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"I couldn’t believe my eyes!" The Amsterdam artist Patrice van den Berg made his debut in the house scene as a guitarist. After performances with, among others, Mad Doc 20/20, he played at several raves for The Soho Connection (Paul Jay and Crazy Shaun) and at large venues such as the Beijnenshal in Haarlem, the Jan van Galenhal in Amsterdam and the club Waakzaamheid in Zaandam.
“I’m still very proud to say that my debut took place in the legendary club De Waakzaamheid in Koog aan de Zaan (NL). I was 28 years old, it was 1990. This opportunity came my way because I was asked as a guitarist in the Mad Doc 20/20 live project, which consisted of Norbert Mannaert and Dov Elkabas a.k.a. The Prophet. We had rehearsed quite a bit together, so I could handle my nerves. What I did feel, was a healthy tension.”
Introduction
“The dance floor was filled with the typical early nineties house audience; the venue was sold out and everyone went totally crazy. I couldn’t believe my eyes!” Because, how strange this might sound, this gig was my first counteraction with the house scene and its associated parties.”
Mentor
“Norbert Mannaert of Mad Doc 20/20 was my mentor. He introduced me and Dov with the Cubase system, at that time still on Atari ST with floppies. You can hardly imagine that now, hehe.”
Moral support
“Fortunately, our set went fine. Exactly as we had rehearsed. Unfortunately, my then-girlfriend didn’t witness my debut. I did receive plenty of moral support from a number of friends. Including the one who created the video from which the enclosed screenshot originates.”
Psy trance
“Through the psy trance scene I started a solo project in 1994 under the name Syrinx. I also collaborated on the legendary Metal Spark project, together with DJ Lucas and Lorenzo Zoeter. Another collaboration was with Ramon Sterman under the name Microdome. Several releases have resulted from all these projects and I ended up in the Amsterdam Escape, Mazzo and pop temple Paradiso and I stood on Dance Valley.”
Performing live
“I have been active as a DJ since 2002. I was among others on Black Box (hosted by Milan Meyberg), played at the events Chicken Skin & Bish Bosh from the legendary MC Marxman, The Bus, Insound Festival (hosted by Josep Vicent) and at What’s On Your Mind from Dexon. I even got to play at the Dutch public radio station 3FM in Giel Beelen’s show. Besides this, I perform live and do remixes.”
“By now I have released various deep/tech house EPs. Since last year I am working hard with a new solo live set with Ableton live, guitar and analog Korg MS 10 synth. Also, I have been asked for the Vektor Agency. From playing guitar in De Waakzaamheid to my current sets. Pooh, I’ve come a long way.”
This interview was originally published on DJMag.nl on Wednesday, March 4th 2015.
