Flashbang wallop! The Dutch whizzkid continues to spread his Propaganda…
Interview : Dan Prince
Khazar welcome back to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you right now?
“Hey guys! Hope everything is well. Right now I’m chilling in southern Spain! Having some time off with family and friends.”
Before we start talking about your music, you recently requested a time machine after playing at Tomorrowland – it was incredible wasn’t it?
“Tomorrowland was magical! Such a great organisation and such an awesome crowd to play for… It was an amazing experience and I’m really proud to be a part of this festival…”
There are certain events artists still get nervous about playing, Ultra in Miami is one, Tomorrowland is another. How were you feeling before you took to the stage?
“The night before Tomorrowland was weird.. I had a strange feeling in my stomach just like a kid going to his first day of high school.. Happy and nervous at the same time.. When I arrived at the festival I was almost too late for my set, so I had no time for feelings.. But when I came on that enormous stage, a smile took control of my face and the next 45 minutes were like heaven to me!”
What was the funniest thing that happened at the festival?
“Mostly the crazy antics at the festival when being in the crowd or walking around. A happy Israeli party chick climbed on my friend’s shoulders when we were checking out Knife Party at the main stage, a short moment later some South American girl went crowd surfing in a rubber boat and almost hit my manager Mano in the head, but luckily he saw her coming. On the way to see Luke playing the Super You & Me stage, we saw a group of Scandinavians putting on a show on the side of the path dancing and stripping with a big group of cheering party people around them. The atmosphere at this festival does this to people and that is a great thing to see!”
You have smashed your way into the world famous Buzz Chart with your ‘Nobody’ track that features on your Propaganda EP coming out on Mixmash. Talk us through the EP…
“It’s a 3 track EP with 2 Loopers originals and one collab with my homeboy Kid Kaio. ‘Nobody’ is a rhythmic track. I tried to combine my Persian 3 step roots with a hard hitting electro house drop on that one. Propaganda is more like a complextro/melodic track that is made for the hard electro house lover.. I tried to make a new type of music arrangement with short riffs and a lot of variation in the melodies…Flashbang is a typical festival track with a euphoric break and a short stabbing electro synth drop. I saw you have listed Nobody in the DMC Buzz Charts 2 weeks in a row! I love that!”
It is incredible that you have only 4 years of experience in the music industry yet have already released over 30 tracks. What was your first break into the industry though?
“My cousin was a high school DJ and at that time I thought it was ”cool” to also be a DJ. It was puberty taking over. I just wanted to act cool and be popular in high school getting attention from the girls and stuff haha..But after 2 years of DJing at small parties I downloaded Fruity Loops and that’s where my obsession began…I’ve spent a lot of time in the studio from that time. After a year I got signed at a local agency that my friend started and at the same time I got a track signed on Laidback Luke’s label. So yeah that was the start for me…”
Your tracks have been supported by all of the big boys…Tiesto, Hardwell, Axwell and of course Laidback Luke. Who are the names that make you especially proud when you see they are giving you support?
“I really respect Laidback Luke. He’s on top of this scene for so many years now and he is still so down to earth.. I really appreciate that kind of people. But I think any support of any artist makes me proud! In the end we are all looking for recognition in life and getting support from your fellow artists is a way to have that…”
‘Flashbang’ is a collab with your good friend Kid Kaio – how do you two complement each other in the studio, who excels where?
“Kid Kaio is like a brother to me and we have worked on a lot of tracks together, so working together with him is really easy going. Most of the time one of us set up a melody or chords progression and from there we exchange working on the track every 30 minutes…I play Call of Duty, he makes the beat and we change seats about 10 times each session. At the end of the day we’ve made a lot of headshots and a killer track…hehe…”
Are there any future collab plans with any producers coming up?
“Yup! I’ve got a collab coming out on the 19th of august with legend Tommie Sunshine and the Disco Fries. Also working on a brand new track with Dutch duo TV Noise. Just finished two other collabs, one with George Acosta and also one with Tomorrowland resident Yves V. And last but not least I’m working on a new track with my buddy Dyro! Busy time ahead…”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Loopers – Flashbang
Showtek ft We Ae Loud &Sonny Wilson – Booyah
Marcelo Cic ft Raoul Gideon & Sebastien Garcia – World Ends (Loopers Remix)
Tommy Trash – Monkey In Love
Empire Of The Sun – Alive (Zedd Remix)
Loopers – Nobody
R3hab & Bassjackers – Raise Those Hands
Dog Blood – Middle Finger
Loopers – Propaganda
What were some of the stand out gigs for you this summer?
“Tomorrowland! Pole position, for sure!”
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
“My collab with Tommie Sunshine and the Disco Fries is coming out 19th of August on cr2 Records!”
What has been the biggest tune of the summer for you so far?
“EDM Deatch Machine really cracked my brains and twisted my stomach.”
Which big events are you looking forward to this summer?
“None really, I have my eye on WMC in Miami already…”
Who was the last GREAT young DJ you witnessed?
“TV Noise for sure!”
Away from electronic music, who are some of the artists you like listening to?
“I’m really in love with reggae artists Alborosie, Bob Marley and also like the stuff Ziggy Recado puts out. I also like old school rap such as N.W.A, 2pac, DMX. Mos def is a boss!
What did your family think of your choice of career, did they approve of the uncertain world of music for you?
“They have always been very supportive! I come from a super open minded, über hippie family. My mother is doing art herself…(Mozaik) It sounds cliché, but they always say that they are proud that I had the guts to follow my passion and that life is about doing the thing you love most. Money and success will come if you work with passion!”
Do they ever go to your gigs?
“They came by once when I played on a Queensday party in Holland. I think that was enough for my mother. On the other hand my father always complains that he wants to go to a rave with me one time.. but I haven’t done it yet. Cool dad right? My mother gets paranoid if she hears electronic music more than 5 minutes. So maybe Ultra with my dad in a few years??”
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Keep it grimy Loopers!”
Listen to the tracks here:
Propaganda E.P.
LOOPERS – Nobody (Ones To Watch/Mixmash)
https://soundcloud.com/ones-to-watch-records/loopers-nobody
LOOPERS – Propaganda (Ones To Watch/Mixmash)
https://soundcloud.com/ones-to-watch-records/loopers-propaganda
LOOPERS & KID KAIO – Flashbang (Ones To Watch/Mixmash)
https://soundcloud.com/ones-to-watch-records/loopers-kid-kaio-flashbang
LOOPERS – Nitro(Cr2 Records)
https://soundcloud.com/loopersmusic/loopers-nitro-original-mix-out
Marcelo Cic & Raoul Gidyon ft. Garcia – World Ends (LOOPERS remix)
https://soundcloud.com/cr2records/marcelo-cic-raoul-gidyon-ft-garcia-world-ends-loopers-remix
