A future superstar lighting up our lives
Thank you for inviting me to DMC World Magazine Dan, I’m honoured! Until today, my best release in my opinion is my most recent one, the Beijing EP. My previous releases were conceived purely for the experience and to get some mileage in the industry, produced to search for a sound I would be comfortable with. The Beijing EP containing the tracks Beijing and Daft Pull receives a lot of love and support online, especially the global blogs, so I’m very happy with this release.
Most DJs launch their careers DJing to a handful of people at their first gig. You however aged 15 played to 3000 people in Belgium at your DJing debut. Tell us about that event and how did it feel to be playing to so many people? Where you nervous?
It was a local party and I was extremely nervous. It was my very first gig ever, it was in front of over 3000 clubbers and I absolutely didn’t know what to expect. The first ten minutes were awful but as the set progressed every things started to go well. Towards the end of my set, the crowd went crazy. It was an insane experience and definitely confirmed this is what I wanted to do for a long time to come.
How old were you when you first started to get interested in EDM – how did you first start hearing the tunes?
I think I was eleven years old when I went to a Tiësto single or album release party in Eindhoven, The Netherlands with my dad. It was a free event and there was no age limit, so I had the opportunity to enjoy his set even though I was only eleven years old. From that day on and after undergoing Tiësto’s vibe and the energy of that particular night, I loved EDM.
What did your family think of your choice of career, where they supportive?
They always have supported me and they always will, luckily! They always have my back, no matter what. Especially my dad: when I was very young he already took me out to events wherever possible. Besides him being responsible for my first encounter with electronic dance music, he always give me tips and steers me in the right direction.
If you hadn’t have become a DJ/producer – what else do you think you would have ended up doing career wise?
Most likely I would have ended up doing something with computers maintenance, computer networks and fixing broken desktops etc. So I’m very happy that I have the opportunity of making music and DJ-ing as a professional career instead!
Was there 1 particular record that as soon as you heard it, you knew that EDM was your path in life?
Most definitely: Delerium – Silence (Tiësto remix). Every time I hear that track, I get chills and can’t stop moving. It’s emotional and uplifting at the same time. For me, that tune defines my love for EDM.
Who were your early DJ heroes?
It might get a bit boring but again, I have to name Tiësto, obviously for the reasons as described above, haha! But besides him, artists such as Rank1, Marcel Woods, Deadmau5 and Armin van Buuren are a big influence. Their productions are melody based, as are my productions.
Tell us about that incredible gig playing with Tiesto in Spain last summer. Was it difficult playing before him, were you holding a lot of big tunes back on purpose?
Considering him being somewhat of a role model, it surely was a huge experience for me. One minute you’re a fan, the next minute you play alongside him on his Club Life event. Unreal, but nerve wrecking at the same time! I deliberately didn’t play some of my favourite tunes taken from his own label. I played a lot of my own tracks and built up the vibe so by the time Tiësto came on, the crowd was warmed up nicely and the club was ready to explode the minute Tiësto took over.
What is the strangest request you have ever had from a fan whilst DJing?
During one of my sets, a fan asked if I want to marry her…. but in a joking kind of a way. You can imagine she caught me off guard whilst trying to mix the next record, haha!
What is coming next studio wise from you?
I’m in the midst of producing brand new projects, singles and EP’s. Also, I’m now working with Dutch songstress Rachel Kramer who came in second in the 2009 X-Factor finals, and producer/vocalist Brad Grobler who is one of the masterminds behind the successful Dance Nation project. I’m also very pleased with my current studio which took me a serious amount of time to finalize, and the development of my sound gives me a something to look forward to!
What are the big events we can find you at this summer?
This summer I’ll be going to Italy and Spain for gigs which I’m very much looking forward to. And I’ll be a part of the Nope Is Dope tour, which is a well-known Dutch concept known for being an excellent platform to launch artists. DJ’s such as Afrojack, Quintino, Nicky Romero, Sidney Samson and Lucky Charmes for example kick-started their career as a part of Nope Is Dope. Also, there are rumours I’ll be mixing one of the upcoming Nope Is Dope compilations, so be on the lookout for that!
How would you describe your DJing / production style?
Both my DJ-ing and producing style can be very versatile. DJ wise, it all depends on the time slot I’m performing. When playing peak time slots, it’s mostly progressive and big room. When doing a warm up set for a big name, I respect the style of that particular artist and play records building up towards the set of the DJ who’ll perform after me. Producing wise, the common factor in my tracks are the big melodies. It could be laidback progressive, uplifting or big room tunes, but it’s all about the cool riff.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a festival?
I was about to go on stage during an outdoor festival and it had been raining all day, like it usually does here in The Netherlands. When walking towards the booth, I slipped in the mud and was covered in mud from head to toe. Luckily I brought extra clothes with me, so I rushed to the dressing room and quickly changed clothes. I was 5 minutes late for my set, but hardly anybody noticed.
Other than music, what are you addicted to?
Going out with my close friends, working out in the gym and watching good movies.
What is the best thing your parents taught you?
To always be nice to everybody and to have respect for others, as you will be treated the way you treat people yourself. And to always be myself!
The best day of my life was…
Definitely the day I signed my recording contract with Noculan Music and my publishing agreement with Innovating Music Publishing / Strengholt Music, which symbolically became the start of a career in music. Around that same period, my resident label Xcience Records was born which also defined a memorable moment.