Two young Dutch dynamos setting the world on fire with a succession of big room hits and sell out shows. Heralded by Armin van Buuren as “truly the rising stars of trance”, Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst are the next generation of superstar producers. Looking for the future of EDM? It’s right here.
Ward, Willem welcome to DMCWORLD. Another incredible year you are having, your track ‘Trigger’ with Marcel Woods the latest buzz record. Talk us through how this tune came about
“Thank you for having us! After we toured a couple of times together with Marcel, we found out that our musical tastes have a lot in common. When he asked us to come visit his studio it was a real honour as we’ve always been huge fans of his work! Working with him was a true pleasure and also a lot of fun!!”
Where in the world are you right now?
“We’re actually at home now, got back yesterday from Belarus where we played the Global Gathering festival. Next weekend we’re off to South America for a mini tour, playing Buenos Aires, Mar Del Plata and Santiago!
Okay, let’s get this question out of the way. Willem, if you hadn’t have been successful as a producer you wanted to be a footballer. So, what did you think about The Netherlands performance in Euro 2012?
“Haha!! Yes first I wanted to become a footballer but then I found dance music and switched plans. Well I think we can all agree that it wasn’t the best performance we’ve seen of the Dutch squad so far. It’s a pity as they have great potential! But congratulations to Spain: they have a very solid team!”
You have had a very busy touring this year, have you played at any new clubs and cities that you really loved?
“We’ve played quite a lot of new clubs and cities actually! We did Mansion in Miami, we debuted countries like Indonesia, Taiwan, Turkey and Nicaragua to name a few. It’s great that you get to visit so many different countries as a DJ!”
Do you think your style has changed any way in the last 5 years?
“We wouldn’t say our style changed, it just developed. We’re still keeping a lot of elements and the same vision in our music, it only comes in a slightly different package.”
Where was you first ever DJing performance together?
“Our first ever DJ performance together was at A State Of Trance 400 in Germany. We played in the second room for like 200 people, but it was fun!”
You said at the start of 2012 that “we think 2012 is going to be a good and innovative year for trance music”. So has it?
“Definitely! A lot of great creative records have been released so far, and more genre borders have been crossed!”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
01. Gaia – J’ai Envie De Toi (Tom Fall Remix) [Armind]
02. Marcel Woods & W&W – Trigger [Revealed]
03. Ummet Ozcan – The Box [Reset]
04. W&W – Moscow [Mainstage Music]
05. Nicky Romero ft. ZroQ – WTF [Protocol]
06. Joe Garston – Forever [Plasmapool]
07. Heatbeat – Extra Bacon [Captivating Sounds]
08. Beat Service – Fortuna [Coldharbour]
09. Leon Bolier – US [Streamlined]
10. Rick Mitchells & Bas van Essen – Raptor [Mainstage Music]
What is coming up next release wise…
“Of course we just released the one with Marcel Woods. After that there’s a new single of us coming up on our label Mainstage Music where a lot of people have been asking for already since we premiered it on A State Of Trance 550 in Moscow. After that we’re planning to do a mix compilation which will be out in September.”
You are recognised as being 2 producers always making music. So, how many tracks have you got loaded up in the bank at the moment?
“We have so much new material laying around that we actually lost track of it a bit! Right now we’re finishing some of the stuff to get released later this year. We might still have around 5 tracks ready to go already!”
Tell us what are the qualities you both bring to the studio…
“Willem is great at throwing idea’s and set out the arrangement. Ward is quite fast in the programs we’re using. We’re both focussing on the stuff we’re good at, that way we work really fast and efficient!”
What has been the best big event you have rocked this year to date?
“The A State Of Trance events in Moscow and Den Bosch are always amazing to play at and have definitely been one of the best events of the year! But also the Creamfields tour in Australia and Global Gathering last weekend we’re really amazing!”
So many huge events taking place over the summer, what are you looking forward to?
“There’s a lot of big events and festivals we’re looking forward to: Electric Zoo in New York, Global Gathering in Russia, Ukraine and the UK, Tomorrowland in Belgium, Nature One in Germany, the ASOT nights at Privilige, Ibiza. It’s going to be a great summer!!”
What is the greatest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“That’s hard to say. For us there isn’t like an all time greatest record. One we always enjoy playing though is our rework of the Tiesto remix of Delirium – Silence. Thats one of the greatest records of all time in our opinion.”
Other than EDM, what other genres of music do you listen to?
“We listen to basically every kind of music, as long as it’s good!”
Who were your early DJ heroes growing up?
“Guys like Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten inspired us a lot.”
Your Mainstage Radio Show is a regular fixture for trance enthusiasts listening pleasure. For anyone reading this who hasn’t heard the show, what is the idea behind the show and how many people are tuning in now?
“Mainstage is a weekly radioshow that we do to be able to share our favorite music with people. We search for 15 brand new tracks every week, ranging from trance, electrohouse, house and progressive. It’s airing on Sirius XM in the USA and several major FM stations around the world. It’s also available as a podcast via http://podcast.wandwmusic.nl
