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DJ MADSKILLZ is in great demand as both a DJ and producer.
An Amsterdam native, his CV already boasts more than 90 productions and his house and tech house sound always brings a unique, energetic twist to his popular DJ sets.
We caught up with him this month to find out what makes his planet spin:
Interview|
Podcast|
Upcoming releases|
Hear him|
Charts|
Congrats, you’ve just had a #1 Beatport hit with the Air Miles rmx with 2000 and One. So what do you think it takes to make a track a #1 hit?
Thanks! It feels great that so many people like our style of creating electronic dance music so that it became a hit. And I think that’s the answer to your question. It’s not like there’s a special recipe to create a number one tune..... In this business it has to work on the dance floor, that’s for sure.....
You’ve been in the business 20 years, so how did you discover dance music?
When I was fifteen (1984) I listened a lot to well known pirate stations in those days. That’s how I discovered the first big electro hip hop acts like Afrika Bambataa, New Cleus, Cybotron (Juan Atkins), Hashim. This music was so different then all the mainstream music at that moment and I really got in it. I started buying records around 1985. In that same period I met Dylan (2000 and One) for the first time, who was active in the same scene - and working in the same supermarket ;)
When did you start producing? And DJing?
When I discovered electronic dance music I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
I only didn’t know in what way. I didn’t have the money to buy expensive equipment so I bought a Casio sampling keyboard and an second hand Roland TR 909 drumcomputer ...which was cheap in that time cause everyone wanted a Roland 808 :)
In 1989 I discovered house music after visiting club Roxy for the very first time.Together with Dylan Hermelijn we created our first e.p in 1991 as “Edge of Motion”, it was called “Set up 707” on Djax records and it became a massive hit. I started Djing around 1999.
Which role do you prefer DJing or producing?
Tough question. I think producing, that was my first love and I like to spend days alone in the studio. Back in the days I wasn’t really enthralled by just spinning records; I was particularly interested in new techniques to make music. But I have to say that nowadays it’s great to see a club full of party people go wild on your latest production.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?
“Leave your wife now!”
Beer or vodka?
Vodka!!! Straight up with ice or lemon……..No beer for me.
What food/cuisine would you get out of bed for?
I’m not getting out of bed for food! Need my sleep.. But …love the eastern kitchen! Japanese, Thai and Indian. I’m vegetarian and the Indian kitchen got a great choice of vega dishes.
The record you feel most proud of? why?
That would be the latest track I made. It’s always like that; once a project is finished I’m proud for a couple of weeks and then up for the next on! Always staying focused on getting better.
If you could only listen to one track for the rest of your life – what would it be?
If I have to listen to it for the rest of life it would be an Ambient track I think, something from Brian Eno or the early work of Aphex Twin.
What made you come up with the name DJ Madskillz?
I did a lot of different productions, under different names, in different genres in the last 20 years. People around me were always surprised to hear that I also could make a good Drum & Bass, Electronica or Ambient track. “This boy got some skillz!” So that’s how I came up with the alias of Madskillz. In that time you also had a rapper in the USA calling himself Madskillz so that why I always put the DJ in front of it.
What are you obsessed with at the moment?
TV series. Watch them all! Lost, Dexter, The Wire, Carnivale, Sopranos.......Great way to spend your spare free time; just hanging on your couch getting sucked in to that story that continues for hours and hours.
Where were you on 31 December 2009?
I just became a father of a beautiful boy, Kai Noa, so I decided for the first time in ten years to stay home with the family on the holidays.
Where do you get inspiration for your sound?
Mostly by listening to all kinds of other music, and that can be Jazz, Ambient, Soul, Drum&Bass or other Techhouse productions. But also a good movie or a great holiday…. Everything can inspire.
Do you have a secret weapon?
Yes! But it’s a “secret” weapon, and that’s not so secret anymore if I’m going to tell everyone, right? ;)
Madskillz 2.0: So are you into twitter, facebook etc?
Myspace|
Twitter|
Soundcloud|
Facebook|
Resident Advisor|
What can a club expect if they book you?
Funky, Fresh, Amsterdam, Tech House, Dance floor material!
Future projects?
I did spend a lot of time in my studio the last couple of months while keeping an eye on the baby ;)
I’ve been working on remixes the last couple of weeks for Noir Music & Mobilee and did some remixing together with partner in crime 2000 and One for Gregor Tresher and Doomwork & Neuroxide.
Further I did some collaboration with Anton Pieete, Sandy Huner & 2000 and One and of course some new solo material coming up. All going to be released in 2010!
PODCAST: 70 Minutes of Madskillz Madness
He's taken time out this month to mix 70 minutes of Madskillz Madness for you. Happy listening! (Feel free to share the link)
70 minutes of Madskillz Madness by Planet Gong
RECENT & UPCOMING RELEASES/REMIXES
OUTNOW
Surface EP [Bitten]
DJ Madskillz & 2000 and one rmx - Air Miles by Christian Smith & Reset Robot [100% Pure]
OUT IN MARCH & APRIL
DJ Madskillz rmx - Lovers N Fighters by Kruse & Nuernberg [Noir Music]
DJ Madskillz rmx - Mr. Bean Do An E by Dan Curtin [Mobilee]
DJ Madskillz & 2000 and one rmx - Andromeda by Doomwork & Neuroxyde [100% Pure]
HEAR DJ MADSKILLZ OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ON
February 20th - PARADISO (Voltt) - Amsterdam, Netherlands
February 27th - GARDEN CLUB (Toxic) - Winterthur, Switzerland
March 13th - THE RUMBLE - Malmo, Sweden
DJ MADSKILLZ CHARTS
| 1. |
All Night - Bart Skils [100% Pure] |
| 2. |
Nu Wim De Wa - SIS [Cecille] |
| 3. |
Loves ‘n Fighter - Kruse and Nuernberg (DJ Madskillz rmx) [Noir Music CDR] |
| 4. |
Andromeda
- Doomwork & Neuroxyde (DJ Madskillz & 2000 and One rmx) [100% Pure] |
| 5. |
Sparrows - Anton Pieëte & DJ Madskillz [CDR] |
| 6. |
Feed The Freezer - Nic Fanciulli [Rejected] |
| 7. |
This Day Next Year - Anton Pieëte [CDR] |
| 8. |
I Really - Sandrien feat. Kelly Mark [Intacto] |
| 9. |
Necotine - Hermanez [Leena] |
| 10. |
Lame Dun Singe - Plaupez (John Gurd rmx) [Tretmuehle] |
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