Mijk van Dijk remix on Hypnotic Room - The Immaculate Q&A

Mijk van Dijk remix on Hypnotic Room - The Immaculate Q&A

15 December, 2008 | 11.24AM

• Written by: elektrax
• Filed under: Music News : mijk van dijk

Elektrax caught up with the legendary German producer responsible in the 1990s for techno/trance rave classics under the aliases Microglobe, Mindgear, and Marmion, on labels such as MFS and Superstition.

He’s no less relevant today, working closely with DJ Hell on International DJ Gigolo, and having just done a sizzling remix of the Little Nobody vs. DJ Fodder house music classic, ‘Cocaine Speaking’, for ‘Hypnotic Room Special Edition’, an exclusive release through Beatport.

Elektrax: How and when did you first get into DJing and producing electronic music in general - and what motivated this commencement?

Mijk: I used to like electronic funk and new wave back in the early ‘80s, and bought a Moog Prodigy to play such phat synth basslines in the funk band in which I was playing bass. Later, when drum machines became cheaper, I bought a Roland TR-505 and wanted to sound like Prince, but that didn’t really work. When acid and house came around, the 505 suddenly started to make sense again and I bought an Atari and a sampler, and that’s how I started.

Elektrax: You’ve been working with music for all of the 1990s, and most of this decade. What keeps you motivated?

Mijk: Every new sound and idea. Currently I love to work with vocals and song writing.

Elektrax: What production aliases do you currently work under, and how would you define their separate styles?

Mijk: When I started in 1990 I only used aliases such as Microglobe, LoopZone, Marmion, et cetera, to be able to release totally different styles. In the mid ‘90s I decided to release only as Mijk van Dijk, and only did some undercover projects. Recently I’ve been releasing as “Plato”, and under some other aliases that I wanna keep secret. Plato is more like Mijk van Dijk back in the day, while Mijk now is always trying to break new ground.

Elektrax: How did you get involved with the Sydney label Hypnotic Room, run by DJ Hi-Shock?

Mijk: I know Hi-Shock from my first tours to Australia back in the ‘90s, and received digital promos when he started his label.

Elektrax: What are your thoughts on the digital download phenomenon?

Mijk: First of all, I do love vinyl, and I think that a proper DJ is still the one spinning vinyl. The DJ with the vinyl record in his hands has become a modern music icon and still is, just like the guitar hero with the Stratocaster or Les Paul round his neck. There was a time when only 500 copies of certain records existed, and they were as valuable as gold. DJs would hunt for certain records to be the first to play it out. There’s still a mystery about the vinyl record, and a DJ flicking through his record case looks just so much better than a digital jock staring on his laptop screen.

However, from my travels I know that there are many countries where DJs just cannot buy vinyl or only at outrageous prices. For them the digital download age must be heaven come true. The best music, available instantly, unlimited, reasonably priced. That’s the good part of it, and tradition should be cherished but never stand in the way of progress, so I just think this is the age that we live in, no turning back, let’s move forward. But I still can’t understand why some of the most successful DJs turn up on their gigs with headphones and a cheeky handbag with a couple of CDs. Our music should look more valuable that that…

Elektrax: How does digital download suit your own needs and directions?

Mijk: I can easily check new music, new artists, even short before the gig and play it out immediately. Tonight I had a strange experience, though: My favorite album of 2008 was by Hercules & Love Affair on DFA, so I really have an eye on that band, and when I discovered a Hercules & Love Affair-remix of Bostro Pesopeo’s ‘Falls’ on Beatport, I immediately liked it and wanted to have it. However I received the message: “Territory Restricted - One or more objects that you want to purchase are not available in your region.” Excuse me??? I thought that the biggest advantage of our brave new digital download world is the unlimited availability of our music.

Elektrax: Do you think digital download and digital files will eventually replace vinyl for DJs?

Mijk: They already have taken over in countries like France. It’s a bit of a shame, but once again, we have no time to go backwards.

Elektrax: Some people hate the idea of digital download, and say it’s “not real music - we only release vinyl”. What would you say to them?

Mijk: Music is music. Vinyl is a medium. Personally, I love it. But it’s heavy.

Elektrax: Which other artists/DJs do you currently enjoy working with, and what’s the attraction of these particular people?

Mijk: Since the end of 2006, I’ve been working with DJ Hell on several projects like Gigolo compilations, remixes, and fashion show music, as well as his latest single, ‘The Disaster’ - another track on his soon-to-be-released album. However, currently I enjoy mostly working with my wife, Jette von Roth, who is an extraordinary singer and has a very musical mind. We will have some great music out in 2009.

Elektrax: Who have been your favorite techno and electronic producers in your lifetime, and who rocks your world today?

Mijk: In the past, I admired producers like Kevin Saunderson and Speedy J, DJs like Laurent Garnier and Derrick May and labels like Underground Resistance and Warp, who shaped my way of thinking techno. Today, productions by Oliver Huntemann and Dubfire are always a sureshot in my sets. But I also have an eye on labels like Kitsuné, Gomma, DFA. And I still love funk music! I recently discovered this young kid from Perth called Shazam. He must be the brightest hope for 2009.

Interview by: Elektrax
Edited by: Nina Nezvanova

‘Cocaine Speaking - Mijk van Dijk’s Say No To Drug Hysteria-Remix’ is out on the Special Edition series of Hypnotic Room. Get it now exclusively through Beatport.

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