The Dutch Number One
Hi Sander. How are you, what are you up to today?
“I’m good Dan, working very hard but it’s all good. It’s all very positive and rewarding at the moment.”
What’s going on in the studio right now?
“I’m working on my artist album ‘This Is Our Night’. It’s pretty much done, but I wanted to give it some more work to make sure I gave it that extra 10% to make it a 110% piece of work. It is hard work though having to listen over and over to the tunes to try and get it all perfect, but there are some really strong records on there which I am really happy about.”
I just got off the phone from someone we both know and love, a guy who used to live with me in London and is one of my best friends – club promoter and band manager, Sparrow…
“Really? Oh wicked. I spoke to him last week when he called me from Los Angeles. I have just done a record with his brother Neil who has such a great voice for my album – the tune is called ‘Closer’.”
How was ‘Pure Pacha’ in Ibiza this Summer on Fridays, you were resident there again…?
“Yes, I was back at Pure Pacha on Friday this season, but this time as the main weekly resident. Pacha is such an amazing club and I loved getting more involved in the residency from the art concept to the direction in musical programming. For instance, myself and Pacha’s Danny Whittle just bounced ideas off each other about who we felt would work to sonically enhance the soundscapes I would create with each performance in order to make our night stand out from the rest. The final result was an array of amazing guest performances from Justice, Calvin Harris, Basement Jaxx, Trentemoller, Faithless and more. The crowds were very supportive every week from the punters on the dance floor to the VIPs. I’m already looking forward to next summer!”
How varied?
“Well one week we could have Calvin Harris and the next TrentemØller, it was quite a journey and very eclectic.”
I once had to move out of my house and bedroom because DMC took on a certain DJ called Sasha to manage and he moved in. You have played with him many times and are good friends, what has been the best night you have DJ’d together?
“I always say the best night is always the next night to always look ahead. I have actually just booked him to play at my club in Amsterdam on December 19th at Paradiso. The thing is, when we get together to DJ, we are not the same type of DJ and I think that inspires us both – I will go left and he will go right.”
So it’s not a competitive thing?
“No, not at all. When I play with him I always feel slightly humble because I know who I am dealing with, his legacy and such a legendary act – but I am slowly getting over it!.”
I hear on the grapevine that you may be working on something with Mark Jones and the Wall of Sound label…?
“Yes I may be signing the album to Wall of Sound. I ran into him four or five years ago and we talked and I said ‘I’ll make an album’ and let’s put it out on your label’. But it took a little time to put it all together, I was like ‘it’ll be next year and then it would be like, no next year and then no, next year!’ I wasn’t ready in so many aspects to drop this album, I didn’t have the time for it, I just wanted to wait until I had space to carry something like this. I just want him to love it, we want to sign in America and Eastern Europe and it will be a phenomenal addition to what I am trying to get across. Mark is a brilliant man and his ideas are fantastic.”
Best thing about living in Amsterdam?
“The best? The size of it, it’s brilliant – it’s like a mini metropol, I can get anywhere on my bike. The worst? At the moment in The Netherlands the political climate sucks. There is a lot of hatred out there and a really weird culture emerging.”
Is that a drug thing?
“No, it’s basically a big group who have a big voice but not the intelligence to deal or cope with certain social situations.”
You have won many awards over the last decade – DJ Magazine, Dancestar, Mixmag etc – are these awards important to you as a DJ?
“Erm, it’s nice to be recognised Dan, but I don’t look back at things like awards. Usually when I get an award it’s for something I did maybe a year ago or something, I just want say thank you and move on.”
Do you still get shivers down your spine when you receive a new record that you cannot wait to play?
“Absolutely, every week it happens – however I don’t believe in the ‘one record’ phenomenon. I think the DJ’s role has to be a careful little journey. I think your first record has so much to do with the reaction your last record gets. Sure you can play 20 records in a set that has everybody throwing their hands in the air, but I always want to create that journey, build, build, build. For me, it’s not about one record, it’s about constructing a night.”
Back at yours after the club, what is your guilty pleasures song?
“Fuck me, you could have a field day with me. Anything by Dolly Parton, especially ‘Islands In The Stream’ with Kenny Rogers.”
Jesus, my sister will love you for that, that was her first record at her wedding!
“Brilliant record, absolutely fabulous.”
Best DJ you have ever played alongside?
“There’s a few, but Sasha is definitely someone who has amazed me many times.”
Best club you have ever played at around the world?
“I think Stereo in Montreal was incredible, no I should say is incredible because they have just re-opened. I always felt playing there it was how clubs in the 80s and 70s must have been like with that vibe. Also the fact that the club was built around their sound system was great – and it was basically there for the people to just enjoy the music. I had a residency for a couple of years there playing once a month on a Friday. I remember Deadmau5 hanging out there, it was just an fantastic, fantastic place.”
How do you feel about the majority of the clubbers on your dancefloor whilst you’re playing are on drugs?
“It’s not a problem for me if people keep themselves in check and don’t hurt themselves. I feel like, when you are young and going out and experimenting with drugs is part of growing up. It’s one of those tests we all have to go through, some survive, some don’t – that’s life. I don’t feel responsible for what happens on my dancefloors’, it’s not like people HAVE to do an E out there dancing to my music. Everyone is entitled to their own journey, but people should be educated about it.”
What is the big tune in your box at the moment?
“I have a really crazy mix of La Roux ‘In For The Kill’ which I love.”
Pioneering DVJ Sander Kleinenberg presents This Is Our Night: An exclusive world premiere album showcase @ Melkweg, Amsterdam at ADE on Saturday October 24th. The event will feature an exclusive six hour audio video marathon incorporating tracks from his long awaited debut artist album. 11pm-5am –
For more information go to sanderkleinenberg.com