Paul Van Dyk Interview
Date written: Monday, November 25, 2005.
Author: Paul Clement
Where do you begin when talking about the man that has helped
pioneer the sound of quality trance as we know it? No we aren’t
talking cheesy electronic pop that someone somewhere decides
to call ‘trance’ in an attempt to market it to the
young teen generation. We are talking about quality uplifting
music, the kind of music that millions of people across the
world go crazy for. Granted, some of it could be called cheesy
coming from a progressive/house standpoint, but quite frankly,
what is wrong with that? You only need to look as far as this
year’s DJ Mag Top 100 DJ Poll to see that after all these
years trance is still dominating the electronic music genre
in terms of a massive fan base. In regards to the music industry
as a whole Paul had this to say: “electronic music has
so many global issues about it and I love the fact that my music
can unite so many people from different cultural backgrounds
all over the world, and that the music will continue to grow
and there are so many more people listening. It is really exciting
to be part of.”
Paul Van Dyk made his return to New York City in the first
weekend of November, and boy did he perform. The responses from
the night’s punters were phenomenal, and I couldn’t
help but mention this to Paul as we were talking about what
he had coming up in terms of gigs. Obviously no-one can get
such an amazing reaction from the masses after each and every
gig, so I asked Van Dyk if he often finds himself on the receiving
end of this type of response. “It totally depends on the
crowd on the night, and DJing is all about interaction - the
willingness to interact with the crowd and for the crowd to
interact in return. I have always had a strong connection with
the New York crowds from my time at Twilo and I think last weekend
was getting back those moments… it was just amazing!”
The reports from PVD’s last event at Gatecrasher, at
London club Heaven, were also very impressive. And in regards
to Gatecrasher’s monthly night in London Paul said: “It
was superb, really good, it’s amazing how they manage
to get such a huge crowd and such a banging night going. Although
my impression about London, compared to most places, is that
it’s more about hanging out being seen, drinking champagne,
rather than partying and enjoying the music. This is why I’m
amazed that places like Gatecrasher and The Gallery at Turnmills
are so happening in London.” So what of events held in
other parts of the UK, for example Creamfields (held outside
Liverpool in August this year): “Creamfields UK was great!
I remember having such an amazing time, but for me festivals
are generally very stressful due to the very tight schedule.
I can only let loose once I’m actually playing my set”.
Paul will play in both Los Angeles and San Francisco on New
Year’s Eve this year. Why did he choose America as the
place to deliver his NYE sets? “Honestly, the weather
is better! I remember NYE in Sheffield at Gatecrasher - sure
the events are awesome but the weather is awful and it has just
always been good in the States - and that’s all really”.
Paul is very devoted to his wife, and obviously values being
with his loved ones over the holiday period: “New Year
is about being with her, as well as playing at the events.”
PVD DVD
Paul Van Dyk’s upcoming DVD release is set to hit the
international shelves early next year. As to the reason for
doing this release, Paul said “Well, I got my back catalogue
back and wanted to do something special to release it.”
Paul has recently had to contend with various problems and legal
issues arising from a fall out with his previous record label
management, and had to fight to get his own work back. What
better way to release it than as a DVD.
In relation to this upcoming DVD release I asked Paul if the
final product had ended up as originally planned. He said “it
has come out much better than expected. The project grew every
day since we started working on it and it became bigger and
bigger as more and more work went into it”. And what about
the actual footage on the DVD? “The DVD will feature the
full 74 minute length of full quality video and audio quality,
and will features pictures from clubs as well as imagery from
people, streets, cars going by and that sort of thing. I am
very happy with the outcome.”
Paul went on to comment on the specific challenges encountered
during the project: “It took us a lot of time and energy
to focus on getting the 5.1 surround sound out there perfectly,
as it’s a totally different system to work on producing
for Dolby Digital 5.1 Channel Surround Sound.“ Explain?…
”First of all you need to find all the regional sounds,
to engineer and mix them and then split it and then try to recreate
the original feel for the track. It takes a lot of time and
hard work, but the final product gives the track a much brighter
feel.”
Revised releases of all Paul’s greatest tracks, complemented
by stunning visuals and amazing sound quality… sounds
like we’re in for quite a treat then. So when will we
get a chance to experience this visual and audio feast for ourselves…
“The full release of the DVD will be on the 15th of February,
but pre-release copies will be available from our offices on
December the 2nd.”
The next release in the Vorsprung Dyk Technik series is titled
the ‘Second Level’ and I asked Paul when we could
expect to see the Second Level of Vorsprung Dyk Technik in stores.
“We are working on it now, the problem is with these things,
remixes are owned by the original labels and its taking a lot
of time, talking with lawyers etc to get rights to the music.
So it will available in due time and it will feature a lot of
my remixes from ’99.” We can expect some great new
remixes that are currently in the making. Unfortunately, although
understandably, Paul said “I don’t want to release
any information on my current collaborations until they are
finalised as I don’t want to create any false expectations.”
Paul Van Dyk (like most of the big trance names) has a massive
following in Australia, and is always well received by huge
crowds. So when will we see Van Dyk back in Australia. Paul
said “I will definitely be heading back next year, maybe
a tour in March but nothing definite just yet. I have to go
back to Melbourne early next year to record with the symphony
on the One Perfect Day file, but I may not have time to tour.”
Paul last toured Australia in May of this year, and hit Sydney
on the 10th at the well equipped Home nightclub. The sell-out
crowd lapped up every minute of his epic performance. So what
did Paul remember most from his last, and quite impressive set
in Sydney? “In a way it was scary, people were so close
and grabby! But on the other hand it was amazing, the crowd
was full of excitement, there were lots of smiles and happy
people … and that’s what makes me happy!”
Upcoming Artist Album
A little over a year ago Paul Van Dyk’s Politics of Dancing
album was released, a double CD that featured an amazing compilation
of trance sounds. As this year draws to a close, Paul has revealed
a few surprises in store for the first half of 2005. “My
new artist album should be released in the summer (mid-year)
of next year with the first single from the album being released
in February or March”. This is fantastic news for the
scores of PVD fans around the world. And what is to be the title
for this upcoming release of fresh material?… “It
has a current name, but I can’t release that, as it’s
not final and it’s a little early to be released. One
of the tracks from my new artist album will be ‘That’s
Life‘ - it features some great vocal lines, explaining
a bit about life, and that really give the track an uplifting,
pick-up mood.”
As there are countless numbers of albums and compilations being
released every month it makes it increasingly difficult for
the more established artists to release something that is both
a cut above the rest, and something that will stand out and
give the fans something to talk about. Many of us will no doubt
be desperate to find out more about Paul’s new artist
album so I asked him if there would be anything special, different
or unique about this upcoming release. And some great news for
those with quality sound systems at home! “My artist album
will also have a limited edition 5.1 surround sound version.
This will have a different feel and will be something special.
I’m really glad about the outcome of the album so far.”
Upcoming Tour Dates
This week will see Paul Van Dyk take off on his latest tour
of Asia, hitting all the major centres and encompassing nine
tour dates in just twelve days. Paul loves touring Asia, and
of the particular cities said “they are all very different,
I don’t have a favourite”. His last tours were predictably
well received, Paul stating that “Kuala Lumpur is amazing
and Bangkok was outstanding, and Tokyo and Hong Kong are both
just huge.” The upcoming tour begins on Thursday of this
week and the full schedule is listed as follows;
Paul Van Dyk’s Asia Tour Dates
28 November - Bangkok.
29 November - Manila.
30 November - Shanghai.
01 December - Taipei.
04 December - Kuala Lumpur.
05 December - Beijing.
06 December - Tokyo.
07 December - Singapore.
09 December - Mumbai.
Author: Paul Clement.
Submitted on Monday, November 25, 2005
