DJ Zany is undoubtedly the biggest name in hardstyle around the globe, and he’s currently on tour in Australia with his Donkey Rollers crew. Having played Brisbane and Perth last week on the Transmission Magic City tour, the Dutch superstar has got Sydney and Melbourne to go this weekend. ITM tracked him down while he chilled out in the rainforests of Northern NSW and probed him for info.
What do you think of Australia?
It’s marvelous, no words can describe. I’m just exploring this wonderful land, it is very different to Holland. Holland is flat and you can drive for 2 hours and be in another country. I have been to Steve Irwin’s famous crocodile park, and it was fun to pat a koala. I am also experiencing the North Coast of NSW at the moment; wonderful rain forests and amazing beaches. I am recharging my batteries before I play at Transmission Magic City this weekend in Melbourne and Sydney. I played Brisbane and Perth last week and the crowds were very enthusiastic.
Hardstyle is a relatively new style and not as wide spread as other genres, do you see a larger adoption of hardstyle in years to come?
I think hardstyle will continue to grow across the world. Yes there are other styles much bigger, like say electro, that is a very big sound around the world at the moment. However, just to give some idea of how popular hardstyle in Holland, Q Dance and other organisations are doing hardstyle events for between 20,000-40,000 people each month, or even every two weeks, so the sound is really kicking off in Europe. With big time hardstyle producers like Showtek, Isaac and Technoboy, the scene will continue to grow. I think it is growing very well in Australia, my myspace account is full of messages from Aussies and we continue to sell more and more records.
What was your reason for focusing in on hardstyle?
I like the rush of the music and the melody. The combination of melody and hard beats – there is nothing like it. There is nothing better than feeling the rush of playing hardstyle. It does not matter what crowd, it might be 20,000-40,000, or 1,000 people, it’s just a buzz playing it. People get up and dance and go crazy. I find the hardstyle crowds very enthusiastic in Australia.
How would you describe your sound?
Hard beats with melody and sharp edges. I like to produce heaps of music and play it in my sets. I like melody and break downs. I also love collaborations. I work with Showtek and do Donkey Rollers with some mates. I can get lots of inspiration from movies I watch and I find melodies anywhere in life. Maybe I will do an Aussie hardstyle track while I am here.
You came from hardcore and techno roots, but what genre of music was your first love?
Hardcore, although I have no heroes in hardcore – only heroes in hip hop. Dr Dre is the best! I am open to many different styles of music, tech trance and others, as long as it’s quality.
What are the major influences you have when you’re producing?
Life, it’s just organic. Great ideas just are always popping up in my brain. I am never sure what will happen when I go into the studio. I think it best to go into the studio without a script and let the ideas just flow into my tracks. Having time out is good as well. I am often doing 3 to 4 gigs a weekend, so it’s important to have down time before I go to produce music. But seriously, music is my life.
What should the crowd expect when they come to one of your shows?
Really energetic and powerful sets with lots of jumping up and down. I combine lots of different variations in my sets, the main theme in the music is power.
The Donkey Rollers are easily one of the biggest acts in hardstyle at the moment, what was your motivation in teaming up?
We formed some sort of alliance – there is myself and 2 other guys and we all come from the same town in Holland called Einhoven. MCDV8 is obviously the MC, and me and Jowan create the beats. The Donkey Rollers were born because we wanted the live vibe, something different from DJing. I think the Australian crowd will enjoy our set, we’re up for 100% entertainment with lots of onstage antics.
What advice would you give for aspiring DJs or producers?
Make sure you have your own sound; put yourself on the map by creating an original sound. Don’t follow the rules. Always bring new sounds to your sets.
DJ Zany and the Donkey Rollers perform live at Transmission Magic City this weekend:
Fri May 25th – Metro Nightclub, Melbourne
Sat May 26th – State Sports Centre, Sydney
The ‘Transmission Magic City’ CD, mixed by Zany and Bas & Ram, is out now through Transmission/Stomp.
Burn2Shine says...
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave