place. He’s the mastermind behind most drums and grooves in our tracks, like the Shaolin drop and high hat percussion. Plus he’s a walking sample library. Sometimes I call him up to ask where a specific bass drum is and he’s like “sure it’s in folder 2, kicks, hard kicks, sample 233.” And yet he forgets we have a meeting the next day. WTF bro.”
Andy: “Jelle is mastermind behind all melodies and mixdowns in all of our tracks. Without him, the tracks wouldn’t sound as clear as they do. He loves the EQ’s. Do you even compress m8?”
And what is each other’s most annoying habit in the studio?
Andy: “My mastering/mixing skills are terrible even after 9 years and I’m tone deaf hahaha…”
Jelle: “I wish I didn’t had a white-man groove in me and could actually make something sound proper funky.”
Not many people know this, but Mightyfools are really good at…
“GTA 5. We’re over level 100 and if you’re wandering around in Los Santos and you and your car explodes, say hi to us on the mic.”
It’s your birthday – who are the 3 DJs you invite to spin for you?
“It would be Kaytranada, Rustie and Ta-ku. Look ’em up! It’s dope and gets the girls going too. In our spare time we mostly listen to hip hop and experimental stuff. It gives some new ideas and inspiration instead of listening to house music all day. Also, don’t tell anyone, and no we don’t do it often (no time), but it’s the best music to pop a molly and be sweatin’, woo.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you guys?
“In between touring we’re currently working hard on a follow-up for ‘Shaolin’, the drop is already done! Further a lot of collabs are in the making, expect news on one with Glowinthedark coming soon. Also our full trip from Mysteryland to Creamfields will be documented, so a full backstage video on this is coming up too! For more updates y’all can check our social sites, we’re everywhere…
Cheers dudes. A great interview!
“Thank you Dan! And next time we’re in Ibiza we have to get drunk with you!”
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