The last 365 days have formed a year to remember for electronic music artisan Paul van Dyk. Inside that time he completed production on his long awaited, corner-turning sixth album which in turn unlocked a new trove of PvD music. These he’s used to power his extraordinary globe-spanning EVOLUTION stage performances and, of course, his now iconic radio show, VONYC Sessions. Dan Prince catches up with Paul as he leaves his final musical mark on the year, VONYC Sessions 12…
Hey Paul welcome back to DMCWORLD young man. Last week sees you participate in ‘Our Table Is Yours’ a Thanksgiving dinner benefit event at Cipriani Wall Street in New York in aid of the thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. You donated a portion of your fee from your Pacha gig later that night to the cause, that must have been an emotional afternoon for you…?
“Hey Dan. It was a very emotional afternoon, for everyone in fact, but in a very positive way. It’s one thing to read about people who’ve gone through experiences like Sandy in the newspaper, or see them on TV. To get to meet some of them first hand though is something entirely different. You get a better feel for what they’ve gone through.”
What are you like in the kitchen, it is surprising how many DJs are ace cooks when you think that so few spend any time at home!?
“I’d like to think I’m a pretty good cook. You could say I very much enjoy my food and I do spend a good deal of time in the kitchen. True what you say about DJs-as-chefs. I’ve met (and swapped tips with) quite a few!”
For many Pacha New York is the number one Pacha in the world, a great club with a fabulous atmosphere. New York is rocking again huh?
“It really is. But it’s a different now to at any point in the past. I’ve been playing there for many, many years. The very first time was in ’93. I was among Twilo’s first residents and throughout many years we’ve done numerous outdoor shows in Central Park and other places. It’s a different tone now, with EDM having swept the States. It’s real full on stuff, exceptionally vibrant and its great to see that dance music’s being embraced by the majority rather than the minority.”
The big news right now in van Dyk world is your new album ‘VONYC Sessions 2012’ out on December 14th, your fourth instalment of your radio broadcast that captures the brightest track stars of the year. Two CDs – does the sound differ on each?
“There is no two distinct styles between the two discs, no. It was more about finding a good flow and fit for the tracks that are compiled on there.”
The thought of compiling a best of 2012 must have filled you with dread, this year has seen so many incredible tunes. How many tunes did you narrow it down to before choosing the final 31?
“Not a bit of dread – quite the opposite! I appreciated the opportunity to look back. It feels like its only once a year I get the chance to stop and do so. In terms of the tracks that went on, well I probably started with a list of about a 100. You look at the music spread, the tracks you played the most, both on the show and live and it kind of becomes a natural filter-down process from there.”
What are the big anthems of the year you are especially excited about including?
“I’m delighted to have them all on there!”
The album naturally includes some PVD tracks after the release of ‘Evolution’, your first artist album in five years. Now that the dust has settled, are you happy how the album has been received?
“The reaction has been amazing, better even than I’d dared hope for. It was really exciting to be on tour with it and to hear people singing the tracks back so soon after it was released. Essentially I reached out to the audience with new music and to see and hear that reciprocated reaction was very rewarding.”
What have been the standout tracks reaction wise from the dancefloor?
“I would have to say the singles. With the exception of ‘Verano’ they (‘The Ocean’, ‘Eternity’ & ‘I Don’t Deserve You’) were very carefully chosen on basis of reaction from the fans. My team and I watched very carefully what was going on at the gigs, as well as on the forums and of course through the social media. ‘Verano’ was different. It came out ahead of the album so we were playing a hunch with that one!”
Who would you say are some of the bright young producers that have emerged in 2012?
“I think Maarten de Jong is showing a huge amount of potential. His tracks just get better and better. They always have these very original sounds and interesting production techniques driving them. Also every one of them is just really full of energy. His time is coming!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
01: Blake Jarell ‘Barbados’ (Armada Music)
02: Genix ‘Moments’ (Anjuna Beats)
03: Arty, Nadia Ali & BT ‘Must Be The Love’ (Armind)
04: Kölsch ‘All That Matters (feat. Troels Abrahamsen)’ (Kompakt)
05: Solarstone & Giuseppe Ottaviani ‘Falcons’ John O’Callaghan Remix (Black Hole Recordings)
06: Stonevalley ‘Something To Say’ (feat. Shannon Hurley) [Johan Malmgren Dub Remix] Enhanced Recordings
07: Jay-C Richards ‘Eucon Crash’ (Attention Inc Music)
08: Emma Hewitt ‘Crucify’ (Arnej Remix) (Armada Music)
09: Norin & Rad ‘Five Finger Death Punch (Anjunabeats)
10 Jaco ‘Malaysia’ (Enhanced Recordings)
Another fabulous year under your belt travelling the world. What have been the best events for you looking back?
“The EVOLUTION arena at SW4 was amazing – a totally electric atmosphere. I could have done with another 4hrs on stage that night!”
You had another cracking year with Cream at Amnesia – many feel there is no better atmosphere on the island than Thursdays down there…?
“I can only agree with that!”
What was your summer anthem?
“Always so hard to pick one. ‘The Ocean’ (one of the Arty co-productions from EVOLUTION) definitely had the feel on a summer anthem though. I certainly played it throughout the season enough.”
What is already confirmed for you in 2013?
“Well we have one really big bit of news, which we’re going to break very, very early in the New Year. A few fans that really have their ears to the ground may already know of course. To the others though I’d say keep a real close eye out from Jan 1st onwards!”
And finally, what is your New Years Resolution going to be?
“To keep on being me, and keep on being true to the music.”
Thanks Paul. Have a great Christmas.
“And you Dan. Good to chat again!”
Paul van Dyk – VONYV Sessions 2012
Tracklist CD 1
Paul van Dyk ft. Plumb ‘I Don’t Deserve You’ Remix Mashup
Manuel De La Mare & Alex Kenji ‘Acid as 303’
Orjan Nilsen ‘Endymion’
Maarten de Jong ‘Raw’
Lisa Lashes ‘The Bends’ Heatbeat Remix
Sean Tyas & Giuseppe Ottaviani ‘Arcobaleno’ Classic Mix
Ost & Meyer ‘Safari’
Andrew Bayer & Matt Lange ft. Kerry Leva ‘In And Out Of Phase’
Jerome Isma-ae ft. Zoo Army ‘My Breath Has Been Taken’ Instrumental Mix
Judge Jules ‘The Attack’
F.L.X. ‘Initiation’
Dave Silcox & Matt Nash ft. Chris Warne ‘Change My World’
Paul van Dyk ft. Adam Young ‘Eternity’ Paul van Dyk & Alex M.O.R.P.H. Club Mix
Protoculture ‘Cobalt’
Suncatcher & Mihai M pres. Starshifters ‘Driveby’
Tracklist CD 2
Forgotten ft. Blackfeel White ‘Earth’ Abstract Vision & Elite Electronic Dub Mix
Cosmic Gate & JES ‘Flying Blind’ Tom Fall Remix
Egorythm & Marsbeing ‘Inhale’
Paul van Dyk ft. Austin Leeds & Elijah King ‘Such A Feeling’ Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix
Las Salinas ‘Stone Pony’
Sequentia & Jaco ‘Crossfire’
Genix ‘Moments’
Tritonal ‘Slave’ ‘Ben Gold Club Dub
Corderoy & Judge Jules ‘Give Me A Reason’
Nitrous Oxide ‘Tiburon’
Noah Neiman ‘They Have Laser Eyes’
Jaco ‘Malaysia’
Stonevalley ft. Shannon Hurley ‘Something To Say’ Johan Malmgren Dub Remix
Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Amba Shepherd ‘Lost For Words’ Club Mix
Paul van Dyk ft. Arty ‘The Ocean’ Las Salinas Remix
Paul van Dyk ft. Michelle Leonard ‘Lost In Berlin’ Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix
Pre order at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vonyc-sessions-2012-presented/id580502328
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