Infusion interviews Paul van Dyk

Dubai | 12/02/2010

PAUL VAN DYK
Grammy nominated DJ and audio-architect Paul van Dyk steps into Infusion Towers for a chat about private jets, playing to a crowd of 1 million people and why you should only do it for the music…

One of the hardest working DJs in history, PvD has a successful history of productions and global tours behind him, in addition to his hugely successful Vandit Records label. Having also remixed and produced for hit films, pop artists and receiving many prestigious industry awards, we’re amazed the Berlin-born talent has much left on his career to-do list.

You’ve been ranked World’s Number 1 DJ twice by DJ Mag. How seriously do you take this competition, and view it as a reflection of your success?

I don’t see it as a competition – at least not on a personal level. This list is to show how big and diverse the music scene is. You have people from house, drum and bass, trance music – all that in the list shows which genres have strong music cultural power. It is an honor to be on the list, whether number 100 or 1000. There are other lists where you have a different ranking; I believe it’s a snapshot by the readers and listeners. What’s important is to have a clear idea of what you want and bring the interaction to the audience and be their favourite DJ during the time you are performing.

It’s a well known fact that you are credited as one of the hardest working DJs who travels around the world around over 16 times each year! How do you cope with this? Private jet or in-flight massages?

I’m not a big fan of private jets, only if the schedule requires, otherwise I prefer a big plane. Most of the time I get on board I fall asleep, so I don’t want to be interrupted by in-flight massages. I prefer taking the time to rest and actually rest.

Although playing to an immense crowd must be epic, (Paul has played to a crowd in Brazil of 1 million NYE 2008/9) some DJs prefer the interaction with a smaller crowd. Where do you stand on this?

I have a pretty clear idea of the sound I want to play and it nearly always depends on the interaction with the crowd. Obviously it would be a different interaction with 1 million people on the beach like it was in Brazil or 1.5 million in Berlin compared to 1000 people or even smaller numbers. It’s still an interaction and I always try to connect with the audience and bring them together to create a great evening. I enjoy both; I enjoy the big power of a crowd of people as much as the more intimate feel of a smaller venue.

In recent years a trend has began for the dissolution of traditional barriers between genres, with top DJs remixing and producing for pop and even R’n’B artists. There have been critics that say this will eventually have a detrimental impact and dissolve genres completely. What are your thoughts on this?

One thing that I always said is that I don’t categorise music. There is pop music, rock music, then there is electronic music. I think it’s quite interesting for an artist to interact with those different genres. I remix Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, U2. Some of the critics are possibly right, but when I remix these artists I give them a sound that comes from our culture, unlike some other productions in 2009 that have become an over the top cheesy pop production with a dance music element that gets confused with something that has come from our scene. In a way I disagree in terms of splitting up genres and building boundaries but I agree that if it’s the only reason you do that is to be famous then that’s the wrong way. You should only do it for the music.

You other accolades include work for EA Games, MTV Cribs, the film Into the Blue, while you also have more traditional industry awards including International Dance Music Award (Best Euro DJ) and a Grammy nomination. Which of these are you most proud of?

I’m not doing what I do to get an award, although it is a big honour. It’s great when you get a reward for your work, but that should never be your goal. Your goal should be to actually make a track that first of all you really like. Even if it’s just for one person, you have to convince them that this music means something and I think that’s what is really really important. To be able to bring that across will lead to success. I am proud of all of these prizes but something that is more important is the award by my country was - the Medal of Honour for my charity work. To be acknowledged for that work by your state is perhaps even more special.

With a successful career still on the ascent, can you imagine a time when you will retire?

Right now I still have so many plans, I have a release structure for this year I’m making music all the time, plus my music label Vandit Records celebrates its 10 year anniversary so there is a big birthday planned. It’s very hectic and to be honest I can’t see me retiring. Everything that happens in a new challenge and everything that happens is something that drives me.

Do you have any new year’s resolutions?

My new years’ resolutions are to not have any. The most common are to not smoke and I don’t smoke. I would like to do more sport and working out. But I don’t have any so then I can’t break one!

You also have commitments to politics and social issues, with a children’s charity you set up in India’s Mumbai and work with the German Red Cross. Do you feel that with your celebrity status you have a better opportunity to contribute to these causes?

My political agenda was certainly influenced by growing up in East Germany. I don’t know if my celebrity statue helps my charity work, but I think that democracy is the best concept for all of us to live together. A healthy democratic society is when people are getting involved. These are not small things; when you see a grandmother crossing over the road you go help, or if you have the ability to do bigger things then you do. It helps in terms of me talking about issues and making people aware of these things. People get involved themselves and try and change.

Fast forward to 2020 – what are you doing?

Probably travelling less, probably being very sad that my dogs won’t be alive anymore and in positive terms I hope that I will be able to make music and work with artists until I retire.

Catch Mr. PvD himself playing at Chi on Feb 19th – we’ll be there, where will you be?
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What was your top gig of 2009?
European music awards in Berlin; the kick-off event the week before was amazing.
What are you most looking forward to in 2010?
The 10 year anniversary of our record label – we’re gonna party like it’s 1999!
What’s your favourite top track?
The One by Tom Colontonio.
Who was your last phonecall to?
My assistant.
What does your last text message read?
Are you going and when are you going to Kentucky?
Where is your favourite space?
My house.
Where were you 3 hours ago?
At our stables.
Describe yourself in 5 words?
This is not possible at all.