Interview Paul Van Dyk
We catch up with the legendary DJ ahead of his set at Gatecrasher Seven
Interview: Paul Van Dyk
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You’re a hugely successful DJ in your own right. How did you first become interested in dance music?
I grew up in East Berlin so I couldn’t go to any clubs. We were able to listen to West Berlin radio stations, which is how I began to find out about electronic music in the early stages and I became really excited about it. When the wall came down I went to all the clubs
How would you describe the music scene in Berlin today?
It’s very intense in it’s own way. What you experience in Berlin you cannot experience anywhere else. It’s very dark, very minimal, very basic. The clubs hold maybe 500 people so we do not have the same sense of a ‘superclub’. It’s very individual – put it that way.
What have you got planned for the rest of the summer?
Obviously I’m playing Ibiza a lot and quite a few festivals along with North and Latin America. When I’m not travelling, I’m working on my next album which is due to be released in February or March next year.
How would you describe the Ibiza club scene for someone who has never been?
Well I’m touring internationally all of the time, and so my fan base is very international. When I play in Ibiza, people from all over the world are together in one room and that makes it very special. People from Argentina are next to people from New York and Germany and all over the world. Everybody is in one room, enjoying electronic music all together, which makes it far more intense.
Is there a high demand for the epic Ibiza classics when you play, or are the crowds really excited for the new records?
I think it’s a combination of both. I think my crowd expects me to play some new stuff, something that excites them but then again, in Ibiza, people expect the massive, monster classics. They are great tunes so it’s not a big stretch to play them.
You’ve recently been celebrating 10 years of your record label Vandit. What has this meant to you?
It’s great. We aren’t like a typical record label because we don’t make any contracts with our artists. If somebody doesn’t want to release their records with us then they are free to go, so anyone who is with us, is with us because they want to be with us. It’s like a family affair in a way; we all enjoy each other’s company and music.
Vandit is committed to discovering new talent. Can you recommend any new artists?
Someone who is definitely up and coming is Arty and he has already created some monster tunes. He’s very unique; his music has a house feel to it but it’s very trance at the same time. I have played everything he has done so far.
In September you’re coming to play at Gatecrasher in Leeds. What do you think of the city? How receptive are the crowds?
Whenever I’ve been there it’s been really cool, so I’m coming back.
How has the face of trance and electronic music changed while you’ve been making and producing music?
Well in the early 90s it was still a really small subculture, and it’s since developed into one of the biggest music cultures in the world. I’m not dividing music. Many trends have happened and many genres of music have emerged; you can call them whatever you want, it’s still electronic music. The only thing that matters is good quality music.
You’ve won a whole bunch of awards already, and you’ve already established your own label. Where do you go from here?
To be honest, the next gig is always the next challenge. I always give 100%. I have a clear idea of the kind of music that I want to play but I don’t have a pre-packed set; the music I play is down to interaction with the audience.
25 September, Gatecrasher Seven, £17 (£13.50 NUS)
Posted on Wednesday 1st September 2010
Gatecrasher Seven
54 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NU
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