VMM Interview with Dutch DJ Producer JOOP
JOOP the Dutch DJ/producer whose tough, progressive tech-dance style has set dance floors on fire across the world is now proving to be a titan in the studio as much as he is behind the DJ decks. His production work is in constant demand and it was his first four tracks that bought him to global attention, these were ‘Act Of God’, ‘The World & Another World’ and ‘Sonsuz’ and later of course the official anthem of the biggest indoor trance event, Trance Energy 2007 with ‘The Future’ that instantly established him as a producer of quality and gained massive support by the world’s best DJ’s and quality Dutch label High Contrast Recordings which is the home of the sound of JOOP.
In December 2010 on the birth of JOOP’s daughter Sarah he decided it was time for a break and took time out with his wife and daughter. Then in the summer of 2011 JOOP felt the need to get back into the studio once again and back on the road as he had the urge to perform and entertain. He decided it was also time to launch his own Blue J Management & Events together with a select team of confidants. Now with his own Management & Events company the support of High Contrast Recordings for sure JOOP was ready now to conquer the world once again.
With massive support for his latest single Just One Night the world is again his oyster so VMM catches up with JOOP to ask him all about the new single and new JOOP studio projects.
The Interview:
Hi there JOOP we hope all is well and great to speak to speak to you here in the VMM!
VMM Q: The VMM would like to ask you JOOP, how is 2012 shaping up for you so far?
He guys! Thanks for having me!
2012 is going real good so far, all the musical expression I want to create and had in mind is on the right track. I am really focusing on future releases in 2012. Next to this of course I will not forget being a dj
VMM Q: You are a renowned music producer JOOP so how would you define your sound now in 2012?
That’s a nice word “renowned”. I always try to do something different and want to avoid copying myself. That’s why I thought let’s try something new and fresh, I started with this already a few releases back, with titles such as Rocket Double, Focus, Stronger, and now Just One Night . I will try to define my music, I’m a person that definitely thinks outside the box for as long I can remember. It has various influences such as trance, house but also has progressive parts in it. I like the driven beats with a strong temper! All the tracks nowadays become shorter in length so I am also searching to find ways to still get that flow going in the track and get the arrangement as interesting as possible in a shorter track. For example 5 years ago when you still could do a 8 min track easily and you had way more time to build up everything. As a dj I prefer the shorter tracks so you can really get the most out of your set when playing somewhere. The time-tables on events are longer on most of the events, and you’re playing time shorter, so more tracks in a set.
VMM Q: Can you tell VMM what sort of studio set up do you use these days to make your studio productions and whats you favorit piece of studio equipment that you love to use?
I use Cubase but I am also familiar with Logic, I also work with Ableton a bit here and there. This all runs on a big ass power PC, but I am thinking of buying a Big Mac soon!
My favorite equipment must be all the various vst’s, to say that I love my speakers is to easy A favorite must be the Massive altough it’s been around for ages! Also I love working with the FabFilter‘s but I really don’t stick to just those specific VSTs.
VMM Q: Congratulations on the massive support so far for your new single “Just One Night” how did you choose the vocalist Tiffany Johnston and what do you look for in a vocalist that would sing a JOOP track?
Thank you very much! I’m really happy with the end result, I never thought it would end up so high in the progressive house chart on Beatport, not to mention all others like Audiojelly and Trackitdown. I’m a real happy man! I met Tiffany trough the good old internet. We hooked up trough twitter I believe, I asked her some clips of her singing. She did send some clips over and I was sold pretty quickly! She has this voice that you will recognize every time when you hear it, a bit darker and edgy! Just the way I like it;) Besides this I do not really look for a certain sound in a vocalist, it’s like with making a track…you just know when it’s right!
VMM Q: JOOP you have launched your own Management & Events company called BlueJ Management & Events so we want to ask you a few questions about it.
• Can you tell VMM more about your vision behind Blue J ?
BlueJ is my vision of the future. It is meant to help me manage my career (I am not very good on the marketing side like most dj’s, lol) and to develop a company that can support young and talented dj’s. Also to develop events in the near future. Right now we are working on some great concepts. I will keep you guys posted!
• Can you tell VMM what artists have you signed to your company?
At this point no particular names yet, that has everything to do with getting myself on the move again first. I’ve been around now for many years and I helped out a lot of others in the edm scene when we still worked under the name Y-Catch Agency and those guys are right in the middle of it now, because my network reach is pretty big and my mouth even bigger;) But the thing was that I forgot doing it for myself. So for the near future I certainly have plans for other artists in BlueJ, I did this for others for years now, so why not doing it again.
• Can you tell VMM what do you look for in a Blue J artist?
I guess I have always had an ear for talent, so as long if the artists entertains the crowd and is an hell of a dj and got skills as a producer, that’s my kinda guy or girl!
• Can you tell VMM are you looking for new artists to sign to your roster?
I’m always looking, so yes I am open for it but at this point I am not really active on searching. But a good artist is always welcome!
• As the founder of BlueJ can you give a top tip for new artists to get noticed in this over crowed industry?
Over crowded for sure! And with this said you have to be very smart and make good music to stand out! I mean smart on the social media and PR side, and be a hell of a producer. The standard nowadays is pretty high. With an over crowded industry comes also a new generation of artists, who I welcome with open arms. Always good to have new blood in the edm scene. So the tip is stand out with what you do! music wise but also performance wise, think the other way around if you were standing between the audience what would you like to see or hear. And stay close to yourself at all times! Respect all your dj collegues, we are all in this for the love of the music.
VMM Q: JOOP we know you release most of your original releases on High Contrast Recordings so VMM would like to ask you what is the reason for this appart from them being a quality label?
Theres not really a reason for it, I guess when I started out on ID&T records I dealt with the A&R manager back then all ready wich is now the owner of BeYourSelf Music , we always had a very good relationship and still do. Although for the near future I have also some other labels in mind for some other projects. We will see what happens!
VMM Q: JOOP can you tell the VMM how do you feel the music industry has changed in the last decade?
Every 3-5 years you see a change in the edm scene music wise. Especially the last 2 years everything comes closer together and you see huge crossovers between various styles of edm music. As long as I can remember I never just played one style of music in my dj-sets. Because I always try to project myself on the audience, what would I like to hear when I’m standing in a club or on a big festival? I want to entertain the people with some different tastes of edm. My taste in music is wide, it always has been. Also the internet plays probably the biggest role in this last decade of changes. Internet wasn’t always my friend so to speak, but I had to learn that times are faster now. I now see the benefits when doing a gig and posting pictures or videos on the net and the interaction with the people that are on the other side of the world. I love that! Really a cool way to let them know and see what’s up were ever whenever! Also posting previews on the net from new tracks and have feedback from people positive or negative. Also the last few years you see a whole new generation of young dj’s / producers that having it easier in my opinion then 10 years ago with the software that is in reach nowadays, don’t get me wrong they still have to work their magic of course. And I love the new generation! They are the future! It gives the line ups finally some fresh blood.
VMM Q: Finally can you tell VMM what new studio projects have you lined up for the coming months?
We’re almost done with the follow up for Just One Night, I am really excited to bring this baby into the world soon! And of course next to this I got a real cool thing that I am working on with some other edm artists. I can’t say anything yet about it but this will be a eye opener once it will come out.
Big thank you to JOOP for taking time out to speaking with us at VMM e-magazine.
Thank you guys!
JOOP – Ft. Tiffany Johnston – Just One Night is out now on release on High Contrast and available on Beatport and all other portals like Spotify, Dance-tunes, Audiojelly and iTunes. The track is released with an original and a radio edit.
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