interview: DJ Elroy

When Image asked me to interview Paul van Dyk, I honestly wasn't sure I was up to the task. After all, he is the world's #1 DJ, not to mention one of the most recognized names in the dance music industry and of course an  icon of the electronic culture itself. But as it turns out, he is also one of the most down-to-earth superstars I've had the privilege to talk to.

Success certainly hasn't gone to this man’s head.  

After dialing a cryptic phone listing that had more strange numbers than an Enron budget sheet I was connected to none other than PVD himself. Once the salutations and small talk were out of the way, the conversation turned to something we both love with a passion: music.

How long have you been DJing?
I played my first gig in March of 1991; I’d been DJing a while leading up to that.

And Producing?
Well, I released my first record about a year later in '92; it seems I’ve been almost living in the studio ever since.

Would you call yourself a DJ or Producer?
Honestly, I’d call myself a musician first and foremost. I’m into electronic music, and from that comes the DJing and the Producing. Good DJs and successful Producers should think like musicians.

What is your musical background? How did you get where you are today?
When I was younger I wanted to play guitar, but growing up in East Germany the only thing I was really able to play were the “approved” folk songs and such. I always wanted to play like Johnny Marr of the Smiths but wasn’t really allowed to do it at that time. Once the situation changed, I finally got to spend some creative time on the guitar, and I worked a little with the piano, too. I’ve incorporated what I learned into my electronic music. I still do play the guitar in the studio, but not live. I just don’t have the same confidence with it that I do with my keys…

Speaking of that, what do you use for your live shows?
I run Ableton Live on two computers along with my keyboards, MIDIs, et cetera. Everything is plugged into a custom mixing desk. It’s quite the setup!

It sounds like you tour with your whole studio!
Let me tell you, it really is more about creativity than how much equipment you have. You don’t need a big studio to make good music.

So what goes into making a good track?
Like I said, it comes down to creativity. You need to experiment with different sounds. Programs like Ableton and Logic are good to lay down ideas, but I find that hardware and true analog sound add some depth. If you do everything on the computer it turns into a bowl of mashed potatoes; all the sounds are jumbled together and flat… You’re missing things, sometimes the highs or mids or whatever. Each sound has its own flavor that needs to be brought out.

How has your style changed over the years?
My style is always changing, always evolving, always progressing to the next level. I’m constantly experimenting and trying new things. I’m certainly more confident now than I was when I started. My sound has also matured quite a bit. I used to have co-producers, engineers, and everyone else involved. Now it’s just me for the most part, doing everything. I still have help, but it’s more to save time than anything else. I understand what I want to do and I know how to do it. But I also realize that I’ll never know everything… Making music is a constant learning process; there is always something new to be found.

Let’s jump from the studio to your newest album, In Between. You’ve collaborated with a lot of different people to put it together... How was that?
Working with others is always fun! I enjoy the entire process - getting together, bouncing ideas, trying new things… Some work, some don’t. Getting to collab with people seems to bring out new ideas, fresh things that I might not have done of otherwise. I’ve worked with a lot of great people over the years; many of them just seemed to be there when the time was right. I’ve worked with people that I’d never have imagined doing a project with, people I’d just happen to bump in to.

Have you ever tried to put something together with someone that just didn’t mesh with you?
Well yes, there will always be people that aren’t on the same level as each other. I’ve come across a few of them (but I won’t drop any names!) and while many were talented, we just didn’t have "it” in sync. Sometimes it was like “You don’t even know how to turn on the computer?” It has to be a give-and-take, not one person doing all the work.

Only about half of the tracks you made went onto your new album. Will we see the others released as singles?
Actually I’m not quite sure what will be done with them. I’ve been playing them out to watch how the crowd reacts and trying to decide what to do. If you see me live you'll probably hear a few of them. They might go out as special releases or something a bit later on.

I’ve noticed your music in some commercial projects lately – soundtracks, advertisements, things like that. Do you put just as much heart and feeling into them as you do into your own productions or your live performances?
Most of the music I have had featured was not made specifically for those projects – it was music I had done already. The advertisers felt it connected well with their products and it went from there.

So you’re everywhere lately and with the new album out you’ve been touring pretty hard. How do you think the dance music culture is holding up around the world?
It’s great, really. Everyone seems to be into the shows and the music and the vibe. I remember electronic [music] started off as a sub-culture and was pretty underground. Today it’s like an entire global-youth culture, the only one of its kind. It really brings a lot of people together.

How do you think that came about?
The internet has played a large part... It makes the music available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. It lets people find things like mixes and songs that they could never find in their local record shops.  It’s also helped producers to get their name out… For instance, back before the internet if I wanted a DJ to hear my newest track, say Derrick May or someone, it would be very hard to get it in his hands. Now, with the web, sending music is just a click away.  On the other side, however, are the problems which it has been causing. Unless you’re Justin Timberlake or someone, making a living by selling music alone is very hard. With all the illegal downloads and file sharing, the music industry has really changed. It’s stealing. I think the electronic [music] culture is above all that… They seem to care about the scene and understand that we all need to look out for each other.

So what has been the highlight of your career?
Oh, there has been so much to happen that I can’t pick just one thing. My Grammy nomination was a big moment for me, and of course the music and the people I’ve worked with… And getting to play all the shows I’ve done, it’s really been wonderful. I love the fans; they make it worthwhile... But I’m always looking forward; I’ve always said “The next gig is always the most important.”

Aside from the music, you’re also interested in politics and charity work. What kinds of things need to be changed?
Well there are so many problems in the world, it’s hard to know where to start. Making sure people get proper food and medicine… Curing diseases… Making sure everyone gets educated...

And you’re trying to get the message out with your music?
Well, the information is out there, it’s just a matter of getting people to take notice and listen.

Before you run, do you have any advice for young DJs or Producers?
Yes. It’s important to just be yourself. I see so many people trying to play like somebody else, trying to be their favorite DJ. Just have fun and do your own thing.
And producers? Experiment, and don’t forget to stop learning.

Thanks for your time, Paul! I'll see you in Denver on the 27th for Hallo*freakin*ween ~
Auf Wiedersehn!

October 27th @ HallowFreaknWeen (HallowFreaknWeen.com)

myspace.com/PaulVanDyk

PaulVanDyk.com