It seems like every DJ I listen to I find something new. From beats to vocals, each DJ I hear provides something new and something unique. I want to be pushed to the limits of my taste, and I want to be sent to a new level of skill. The man I am sitting with today does just that. His work is new, and not very well known here in the states. But that doesn’t stop him from producing some sick beats and some incredible tracks. I first heard him on last.fm while flipping through various artists similar to Armin van Buuren. Anyone that can be tied to Armin is decent in my book. But this man goes to a whole new level of decent. His work is known all over Europe and further and he has landed a place on this year’s Electric Zoo. Sit down and get to know a true talent in today’s scene. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to Joris Voorn.
So please tell me how you pronounce your name!
Your’is Vorn.
How long have you been a DJ?
I have been a DJ for about fourteen years now.
When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
In 2003 I had a chance to survive making and playing music instead of working at my day job as an architectural designer. From there it was over. I was meant to be a DJ.
Where do you get inspiration for a new track?
Form anything; could be a sample, could be a synth sound, my mood, a movie clip…
Where are you originally from?
I am from Moergestel, which is a small village in the Dutch coutryside.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go?
I like Amsterdam; where I’m now, but I’d love to try out New York, Tokyo or Hong Kong for a while.
What is the biggest crowd you have ever performed for?
That must have been Sensation. It was held in Amsterdam in a football arena for 40,000 people or so.
The smallest?
I’ve done some home parties for a few people when I just started playing, which was just as much fun as playing for thousands of people now.
Are you excited about Electric Zoo coming up this September?
Of course, I heard many good things about it, and as I said, “I LOVE NEW YORK!”
Do you play a lot of festivals like that?
Very many, especially during summer, countless actually.
I really like your MySpace design. Who did that?
Thanks! My brother Christoph designed it, with a little bit of my help. It brought him a career as MySpace designer. (Laughs)
What are your thoughts on MySpace?
It’s over its peak. Facebook is much nicer and more personal.
Are you on Twitter?
My Facebook page is linked to Twitter; that’s all.
If you could be any cartoon character which one would you be and why?
Dexter (not the killer but the scientist).
Has your music really been featured in all of those films listed on your website?
I wish. Where does it say my music is listed in those films?
What is the best concert you have ever been to?
I have to dig deeeep into my memory for that, but to keep it simple I saw Prince in France and that was deffinately something very special.
Tell me a little bit about Balance.
My second mix DJ mix CD, a cross boundary a musical adventure that represents everything I love about music.
So you are a producer as well. Do you like production more than performing?
I love both, but making music is where my heart lies most. Very amazing is to play my own productions for the first time and see how the crowd reacts. I couldnt be a DJ without playing my own tracks also.
How many stamps do you currently have on your passport?
I have a business passport with double amount of pages from December 2006 and it’s almost full!
What is your favorite city to visit?
Tokyo or Hong Kong.
Describe your genre in one word.
Crossgenreelectronicmusic.
What does a typical Friday night look like for you?
Normally flying to my destination, having dinner if there’s time and then sweating the night away in a dark club behind the mixer.
You seem like a pretty stylish guy. Where do you buy most of your clothes?
Same three cities; New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Although Paris is good for shopping too, and Amsterdam’s not bad either.
Tell me about working with Ultimate DJ Gear.
My Ultimate DJ Gear is Traktor DJ software from Native Instruments.
So if someone has never seen you perform before, what can he or she expect from a live show?
A great amount of groovy high quality dance music that doesn’t stick to one sound.
What was the last movie you saw?
L’été Meurtrier, a freaky French thriller from 1983.
Did you like it?
I loved it!
What are you drinking up there on stage?
Champagne is my drink of choice. Not too much beer, as the bathroom is usually too far away to take a break in the middle of a set.
Does it ever get lonely on stage?
I like having people around on stage making a party. Sometimes you can be very lonely playing on a huge stage for a huge crowd that’s too far away.
What would you be doing if you were not performing?
Answering interview questions like this!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I’ve had many sound issues with my laptop last year, hard to describe the feeling when the music stops and everyone is looking at you and you don’t know what went wrong.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still coming to New York once in a while, maybe even for Electric Zoo!
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
By someone who made one or two unforgettable pieces of music, that would be nice.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
It’s hot here in my studio, and I think I need to take a break… See you at the Zoo!
Very nice interview with such a talented artist. Cheers!