1. Tell me a bit about Your life growing up and how You got into EDM ?
Maarten de Jong: Well first of all, I was born in Papendrecht near Rotterdam and moved to Eindhoven at the age of 10. My brother was listening to "Turn up the bass" and other dance CDs, and I got into them as well. At that time everybody was listening to hardcore and I was listening to house and some of the first trance tracks, I felt in love with Trance and Techno. After that I found my first tracker program called "Fast Tracker" and started producing my own tracks. At the age of 14 I started playing in a local bar which gave me a chance to develop my DJ skills! I actually ended up in the studio at the age of 17 producing in a studio at a record company. Nowadays I work with Logic Studio but I still look back to the days of fast tracker and the whole community behind it!!
2. Tell me about Your experiences so far within the European EDM scene.
Maarten de Jong: I like the EDM scene a lot!!! I think the biggest problem in the scene is the drugs, some people can't party anymore without using some XTC or something else.
3. What do You normally take inspiration from ?
Maarten de Jong: Listening to other artists/music like Enya, Coldplay or even some Urban tracks! Or listening to some old techno records from back in the '90s like Joey Beltram etc. I also walk a lot with my dog and I think there's nothing better than some fresh air when I don't have inspiration creating a track.
4. As far as I know 2009 was "Timeless" for You, how's 2010 so far ?
Maarten de Jong: 2010 started with some gigs and remixes I'm still producing some new tracks but had some family related troubles going so I wasn't able to do a lot in my studio! There's a lot coming up this year, just check my Facebook, Myspace profiles and official website and you will see what's happening!
5. Spread further details about the track "Timeless" for us please
Maarten de Jong: I was honored when Ron van den Beuken asked me to remix one of his biggest hits ever!! We decided to put our heads together and make a remix together! I got big time support by almost all Djs. It's has been great to do a remix for a classic which I played a lot when it's has been released back in 2003. After "Timeless" me & Ron did "Life's too short" which got a big hit in Holland, it even ended up as a "Dance Smash" on National Radio 538!!
6. How do You feel after "Kissing Angels" ? Please share some useful details with us, the mortals :)
Maarten de Jong: Very good, I never kissed angels before so it feels like you are in heaven!!
7. Any major producers or big labels remixed Your stuff nowadays ?
Maarten de Jong: My own stuff is going to be released on Spinnin records as always. Lately I did a bootleg of "Coldplay – The Scientist" and Genix is remixing one of my latest tracks.
8. Production-wise, who all did You work with ?
Maarten de Jong: There are a lot of people I worked with ranging from Mental Theo to Ron van den Beuken!
9. What are Your ultimate plans for sticking around in this EMI (Electronic Music Industry) ?
Maarten de Jong: Maybe starting a label someday for new upcoming artists! And producing a lot of tracks!!
10. People either know You now, or will become familiar with You for and through Your music. Fair enough. What do You want them to know about You as an artist and also as a person ?
Maarten de Jong: As a person I think you should meet me!! I don't think I can tell anything about myself!!! As an artist - I always try to be refreshing and try to create a new sound or a new way of playing my tracks as a Dj!
11. What's next for You ? What's in the world of Maarten de Jong ?
Maarten de Jong: I'm busy on making a new radio show more details on that will be on my website soon!! Me and my bookings agency are focusing on gigs at the moment and trying to let the people know who Maarten is as a Dj!
12. How would You try to stick with the nowadays EDM ? Does everything goes back to Rock, You know... Rocktronica ? Or else is a new kind of music called Indie ahead ? What's You personal thought on that ?
Maarten de Jong: Wow what a question. I need to think about this one!! I think I'm trying to combine different styles like Electro and Trance or Pop and Techno to stick to EDM, I don't think Rocktronica will happen! Rock music is total different from EDM!! I don't think there will be a new kind a this time. It will be more about combining styles in to one new sound! A very good example who's doing this right now is Sander van Doorn!
13. With that being said, do You have any final words for the ones reading this interview, especially the TranceSound.net community ?
Maarten de Jong: Thanks for inviting me for this interview and thanks go out to all the people that are reading this one!! For updates about me please visit my profile pages or website. Cheers Maarten!
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Maarten de Jong official website
Maarten de Jong @ Facebook
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
TranceSound.net official website
