Get Audio+
Hot FM
Kool 101
Eight FM
Fly FM
Molek FMInterview: Woody van Eyden
Woody van Eyden is no stranger to the trance music scene. He’s known for choons such as ‘Unfinished Symphony’, ‘Y68’ as well as collabos with Alex MORPH on ‘I Love Trance’ and ‘Turn It On’. His international appeal has made him one of the most wanted remixer and producer for people like Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyke, Talla 2XLC and more. Woody also delivered the official anthem for this year’s Nature One, which is one of the biggest outdoor dance festivals in Europe. His weekly radio show called HeavensGate with Alex MORPH and event series of the same name is getting mad love around the world too. We spoke to Woody before he sets Mist’s dancefloor on fire with his HeavensGate Asia Tour for Klubbers.net Anniversary Party this weekend.
Howdy! How’s week been so far?
Just came back from Ibiza where we had our HeavensGate radioshow live from Cafe Mambo! Was really good to be back on the island!
Was there a particular track that made you fell in love with trance music?
Vernon ‘The Wonderer’! A beautiful piece of vocal trance from the early 90s!
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the dance music scene since you started?
The cost to make music. When I started working in a studio, it was like $700 per day and the production took 2 weeks at least! Today you get a computer and some software, which are not really expensive. Plus, if you know what you’re doing, you can do a final production within hours – not talking about the quality, which is just phenomenal today.
How do you stay fresh in music?
I listen to a lot of different styles of music to know what’s going on and to get inspired for production as well as DJing. I receive countless promo links each week, so I’m always informed about new stuff.
How’s your working process like?
At the beginning, I already know how it should sound at the end, and then it’s only matter of finding the way to do it. I don’t always follow the same scheme. Sometimes I start with some percussions, loops and kick drums, sometimes with a melody or atmospheric sounds. I also work with vocals – sometimes the vocals are done after the music, sometimes the music has to be done for vocals that are already there. So my working process always depends on my creative mood.
What’s the most memorable gig you’ve played this year?
The closing set at Nature One till 9 o’clock in the morning together with Alex MORPH was really great, one of my favourites this year!
What about the weirdest gig you’ve ever played?
I played in a subway train that was constantly moving! People couldn’t get out, so I played very experimental, it was a really weird experience!
What would you consider as your proudest achievement of your career?
As a DJ, being on a high level since so many years is a lifetime achievement that makes me proud. As a music manager, I completely built up the ATB brand from zero (we split up 5 years ago though), and I also was the managing force behind Alex MORPH’s career.
What do you like most about Asia?
The food! My mother lived in Indonesia when she was a nurse; she learned how to cook those days, and so all my family was into Indonesian food. So I always prefer that Asian cuisine to the European. Selamat makan.
How’s the dance scene in Germany this year?
The festivals are really on a very high level, so it was a big shock to see what happened at the Love Parade this year. It’s a big loss and damage for the dance scene, although it didn’t have anything to do with the music genre itself.
What’s hot on your music player right now?
The new mix album from Ferry Corsten. Great!
That’s quite a fancy skyline in your Twitter profile picture. Where was that taken?
That was taken in Holland last year at the beach where I played for an Intuition Summer Festival. That sky was just amazing!
Can you share something that we don’t know about your buddy Alex MORPH?
Alex is a fantastic painter of arts, he is really good – we should do an exhibition!
If you weren’t a DJ, what would you be doing?
A singer, definitely a singer! Just standing there and sing! Unfortunately I don’t have a voice for that, but I’m a trained singer due to my mother, she was a classical opera singer!
Any advise to the new DJs who want to make it in the industry?
Just find your music you want to represent 100%, find your audience that wants to listen, and don’t be boring. Interact with the people and make them go crazy!
What can we expect from you in the following months?
There’s a new vocal track in the pipeline (a co-op with Steve Anderson) as well as a co-op track with Rapid sense aka Activa. A few remixes will also see the light of day!
Thanks Woody!
Thanks JUICE!
Woody van Eyden will be in town for Klubbers.net Anniversary Party pres. HeavensGate Asia Tour at Mist on Saturday, 2 October 2010. More on Woody van Eyden at www.woodyvaneyden.com.
Image Global Sound Masters