How do you handle music requests?
I rarely ever get them, but if I do, my usual go-to line is “I’ll check to see if I have that track, and if I don’t, I’ll play something similar.”If they come back again, I’ll say, “I already played something similar!” It’s done in good humor. I think it gets the point across.
What do you do when equipment goes on strike?
Go and improvise! I’ve been doing this for a very long time so I trust that I can handle whatever may come about.
What are your musical influences from childhood?
My musical influences range from classical music and jazz to alternative rock and metal to Eurodance and trance, even pop music and music from all over the world, like the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Latin America. I was fortunate that my parents listened to music from all over the world when I was growing up. It has certainly shaped my musical identity in many ways.
I was recently a guest on Marc DePulse’s “How I Met The Bass” radio show (episode 213), and I answer this question by only letting the music do the talking. Feel free to check it out!
Is it even possible to argue about musical tastes?
Music is largely subjective. There was some study done that tried to link different musical tastes with personality traits and other characteristics. I think musical tastes can reflect a lot about a person, so that’s an interesting topic to bring up at the next party.
Which track would run when you moved into your boxing match?
I don’t know why, but Meck – Windmills (Bart Claessen Remix) comes to mind. It’s an old track, but maybe that’s what would be best in the ring!
What was the worst job you ever had?
I worked at a mortgage lending company for less than 2 months while I was in uni. I absolutely hated it. The environment was awful, and the industry was completely un interesting, especially for a college kid who was obsessed with electronic music.
Describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before.
Ethereal, dreamy, melancholy, yet transcendental. If we’re talking about Beatport genres, mostly melodic house and techno and progressive house, though I tend to allow influences from other genres in like organic house and deep house into my productions. These days I’m really digging this blend of melodic techno and afro-house.
Do you have any good tour stories from clubs or festivals?
Too many to mention! One of my most memorable gigs was on New Year’s Eve inside an old docked ship in a harbour somewhere in San Francisco. I felt like I was in an old James Bond movie, but the vibe in the ship was just surreal. I once played at a club in Berlin for 7 hours, which was absolutely incredible. One of the best parties I’ve ever played. Those 7 hours flew by so fast, I was definitely in a flow state and can all hear the crowd cheering in my head when I think about it.
What would you do if you weren’t a musician?
As a kid, I wanted to be a movie director. Maybe something within that realm.
Which style of music should have the most followers? And why?
Well, by definition, “popular music” is music made for the masses, so thinking rationally, I’d say “pop music”, even though that’s not my favourite answer. If we can let my biases in here, then of course I’d say, “Whatever is in my Spotify playlists!”
What is the most important musical equipment invention of all time – and why? I’d say the harpsichord, which later became the piano. It has become the default instrument format of choice for most modern electronic music producers. We use MIDI controllers and synths these days, but it all started from the harpsichord. If we were talking about the digital age, I would say MIDI, because it finally made it possible for musical instruments to communicate with computers and other MIDI-equipped tools. But for all time, the harpsichord!
What would you advise for someone wanting to become a professional? First, decide to become a professional. Then stop at nothing to make it happen. Figure out where the gap is between where you are and where you want to be, then give it everything you’ve got!
