The Tomorrowland main man taking us Direct to the Dizko
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Yves welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
“I’m in Paris waiting for my flight to Brazil. I’m having a small tour this weekend which includes playing the Dreamvalley Festival, XXXPerience Festival and Privilege, so I’m very excited and look forward to playing there.”
A truly spectacular 2013 for you, never before have the words ‘superstar of the future’ been more apt. Let’s kick off with your latest release, ‘Direct Dizko’ which is a collab with Sander van Doorn with a hook to die for. Tell us the history of the track…
“Sander told me he likes my tracks and I was working on a remake of ‘Direct Dizko’ which Sander already did a few years ago, so we thought it was a good idea to work on this one together. We found out this week that the track is now #1 in the Buzz Chart and one of the peak-time records in my sets and the support so far has been huge such as Pete Tong playing it on his Radio 1 show. It’s an honour to work with Sander because I’m a big fan of his work so I’m really pleased how the collaboration finished up”
How did your two different production styles gel in the studio, was it a smooth process?
“Yes, we both knew which direction we wanted to go in with this track so it was a real smooth and easy process. He’s a great producer and somebody who has a huge resource of knowledge in the studio, so it was a simple task linking up with him because he’s got a fantastic combination of good energy and studio technique. I really enjoyed the process.”
Swinging our before that also on Doorn Reocrds is the peak time thriller ‘Unami’, talk us through the tune…
“Very happy that we finally have the release (15/11/2013) – I actually finished this track at the beginning of the year and then premiered it in my Tomorrowland set and it’s also featured in the official Tomorrowland aftermovie. I felt people were really waiting for this track and has definitely been one of the peak-time tracks in my set for the last couple of months. I’m very proud of it.”
Before we get into this incredible year you have brought us, let’s rewind for a moment. Your musical adventure began at an early age when you played the violin, was this something you wanted to do or were you pushed into it by your parents?
“Haha, well my parents had a friend who played in a big harmonic orchestra and at that time I was studying music at school and still had to choose which instrument I wanted to play. So they did push me a little bit into the violin. Looking back I regret it a little that I didn’t go for piano because that would be a little more helpful with what I’m doing nowadays with my music but I’m glad I picked up an instrument, regardless of what it was, because it gave me an early start in understanding the structure and arrangement of music”
You discovered EDM at the age of 15 when you purchased your first piece of vinyl. Can you remember what it was and how you felt hearing this new music for the first time?
“Yes and I still have it in my collection, ‘Energy 52 – Café Del Mar’. An absolute classic and still one of my all time favorite records, even now it reminds me of my days starting out as a dance music fan. When I hear this kind of music I forget everything else as it takes me right back. To me that’s the sign of a timeless record. That’s why my passion for EDM is so big because I really believe that this is a genre of music with a lot of passion, which has the power to bring a lot of people together. The electronic scene is so rich in music that as a DJ and music fan I’m always excited about discovering new sounds, as well as hearing the odd classic that I’d forgotten about.”
Your first DJ experience saw you spin at a friend’s birthday when you were 16, you played for free and DJ’d for 7 hours!! When was the last time you DJ’d for free??
“Ha yeah those early years DJing were a really journey about me finding myself as a DJ. I loved mixing up all the different styles and testing new ideas. I have found memories of that time. As for the party question, it was about a year ago for a charity event called ‘Music For Life’.”
What was your first break in the music industry?
“A few years ago, I released the track ‘Madagascar’ with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Angger Dimas. This track meant that people really started to know me and a few months later I had ‘Cloudbreaker’ with Basto which did very well on the radio and raised my name amongst many of my peers. But it’s been a long road as I had already released a few tracks before any of this happened but I see it all as learning curve. I have a much better understanding of myself as an artist now than I did then, I understand my music more and what I want to achieve in the studio so the process has only been beneficial to me in the long run.”
We love the way your musical mind works, most people when asked who they would like to collaborate with usually answer Tiesto or Avicii – nothing wrong with that, but you like to think out of the box – Green Day and the original Guns N Roses would be high up on your list. Why?
“I think it’s very important that you think out of the box and have an open mind for all kinds of music…Before I started to focus on EDM I was always listened to rock bands like Green Day, Guns n Roses or rap groups like Cypress Hill, NWA etc. So for me working with these kind of groups would be a dream, it would also be something completely different to what I’m doing in the studio. Don’t get me wrong working with artists like Tiësto or Avicii would also be a dream as I have huge respect for guys like that and what they’ve done in the scene, but as a producer I would love to get in the studio with a band like Green Day and come up with something really power and unique. Even though my sound is EDM focused I still continue to seek out and enjoy music from all kinds of genres. I think this is very important because getting too cocooned in one genre limits you.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Sander Van Doorn & Yves V – Direct Dizko
Yves V – Umami
Alesso vs. OneRepublic – If I Lose Myself (Alesso vs. OneRepublic Extended Remix)
Thomas Newson – Pollaroid
Yves V & Mell Tierra – Chrono
Deorro – Yeah
Dimitri Vegas Like Mike ft. Boostedkids – G.I.P.S.Y (Original Mix) [Smash The House]
Yves V & Blasterjaxx – That Big
Hardwell & MAKJ – Countdown (Original Mix)
Joris Voorn – Ringo (Original Mix)
You have a job every DJ on the planet is jealous of…resident DJ at Tomorrowland – the world’s No. 1 festival. When does the preparation begin for the following year’s festival and how many people are involved in the brainstorming sessions for production/line up etc.?
“I’m very happy to be part of such an amazing festival, next year is going to be my 7th or 8th time on the mainstage so I’ve watched the festival grow over these years into something so big. It’s an incredible event and the energy and atmosphere there is something like you’ll not find anywhere else, it has a very unique feel about it. The organisers and I became really good friends and nowadays they are also handling my management. The preparation for the following year starts the day after the festival and I think for the brainstorming they do it with a group of just a few people and they work tirelessly to ensure the next event is bigger and bolder than the last one.”
Gotta give Tomorrowland 2013 a mention and that nerve wracking/wonderful moment when the audio system went down on your V-Sessions Stage. What went through your head and for those of our readers who weren’t there, tell us what you did with the crowd to save the day…
“I was lucky it was a really short breakdown but I have to say it was one of my most memorable moments of all these years at Tomorrowland. First of all, the stage was packed, I jumped on the stage and everyone was following me with a wave etc. – it was a magical moment for me. Funny how out of something unexpected like that, something really special happens!”
What is the craziest costume you have ever seen at the festival?
“I see a lot of people going almost naked nowadays, but the craziest costume has to be the guy in pineapple costume, it was almost 35° so I think he was almost melting inside that thing.”
What happens when the final tune is played at the end of Tomorrowland – are there a multitude of after parties or is everyone ready for bed?
“I have to say I’m normally a broken man by then, after 4 days and 4 sets (Mainstage, V sessions, Airplane, Dreamville stage) all my energy is drained and I’m ready for a rest. There are some after parties and for the people who make it to that, respect to you all!”
Anthem of the summer?
“It’s been an absolutely huge record across the summer and I also applaud him for doing something very different, brave move and one which paid off! The track is: Avicii – Wake Me Up.”
Away from your home festival, where have been some of the stand out gigs for you this year – India looked incredible…
“I’ve had so many great shows this year that it is hard to mention them all but India is indeed always a lot of fun. I’ve toured there 5 or 6 times now so I have a growing fan base there who know my music, which is really cool, and the venues and festivals are always packed with enthusiastic crowds. It’s a really exciting dance scene and such a beautiful country with amazing people. I also had a crazy show at Guaba Beach Bar in Cyprus, it was my first time there and the crowd went nuts – that was really fun! My show with Tiësto in Hong Kong is definitely one to remember and I had a lot of festivals and shows in Turkey, Italy, France, Dubai, Chile, Paraguay, Holland, Belgium, Finland, Spain which I had great times at. I’m very pleased with how this year has gone. Look forward to an exciting 2014.”
Your V-Sessions radio show is obviously very important to you, you started on Radio FG Belgium and since then it has blown up around the world. What is the most satisfying aspect of a radio show for you?
“The reaction I get from my fans on social media and on my radio show is enormous and the fact that you know that so many people are listening to your music at home, in the car with friend etc makes it really satisfying. I’m very grateful for the continued support.”
Who are some of the new up and coming producers we should be looking out for in 2014?
“I think there’s so much new talent out there, guys like Blasterjaxx, Thomas Newson, Loopers, Mell Tierra etc are definitely guys to keep an eye on in 2014. Big things from all of them.”
Let’s see what makes your musical mind tick…
- What is the record you wish YOU would have made?
Deadmau5 – Strobe (Extended Mix)
- The record that always reminds you of your girlfriend?
Cloudbreaker ft Basto
- The cheesy pop song you can’t get out of your head at the moment?
Sromae – Papa
- Your favourite EVER Yves V piece of production?
Mandala
- The last GREAT album you listened to?
Green Day – American Idiot
- The genre of music you really cannot stand?
Hardcore – Terror
How do you conquer writers block?
“The best thing you can do is try to focus on other things for a while, if you try too hard it’s not going to work. The best ideas have to come naturally.”
And finally what is coming out next from you, we hear whispers of a new tune coming through Spinnin?
“As mentioned above I have 2 releases coming up on Doorn Records in November, 1 solo track ‘Umami’ and the collaboration ‘Direct Dizko’ with Sander Van Doorn. Besides that I have another one on Doorn Records ‘Manga’, one on Smash The House and Wall Records So I have a lot of new stuff coming up which I’m looking forward to hearing peoples feedback on.”
