Irregular Synth (ITA): “Felt a tremendous sense of calm”
Vincenzo Palumbo a.k.a. Irregular Synth’s first official gig took place in The Netherlands. “My parents had to give permission for the flight because I was only seventeen.”
Hellboy (POL): “Extremely critical of myself”
The Polish hard techno DJ/producer Hellboy had his first gig at a techno party in Krakau, that he had organized himself. “Most of all I was very excited!”
Markus Schulz (USA): “I want the fun back in trance”
In 2014 I interviewed trance hero Markus Schulz about his life in Germany and later in the USA, where he still resides. His goal was ‘to bring the fun back in trance’.
Groovemaster Johnson (UK): “’Fade in, fade out’”
UK-garage pioneer Groovemaster Johnson has lived in The Netherlands for many years. Of course, we spoke about his unique first gig story. “Freaking out over a small bag of weed.”
Frau Hofmann (DE): “That gig skyrocketed my motivation”
Frau Hofmann and I met in 2017. After an interesting chat we agreed to do an interview about her first gig. She remembers: “The delay of the mixer was on the whole time. Hilarious!”
Dave Leatherman a.k.a. TFX (NL): “Made plenty mistakes”
Dutch DJ/producer Dave Leatherman a.k.a. TFX is a true house pioneer who started DJing in 1987! He speaks vividly about his first gig. “With trembling knees, I put my first record on.”
Christian Burns (UK): “Lyrics are sum of my life”
In 2013 I interviewed Britsh dance vocalist Christian Burns. He told me about working with the likes of Armin van Buuren and Andrew Rayel. “Amazing stuff.”
Trance talent Andrew Rayel (MDA): “Chopin was a genius”
During ADE 2013 I interviewed trance talent Andrew Rayel. Nowadays, the Moldavian prodigy is a well-renowned name in the industry. Check his story!
Gary Beck (UK): “The event got off to a bad start”
The first time I saw Gary Beck live, was in the Amsterdam Studios. In 2017 he told me about his DJ-debut. “Every mix was a train wreck.”
Full On Funk (NL): “Lucky to have good mentor”
Dutch DJ/producer Rens van Nellestijn a.k.a. Full On Funk a.k.a. Kind Of One told me in May 2017 about his first gig: “I was mixing with trembling hands.”
Daniela Haverbeck (CHI): “Owned four hardcore records”
Chilean DJ/producer Daniela Haverbeck and I often saw each other at Ruigoord. In 2016 we had a chat about her first gig(s). “I simply played both sides of every vinyl.”
DJ Cellie (NL): “Amazing time in that ‘farmer’s shed’”
When DJ Cellie and I run into each other, we always hug and have a laugh. About his first gig he told me: “I realized: pre-programmed DJing didn’t work.”
