Interview with Paul van Dyk

[SteveArnold]

PvD is renowned as one of the hardest working artists, with sold-out tours that cross each continent, headline spots at every major festival, and a hugely successful recording career. With over 3 million albums sold worldwide, van Dyk travels around the world over 16 times each year to sold out performances internationally. Born in Eisenhuettenstadt, East Germany, Paul van Dyk grew up in communist East Berlin. Because his community did not have a true club culture, Paul van Dyk listened to the radio where he discovered his passion for music that extended beyond Techno music – he wanted to create a different, more unique sound. In the early 1990’s Paul van Dyk was spinning regularly at various clubs in Berlin before releasing his first album 45 RPM in 1994. But it wasn’t until the release of his second album Seven Ways which catapulted him into the Top 100, followed by the release of his hit single "For An Angel," which began to earn him praise across the globe. By the time Paul van Dyk released Out There & Back in 2000, it became clear that the Berlin-based musician had far more to offer than his signature club sets and remixes that had already defined him as one of the most influential DJs and producers of all time. His first compilation mix CD Politics of Dancing was released in 2001, followed by Global in 2003 – a DVD which illustrates his own experiences traveling the world.

We managed to get 5 minutes on the phone with Paul ahead of his forthcoming appearance at Godskitchen, here's what he had to say!

-Hi Paul, so where were you when you woke up this morning?
I was in a small town called Hagen


-Ok, How has 2008 been for you so far?
Erm, very good, I have been to a lot of places and met a lot of really cool people and er, I have heard a lot of great music


-Excellent, What annoys you most when you are DJing?
Erm haha, somebody telling you the club is closing at 2 and you only have 10 minutes left and you still want to play 5 or 6 songs.


-What is your most memorable gig to date?
Erm, I don’t think I have really 1 individual one but those open air gigs in Central Park in New York will always stand out.


-Do you have any embarrassing DJ stories?
Well, it’s kind of like stopping the wrong record, you know, the one that’s playing, that’s probably one of those moments ha
-Haha, we’ve all done that haven’t we.
Ha, I know, I know!


-Do you ever get star struck when you meet other famous people?
Well I’m not really getting starstruck but the most famous person I have met would probably be, Bill Clinton.


-If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Oh erm, I would like to be able to fly


-Ok, If you weren’t a DJ, what would you have been?
Probably a chef in a restaurant because I like good food.



-What was the last lie you told?
I think it would be at check in when I flew back from San Francisco, I told the lady I only had one bag for hand luggage but I had two.



-What was the last film you watched?
The last film that I watched was erm, the X Files on the flight home from San Francisco


-If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?
Home in Berlin


-What do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Well I’m obviously coming over to Godskitchen, I am looking forward to that, I am having I think maybe 1 or 2 gigs in the UK, I also have 2 coming up in Mexico, as well as an Australia and another stop over in the west and then obviously it is NYE and we have a gig in Rio. So yeah, all that and of course celebrating my birthday which is coming up at the end of the year too and Christmas and all that.


-Are you a cat or a dog person (or neither)?
Totally dog, I have two


-Ever had any strange requests from fans?
Erm……not really because the thing is, it’s like, you know obviously, one thing is that I have a pretty clear idea of the music I would like to play but everything else is down to the interaction with the crowd so I never really think of any requests as being weird.


-Ok cool, do you have a favourite destination to play in?
Well…….it is always better to play in my home town, Berlin.



-You are quite renowned for your use of digital technology within your sets, where do you see it going next? Do you think for example we will eventually have USB Djing and the like?
Well to be honest I don’t really know, if somebody had said to me 5 years ago that I’m using the equipment that I use now on stage, I would have probably said, you know, probably not possible. So it really is down to the technology revolution behind the whole thing and erm, I always think that electronic music has always been about breaking down the boundaries, you know, on the creative side as well as using the latest technology to enhance the presentation of our favourite music. This is what I do and if a new toy is coming out that enables me to do even more creative things then I’m probably going to use it


-Have you ever considered giving it all up and moving to some distant country to get away from it all?
Well, I have thought about moving to some distant country because of weather and, you know, lifestyle and stuff but in my heart I am a musician so I could probably never give up making music even if I’m not releasing any music anymore, or even if I’m not playing music anymore, for the people, I probably would still make music.




-Which up and coming DJs do you rate highly?
Well, definitely Jon O’bir, you know, he is right up there on the priority list, he released a phenomenal album in 2008 and whenever he plays and I am playing it totally went off. I mean, he’s not really a new comer, you know but someone who should get much more exposure is Jon Rundell, still Adam Sheridan is one of the best guys I know from the younger ones. There is a lot of great talent, yourself as well.


-Which tracks are doing it for you at the moment?
One that I really like right now is by Hybrid, it’s called The Eternal and all the remixes are absolutely phenomenal, my favourite one is the Re:Locate remix
-Ahhh yes, I think I’ve just got that actually, it’s the Activa mix I think I have, it’s quite a good track.
An Activa remix? We have an Activa remix? Ok I must check that out ha
-haha!!


-What can we expect from you at Godskitchen on 22nd November?
Erm, well, full on me!! You know I always give 100% when I play and, you know, I hope this is coming across. I have a clear idea of the actual sounds and the quality of the music and stuff but the rest is down to interaction with the crowd and stuff so I couldn’t really tell you where it’s gonna go.



-Cool, well thanks very much for joining us Paul
No Problem, thank you!


If you haven't already, you can still buy tickets to see Paul van Dyk, John O'Callaghan and and more at Godskitchen on 22nd November. There are limited tickets left though so we advise you to move fast to avoid disappointment

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

[davehart]

Great interview!