SW&Wtyle: “Trance, electro and house.” Best known for: “Our productions, our energetic DJ sets and our Mainstage radio show.” Tune of 2012: “Rick Mitchells & Bas van Essen’s ‘Raptor’.” Breakthrough DJ/ producer of 2012: “Husman.”
HOT off the back of releasing their double- CD mix compilation ‘Mainstage 2012’, W&W are gearing up for a busy December. “The compilation had a lot of exclusive tunes on it, which were the result of endless searching,” says Willem van Hanegem, one half of the Dutch duo (alongside Wardt van der Harst).
Their ‘Invasion’ techy-trance smasher was one of this year’s sure-fire trance anthems. “For us, the key to production is to experiment but not to lose the core feeling of our sound,” they say. “We feel
comfortable with the sound we have now.” Their progressive, big room trance sound is epitomized by releases such as ‘Invasion’ and ‘Lift Off’. “We’ve been DJing pretty much everywhere, too,” they say. “Whether you do that with old school vinyl mixing, using a USB stick or a laptop, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about the result that comes out of the speakers.” CLAIRE HUGHES
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If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “Teleporta- tion — that way we can play a lot more shows for a lot more people.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “You should play for the crowd, but within your musical range. The most important thing is the balance.” What does EDM mean to you? “EDM brings people together and connects them.” Should ce- lebrities be DJs? “Of course, why not? As long as they play a really cool set, of course.” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Fortunately, not yet. We’re still waiting for that to happen.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “DJing isn’t about beat matching any more.” Where’s the next dance music capi- tal? “Dance music is such a worldwide thing, it’s hard to pick a capital.”
26 36 12 FEDDE LE GRAND
2012 has been a hugely important year for Fedde Le Grand, allowing him to refine the skills that accorded him superstar status. “I’ve finally come into my own and matured as an artist and producer,” he says. “I’ve taken full control of everything that’s going on around me, I’m right at the heart of the Fedde Le Grand ship.”
Aside from three months in the studio, working on his second album (due for release at the end of the year), Fedde has spent most of 2012 touring, producing
Style: “House.” Best known for: “‘Put Your Hands Up For Detroit’ (the remixes)/ last year’s run of Beatport No.1s.” Tune of 2012: “Fedde Le Grand & Nicky Romero feat Matthew Koma ‘Sparks’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Danny Avila.”
some unforgettable moments for him, including the Sensation parties in places like Korea, and sampling the burgeoning, intriguing US EDM scene. “America’s been another highlight for me this year,” says Fedde. “The ‘EDM explosion’ has just gotten bigger and bigger, and to watch it as well as be a part of it can give you shivers.”
The good ship Le Grand keeps on sailing strong. TRISTAN PARKER
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “Superman, for sure. That way I could just fly everywhere and wouldn’t have to bother with jets.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “It’s all about the crowd. If you want to play for yourself, then stay in the bedroom.” What does EDM mean to you? “It means everything — whether you’re calling it EDM these days or house or techno or whatever, it’s the reason we come together in the clubs and at festivals, it’s the soundtrack to our lives.” Should celebrities be DJs? “Only if they can actually DJ!” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “No, never.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “For me, DJing is more than ‘just’ beat matching — it’s also about the choice of music, feeling the crowd, and the set-up of your set.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “Some- where in the United States. Whether it’ll be LA or New York or even Vegas, I don’t know.”