Focus on the Netherlands: Sandy Huner

Focus on the Netherlands: Sandy Huner

22 October, 2010 | 4.06AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: 100% pure, focus on, netherlands, sandy huner

Amsterdam’s Sandy Huner is a co-founder, with Dylan Hermelijn (aka 2000 And One) of the city’s acclaimed 100% Pure label. His name is familiar from many a release from the early ‘90s, on labels like Eevolute, ESP and Beechwood, but after launching 100% Pure he took time off from the scene to concentrate on high-tech entrepreneurial projects. But the scene sucked him back in, as it tends to do; in 2007, Huner teamed up with Dave Ellesmere for a release (appropriately titled “Returning") on Thirtyonetwenty, and a stream of releases for Area Remote and Bangbang! has followed.

Huner tells us how record shops like Blackbeat and underground parties gave Amsterdam house culture its unique flavor back in the ‘90s, and he tips us to a few rising names we’re going to be hearing a lot in the months and years to come. This Saturday, catch him as part of the Playkula&Wilde/Thirtyonetwenty showcase at Amsterdam’s Studio 80, alongside Einzelkind, Penner + Mulder, Italoboyz, William Kouam Djoko, Ahmet Sisman, Ramon Tapia, and others.

Which local clubs, DJs and record labels were most significant to you when you were first getting into dance music?

In the early ‘90s I worked at a record shop called Blackbeat. This was one of the most influential places for me, mainly because I had firsthand pick of every US and UK release. That’s how I discovered Detroit techno, and Chicago and New York house. I was hooked from the start and started to head down to DJ Dimitri’s Hi-Tech Soul Movement evenings at club Roxy. Those nights were way ahead of their time, with US guest DJs like Derrick May, and Larry Heard, to name a few.

There was also an illegal underground club called Planet E based in a two-storey building hidden in the center of Amsterdam. As they didn’t really have a set closing time, you could dance to the latest Chicago acid till sunrise. Later they continued these parties at a boat located in the Amsterdam harbor. They also ran a record label called Lower East Side, which released the first ever 2000 And One tracks. Other Dutch Detroit-influenced labels from that period were Eevolute and DJAX Records from Eindhoven, and a bit later 100% Pure which Dylan and I started ourselves.

I have very fond memories of these early years; I guess being there from the start is the main reason that I’ve developed such a broad taste in electronic music. I don’t limit myself to one style, for me it’s either good music or bad music.

What sets Dutch music apart? Is it possible to define a Dutch sound?

I think the launch of Remote Area in 2006 put Amsterdam back on the map. It bundled a whole new generation of Amsterdam DJ/producers, and gave them a united identity.

Many of those names have grown into very successful international names, like Lauhaus, David Labeij, Julien Chaptal, Kabale und Liebe…

There are so many great artists and labels that’s its difficult to pin down one defined sound. I guess I would describe the sounds and scene in the same way as I would describe Amsterdam – diverse, open minded and innovative.

Which artists and labels from your country should people be looking out for, and why?

There are so many, but for me Tom Ruijg is the guy you should be watching—new school house but with a classic New York house feel to it. His second EP on Bangbang! is coming out quite soon. Also William Kouam Djoko—his style is one-of-a-kind, soul-packed dance grooves with his own deep and dirty vocals. After two releases on Thirtyonetwenty, his third EP will come out soon.

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