Born in Amsterdam. Raised on music. Superstars alert
The NO_ID duo kicked off in the year 2008, formed by two local heroes joining forces and instantly shaking the Dutch DJ scene by winning the Amsterdam Dance Event Demolition Contest with one of their first tracks called ‘Wurld’. NO_ID tries to create a new and fresh international big room, proggy house sound, that is rarely found on the Dutch and international dance floors nowadays. Constantly finding new ways to enthuse and arouse their audiences, that is what NO_ID stands for and where these two guys put their faith in. Firm believers in the element of surprise, they let the music speak for itself as they play. Projects of NO_ID have been released on Diffused Music, Armada Music, Ultra Records, Toolroom Records, Spinnin’ Records, Cr2 Records, and others. Supported by the likes of Axwell, Tiësto and Sander van Doorn, they have had an impress array of releases to date. Starting off with ‘Nothing Left To Lose’ on Cr2 Records that was followed by two massive releases on Diffused Music: the ‘Sex Sells EP’and ‘How R U Feeling Right Now’, accompanied by the Axwell approved Michael Woods edit. 2012 started with a huge bang! NO_ID was personally asked by Swedish House Maffia’s Axwell to join forces with his Axtone Management team, giving them the opportunity to sign at one of the most recommended and renown booking agencies worldwide, ATM Artists – the homebase of Axwell, Dirty South, Moby and others. First up? Warming up for Axwell at one of New Yorks most hyped events in 2012 already: Cosmic Opera at the Hammerstein Ballroom! These guys are massive.
Words: Dan Prince
Hi guys, welcome to DMCWORLD. Okay, let’s get this one out of the way. Urban myth or truth? Did you really play field hockey against each other years ago, I know Holland has a very good national team, but come on…???
“It’s the truth! Field hockey is actually really big in Holland! And that’s where we first met.”
Devi – now that you are bringing home the bacon, did your grandmother ever forgive you for spending all of the money she saved up for your driving license on DJ equipment?
“Haha! I think she never knew that I used that for my DJ equipement. When my mom caught me with those turntables I had to sell everything again! Fortunately after a while she realized that I was so passionate about EDM that I was alowed to buy a new pair of turntables later on.”
Ralph – you started out in the DJ world spinning fluffy house Defected type tunes – was there one particular track that grabbed you back then?
“When I first heard ‘No Reason’ by Mambana on a Hed Kandi compilation, I went through the roof. I was so in love with those melodies and vocal hook, very innovative for that time. When I put that track on, it made me feel like I could take on the world! Also, a track that influenced me lot was Ever After by Rasmus Faber. I played that track over and over again, could never get enough of it.”
2012 started really well for you with Axwell asking you to join forces with his Axtone Management team. What are you hoping they can bring to the table for you?
“They gave us the opportunity that we can do what we love best. Making music full-time. Also, putting us in the right spotlights which is what we have been working really hard for these past three years. It is a real honor to be asked by Axwell to join his Axtone Management team. The signing on Axtone has opened so many new doors already that always have been closed for us before.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. Henrik B ft Rudy – Leave A Light On (NO_ID remix)
2. Michael Woods – Full Access (to Atlanta NO_ID Booty)
3. Ivan Gough, Feenixpawl – In My Mind (Axwell remix)
4. Arty, Matisse & Sadko – Trio
5. Cirez D – Mokba (NO_ID’s Acident Booty)
6. NO_ID – How R U Feeling Right Now (NO_ID’s special Josh wink version)
7. Dirty South – Walking Alone (Arty remix)
8. NO_ID – Mantaz (NO_ID What Happened Booty)
9. NO_ID & Martin Volt – Zelda
10. M83 – Midnight City (Eric Prydz remix)
Miami WMC is up and coming – your first appearance! What are you expecting?
“We’ve been waiting for a very long time to attend and play at such amazing and big gigs. A real dream come true. We expect it to be massive, an experience we will never forget.”
Talk us through your ‘Zelda’ tune and where you are going to play it Miami wise…
“When we first made the idea for Zelda with our buddy Martin Volt, we wanted to make a proper feel good rave tune with a nice 8-bit melody line. Inspired by the old gameboy game The Legend of Zelda, we wanted to try to bring that happy and adventurous vibe alive. We were watching Link (the main character of the game) walking through those mazes, while making the break. We’ve been asked by Hardwell to play at his Miami Revealed Night on Friday March 23rd, so obviously we will be playing the tune – a scoop for the audience!”
How would you describe your musical style?
“We are not trying to limit ourselves to one kind of musical style. We do what we like, and don’t assume anything. Swedish House Mafia described our style as bringing that sexyness back into house music. We are always trying to catch the right NO_ID groove, a track just really has to fit into the storyline of our set.”
So we come back to yours after the club, what is the NO_ID Back To Mine Top 10 you spin us to carry on the groove?
1. Miike Snow – Burial
2. Kraak & Smaak – My Synths Are The Bomb
3. Jay Z & Kanye West – Why I Love You
4. Jay Z & Kanye West – Made In America
5. Beastie Boys – Sneakin’ Out The Hospital
6. Kraak & Smaak – California Roll
7. Kettel – Bodpa
8. Royksopp – Alpha Male
9. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
10. Stimming – Melodica
What is your guilty pleasure song?
Ralph: “‘Duck Sauce’ – Barbra Streisand. Secretly love the New York house sound that Armand van Helden and A-track are pulling off in this track.”
Devi: “2Unlimited – ‘No Limit’.”
You said in 2011 that Amsterdam needs to reinvent itself saying that Dutch people are very spoiled when it comes to dance music. Your studio is in the heart of the Dam, you live there and play there. So what needs to change?
“We think there’s definitely a need for renowned Dutch DJs to come back to the Dutch dance floors. Because of their worldwide appeal and many opportunities, we rarely see them in their home country. We think that’s a shame, because Holland has so much more to offer than it is doing now!”
What is your earliest musical memories growing up?
Ralph: “Playing one of Santana’s albums from my mother, who’s a big fan. Those grooves just amazed me at a young age, and I still love to hear those songs. So timeless!”
Devi: “I was really into Michael Jackson. I think I learned my first dance moves on the Thriller album.”
Best club you have rocked so far?
“Definitely the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. The atmosphere was so amazing! We have never experienced such an inspiring venue, knowing that super stars like Jay-Z and Madonna have performed there too.”
Not many people know this, but NO_ID are really good at?
“Not giving up! If you really want to achieve something in your life, you have to work really hard for it, don’t quit until you are there!”
Dead or alive, what artist would you love to get into the studio and collaborate with?
“We actually have two, if that’s ok. Axwell and Eric Prydz – no further explanation needed.”
