One of the most exciting producers on the planet teams up with Sander van Doorn for ‘Lost’
Interview by Dan Prince
Timo a massive welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
I’m at home working on new music!
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
French Montana – Ain’t Worries Bout Nothing
Very exciting couple of weeks coming up for you with the release of your stupendous Sander Van Doorn & MOTi ‘Lost’ track swinging our way on Doorn Records. How did this whole project come about in the first place?
I’ve been running into Sander a lot at shows this last year. I always loved his music and he liked my music too. At some point we decided to try something together!
Please talk us through the sound and production of the track…
Sander had the breakdown melodies ready. I took the melodies home and worked on the drop. Lately I‘ve been trying to add more piano to my tracks and that’s exactly what we used in this track. We managed to use piano’s in the drop but still keep it big and banging!
Who road-tested the track first?
Haha, I‘m not sure. I think we both played it a lot!
The dust has settled on your home city of Amsterdam after a spectacular ADE…what were some of the highlights for you?
It has been an amazing week. I don’t realy have a highlight. For me ADE is hanging out with everyone I‘ve met this year. Of course there are meetings shows and press things but most important for me is meeting up with people I don’t see that often
Word on the street is that you have been busy in the studio with Major Lazer and also DVBSS…what’s the story there?
Yes I‘ve been working with Diplo and Ty Dolla $ign on a track for a while now. The week before ADE Diplo was in Amsterdam and we finished the Major Lazer & MOTi collab! With DVBBS I‘m working on a follow up for ‘This Is Dirty’. We started at 13.00 and stopped at 4 in the morning. Still needs some work though but awesome to work with the brothers again!
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…please give us a few words on each…
Jay Hardway – Electric Elephants
Amazing song I think one of my fav EDM songs this year
Justin Bieber – Sorry
Like most people my age I‘ve never liked Justin Bieber, but the last few tracks are soooo good. Guess his team learned a lot from working with Skrillex and Diplo lol.
Sander Van Doorn & MOTi ft Ayelle – Lost
PROMO PROMO PROMO haha
Hey Mami – Sylvan Esso (Big Wild remix)
It’s not that new but it makes me happy every time i play it!
DJ Snake – Middle
Love the drop part!!
2016 looks to be a pivotal year for you, there are lots of opportunities about to come your way. What would you like to have achieved by this time next year?
There are so many things i would like to achieve! A #1 single, my own radio show, live streaming my studio sessions, my own show at ADE! It basically means I‘m going to focus on a lot more things than touring and studio only.
Gotta ask, when you hit New York you sometimes stay in Tiesto’s apartment. Does he have good taste in décor or are there certain things in there that you wouldn’t have chosen?!?!?!
Haha, he has a beautiful apartment. He recently changed his full interior, it all looks great!
You fill about 75% of your set with your own music. With that in mind, how difficult is it for new DJs to break through on to the scene?
It has always been difficult. It used to be difficult because labels and managements are hard to reach and now its difficult because there are so many new producers and DJs. Just being a DJ isn’t enough anymore and the level of music production is really high at the moment. So yes its difficult but I hear new amazing tracks by unknown artist every month. Just don’t give up, if your music is good people will play it anyway and you will grow as an artist.
What do you think are some of the qualities that makes you a good producer?
My finest quality is creating melodies. I’ll first create a cool synth, put a clap loop on loop and record melodies untill I have one I like. After that I start creating the rest of the track
An up and coming producer/DJ to watch out for in 2016?
Kenneth G, Maestro Harrel
Not many people know this, but MOTi is really good at…
Sleeping on a plane
Your favourite festival and also club set of the year so far…?
RFM SOMNII Portugal!
And finally…we also hear there is a solo tune coming our way from you, reveal all!
Yes. Not sure about the title yet but its going to be released on Spinnin. I played it in some of my sets so check my sets if you want to hear a preview
