sander_van_doorn

Sander van Doorn has been on a tear lately remixing some of the biggest artists out there and playing every massive around the world. He recently took some time to do a quick interview with DanceMusicblog and here it is.

So you’ve been getting a lot of great press lately and you’ve been doing some high-profile remix work for Depeche Mode and The Killers to name a few. How did you feel and what kind of approach do you take when doing a remix for such an influential band as Depeche Mode?

It was an honour to be asked to remix the Depeche Mode track. I’ve been a fan for years and feel privileged to have my name attached to their music. I guess I approach it the same as any other remix but make sure it really works and does the original song justice.

The Killers are one of the biggest bands on the planet with some great melodies. That can make remixing a track easy when you have great parts to work with, especially when it’s a strong vocal.

Did you get to speak with any if the band members of DM, The Killers, or other artists before you started work on a remix?

No I didn’t speak to them. It’s extremely rare to do so when you’re doing a remix.

They must, obviously, like your work to choose you to reinterpret their music. Did they give you any specific instructions or ideas they had for a remix or did you have complete control over it?

No they left me to do as I thought best. I guess I was chosen because they like my style and they thought it would work well with the parts of the tracks. Obviously you work very hard on a remix when it’s for artists like the Killers or Depeche Mode.

Your second remix of the Killers’ track Spaceman has been my favorite track the past month or so. The lead synth string sound has a haunting kinda feel to it. What can you tell us about that sound and how you work in the studio?

That sound is a sample from the Killers track that I treated with some overdrive and other effects. The best way to see how I work in the studio is to watch the Studio Sessions videos on my website which show how I create my projects, some of the equipment I use and some tips and tricks.

Do you primarily use hardware, software, or both?

I use a mixture of both. I have some great hardware synths in my studio including the classic Moog Voyager, the Virus C and also the Dave Smith ‘Evolver’ which I used as the main lead in ‘Riff’. A couple of my favourite soft synths are ‘Omnisphere’ by Spectrasonics and’ Predator’ by Rob Papen.

What are your favorite instruments?

I don’t really play any instruments except the keyboard, I’m more of a technology geek – I love my synths! I’m a big fan of Rob Papen synths and love to play around and make interesting sounds.

Are you using software when Djing?

At the moment I mix just using cds. I used to be a vinyl junkie but nowadays it’s so much easier traveling with a CD wallet! I am very interested in new technology and may incorporate it into my live shows in the future.

Do you do any live remixing?

Not at the moment

What has been one of your favorite gigs lately?

I had an amazing weekend recently where I closed the Mystery Land Festival in Amsterdam with a huge fireworks show in the middle of my set. It was a real honour to close such a great festival and I recommend everyone to get over there next year!

I kinda think that most good DJs, before they were DJs, used to be those people on the dancefloor really tearing it up and getting down. Were you like that?

I started going out to parties when I was 14. We had parties in Holland called ‘Tunnel Raves’ which are like free parties. It was from going to these that I knew I wanted to be a DJ.

I rarely see any DJs out on the dancefloor and it’s kinda sad that that is something people stop doing when they become a DJ. How cool would it be to be dancing and look next to you and see Sander van Doorn? Do you ever get out there and shake your money maker?

I have a hectic shedule of Djing most weekends so it can be difficult to go out and enjoy myself the way I used to. But I like to get involved and have a good dance when I can! At my ‘Dusk’ Till Doorn’ nights I usually have a bit of time to listen to the other DJ’s between my sets, check out the vibe and meet people!

I would like to say thanks to Sander van Doorn for taking time out of his hectic schedule to answer our questions. Are there any last things or bits of promo you’d like to throw out?

Yes! My new single Bastillon is out at the end of September so keep a look out for it! You can catch me Djing at my Dusk Till Doorn nights. I’ll be in Toronto on 24th October, Los Angeles on 31st October and London on 20th November!

Thanks to Rood Media for arranging the interview and be sure to visit Sander’s website and MySpace page at: SandervanDoorn.com | MySpace.