HOLLYWOOD DJING IS STILL MY HOBBY: AFROJACK
Afrojack (above right) is one of the few DJs in the world who get mentioned when people talk about electronic dance music (EDM). Speaking about his new material and upcoming performance at Sunburn in Pune, the DJ says, “I made a lot of new music, and I played a different set a couple of months back [in India], and the first reaction was pretty crazy. I can try out even more new stuff now.” Afrojack also recently collaborated with singer Ananya Birla for her debut single. When asked if he will collaborate with more Bollywood stars or musicians in India, the DJ says he will, but warns that he is not too familiar with Indian music. “I don’t listen to a lot of music in general. I am usually very focused on working,” he says.
Afrojack also agrees that India has become a favourite for DJs from all over the world. “The love and appreciation we get in India takes us back to the roots and makes us want to play the classics,” he says.
Speaking about his career, The ‘Ten feet tall’ hit-maker says he feels rather privileged. “I always loved music and I always loved DJing, and now it’s very different. I’m playing all around the world all the time. It’s still my hobby, so it just feels like a privilege. I am just happy that you guys stuck with me for so long,” he says.
Ask him what he feels about people who don’t consider EDM as “real music”, and the Dutch DJ is quick to answer, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.” He, however, explains that electronic music does not depend on the artists’ performance as much as it does on the composition. He says, “Live performances are more focused on presenting a different visual experience. In the studios, we really focus on composing. For example, producers don’t play the piano or the guitar; they compose songs on the piano or on the guitar. At least that’s how I see it. I know how to play the piano a little, but I can compose something better on the piano than I could actually play the instrument.”
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Nick van de Wall, believes that the best way to experience electronic music is to go to a live concert, as one gets to experience the visuals, lights and the special effects as well. “An EDM live show is really a live show, whereas usually, when you go to a concert, you just hear the music being played really loudly and the artistes playing live instruments. With EDM, it’s really more of a virtual reality being created by the DJ,” he says.