|
Matt Darey Interviews Ferry Corsten
Darey News Reviews and exclusive iview with Ferry Corsten
As 2005 comes to a close I can reflect back on the music that has come from the scene in the last 12 months and say that it has been an amazing year for the progression of sound. There’s been so many producers and DJ’s cultivating there own unique sounds and blends of music. Dance music is definitely back on the up creatively!! Its also been a tough year for many labels as the file sharing phenomenon took hold of the industry in a strangle hold. My big hope for 2006 is that music lovers all over the globe think twice about sharing music and think of the effect it will ultimately have on the industry as its so tough for the new kids coming in to the dance music business for the first time and make a career of it. If you love a tune, pls go out and buy it you tight ass!!
Its also been an amazing year for me taking Djing seriously rather than just doing the occasional gig here and there I’ve been taking my music out on the road around the globe and meeting so many cool people along the way. Also its been a busy year in the studio as well and with some great releases on my new record label and a brand new artist album well on the way. As well as running the label I also launched my own Nocturnal Global Radio show with Sirius, Club 246, Mix FM, Ministry of Sound, Digitally Imported and many more. I even squeezed in a bit of journalism along as another way to support the music that’s been emerging from the dance scene. Anyway, enough about me. I caught up with the main man from the Netherlands who has consistently managed to produce great music by himself whilst also holding down a career as an A - list DJ which is a massive achievement. So here’s a little insight into the world of Mr Corsten.
Excusive iview with Ferry Corsten
Matt Darey: So did you ever imagine back in 1998 when things started to kick off for you that you would be so successful on an international scale? Do you have to be careful what you dream?!!
Ferry Corsten: I never could have imagined that my life would take such a drastic turn. Back in ’98 I was already producing music but that was it. It really was a hobby of mine and I didn’t even have the ambition to become a DJ. I think the wilder you dream, the more possibilities you create for yourself.
Matt Darey: How did the track ‘Fire’ come about and how’s it feel to work with Eighties Icon Simon Le Bon?
Ferry Corsten: I came across this song of Duran Duran that had this great little vocal hook in it and I really felt like doing something with it. I produced a demo, send it to Duran’s management to see if they were interested in working with me on it and the band loved the idea. It was great to get all the help from the guys themselves. The old tape with the original Duran recording was dug up in L.A. and the vocal part sent over for me to work with.
Matt Darey: How is your Loud Electronic Ferocious concept working out?
Ferry Corsten: It’s going really well. I’m doing two residencies now in New York and L.A. under the LEF concept and it’s really kicking off. Of course I had my own LEF night in Ibiza and they were great. Last LEF event in Amsterdam was a blast with Ronald Van Gelderen and Paul Van Dyk…
Matt Darey: How is your most recent album ‘Passport: Kingdom of the Netherlands’ different from ‘Right of Way’?
Ferry Corsten: Well, first of all, Right Of Way was an Artist Album and ‘Passport’ was the first edition of my mix album series. LEF will be along the same lines as Right Of Way, only as the next level.
Matt Darey: Have you moved on from the classic trance sound forever and how do you see dance music evolving over the next few years?
Ferry Corsten: I’m still making trance, because I love it. But it’s in a very different way. It’s more with a ‘rock’ kind of feel I guess, but with the same message as before. I have been making the ‘classic’ trance style for over seven years and I feel it’s time to move on, or at least experiment with different styles. By doing this, I increase the chance of hitting a totally new sound.
Matt Darey: You closed the first South American music conference. Better than Miami?
Ferry Corsten: Yes. The SAMC is a lot more aimed at the business side of the dance industry. It’s all very well organized and the party spirit of the Latin Americans is amazing.
Matt Darey: You have residencies at 2 different clubs in America, and are constantly touring. What’s the hardest thing about being a DJ and what’s the best thing?
Ferry Corsten: The hardest thing is being away from home for a long time, having to deal with crazy time tables like late nights and early flights and delays. Sometimes when I’m touring on my own, it can be very lonely too. The best things are the great new people you meet all the time, nice restaurants and good vibes…
Matt Darey: You won best trance DJ at the DJ Awards this summer, did you ring up Tiësto and yell ‘in your face?
Ferry Corsten: No. I’m very happy I won it this year, but all the other guys are fantastic DJs too, so for me, we all deserved that award.
Matt Darey: How do you feel about people doing mash-ups of your tracks? If it was good would you have it off them?
Ferry Corsten: I feel flattered in a way. Great that my music inspires people to do that…If it would be out of this world, I might think about doing something with it. I’m not too happy though when mash-ups or bootlegs are being sold without my approval.
Matt Darey: You’re 32 in December, Will you ever quit dance music, move to LA and make music for movies?
Ferry Corsten: Never say never. We are all human and have our own tastes. At this moment, my taste is still very dance orientated. But I can’t say if it will be the same story in 5-10 years time.
Matt Darey: How do you spoil yourself with your hard-earned superstar DJ millions?
Ferry Corsten: Not too much to be honest. I got myself a descent house and car, but that’s where it ends. Maybe I take a nice holiday every once in a while. I’m always on the road, so I don’t really get to spend it hahaha…
Matt Darey: Did you know one of your fans made a stencil of the Ferry Corsten logo and spray painted it on their car? What’s the maddest thing a fan has ever done to get your attention?
Ferry Corsten: Well, there was this girl in Buenos Aires who asked me if I could sign her shoulder….she would have it tattooed over the next day. She sent me a picture of it and it’s huge!!! Than she posted a message on my website that she would do the other shoulder with my F logo. Now that is what I call dedicated...
Matt Darey: If the world was going to end next weekend you had to pick one club in the world to play your last gig, where would it be and what would be top of the list on your DJ Ryder?
Ferry Corsten: That would be The Guvernment in Toronto. I love that place and my ryder would say a few bottles of Champaign more….for the whole club I mean.
|
