This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch)
I met Pieter Legel at my own birthday party. Not long after, I interviewed the Dutch DJ about his FIRST GIG, which took place at one of our mutual favorite locations: Ruigoord. He recalls: “I never expected it to be so amazing.”
“Music was always playing at home as I grew up, mostly funk and soul. And of course, Top 40. However, at the age of seven, I made a shift from popular radio tunes to alternative electronic music. My cousin Rob had bought his first CD player in 1982 or ’83, making his vinyl records obsolete. He gave all of them to me. I didn’t even own a record player, but I played those records on my parents’ turntable.”
Kraftwerk and Art of Noise
“The collection included music by Kraftwerk and Art of Noise, among others. I was completely fascinated by these unfamiliar sounds. This was truly something new! I especially loved the samples used by Art of Noise. That’s how I started exploring more alternative music.”
iT CDs
“Around the age of 12, I started a drive-in show with a few friends. We performed at youth centers and hosted a monthly party at Café Het Wagenwiel in Lambertschaag. Unlike the usual ‘talk-show-playlist’ format, we mixed tracks seamlessly. We used CD players and a Realistic mixing console—older DJs will remember that device.” (laughs) “Our repertoire mainly consisted of Top 40 hits, but then I discovered the iT CDs, which were an instant hit.”
No Fixed Playlist
“When I was about 15 or 16, I began organizing events for a nonprofit called Outlane at Het Wagenwiel. I was crazy about electronic music and invited various DJs to play. It started with DJ Ally, who always had the latest house records, and quickly expanded to RoXY and Mazzo DJs. I consistently chose DJs who played original sets without a fixed playlist. Some of the names include DJ Eva, Carlijn, and Bicker/Kid Culture. With Outlane, we also organized two festivals called Fabeltjesland.”
Track-Selector
“In 2000, I took a break. I was working in a pub, which kept me busy every weekend. Of course, I still went out, but I wasn’t organizing events anymore. At that time, I wasn’t really DJing yet either. That didn’t happen until 2014. I’ve always been a digger, constantly searching for original music. I don’t consider myself a DJ—I call myself a ‘track-selector’.” (laughs)
Mini Controller
“How I finally started DJing is a funny story. It happened because I switched energy providers and received a €175 gift card for MediaMarkt. I spent it on a Pioneer mini controller. I started experimenting with it at home and sometimes played at friends’ houses. I also made mixes, uploaded them to Mixcloud, and promoted them on Facebook. That’s how I got noticed by Daan Prudon, also known as Ambient Daan. He asked me to play in the church at Ruigoord. Of course, I couldn’t say no to that!”
Ruigoord
“I’ve been going to Ruigoord since 2005 and attended the magical Landjuweel festival several times. I was very familiar with the artist village, and I’ve always loved it there. I was stunned that I’d get to perform there myself. My first official gig! I wasn’t nervous, though—I never really am, or at least, I don’t realize it. I do have a driver for gigs, and they know not to ask me too many questions on the way.” (laughs) “I always prepare thoroughly. After a booking, I research the venue and audience to craft a unique playlist. Every set I play is one of a kind!”
Triphop Set
“The performance went smoothly. My set sounded amazing in the church. That night, I didn’t play a dance set but a triphop set. The flow with the crowd was incredible. People later told me I created a two-hour bubble that they absolutely loved.”
Super Proud
“I had invited my parents to the gig, and they were there, super proud. They’ve always wanted to listen to my music—so much so that they even asked me to curate the music for fashion shows at their clothing store. No, there wasn’t a girl I was trying to impress that night, but the music I played did have a connection to a woman. I’d made triphop mixes for her in the past, and I used those tracks for this debut performance.” (laughs)
Not Stuck to One Genre
“After my first set at Ruigoord, I caught the attention of Robert Schaeffer from the bookings and artist management agency HJCKD. A week later, I was in his office. However, placing me musically was a challenge because of my eclectic style, and the agency specialized in Detroit techno. I refuse to stick to just one genre.”
Scouted
“I was also scouted through Facebook by a club owner in Slovakia. He listened to my mixes and immediately wanted to book me. My first gig was in May 2015 at Ruigoord, and by July 2015, I was playing in Slovakia. It was a success! I performed at Club Uhu, Club Radost, and theTanker Club in Bratislava. Eventually, I landed a residency at the legendary Club Bohéma in Bratislava. For years, I flew there almost every month to play.”
The Ship of Fools
“In 2018, I played at the Techno Parade in Paris on a truck from a group of Ameland youngsters called The Ship of Fools. The following year, I performed at the World Peace Project in Berlin. I’ve also played at Amsterdam’s Paradiso during the event On The Bus with The Madness Crew.”
Quality Tracks
“My taste leans toward experimental and alternative electronic music. With that in mind, I hosted my own show on Red Light Radio for a long time. I also play techno, melodic techno, afro beats, and drum & bass. I love tracks rich in percussion. I always say: the beat is the most important thing, then the basslines, and everything else is a bonus. My sets always include a nod to the ’90s—a classic techno track as an ode to that decade. Most audiences don’t know those old tracks but still love them. Right now, I’m focused on re-edits of old disco tracks. Key ingredient: quality music.”
Simple DJ
“I consider myself a simple DJ. I transition between tracks naturally, letting them play out entirely. That creates a trance for me and the dancefloor. I hate it when tracks are cut off after three minutes or overuse of loops—terrible. My motto is: every track must surprise. I love playing music that even Shazam doesn’t recognize.” (laughs) “Also, I don’t agree with the idea that you’re only a real DJ if you play vinyl. For me, it’s about what you play, not how you play.”
“Future plans? Good question. Since COVID, things have slowed down, but it looks like my residency in Bratislava is coming back. The club owner is so enthusiastic! He always says, ‘This is your club!’” (laughs) “It’s a fantastic venue. It used to be a huge clothing store—think Zara—which was later squatted. The crowd is unique, ranging from artists to millionaires to homeless people. I’m excited to get back in the booth there soon!”
This interview with Pieter Legel is originally published on This Is Our House in August 2022.
Who is Pieter Legel?
Pieter Legel has been active in the music scene since the 1980s. He plays a variety of styles, always soulful and tailored to the moment. Think eclectic.
Pieter Legel remains active to this day, but his modest nature means no biography is available.
More Pieter Legel?
More First Gigs? Check all of them here!
