Kolter & Luuk Van Dijk: Why Collaborating is "Good 4 U"

Making magic in the studio on your own is one thing, but doing it with another artist — who has their own sound palette, opinions, workflow, baggage, personalities, expectations, etc. — is something else entirely.

Here at Beatportal, we are always fascinated by how these collaborative tracks and bodies of work are spurred into existence. So when two mavens of the global house and minimal/deep tech scene combine their sonic ingenuity for the first time — enter Amsterdam's Luuk Van Dijk and Colone's Kolter — to create the euphoric, immense, and heavily requested record "Good 4 U," we were naturally curious about how this potent Dutch/German dance floor collaboration came to be.

To celebrate the release of this enthralling tune — which puts a spin Pamela Fernandez’s '90s classic, "Kickin In The Beat" — we got both Kolter and Luuk Van Dijk to speak about their first interaction, the factors that stimulate the desire to make music together, their favorite timeless house records, and what the overall key ingredients are needed to putting together a stellar collaborative track.

How long have you guys known each other? Was it a classic case of meeting backstage at a festival or a changeover in a club?

Kolter: We've known each other for quite a while now, but the story of how we met is actually pretty unique. It wasn’t backstage at a festival or during a club changeover but more of a natural crossing of paths in the music scene. We shared similar tastes and a mutual respect for each other's work, which eventually led to our collaboration. It’s one of those moments where everything just clicked, and we knew we had to create something together.

Luuk Van Dijk: The funny thing is that I don’t exactly remember the first time we met but I remember we played the same party in my hometown Hilversum in Holland like nine years ago or something. That party was called Catch and it was the first party I had a residency at and really learned DJing. I already knew Johannes because of his big collection of epic free downloads on SoundCloud. I've definitely been a fan for a while, haha. The cool thing about social media is that you can make friends or stay in touch even though you don’t see each other often.

You guys both meet plenty of DJs backstage at shows and will play many other DJ's music, but what is it about another artist that makes you want to jump into the studio with them? What makes you want to convert from a fan/peer to collaborators?

Kolter: For me, it’s more than just liking someone’s tracks – it’s about connecting on a deeper level musically and creatively. When I see that an artist isn’t just following trends but pushing boundaries and staying authentic to their sound, that’s when I’m intrigued. It’s also important that we share a certain energy or vision. If I listen to their music and feel inspired or find myself thinking, ‘I wouldn’t have thought to approach it that way,’ that’s when I know it’s time to take the next step from being a fan or peer to collaborating in the studio.

Luuk Van Dijk: I’m just here for the good times. I absolutely live to have a laugh with someone. Ok, well, music is pretty nice too. I have loads of DJ friends who make different music; I have a very diverse music taste, so I love to make something different occasionally. I think you can never have enough variety when it comes to collaborating. If you have artist friends who push you creatively and make the best tunes together, that’s absolutely great. I don’t really have a friend like that; I do think Johannes did a pretty good job at this the first time around. I don’t think I’d ever jump in the studio with someone who I don’t like, even though it would be a killer combo. I had a great time making this one with Johannes, maybe we will do something again in the future, who knows!

How did the collaboration come about? Has a collaboration been a long time coming? Was it a session or something that started online?

Kolter: Luuk sent me a project that had a solid foundation but was missing a certain element to really make it shine. He reached out for my input, and I was excited to dive in and add that final touch. Working on it together, we were able to blend our ideas and elevate the track to a new level. It’s always rewarding to collaborate like that and see how our combined creativity brings something special to life.

Luuk Van Dijk: I remember speaking to a fan and he was saying like; ‘you have to make tracks with Kolter, that would be perfect’. I knew that could be a bomb combination, so I had it on my mind for a while. When I started this project, I got stuck at some point and was struggling to figure out what it needed. I often have these compilations in the studio as I’m a very inspirational/creative-driven producer. I can’t just keep on writing bangers every week like Johannes does, hehe. So sometimes it’s good to ask friends or send the idea to someone else and finish it or take the project to a different direction. I know Johannes is a sucker for '90s influences, and I am too, so I knew he needed to put his magic on it. And he did, thanks bro!

Kolter: Be honest, how was it working with me? How did you find the collaborative process?

Luuk Van Dijk: Working with you was both intense and rewarding! We’re both such perfectionists, so there were definitely moments when we really dug into the details to get everything just right. It wasn’t always easy, but that drive to perfect every aspect made the final result something we’re both really proud of. It was a true collaboration where our shared passion pushed us to create something exceptional.

What are the key ingredients when it comes to collaborations?

Kolter: The key ingredients for a great collaboration are good communication and mutual respect. It’s crucial to be open to each other’s ideas and feedback, and having a shared passion and enthusiasm for the project helps a lot. Being willing to experiment and try new things also plays a big role in making the collaboration successful.

Luuk Van Dijk: I can’t say it better than Johannes on this one. Communication is key. Don’t put too much pressure on it as well, it’s “just” music, not rocket science. Let the good times roll. 

"Good 4 U" definitely harkens back to house music of eras gone by. Was there any particular era, artist, or moment in house history you were thinking about when working on the track?

Luuk Van Dijk: I’m a sucker for nostalgia. Unfortunately, I haven’t experienced 90’s warehouse parties, but I love vintage stuff. I’m even actually considering an old Blackberry, haha. The last year, I’ve been digging a lot of older house music, progressive, and trancey stuff. I love good, happy vibes, and when I was fooling around with the keys, I came up with the chord synths in ‘Good 4 U’ and immediately started smiling.

Kolter: Absolutely, "Good 4 U" definitely draws inspiration from classic house music. When working on it, I was particularly influenced by the early ‘90s house scene. Artists like Frankie Knuckles and Masters at Work had a huge impact on me, and their innovative sounds and grooves were definitely on my mind. I wanted to capture that nostalgic feel while adding a fresh twist to create something that feels both timeless and new."

Luuk Van Dijk: How has "Good 4 U" been going down in your sets this summer?

Kolter: The track has been a standout in my sets this summer! The lyrics, sung with such a positive vibe, really connect with the crowd, and it’s been amazing to see how people respond to it. The blend of classic house elements with a modern twist has created a great energy on the dance floor. It’s always thrilling to see a track you’re excited about bring that much joy to a live audience.

Luuk Van Dijk: I remember playing it live at my Get Closer party during ADE last year. I was performing the song and actually playing the synth chords live, and the peeps absolutely loved it. And wow, I just realized it took a year to finish it! Clearing the vocal and putting it out. Since then, I’ve been getting so many DMs and sick crowd reactions. That’s the best feeling. You know you made something good. 

Kolter and Luuk Van Dijk's joint single "Good 4 U" is out now via Three Six Zero Recordings. Buy it on Beatport.