One of the youngest in his ilk to take the dance world by storm, Dutch DJ Hardwell speaks exclusively to MiDDAY a week before his gig in Mumbai
Most 20-year-olds would go the whole hog just to be “seen” at some of the most happening gigs across the world. But this 24-year-old is right there — at the console, spinning some of the most happening acts, globally. Currently, ranked No. 6 on the list of top 100 DJs in the world, Robbert van de Corput or Hardwell will be performing in the city next week, adding to the list of top DJs that have performed in India, this year. The young DJ from the Netherlands, who has been Djing since he was 14 years, has worked with the likesu00a0of Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Tiëstou00a0and Rihanna.
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Excerpts from an interview
You’re just 24, and you’ve have been DJing for a decade. Now, being in the Top 10 is an added incentive. How does it feel, and what do you believe is crucial to stay on top?
To be ranked No. 6 DJ (by DJ MAG) was unreal and something I could only have dreamed of! It’s an amazing feeling to be doing what I love and get so much love back from the fans. It’s important to put out tracks and remixes, constantly, and evolve with the scene. Work hard and be original are the keywords for this.
From what you have heard of India, what are you expecting from your gig here? Apart from your set, any to-do lists for your stay in Mumbai?
A crazy dancefloor, full of music lovers, and a fantastic atmosphere. Sadly I won’t get much time to see the city because my time is limited on this tour. I’m hoping to come back in 2013. I am expecting to get some time to sightsee. I’m looking forward to this event. In fact, this is the first time I’ll be performing for fans in Mumbai inside a hangar — this is something that has never been done in
India before. I am looking forward to an
epic evening.
Have you heard any works by Indian artistes? Or plans for collaborations?
I’m afraid I’m not really familiar with Indian artistes, but it would be cool to explore working with Indian artistes if there was the right producer or singer to work with. Any suggestions?
What can we look forward to for your Mumbai gig?
There will be a few exclusive tracks and mash-ups. My new single with Amba Shepherd, Apollo is currently No. 1 on the Beatport charts, so expect a special moment for that somewhere in my set.
Tell us about your memorable experiences while DJing? Any favourite artistes to work with or any DJ from the current lot who inspires you?
Tiësto has always been my biggest source of inspiration. Working with him more in the future would be exciting. Recently, I played a show in my hometown, Breda in the Netherlands, where my entire family and friends watched me play live. That gig was truly special and was incredibly emotional having everyone I know and love there.
If not House or Electronic or Progressive Trance, what genre of music would you love to experiment with?
I would love to produce a soundtrack for a movie and also do the sound design.
On December 9, The Hangar, JVPD Grounds, Juhu.
For tickets www.eventstation.com
DJ Avicii with Sonu Nigam
Music news alert!
Two is company
Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam has collaborated with International Electronic Dance Music (EDM) sensation Avicii for a collaborative single, titled Indian Levels. The collaboration features Nigam’s vocal talents laced over world no 3 DJ Avicii’s house beats on his global hit Levels. Nigam expresses, “My experience during the working of the Avicii collaboration has been something very unique. From understanding Avicii’s body of work considering the fact that I had heard his music before, to exploring the deeper facets of it before composing and writing on Levels, I enjoyed every bit of it. I’m super excited that the song is going to be out, and with me the entire social networking is going crazy and looking forward to it”.
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