In the Mode for the dancefloor…
Paul, Maarten welcome to the DMCWORLD. You are renowned for having very eclectic musical tastes. What musicians were you into as kids that pushed you towards dance music?
“We’ve been listening to music consciously since we 4 or 5 years old. We like(d) all kinds of music. For instance Prince, Iron Maiden, Hall & Oates, Bruce Springsteen and Def Leppard. In the early 90’s we got in touch with stuff like The Prodigy, The KLF and a bit later Daft Punk. These acts inspired us to make electronic music ourselves.”
You met way before starting the band, what’s the story there?
“Actually we met way back in 1996. We started Bingo Players in 2006, when we finally finished three tracks for a demo. Before that, we just made music for fun on our old Amiga now and then. When we did Bingo Players we thought we had something cool we could finally show the world!”
What does your friend who’s MSN nickname you stole to call yourselves Bingo Players think of your success?
“We haven’t talked to him for a few years so we don’t know how he feels about it! James, hit us up on our email and let’s get back in touch again, hahaha!”
How would you describe your sound you are playing at the moment?
“We always play an energetic set and try to put in a few new tracks we just finished and nobody heard before. Besides that, we made some own bootlegs and mashups”.
A massive new track out right now, ‘Mode’ tell us about the track…
“Well, after ‘Rattle’ we didn’t want to repeat the formula of that track, because it was so succesful and it would be a bit too obvious. While listening to some old tracks we’ve never finished, we found the lead melody in an project dating from 2005. So we took that melody, updated the sounds and it was there. We’re really happy about all the buzz of Mode!”
What are the big 10 tunes you are spinning right now?
Alesso – Raise Your Head
Bingo Players – Mode
Clockwork – Squad Up
Bingo Players – Rattle
Nicky Romero – Toulouse
Carl Tricks – Bits
Swedish House Mafia vs Knife Party – Antidote
Cobra Starship – Middle Finger (Bingo Players Remix)
Avicii – Levels (Hardwell Bootleg)
Ralvero – Xtreme
What has been your tune of 2011?
“We think the tune of 2011 is Avicii’s ‘Levels’.”
Is it true you are big fans of 80s icons Samantha Fox and Rick Astley?
“Hahaha… not really a massive fans of those although we admit we do like ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. But we are big 80’s fans! Prince, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, The Cure and Duran Duran are all big favourites!”
You have remixed some superstars – what re-work are you most proudest of and do you find it dificult tearing someone’s pride and joy to pieces?
“Last year we did a remix for Manufactured Superstars’ Take Me Over and are really happy with the result of this remix. Also, our remix for Pitbull’s ‘Give Me Everything’ was pretty big. We don’t find remixing other artists difficult. Most of the time it’s easier to remix rather than create a brand new song. 9 out of 10 we immediately have an idea what to do when we hear the original or the parts we get.”
What has been your best track you have created to date?
“That’s a hard question. We’re happy with our latest tracks ‘Mode’ and ‘Rattle’. But next time you’ll ask it will be probably the last release. We always try to improve our tracks.”
Favourite club of 2011?
“We had real fun at Ministry of Sound in London. Also, Avalon and Playhouse in Los Angeles are amazing clubs to play.”
Not many people know this, but the Bingo Players are really good at…
“Complaining.”
Great answer, I need to go out with you two more. What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Prodigy – ‘Everybody In The Place’ (Fairground Edit).”
Strangest ever request from a fan whilst DJing?
“If he could come behind the deck and mix the next record for us.”
You released music on seminal house label Strictly Rhythm – what have been your favourite SR classics over the years?
“Da Mongoloids – ‘Spark Da Meth’ and Armand Van Helden – ‘Witch Doktor’.”
Who brings what to the studio – in other words, who does what the best?
“We both are equally involved in the creative process. Besides that, Paul is the overall concept guy and Maarten does all the nerdy technical stuff. We both compliment each other very well.”
Who do you respect artist wise in the Netherlands music scene right now?
“Carl Tricks.”
What are your New Years resolutions?
“It sounds corny, but to have a healthy and even bigger 2012!”
What can we expect from you in 2012 studio wise?
“Of course a lot new Bingo Players originals. We’re in a great flow at the moment and hope to continue this into 2012. Also, there will be some big remixes coming early 2012.”
You travel the world every week – but you hate the travelling right?
“Don’t get us wrong, we love our job, it’s a dream come true! But yes, waiting a few hours in an boring airport for a plane that has been delayed isn’t the most charming thing about the DJ life. Airports are so uninspirational…”
What country outside of your home country gives you the craziest reception?
“The US, UK and Australia are the craziest!”
And finally, an average game of bingo takes between four and four and a half minutes. How long can you last?!?
“Actually we never have played a game of Bingo in our life.”
That’s not exactly what I mean boys, but have a great Christmas…
“Thanks dude.”
