Jacob van Hage

The loud sound of the new Netherlands mafia

Welcome to DMCWORLD Magazine Jacob. A big week ahead for you in Miami, where can we find you ruling the decks in the sunshine?

“Hey guys, I’m really exited and it will be a week to remember for sure. We will attend a lot of parties and I will spin a couple at the Dim Mak Poolparty.”

A massive new tune tucked under your arm you have created with Dyro – ‘EMP – talk us through this monster…

“I discovered Dyro’s sound about a year ago with Meatlover, one of his first tracks and after he dropped Methaphor I was hooked. We got in touch, rocked his studio 3 days over a period of 4 months and right after the first try-out we knew this could be big.”

People have described you two as two crazy producers using that ‘chainsaw’ sound in your tracks, thoughts…?

Well, I think we both have a unique style and sound. And besides that we do our own thing so these two crazy styles and sounds go so good together, we might even do a second collab after the summer maybe?”

America is going crazy for that Dutch sound right now – are you all here to stay?!?!

“Hahaha/ Well, as you know, some of the biggest EDM Legends came from the Netherlands
like Tiesto, Ferry Corsten , Armin van Buuren and now we are ready with a whole new generation of stars like Afrojack, R3hab, Nicky Romero, and even younger like Julian Jordan (16) & D-wayne (18) – so we are just getting started to rock you for decades!”

Over at DMC we love your enthusiasm and confidence – you reckon you were born to entertain. You started DJing at the tender age of 12, how did all that happen?

“Actually a funny story. I was already playing the piano and organ (no shit) but no DJ equipment ever crossed my hands. So as I was ice-scating in my neighbourhood one day I saw this
guy on the ice with all this DJ stuff. After 10 minutes I was behind it, playing with it and that same night the guy says “you take it home with you and practise, it looks like you will learn it yourself in a few days.” And from that moment on I played for so many hours in private and the first gig at my school in front of 1000 kids followed quickly.”

Your musical style has you seen everything from hardcore to techno to house. What part of dance music is your heart really at home at though?

“I’m really in love with house music and I will never let it go, but I have to admit, when I hear a good produced Hardstyle track by either Headhunterz or Noisecontrollers it gets my blood pumpin’ and I feel like raving till the break of dawn!”

What is the current top 10 you are spinning?

01. Dyro & Jacob van Hage – EMP
02. Avicii & Nicky Romero – Nicktim
03. Tiesto – Chasing Summers
04. Leon Bolier – Me (Main Mix)
05. D-wayne – Quantum
06. Julian Jordan – Rock Steady
07. Sander van Doorn – Eagels
08. Plump DJ’s – Gobstopper
09. Slaggerdiezer – Yeah Boy
10. SHM – Greyhound

What did your parents think of your choice of career?

“From the first gig at the age of 12 untill now, they have been supporting me the full 100%.”

You were asked once what advice you could give to aspiring producers wanting to follow in your footsteps. You said don’t be afraid to ask and that you wouldn’t be where you are without your friends and family – how have everyone helped you rise to the top ?

“I always ask my friend and family about a new track, if they like it and why they do or don’t feel it . Also, when I met Ferry Corsten the first time I asked him can I send you some of my music. When I met Chuckie the first time I asked him the same, and so on. So I built a network which I can turn to whenever I need advice or feedback. That’s the first help I got.”

We love a producer who happily admits he loved to chill in his grandparents sauna, but how do you take a step back from the day and night job now? What artists help you relax – we know you are fond of Dire Straits!

“Hahaha, you’ve done your homework lol. The step back is my own family. I’m a dad of three and they mean the world to me. My oldest son is my biggest fan so he always wants to see the movies and pictures I made at a gig or tour. Next to a lovely home-base to regain my strength, my partner is alway there for me every step of the way, Together we love to listen to musicals at home and visit musicals in the theatre. About Dire Straits, so true, I play it in my car all the time.”

What are you looking forward to the most from Miami week – what clubs/DJs etc. are you going to check?

“We are on so many guest lists so I have still to make the final plans. But I wanna see and hangout with Ferry and his team, Sander van Doorn and his team including my friends from Spinnin’ Records, Yves V and his friends from ID&T Belgium, Dyro & Loopers at the MixMash party including LBL off course and finally I’ll be at the UMF where a good friend is doing the movie production for the second time – so big up Charly Finalkid and Robert Dutchtilt!”

Have you got any sneaky new tunes you are going to explode at WMC?

“Yeah there’s a new collab coming up with yet another young fresh Dutch talent. The track is called “Voodoo” and I will do the first test at WMC!”

What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?

“Mark Knight & Funkagenda – ‘The Man With The Red Face’.”

What is the biggest crowd you have ever played to?

“I think it was during the Soccer Wolrd Cup 2010. I played at all the games our national team played. It was in Leeuwarden on this huge stage and with 5000 people in orange, so cool
and an atmosphere I’ll never forget!”

So we come back to yours after the club, what is the Jacob Van Hage Back To Mine 10 you spin us to carry on the groove?

“I like to take it easy, soft and a little funky sometimes…

Bob Marley – No Woman No Cry
Adele – Chasing Pavements
Frank Sinatra – I’ve Got a Crush On You
Fugees – Ready Or Not
LL Cool J – Doin It
Jamie Cullem – Everlasting Love
Michael Bubble – Everything
Wouter Hamel – In Between
Ray Charles – I’ve Got A Woman
Amy Winehouse – You Know I’m No Good

What are your thoughts on the lap top DJ in today’s nightclub world?

“Mmmm, that’s a good one. I think the music is evolving so will the technique. I’m wondering if it really matter if someone is played at UMF with vinyl, cdj’s, a laptop or even with a beatboxer for the beats. I mean, you gotta use whatever you need to give the crowd the best night of their lives. So if it’s with a laptop, do it ! Wanna stay with the cd/usb stuff, good for you.”

You’ve hit the top of Beatport, remixed some great artists – what piece of production are you most proudest of to date?

“I think it has to be Spotfire. At the end of 2010 I heared some crazy Skrillex dubstep and I wanted to crossover sounds and styles so we took a trancy, housy, techy flow with a dubstep – like first drop. When Sander Van Doorn played it at Energy last year people were like WTF haha! –  and the same with Armin six months later it was the same thing, but the second drop is so phat, that makes up for those who don’t like dubstep.”

You hail from Rotterdam – what is the best and worst thing about your home city?

“The best thing is that I live near the famous Feyenoord Stadium so I can hear all the goals being scored and the concerts that are being played. One off the worst things is the nightlife lately. This city really needs to get their sh*t together. They can learn from the UK and Las Vegas.”

Which DJs do you enjoy spinning alongside?

“That has to be Vato Gonzalez & MC Tjen because of their non-stop bodyrocking sock burning energy and so good crossover style. Love those guys!”

And finally, what is coming next from the Jacob Van Hage studio in 2012?

“First a new collab and after that two new Jacob van Hage originals and yes, they are going to be loud again!”

Thank you mate. Have fun in the sun. Think of us in the UK under our umbrellas…

“No thank you man, next time I’m in the UK we all gotta catch up and hit the pub!”

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