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.