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 Simon Willson, a radio show host and fan of Paul Van Dyk's for many years has the opportunity to interview the man again before his visit to Hong Kong again this month.
After being away for a few years, Paul Van Dyk returned to a sold out Hitec event in Kowloon Bay. Simon talks to him about his productions, awards and his latest soundtracks.
Simon: How Do you Feel your music has progressed over the years?
Paul: Well generally the whole characteristic of electronic music is very open therefore is always developing forward and evolving on, so is my music of course.
Simon: In more recent years vocals have figured more prominently in your tracks who or what inspired this move away from what has been predominantly instrumental tracks in the past?
Paul: Well the thing is most of my tracks are instrumental, when I go to the studio I have two different ways of working. One is when I have an atmosphere in my head that I want to bring across it’s usually becoming an instrumental. But if there is a specific topic I like to write a track about then it usually includes vocals as well, I think it has to do a little bit with growing up somehow, you get more self confidence to touch certain issues with your music and with the lyrics in the tracks, that’s my theory.
Simon: How do you choose which artist to work with?
Paul: Well I hear something, I like it and then I try to work with the people, for me it’s really important to work with someone who has a clear idea about their own sound and what they want to do because I have that too and when we work together in the studio something interesting is gonna happen. So it doesn’t necessarily have to be a big pop-star just a big talent.
Simon: Are you involved in any social political activities?
Paul: Well there have been a few things, I am a big supporter of a charity organization called “The Council” (sic) based in Bombay, India and is providing food and education to kids in the slums. I also created with the Berlin Red Cross for kids who live in not the best circumstances and we try to help them so they have the chance to make their own dreams come true. It’s a German project which translates as supporting tail wind.
Of course I was part of the “Rock The Vote” campaign in the US for the run up to the Presidential elections to encourage young Americans to vote and be part of the democratic process. There are many things that I am evolved with really, the thing is for me really when it comes down to politics and things like this I am very interested in politics and the complex things that are behind it I think it is very important. I totally believe that the best concept we have to live together is democracy and in order to make a strong democratic enquiry we need all of us to actually be involved. That starts with going to elections but it also means when you see something wrong in your neighbourhood, go ahead and change it. This is what I do, this is what I believe in.
Simon: What TV/Movie Soundtrack work have you done?
Paul: Quite a few things I do a whole music soundtrack for a whole Mexican move call “Zurdo” and did actually win the Mexican Oscar for that soundtrack and then did the title track for an Australian movie “One Perfect Day” and there have been quite a lot of things in TV productions especially in some of the big Hollywood productions, they seem to be really interested in interesting music and lucky enough I have been able to provide them with something.
Simon: What does the Mexican Oscar look like?
Paul: Difficult to describe, It’s like kind of a flying angel, silver metal figure with wings that leans forward
Simon: Where do keep it in your house?
Paul: It’s by the studio I have a few prizes and it has a special place there.
Simon: A question about a track on the album 7 Ways - What is “The Greatness of Britain”.
Paul: It’s kind of like a little bit of an ironic song, because obviously there is something good and something not so good in every nation, in every folk. The greatness of Britain was a little bit of an ironic one because, you know, you have the very fine tea society in the UK that think the best of themselves without even reflecting what’s going on outside. It’s kind of an ironic thing towards that. If you listen to it very closely there a little tiny fraction saying “can I have a cup of tea” it’s in that track.
Simon: When not Dj’ing what fills your time?
Paul: Well definitely family and friends and it’s more than a hobby, I have two dogs. I love them and it’s so funny with them all the time. I really miss them when I’m out on the road, but they are at dog school which is like a holiday camp for them while I’m a away so they love it when I’m away but love it hopefully even more when I’m back.
Simon: What about the patter of little Paul Van Dyk’s – Any plans to have kids?
Paul: Not yet, you know we are still very busy with everything we do and in order to actually raise a child …. As I explained before all the charity organizations that I support are all aiming towards kids that don’t have a proper childhood. Obviously, If I have my own kids I want to give them the best base for a good future and the best childhood ever and right now I just wouldn’t be able to because I have to travel all the time so I would never be around when it’s necessary so we keep that in the future and when it happens , it happens.
Simon: Looking at your schedule it seems you don’t have much time for anything other than gigging and sleeping on aero planes.
Paul: I have to say some of the hardest traveling, especially when you are based in Europe, is in Asia because it’s always the time when you travel when you should be asleep. In the US for example, timing wise it’s completely the other way round and works out well but as a European traveling through Asia with my kinda of schedule, it’s really exhausting.
Simon: it must be …last night you were in Singapore, tonight you’re in Beijing tomorrow Guangzhou, Friday night in KL and Saturday here in HK it seems like a very hectic life with little time for sleep!
Paul: Actually it’s Bangkok tomorrow It was Guangzhou last weekend but that is the nature of what we do, a lot of back and forth all the time. It depends or where we are and what we do.
Simon: Such a hectic schedule you still know where you are and where you’re going for a DJ that’s very together …
Paul: Well (laughing) I do my best
Simon: Well, Thank-you very much for your time this evening, finally anything you’d like to say to the people of Hong Kong before we say good-bye?
Paul: I always have a great time in Hong Kong and it’s one of the most interesting places I have ever visited and I’m very excited to be back.
Simon: and we’re certainly excited to welcome you – thank you once again for your time today & look forward to seeing you at HITEC this Saturday.
Paul: Ok Likewise, Thank-you very much . Bye
Interview by Simon Willson
http://www.djsimon.com/ |
