Teams up with childhood friend Afrojack to unleash a big room ballad that just rocked Ultra
Interview by Dan Prince
Superstar producer Afrojack is known for culling upcoming talent from the masses to develop on his label Wall Recordings, and singer/songwriter Fais is no different. The 25-year-old crooner happens to be from the same childhood neighborhood as Afrojack, and since reconnecting as adults the two music-makers have been inseparable in the studio, leading to their collaborative effort “Hey.” We check in…
Fais a huge welcome to DMCWORLD, where on planet earth are you today?
As a matter of fact I am currently at home, in the Netherlands. We’ve scheduled some press events and interviews. And also to have a few days at home with family and friends.
What is the best piece of new music you have heard today?
I just watched Kendrick Grammy’s performance again…and it still blows my mind.
Congratulations on your new track ‘Hey’ that you have created with lifelong friend Afrojack. Your press guys are calling it “a lovestruck, big-room ballad”…how would you describe the track…
For me it’s a big thing. It’s my debut single and I am very proud of the result of months of hard work myself and Nick have put in. As for the song itself, I hope it inspires people across the globe to have fun and follow their hopes and dreams. As I do, as Nick (Afrojack) does and as Jay and Alexis do too.
The video looked A LOT of fun in the sun. Where was it filmed, who directed it and what is with the famous Instagram couple’s involvement?!
It was filmed in LA and Vegas. It’s directed by Tony Corella a super nice guy and a true professional. Our team reached out to Jay and Alexis for the leading parts and they were super enthusiastic about the song. They are awesome, super easy to work with and we had great fun. They are my favorite couple!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHUIbFNO0II&feature=youtu.be
Okay let’s rewind for a moment back to where it all began. What is your earliest memory of music?
That was when I first heard Stevie Wonder’s music. And when I was assigned to do a song for music class back in school I performed “Isn’t She Lovely” and it got me a really good grade. From that moment on I thought…‘hey?! This is something I could really see myself doing’.
Where have you got your voice from, do you hail from a musical family?
I guess I am just very fortunate to have been blessed with this musical gift. I am the first of my family to pursue a musical career.
As you say, you hail gods like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as inspirations, who else has had an impact on your life?
Well these legends are of course soul inspirations. But my manager (Justin Hendrik) introduced me to other genres, more specifically to the (Dutch) electronic scene. Which had a big impact on my development and career. Almost needless to say but of course Nick has been a tremendous inspiration and has huge impact. But also artists such as Ryan Tedder and Sia, because they also are songwriters as they are artists. Besides being a performing artist for me songwriting is the best thing ever.
Was a career in music always the gameplan?
Pretty much, as long as I can remember music has always been the dream. And honestly still is. To be able to share my stories and hopefully to inspire people with my music. Constantly trying to improve my craft as a singer/songwriter and producer.
At what age did you meet your friend Nick van de Wall aka Afrojack? Were you into music together back then?
We were actually attending the same school. We were only briefly on this school together as Nick changed direction into graphic design. We were not involved in music at all at that time. We reconnected years later at a music festival, in the same town as where we both went to school. From that point on we kept in touch sending each other music stuff back and forth. One day, after I had sent him another demo, he called me at 00:41 (I still know the exact time) and said: It’s about time we hit the studio together. Ever since we basically live in the studio!
Do you like the music he plays?
Of course I do. Nick is an amazing producer. I have learned so much in period that we’ve been working together. He’s a big inspiration and also a huge influence. I am extremely proud on what he has achieved. And I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with him this close.
What is his most annoying habit?
When working and traveling as intensive as we do, there’s no room for annoyance. We’ve grown very much accustom to each other. If I HAVE to mention one thing…he’s just too good of a producer (ha ha)…
You have been accompanying the big man on his recent world tour performing ‘Hey’ live. Tell us some of the highlights…
Wow, where to start? Everything has been so overwhelming. “Bringing The Madness 3.0” with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. The immense people mass at Ultra SA. India was crazy and I received such a warm welcome from the India fans. All the places we visited, like Tokyo was amazing. So many cool stuff. Just summing this up, it feels like a dream. I’m genuinely grateful for all of this.
What are the next studio plans for you?
We’ve just returned from almost a month of studio sessions in LA with amazing artists and songwriters. We’ve written a lot of new music. And now we’re getting ready for our US tour starting off in Miami. We are constantly making music together when we are on the road. For ourselves as well as with other artists. We even scheduled studio session during Miami Music Week to finish up songs.
And finally gotta ask, you are a newbie to the world of Facebook I see, crashing into our lives in February. A Facebook hater until now or simply no time to intertwine?
No not new. I love Facebook and all other social media. But with ‘Fais’ as an artist we just started with some new socials also including my FB artist page:
snapchat: faismusic
