6 questions for... Joris Voorn

Joris Voorn is the type of DJ / producer that needs no introduction. Active on the scene since 1997, he's been touring the world to push a sound that expertly mixes house and techno, with a very deep touch. He recently released Balance 014, a double DJ mix with elements of more than 100 different tracks, elements he blends together and mixes seamlessly to a great effect.

Holland is mainly associated with trance. Was it hard for you to push house and techno at an early stage of your DJ carreer ?
I think Holland is mainly associated with trance by people who are into that kind of music. I personally never ever have the association, maybe only when I get a question about it from someone abroad, which does happen occasionally. We've had a very healthy house and techno scene here for 20 years, and especially in the last few years the music has been really fresh, lots of great new producers and DJ's are getting recognition worldwide. Trance music is a very different scene here than house and techno, two completely separate worlds.


You also record as Rejected alongside Edwin Oosterwal. Tell us a bit about this project.
Rejected started as a fun project in the studio and later on stage, playing back to back DJ sets, and later we started the Rejected label to release our own music. Things got a bit more serious when the label and the music were a big success. We started signing other artists as well, like recently Pitto with his great Feelin' 2009 summer tune. As a producers duo we're having a little break as we speak - Edwin is focusing on his own productions, and so am I, but we'll get back into the studio soon enough...



You have crafted some of the biggest and most amazing remixes in recent memory (Babicz's "Dark Flower", Slam's "Ghost Song"...) - what's the secret behind that massive sound ?
I take my time when I'm in the studio, make as many versions of a mix as necessary, until I'm finished. In case of both mentioned mixes, there have been a lot of test versions before they actually got finished. It's hard to say what it takes to get to a sound like that, but I've learned a lot of things over the years, and as I'm playing as a DJ, I know what works on the floor. Combine that with a fair bit of melody, and you'll get pretty close...


Have you ever played in Montreal ?
I've never been to Montreal, so I'm looking forward! It's actually my Canada debut, both as an individual and a performing DJ!



What's the kind of reputation an event such as Piknic Électronik has overseas ?
I've heard nice things about it, like a good atmosphere out in the open, great music... It will be interesting to see what it's really like though, and if it's different than outdoor events in my own country.


Your top 5 tracks of the moment ?
Joris Voorn - Sweep The Floor - Rejected
Pitto - Feelin' (District One Remix) - Rejected
Dosem - Beach Kisses (Joris Voorn Green Mix) - Green
Joris Voorn - We're All Clean - Rejected
Edwin oosterwal and Warren Fellow - Hotlips - Rejected

Joris Voorn plays Piknic Électronik on July 5th alongside Soundshaper and Baya.

Mirrorballs Selection - June

It might be the very last day of the month of June but we're still delivering on time! Here is our selection for this month.

It was compiled by Roux Soundsystem (Clifford Brown and Marinelli) and mixed by Marinelli and myself, Don Pepino.

Hope you enjoy the mix!

Mirrorballs.ca June Selection

Sonar, oh, Sonar

J’ai fait quelques festivals de musique dans ma courte vie. Certains plus fous que d’autres. Mais là, le Sonar, c’était mon premier festival outre-Atlantique européen. On le sait de réputation que ces fêtes de la musique sont complètement folles et hors de contrôle, et en tant que reporter de terrain que je suis, il fallait vérifier. N’ayant pas le budget et/ou les connections pour pouvoir assister à tout, j’y suis allée le samedi soir, me disant que le festival serait à son apogée, étant la dernière de Sonar by Night. Donc, on a pris le SonarBus de centre de Barcelone pour se rendre au Sonar Village, à l’extérieur de la ville, dans une sorte de parc industriel. Du party people à la pelle, il y a de tout, des rastas et des electroheads, de la hipstermafia et des hommes-bière. On se laisse tenter par le SonarClub, sorte de salle immense (pensez à un terrain de soccer), on peine à voir le dj, et c’est une expérience multi-sensorielle. Le son est tellement fort que je crains pour mon ouïe et me dit que s’il y a un chien sur le site, il est probablement mort à force d’attaques sonores. Finalement, la musique nous rentre vraiment dedans, et on aime ça. On a vu passer Tadeo, Moderat, Deadmau5 et sûrement aussi Henry Saiz. Comme je disais, on ne voyait pas grand-chose et je n’ai pas trop distingué qui était qui, sauf pour Deadmau5 avec la tête de souris, mais je dois dire qu’ils s’enchaînaient tous très bien, comme un long set ininterrompu.

Et pour l’ambiance de douce folie, elle y est, oh que oui.

5 questions for... Stimming

Martin Stimming needs no introduction. Those who haven't heard his finely crafted productions, mainly released by Hamburg's label Diynamic, must have been living under a rock for the last two years or so. He has also released music on Freerange, Buzzin' Fly and liebe*detail, and is currently touring the world with a unique live set mixing his own productions and remixes. He also just released an immensely beautiful debut album, Reflections.


You have been praised repeatedly by the press as an artists with a unique sound. In this music industry where it's quite difficult to come up with something original, how does that feel ?
It feels very good, because I see that at least a couple of people seem to understand what I'm doing. You know, I'm playing all my percussions by myself, especially for the album - there is about 70% handmade, which I'm very proud of... But for the usual techno listener, it doesn't sound enough like machines. But I love the little mistakes I do.


Have you taken many latin vacations lately ? Your sound is unusually warm, for a german guy.
Haha, no I didn't, but I prefer a warm and deep sound. I like the aesthetics of house and the energy of techno - thats what I'm trying to combine. And Hamburg doesn't have very nice weather, so escaping is the thing.



How is the dynamic between all Diynamic guys ?
Very good - we're good friends and in a way it feels like a family. With great dynamics.


I heard you in Miami in March at the Diynamic Vs Poker Flat party... how did you enjoy your Miami experience, overall ?
I'm not sure if I should be honest because in a way it was a waste of time. The only venue which I really liked was (The Ice Palace for) Sunday School, and especially Marco Carola's set, which was the bomb! But all the stuff before wasn't very inspiring, and shaking Hawtin's hand and getting just a tired (not even a) smile back wasn't such a good experience (but i can understand him, i would have done that also). But I was there with my mates from Diynamic, which was very good.



What's next for you ?
New releases, moving on to a more complex and radical form than before. Ha! I came to stay, as I always say.

Robert Dietz's shout out to Montreal and Mirrorballs

We had a great time with our friend Robert Dietz for his stay in Montreal. After an amazing set @ Salon Daomé, we took him around town for a few days...

5 questions for... Robert Dietz

It doesn't happen often that a producer with a groove of his own excites us so much. Yet Robert Dietz, whose first release was thrown in the DJ arena in 2008, has a voice of his own, a voice he channels through irresistible samples and raw, groovy house. On the verge of his first North American tour, we had a stop & chat with the man.

Will this be your first time in North America ? What do you expect, and what can we expect from you in return ?
No, it is not the first time for me in North America. I made a trip with my parents through the states in 1999. So... long time no see, and I'm quite excited about the tour. Up there, especially in Montreal, I would love to be greeted by an open minded, sweet party crowd, and I'll do my best to satisfy them with raw house music.



What's the best party city you've recently played at ?
There are too many party cities I could recommend, but to name just a few... Frankfurt, London, Berlin and Ibiza!
Unfortunately for you guys, all of them are in europe. But I hope that you'll convince me that Montreal is one of these cities as well.

Name a label you think will push music forward in 2009.
For me, it's still Cécille Records!


Which artists would you say are your bigger inspiration, and why ?
It is not easy to pick only one artist who has the main influence on me - there are a lot of different artists, from all kinds of music genres, like hip hop, jazz, techno, indie rock... I don't know, influences are coming from everywhere... But my main influences are close friends like Markus Fix (Cécille) and Reboot (Cadenza). We always cheer on each other by sending ourselves our new stuff.




What's the biggest goal you're looking to achieve in the music industry ?
The biggest goal to achieve is to live pleased and satisfied from my music, have a good time with people all over the world, and enjoy fucking life!

Do not miss Dietz as he tears down Salon Daomé this Saturday June 20th at Clifford Brown & Marinelli's Motion night.

Hello Masomenos @ Rex Club 4 juin - Paris

Je ne connaissais pas Masomenos avant cette semaine. Le flyer de la soirée est tombé dans ma boîte de réception, gracieuseté de Clifford Brown. C’est gratos et au Rex, c’est une rareté à ne pas laisser passer.



Donc, je me pointe en début de soirée; ambiance lounge, crowd de 7 à 77 ans, je me pose des questions. C’est que Masomenos avait pas encore commencé son set. Ah, voilà, magnifique. Douceur et subtilité sont vraiment les seuls mots qui me viennent en tête. Peut-être raffiné? La foule kiffait à fond, comme on dit ici.