New Hardwell Visual Show premiers at ID&T’s Energy 2012
One of the biggest DJ/producers in the world, Hardwell is one of the hardest workers in electronic music to make sure he remains culturally relevant in a scene that changes shape at an impossible speed. Hardwell’s solid reputation has led him to remix works from the likes of Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Fedde le Grand and Taio Cruz whilst his radio show, ‘Hardwell On Air’ is broadcasted on the world’s biggest radio stations. Fresh for 2012, this DJ dynamo now brings a new live show that goes beyond the music and into the realms of spectacle. Stunning visuals are a key component of a successful performance of this nature – and for this task, Hardwell has recruited the extraordinary talents of Ruud de Wild. A videographer with a background in fine art and graphic design, de Wild has constructed some bold, striking set pieces tailored to Hardwell’s trademark high-energy style. DMC finds out more about the next step in Hardwell’s remarkable rise to the top…
Words : Dan Prince
Hi dude, welcome back to DMC. A big night coming up this weekend with the premier of your new visual concept show at Energy in The Netherlands. Tell us about the project…
“Ruud de Wild came to me with the idea to do the visuals for me during my show at Energy 2012. Ruud made special visuals that will interact and flow seamlessly with my set and have a deep significance. For example; my track “Zero 76” will have visuals from my hometown Breda and Spaceman will have Galaxy/outer space like visuals synched to it, you won’t believe what is coming at you, especially as the visuals will feature on a massive 30 meter wide LED screen, this all going down in a massive venue called the Jaarbeurs (one of the biggest convention centers in The Netherlands).”
So a high five to Ruud then for bringing us this spectacle?
“Yes, the idea came from Ruud. He was looking for a new challenge. He is a great artist who brings art, photography and video together in into one discipline, come and check it out if you can. I took a sneak peak and it will be great!!”
ID&T looks awesome this year – for people who haven’t been before out there, what is the event all about and who is going to be there artist wise this year?
Energy is a huge indoor dance event in Utrecht, The Netherlands with great performing artists from around the world performing such as Tiesto, Fedde Le Grand, Eric Prydz, Sander van Doorn and many many more…”
Your press people claim you are “the DJ with the everlasting shelf life” – do you feel like that every Monday morning?
“Not every Monday morning haha! The weekends can be really exhausting. My life is sometimes a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. Always on the road and the weekend can be heavy.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
01 – Hardwell & Dannic – Kontiki [Revealed]
02 – Dyro & Rene Kuppens – Raid [Revealed]
03 – Jordy Dazz – OMG [PROMO]
04 – Dada Life – Rollingstone T-Shirt [So Much Dada]
05 – Alesso – Years [Refune]
06 – Hardwell – Spaceman [Revealed]
07 – Dannic – Doster [Revealed]
08 – Bingo Players – L’Amour [Hysteria]
09 – Tiesto & Hardwell – Zero76 [Musical Freedom]
10 – Nari & Milani – Atom [Size Records]
You have a massive tour coming up, America beckons…you looking forward to hitting the road again?
“I really love touring! A packed schedule with crazy gigs around the globe and life on the road gives tons of inspiration.”
What is coming next from the famous Hardwell studio…
“Hardwell & Dannic – ‘Kontitiki’. We are looking to release this track in May, it’s a banger so keep an eye out.”
Taking a breath, did you ever think all of this was going to happen so quickly for you? You have a fabulous career ahead of you young man!
“I was and am happily surprised to see how fast my career progressed and still is at the moment. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do and hope to continue doing this for a long long time. During the last years I worked really hard on producing new sounds, fat tracks and put loads of energy in my label, I think this is all coming to fruition but it is only an incentive for me to keep at it and make loads of good tunes. Stay hungry or go hungry.”
Where were you on New Years Eve – how was it?
“I had two gigs in the USA during New Years Eve in San Diego and Hollywood. Both gigs were amazing and it was a huge experience for me, especially because it was the first time for me to celebrate New Year outside of The Netherlands and doing two gigs in one night really took the cake for me it was unreal but great!!”
Miami WMC is ahead – what tunes are you taking and where will you be playing?
“I will bring loads of Hardwell bangers, will feature loads of tunes in my set that are out on Revealed and many more of course.”
What is the best record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Tiesto & Hardwell – ‘Zero 76’ is one of my greatest records and is still destroying the dancefloor!”
We see what Sander Kleinenberg is doing with his DJ VJing show, you have now brought your new visual show to the world. So how difficult do you think it is for a kid out there wanting to break through the ranks with just an ability to mix records and become famous? Today, the stakes are so much higher…
“I think the basic of DJing is the music. Visuals and all the other things are just secondary to the music, but when done properly a great addition to that. For new DJ’s it is important to focus on the music, their technique and most importantly work with the crowd. If you play the music with feeling and make music with feeling you will get there eventually. Visuals are great for huge events, but in the essence it’s all about the music to my opinion.”
Who are your DJ heroes?
“Tiesto and Chuckie are definitely two of my biggest DJ heroes…”
What events are you looking forward to this Summer?
“I am really looking forward for all the big summer festivals and also for my upcoming Europe and America Tours.”
What was your first break in the music world?
“The way I see it my career has seen two major breakthroughs. The first one was when I was 14 and licensed my first track. The second break was when I was 18 and made the bootleg of ‘Show Me Love’, this bootleg was picked up by all the famous DJ’s in the world!”
And finally, how do you chill out? What records non electronic do you listen to, what films do you watch…how do you switch off?
“I love to hang out with my friends and family in my spare time, it is a good way for me to relax. The music that I listen to when I chill out ranges from Adele to The Prodigy, I like all kinds of music styles, this is the same for the movies I watch…”
www.djhardwell.com
www.ruuddewild.com
