Madonna never sounded so good
Rene, welcome to DMC WORLD. A huge Buzz Chart entry with your cover version of Madona’s ‘Ray Of Light’ – tell us how this tune came about…
“Well…the same as my other cover I did called ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ from Nirvana which I did with Baggi Begovic. We made that one just for the summer festivals to play it out. I did the same with Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light’. I made it for the summer to throw it at the crowds. The Feedback on this one was amazing so Spinnin Records decided to release it. I’m becoming a cover artist here. Hahaha.”
Most of the huge Dutch superstars we interview at DMC say that there is no real scene in The Netherlands and that they have to look elsewhere for gigs – as cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam just don’t book big DJs and just bring is overseas artists. Thoughts on that…
“Well. About the scene…we have about dance related festivals every weekend through summer. We have tonnes of clubs everywhere. And all that in such a relatively small country. So we do have a scene. And Amsterdam and Rotterdam do book Dutch DJ’s a lot. Lots of parties going on in Maassilo in Rotterdam or Melkweg in Amsterdam. You have been all over The Buzz Chart these last few weeks with your tracks for Stealth and Toolroom – an obvious passion for proper house music is in your blood.”
Which clubs and DJs did you grow up in and raise your hands to?
“For me it all happened in Rotterdam back in the days jumping on the best techno from Michel De Hey in Nighttown every Friday night. Or Ronald Molendijk’s infamous nights in the same club. But also Hardsoul’s DJ Roog has always been one of my favourite artists. I also learned a lot of Sander Kleinenberg who’s always supported a lot of my productions. Not to forget Erick E by the way. He’s a true charisma pioneer.”
“As long as there is funk and enough musicality, I’m up for it.” Who were the artists you were into as a kid growing up that sent you dance music’s way as a teenager?
“Guns ‘n Roses made me play the guitar. DJ Paul Elstal and Neophyte made me produce and play hardcore 17 years ago and Lenny Kravitz made me love funk. Quite diverse isn’t it? Hahahah.”
What is your current top 10 you are spinning?
1: René Amesz – Ray Of Light (Spinnin Records)
2: D.Ramirez – Won’t Give Up (Toolroom)
3: Mark Knight – Together (Toolroom)
4: Gregor Salto – Damelo (Dirty Dutch Music)
5: DJ Escape – Listen Bitch ‘DJ PP remix’ (TKC Records)
6: Mord Fustang – The Majestic (Plasmapool)
7: René Amesz & Ruell – Hope (Toolroom)
8: Victor Perez & T.Tommy – El Tumbao (Dirty Dutch Music)
9: Zombie Disco Squad – Righteous Sound ‘Jesse Rose edit’ (Made To Play)
10: René Amesz – Kippefeessie (Toolroom promo)
Your release schedule seems to sorted until Christmas with two tracks coming out every month. Tell us what is coming out later this year…
“Well…not till Christmas as we have to be able to see what’s happening sound wise and to avoid overkill. For now I have a new EP ready for release on Fedde Le Grand & Funkerman’s imprint Flamingo Recordings called “Express”. I produced this one together with Ruell who I’m doing a lot of Toolroom tracks with. There’s also “Kippefeessie” coming out on Toolroom Records which is a collab of me and Jasper Clash. I also got an EP called “Kung” coming out on Laidback Luke’s label MixMash Records which is due for release in July. Working on lots more at the moment. Can’t sit still hahahaha!”
What are the big dates in your diary this Summer that are standing out for you?
“Definitely my tour in Brazil. Brazil is always great for me. Absolutely in love with the country. Doing some festivals here and there in Holland and abroad which I’m really looking forward to. Let the summer start please!!!”
What advice can you give to the thousands of aspiring producers and DJs reading this wanting to follow you into our industry?
“Try to listen to other records you really like or that are successful at the moment. Compare them with your tracks and try to learn something from them technically. I don’t say to steal an idea or so but you can learn a lot just by comparing tracks. Do that until your tracks are good enough for a release on a proper label. I’m also still doing this. Still learning!!! Also don’t send your demo to 10 different labels at the same time. If 3 labels want to sign your track you have to disapoint 2. They will most probably never release anything from you in the future then. What I also still do is watching producers how they work in the studio. Future Music Magazine has these amazing workshops every month. I learned a lot from Sander van Doorn’s workshop or Chocolate Puma’s for instance!”
Finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“‘Billy Jean’ by Michael Jackson the day after he passed away.”
Tell us about your studio set up…
“I’m actually working in the box for a 100%. For the ones who don’t know…it means I’m mainly working with software on my PC. I run Cubase 6 with tons of plug ins such as the complete Moog collection and a lot of plug ins that my UAD DSP card runs. Sometimes I record basslines or leads from my Moog Voyager, Moog Little Phatty or the Virus TI! I have an Avalon Vt747sp vacuum tube compressor to phatten things up orto record my new tunes through. I use Genelec 1030A’s for my monitoring and I have an old dusty Spirit Folio mixing desk which sounds amazing and warm.”
Who are the producers from the world you are giving high fives to right now?
“Mark Knight, DJ PP, Chus, David Penn, Chocolate Puma, Mason, David Herrero, Genairo Nvilla…too many!!!!”
What is the best thing your parents ever taught you?
“To be carefull with that you spend your money on. I’ve never had trouble with taxes. I’ve always been able to pay my bills and I’ve never been in red on my bank account. I must say I go out for dinner two times a week though! Hahhaha.”
Tell us about your perfect Sunday…
“Playing soccer with my two sons. Watching the Dutch Premier League. And going out for diner at night.! Perfect!”
Biggest crowd you have ever played to?
“That must have been a festival I did in Kiev a few years ago. Played there for about 30000 people!”
Why do you think America has taken so long to crack the EDM market?
“I think it’s because the big pop stars from the US choose to collab with dance artists from all over the world. Even Snoop Dog went ‘dance’ together with Katy Perry!”
What is your greatness weakness?
“My sons. My oldest one is 7 and I still don’t let him go out on his own. Too afraid that a car might hit him. Have to let those boys go one day! It’ll be OK when they’re old enough to chase girls…as long as they bring proper meat home with them!”
It’s your birthday, what 3 DJs do you invite to play for you?
“DJ Cockring, DJ Fuckalot and DJ Bignipple.”
What is the strangest request you have ever had whilst DJing?
“If I could get beer for the owner! That’s no joke. I got to the bar and asked for 20 beers. He was kinda offended but I told him that he didn’t have to bother me with his beer nonsense anymore.”
And finally, what has been your proudest moment in your career?
“When I got to play for Ministry Of Sound in London for the first time. It was together with Sander Kleinenberg. MOS still is my favourite club!”
