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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! | | Goa based party animal and artist extraordinaire Nirmal talks punk concerts, metal sculptures, flying and rippin' it up on a High Tide! | | DJ Wired talks to us about the Rise of the Hope and parties, ahead of his upcoming set at Tribal Village on 14th January 2022! |
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Paul van Dyk: the people’s interview
Reported by HarderFaster
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Submitted 25-05-06 18:49
Whether you believe the DJ Mag polls or not, there’s no question that Paul van Dyk is one of (if not THE), world’s top djs. And, as it turns out, he’s also one of the nicest guys in the industry.
With Paul coming over for one of the UK’s biggest trance parties this Sunday at Goodgreef at Yarm’s Tall Trees as part of his The Politics of Dancing 2 tour, HarderFaster was given the rare chance to ask the man some questions. Paul is currently working in the studio on his new album, due to be released in Spring 2006, so his set at Goodgreef is an exclusive opportunity for UK fans to hear his brand new yet unreleased material.
When asked for some questions to pose to Paul (or PVD as he’s also known as), the HF massive rose to the occasion and came up with some great topics for discussion. From his first record to his views on democracy, his favourite djs and producers to his real views on the Top 100 djs Poll, we get the lowdown on Paul van Dyk.
Paul van Dyk grew up in East Berlin and started making mix tapes for his mates at an early age. When a friend gave one of them to a promoter, he got his first big break and knew straight away what he wanted to do with his life. From these humble beginnings as a young East German music buff, PVD not only became one of the world’s top djs, but one of the main ambassadors for dance music and the club scene.
How are you? (Question from g8m8)
Fine — it’s a bit like every other day in Berlin, it’s grey outside but inside everything’s very sunny!
What was it like growing up in East Berlin while the wall was still up, and how did this shape the development of your music (Jon P)
As with every kid, you remember only the good things! My Mum tried to bring me up so I didn’t miss out on anything.
It was only later I realised I was on the wrong side of the wall! Growing up under a communist dictatorship was definitely going to shape my approach to it.
It was purely through radio that I heard any music, I could listen to it but I couldn’t see any tv stations or hold any records in my hands, to even see what the artists looked like. I didn’t know what any of the bands looked like, because I didn’t have record covers or tv programmes. So it was purely musical. So my approach was always music itself . . .
What gave you the inspiration to be a dj? (DJ Zone)
Funnily enough, the fact is I didn’t like the music in clubs in Berlin. When the wall went down we went to all the clubs and the discos and I didn’t like the music!
So I bought records and made tapes for my friends, then one of my friends passed on a tape to a promoter. I got my first gig, then I knew what I wanted to do!
What was the first piece of vinyl you bought? (suzy-q)
The first piece of vinyl I bought or the first piece of vinyl I got? My grandmother was allowed to travel to the West, so she smuggled OMD’s 1st album, ‘Organisation’ for me! The first 12” I bought was ‘Transcendental’ by Ron Allen.
How do you think the trance scene has changed since you started djing (DJ Zone)
Every musical movement has its ups and its downs, but for me it’s all electronic music! There’s definitely genres that rise up and become more interesting — well according to music journalists! Others get put down by music journalists. So it’s really all the same!
In time music is always evolving forward. So if there’s some shift no-one likes just because it’s written about by some journalist doesn’t mean it matters. It’s all about taking sounds you like from all genres and making a sound you like.
Everyone has a different understanding of what trance is. What may be cheesy to me is trance to another, and a track I like may be techno to another. It’s all electronic music I enjoy!
How is the trance and hard trance scene in Germany at the moment? (Latex Zebra)
Well that’s a very good question! There’s great music out of all corners. Euphonic Records is great and ‘Carry Me’ by DJ Talla 2XLC. It’s just coming up with some cool stuff. There’s great stuff from everywhere, you really can’t forget that and don’t categorise it by countries because it’s a global thing from all over the world. It’s a global community, and part of the whole scene.
Where do you see the trance scene going over the next few years? (DJ Zone)
Where do you see the dance/trance scene in ten years time? (djandrewmartin)
Electronic music is the only truly global music culture. You can go anywhere and people enjoy electronic music. There’s always some downfall, like a club closing down. But it’s always evolving and moving forward.
For example, the Chinese venues are just getting bigger and bigger and it’s just a matter of time before they do the first big stadium. They’re always ready for new people. On the one hand, we’re always invited and always giving music.
Have you definitely ditched vinyl and cds? (Matt Diamond)
Don’t you think going digitally is a bad example for the young generation of djs? (Matt Diamond)
I love cds but my vinyl isn’t totally ditched! But I’ve focused more on digital medium music, it’s about breaking boundaries and by using possibilities, you can be so much more creative. The end product is what people are interested in!
But I totally don’t think so! The first big discussion was whether vinyl was better than cd. DJs were asking, “Should we use cds?” etc. It was all nonsense, but I still hesitated . . . It was all nonsense, but there was a hesitation for djs to use cds.
Now kids just use them, for example, Eddie Halliwell — what he does with those Pioneer CD players is f*cking nuts! He had no hesitation, he just went for it and has probably got the best out of the machine.
You can’t stop technology! If something’s good, it benefits the development of music and you can’t stop it! Computer-based technologies have forced creativity. Looking back now, look at what you can do now versus what you could do before . . . before you’d just bring one mix into the next ,. . . .
With the development of new technology in djing, especially with regards to playing sets from a laptop, do you think this detracts in any way from what the purists would class as real djing with decks, or is it just another tool to be embraced for the benefit of both dj and clubber? (Nomi Sunrider)
Totally and absolutely! It’s all in how you use the equipment! I’m not distracted at all. There’s so much more to do than before. You have to concentrate so much more now though! There’s different elements of different tracks. Now you can’t have a drink while you’re waiting for an 8 minute record! It’s too frantic! You’re basically reprogramming and reengineering in front of people and how it works is dependent on the vibe.
It’s so much better for the audience and so much better for me as an artist. I have a clear idea of the audience and it’s all about interacting with them. It’s so much better than before and I love it.
Has your laptop ever crashed during a live set whilst using Ableton and what did you do about it?(K8-e)
I had a few problems with programmes I used a year and a half ago. I couldn’t do much! I had to play normal cds and restart and hope I’d get through then, knock on wood!
With the set up I’ve been using for the last one and a half years, nothing has happened, well except when some of the cables blew!
In the early days your sets were pretty hard, with you playing stuff like Prolekult and other labels like that. Do you still like the hard stuff and where can I hear you play out a set like that? (Latex Zebra)
The thing really is — whoever wrote that question, has he actually heard me play lately?! I do! To be honest, some of the stuff I’m playing is so much harder than the earlier Prolekult stuff. I like the loud moments and I like the quiet moments. I like the uplifts and the moments you can breath through. It makes for an interesting dj set!
What achievement are you most proud of? (DJ Zone)
My marriage!
Who is your favourite dj? (Janie Mac)
What’s your take on whichever dj you like at the moment (g8m8)
I like a lot of djs. To be honest, it’s not all about the style of music, but how the dj plays it. How you feel their heart pumping. If you see Cox djing he has ALL his heart in it, and Halliwell, Jon O’Bir, John Askew, Jon O’Callaghan . . . they’re all doing it from the heart. Even Sasha is doing it in his own quiet way. It’s what I love about the good djs. Nick Warren too!
How important for you was it to gain the No 1 spot in the Top 100 and how did it feel? (Richard Launch)
I don’t want to sound ignorant but it’s not important at all. I don’t do what I do to get some award and to get on some top spot! I put 100% into what I do and I’m very particular about it. So it’s not important as I don’t change.
It makes me very proud and very happy that so many people support what I do and I’m very very thankful. The first thing that came to my mind was I just wanted to send a big thanks to everyone.
Does the fact that numerous djs [on the DJ Mag Top 100 poll rank higher than considerably more talented ones solely based on the genre they play or how well known they are, indicate the pointlessness of the rankings? What about the fact that to highlight this issue, members of TranceAddict.com voted for an unknown bedroom dj who had never even played out, and he got to 110th place? (Kr00t0n)
I haven’t heard about that! If they only got to 110 then it obviously has a point! As I said, I always don’t take a list as a competition, but it shows how great the electronic scene is — there’s trance, electro, breakbeat djs all in there and that’s great!
It’s a sign of how the scene has changed and how global the scene is. It’s really not about a competition! I haven’t heard about what he did and if he only got to 110 then it proves a point!
Your support of causes like ‘Rock the Vote’ in 2004 is well publicised; is your new status as the world’s No 1 DJ opening more doors for you in your support of the causes and giving you access to people you might not have had before? (Markus)
Well it was obviously a campaign towards the Presidential Elections in the States and it’s now over. I support organisations when I can! I’m pretty alive with the causes — see my website help button at www.paulvandyk.de
I’ve always been into meeting politicians and talking about what’s going on and giving an outsider’s view. From my experience they really appreciate it! Being at Number 1 hasn’t changed anything about what I say, but it gives it more value!
I support kids in slums from very unfortunate backgrounds. We’ve created a foundation called Rückenwind together with the German Red Cross to help kids from unfortunate backgrounds, to pre-educate them before they go to school, cos if they don’t get that balance addressed before they start school, then they don’t have a chance. I do this actively.
Another thing I always do is lobbying the politicians, especially for the education system in Germany.
What do you think of shorter set times? 90 mins is too short! Would you ever consider saying “give me 2 hours minimum”? (Phill rr)
When I play a club set it’s for a minimum of two or three hours or even longer. But you have to understand the different concepts of different events. Festivals are an ongoing run of energy. You’re on adrenaline most of the time and it’s a bit of a music convention. Everyone has an hour or so to kick it out, it’s what a festival’s about! You’re bringing people to the high point right away. It’s what makes a festival right.
Do you think the cost of seeing big name djs such as yourself is pushing seeing live performances out of reach for clubbers, or do you think the cost is justified in terms of the types of show that can be put on — visuals, lighting rigs etc. (northernlass)
Sometimes they’re justified in terms of the show they put on! Actually I never know what the fee is! It’s down to the promoters. I’m not the kind of dj who says, “I’m not playing if you don’t pay that!”
I’ve been paid 100 Euros before to play in a small club. There always has to be the right balance, in order for people to be able to pay the fee and give the artist and the owner of the venue and the promoter what they deserve.
What’s the most recent embarrassing thing to happen to you behind the decks? (Exiled Angel)
I picked up the wrong needle on the wrong record . . . there was silence! But obviously that was long ago!
You once played a free party at a cafe in Berlin after the Love Parade, will he do the same again this year, and if so, where? (DJ Gecko)
There’s nothing planned yet so I can’t tell you if and when! It’s always a last minute idea of “let’s do it!” but word gets around quickly.
You wrote ‘For an Angel’ for your girlfriend at the time. Did the massive success of it surprise you? (K8-e)
Success actually came about 4–5 years later, when it was finally released as a 12” single in the UK. It was originally written as a track for my first album in ‘94 and not many people noticed it, it was only later it became successful.
It’s a great track with so much personal memory and it’s respected and loved by many people. It makes me very proud and happy!
What is your favourite dance festival and why? (Matt Diamond)
It’s always changing. In the beginning, I was always playing the big UK festivals as part of a big tradition and I liked it — Homelands, Creamfield, Crasher . . . but one of the reasons I picked my favourite in Germany is because I don’t agree with those festivals now. They built up their own brand using djs and electronic music. Then suddenly they take bands and put them in front of all the djs who’ve been supporting them for years and I don’t agree with that at all. People still go there for the electronic music so it’s disrespectful. But the major one still focussed on electronic music is Full Force. I don’t see the point of putting some rock band in front of djs who’ve supported the promoters right through.
Where is the dance scene going? (Matt Diamond)
Forward — always!
What are your views on djs as a brand, and the associated marketing that goes with it (residency nights, merchandise, etc.) . (northernlass)
If it’s just about the brand then it’s not a good thing. But obviously if you work on a professional level, you have to see what’s going on in your name. If it’s just ‘branding’ then it’s wrong. You have to first of al have something of substance.
What do you think of MySpace? Do you have any concerns at their policies? www1.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=misc.terms (Matt)
I can only give a general answer here as I don’t have a clue about the net! I receive emails on my blackberry and can do music on a computer, but I couldn’t write a letter. I’m a one-sided geek and while I know we have a vital music site at MySpace and some of the comments are forwarded to me every once in a while, I have to be honest and tell you that I don’t get a chance to look at my site that often.
What are your top three tunes? (bottleofwater)
These are always changing, every time I go through my collection — and that’s great!
You’re headlining Goodgreef on Bank Holiday Sunday 28 May at Tall Trees in Yarm as part of your ‘Politics of Dancing 2’ World Tour, alongside Adam Sheridan and Matt Hardwick, and this will be your only North-east appearance in 2006. What can clubbers expect from your set? Do you really think dancing is political or is it just a name? (Tara)
I’ll answer the easy part first. It’s going to be full on energetic! I’m not travelling at the moment so I’m producing an artist album and I’ll definitely be playing tracks off the new album. It’s not due out until Spring 2007 is you’ll get an early preview!
With ‘The Politics of Dancing 2’, well it’s something of a bigger title from ‘The Politics of Dancing 1’. I wanted to make people aware of the misunderstanding about the scene from the public. People thought it was just about music to take drugs to, but it’s definitely the biggest and most peaceful movement in the world, so it’s definitely a diplomatic tool. So there’s definitely some politics involved!
In the meantime, many things have changed since 9/11 and the war on Iraq — it shows democracy is the best thing on the planet. It’s not about waiting for change, but that every single person can change it. If you can see what’s wrong in your neighbourhood, you can do something about it—that’s what I want to encourage. My music and recognition helps me help people to be aware of the fact their voice can change things. That’s what ‘The Politics of Dancing’ message means to me.
Will you play at Dancing for BBC Children in Need this year? (DJ Gecko)
I’m definitely not saying no, because I support a lot of those causes. I’m part of Dance for Life, and Anti-Aids programmes. So it’s not a “no” but I don’t know yet for sure — check my webpage for future dates. You’ll need to get in touch with my office.
A big thanks to Alexa and Markus at Paul’s office, all the HarderFaster members for their questions, Damo from Tandem PR for making this interview possible and of course Paul van Dyk for his time and support.
Exclusive to HarderFaster members: win free downloads!
Paul van Dyk is introducing his new project VONYC.com. VONYC is a platform for national and international artists and labels, offering exciting, fresh content — and the ultimate home for music lovers with a claim on electronic dance music!
Send an email to win@vonyc.com with the subject HARDERFASTER and win downloads at PvD’s Radio and Download Station VONYC.com
All photos courtesy of Paul van Dyk. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Goodgreef and Paul Van Dyk Sun May 28th
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On:
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Sunday 28th May 2006
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At:
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Tall Trees [map]
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From:
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9pm-4am
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Cost:
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Tickets £20+BF / More on the door
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Website:
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www.goodgreef.com
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Ticket Info:
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Info 07790 774 550
01642 786 786
www.goodgreef.com
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More:
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Stop whatever you’re doing.
Make a date in your diary and do it now.
Prepare yourself.
Brace for impact.
And don’t you dare say we didn’t warn you.
Over the past 5 years Goodgreef have never failed to attract the world’s leading trance jocks and on Sunday 28th May 2006 the Best Club in the North – Mixmag have confirmed the current world’s best DJ, as voted in DJ Mag, at to the UK’s biggest club. We’ve captured the imagination of clubbers lured by our big banging beats, spine tingling trance, happy hard dance, funky and jacking house and sleazy electro in venues across the country played by some of the best DJs the UK and world has to offer. GG have created an immense following made from the most up for it and passionate discerning clubs around who flock to Goodgreef events across the UK week in, week out!
That’s right - PAUL VAN DYK is coming to GOODGREEF TALL TREES.
A prolific producer of cutting edge electronic music, epic synths with huge melodic breakdowns, PvD is at the top of music’s elite and this is his ONLY North East appearance of 2006, the only chance to see him in part of his The Politics of Dancing 2 World Tour, so this gig will be road blocked from the word go. You simply cannot afford to miss this unique history in the making event.
And he is not playing alone either.
Supporting PVD is trance favourite Matt Hardwick who is one the UK’s most consistent and much respected DJs and remains one of the most exciting talents of his genre. Also Tiesto endorsed Dutch Duo Mark Norman are back to Goodgreef following their Global trotting tour with Black Hole to blow the roof off with some of their own melodic & driving sounds including hits Stream, Faith and Total Seduction to name but a few. Adam Sheridan is one of the younger faces on the scene and has developed a unique sound using Final Scratch as part of his ‘Digital Performance’ to take you on a journey. He will have the honor of more than suitably closing the night off on a high, while hot prospect James Alexander aka Kid capably gets to the kick the party off with style at the mighty Club M.
Room 2 hosts the House Party in style with Goodgreef original house resident Kris James, supporting him are local heroes, Lee Pennington, Paul Bowen b2b Paul Bardsley from Riff Raff and Dan Sudron b2b Strakes from Kahuna Records.
Expect crazy full club production for this party as Tall Trees looks its best ever with an awesome visual & laser show and usual impeccable attention to detail.
You have been warned – it doesn’t get any better, bigger or badder than this!
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Other Features By HarderFaster:
HarderFaster Awards 2016 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2014 - The results are in!
Lashes, Dimples and the Brighton Music Conference
HarderFaster Awards 2013 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2012 - The results are in!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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