Let Music Speak To Your Imagination
“What’s the reception been like for ‘Welcome To My Club’, your new album on Gem Records?”
“Mixed, like the CD, haha…no, all has been very positive. It’s my first compilation ever, because all I usually did was making albums and singles, never using music from others…So it’s a good start I think!”
Talk us through the album, what was the idea behind the direction on it?
It’s the sound I like to play in a club. I also play festivals with bigger crowds, which usually means more energy and more powerful tracks. With the sound on the CD I let people know what my style could be like when playing a club, less hard, but still with loads of energy and building. More friendly for that matter.”
Why did it take you so long to launch Gem Records?
“I always played live before. For three years ago I’m more focused on the DJ-ing, which means I get involved with more demo’s and music by other artists too. When searching for fresh music, I bumped into all this young talent, like Egbert and Peter Horrevorts and thought, I need a label for music like this. Also it’s another way to make people acquainted with the sound I like.”
And were you not worried about coming into the music industry during troubled times – or were you just 100% confident that it would succeed?
“Worried? No, because in the first place it’s not about making money. I already knew that. But when you do parties, release your own music and have a booking agency, a label just finishes the whole picture. Luckily there are more people that like our sound, because all vinyls are sold out and gone to repress as well.”
You are from Rotterdam, who were you listening to growing up that made you know you wanted to make dance music?
“I went to Parkzicht and Nighttown. So I listened to the DJ’s there at a time that it didn’t really matter who was playing what. Later I got more into a
certain sound and DJ Dimitri from Amsterdam was the biggest influence on me. He played Carl Craig dubplates no-one had and it was all very musical, i
loved it!”
What do you love and hate about living in Rotterdam?
“I hate that we don’t have an old centre like Amsterdam or Delft, cause it was bombed in the forties. So there’s no real hang-out for us life enjoyers. It’s all about working here. Which is actually what I like. The studio and office are so nice and for a good price, that’s what I love about Rotterdam. Nothing posh, just honest living and people.”
What was like being a 17 year old kid on your birthday in a club and hearing your tracks being played?
“That was wild! Still being at school and already going out, hearing music which I made in my bedroom at my parents house…unforgettable.”
What are the big 10 tracks you are playing out at the moment.
“I play a lot of Egbert tracks obviously. A track called ‘Kraakhelder’ and the new Gem 004 ‘Haasten’ are always in my sets. My new tracks basically from GEM003 and the Psycatron remix of my ‘Glad Chord’ single, always. Also some unreleased work by Marc Marzenit, one of my favorite producers at the moment I love to play. His new Cocoon release ‘TULKU’ has been in my sets for a few months now. Guy Mantzur and Sahar Z’s ‘Monkey’ – the Audiojunkies remix – is a great club track which has it all. Groove, power and melody. Peter Horrevorts ‘Bloody Hands’…of course! My sets are different every week, but a few tracks stick in there…”
Tell us about the residency at Space in Ibiza this Summer?
“It’s a night called ‘Kehakuma’ on Wednesday. Space is a great club, one of
the best in my opinion and they dare to take risks and refresh. That’s the spirit, try something new and work with the best from there on. The first night I play together with Egbert, a back to back set with a lot of energy. Later on July 21st and August 4th I will play my own DJ set and I’m ready to work the crowd, really looking forward to that!”
What is the best piece of advice any has ever given you?
“Hmm…I can only remember advice I gave myself. I learned from my own mistakes. But the biggest one came when my dad died when I was still young, just before I released my first record. From that moment I told myself I just wanted to do what I liked and don’t get ill from stress working for other people. That was 18 years ago and I”m still following my heart.”
Favourite city in the world?
“Actually I’d like to see Holland as my city. I know it’s a country, but it’s all so close and it’s my favourite playground. All I want is here, art, natural beauty. But Tokyo and New York are amongst the best cities I’ve ever been.”
“A while back you made the decision to only play to crowds of over 3000 people, what’s the story behind that?”
“Actually that’s only for my LIVE sets. So playing my own music only. Now I can do that because I play more DJ-sets. My live set is so powerfull, I can’t really do that in a club, unless all of the crowd knows what I do. It’s just better for me to play my live set at festivals and such, more peope, more power.”
What is the best show you have ever done?
“Last year ‘Welcome to the Future’ festival in Holland. It was my first big festival gig as a DJ and the crowd went crazy. 1.5 hours of 6000 hands in the air with underground and cool techno. Fantastic! Also, my first live sets in ‘Womb’ Tokyo. I actually cried while playing. The synergy between me and the crowd was such high level, everyone in the club became me. We where all one, that was my best feeling ever.”
How obsessive were you when you were a teenager making music in your bedroom? Like, did your friends forget what you looked like?
“Well, when they went surfing or skateboarding, I was programming music. 30 degrees or not, I was focused. But my life was about the party as well, so I never lost my social life. But my collegues and fellow artists are now also my friends.”
You are renowned for DJing with a hat on. Do people all buy you hats for birthdays and christmas?
“Haha, yes they do. But that never works. My face is slim, so you really need to see how it looks before you can buy it for me. So I usually buy the hats myself. Besides that I have a very decided taste of my own. You really, really need to know me, to know what I like. And most of the time I can find that in Japan and Italy.”
How do chill out at home?
“With movies, videogames and meditation CDs.”
What is next on the agenda from Gem Records?
“First my release called Secret Cinema – ‘Glad Chord’ (gem003), and after that a great techno EP by Egbert – ‘Haasten’ (gem004). A real techno hit for the
summer festivals!”
And finally did you feel sorry for the secretary Jane in the film The Secret Cinema in the 1960s?
“Ha ha! It’s a cult movie I know….but I’ve never seen it. Actually my Secret Cinema means you see images in your mind when music speaks to your imagination. But the Secret Cinema is definitely on my ‘need to watch list.”
“Greetings from Secret Cinema and have a great summer everyone!”
