EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Embarking on a solo venture after a significant duo split, Yoeri opens up about his transition to a solo artist. His journey reflects a deep-roo- ted passion for
intertwined with since his early days. Yoeri shares his experiences of evolving as a solo artist, his unique sound development, and the exhilarating freedom and challenges that come with flying solo.
Yoeri, after the split
neoftheabove member, how has this tran- sition impacted your performances, both in terms of energy and audience connection?
"In the beginning, it was quite an adjustment for me. Having spent around 6 years as part of a duo, a certain workflow had been established. I was used to providing joint sets and perfor- mances. The dynamics flowed smoothly, and we were very much in sync. However, it didn’t take long for me to find my own rhythm, and I adapted quickly. I started DJing at the age of 12, 17 years ago, so I didn’t need to reinvent the wheel, haha. What I appreciate is the freedom to decide how I present my music and not having to consider anyone else. I focused on what I truly love and emphasised more on performance".
"When you’re solo on stage, you’re solely responsible for
goes well or not. This felt very natural quickly, and I started to enjoy it more and more. The biggest downside was not being able to take a bathroom break when needed, haha. There was always someone to keep an eye out. But well, a swift run with a “WC” (Toilet) Song works just as effectively! This is what I
live for, and I’m enjoying it more than ever!"
Since going solo, how has your sound evolved, and what new elements or influences have you incorporated into your
techno style?
"My vision hasn’t really changed, to be honest. I’ve always had a love for
Hardcore, Early Rave, Schranz, and industrial techno. In terms of techno, I’ve always been a proponent of a rolling bassline. In my opinion, it creates a danceable vibe, resulting in less static movement on the dance floor. This aspect has remained unchanged in my productions and DJ sets. This style, sometimes called Break to break techno, emerged due to the changed norms during the COVID era. Tracks are often built with an intro leading to a break, clima- xing in a drop, and then transitioning into an outro to mix into the next track during another break. The BPMs have skyrocketed, bringing more energy to the audience. This evolution has blurred the lines between genres, incorporating elements of Psytrance, Hardcore, Hardstyle, Gabber, and Drum and Bass into techno. This fusion creates a new perspective on a specific genre within the EDM spectrum, eliminating boundaries and introducing a fresh dynamic to the music".
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mixmagde.com Hard techno, the performance, whether it from the former No- techno, a genre he’s been
What have been the most significant benefits and challenges you’ve faced since the split, particularly in relation to your creative process and public performances?
"There were actually no problems or challenges in this regard. I’ve been producing for most of my life, and much of the music was created independently. The style hasn’t significantly changed. I still have the same studio space in the heart of Rotterdam with the same gear. However, I’ve been more focused on learning to elevate my skills. When I look back, I should have done this much earlier. You can learn everything technically. YouTube, for example, has countless videos on every topic in the field. Nowadays, Chat GPT is my best friend in this. It provides a listening ear for any technical issue. Of course, it’s not always entirely accurate, but it can certainly help in understanding and learning techniques".
Your 2023 ‘Filth on Acid’ EP made waves in the techno scene. What was the inspiration behind this production, and how does it reflect your current artistic direction?
"To be honest, this track didn’t come from a specific inspiration source. AERT and I had a studio session, and the track originated during that time. We found the combination of the vocal and melody line appealing, so we decided to build on it, resulting in the final track. I sent the track to Reinier Zonneveld, who responded enthusiastically and wanted to release it on Filth on Acid. He asked us to create another track to complete the EP. We did this within the same week, and within 3 days, “The Signal” was at his doorstep, haha. This EP doesn’t really represent the style I currently produce and play, but it was more of a side project since Noneoftheabove stands for diversity in music. I’m not tied to a specific style, and I create what I find cool to release".
Let’s talk about THEABOVE Records. What motivated you to set it up, what direction do you envision for the label, and are there any specific artists you’re eager to collaborate with?
"I started THEABOVE Records (TAR) 7 years ago because I wanted to create my platform to release music
my own and from other artists. I was tired of sending demos and wanted a way to release music quickly and easily. Labels often have long queues and receive hundreds of demos per week, resulting in a significant waiting time before your music gets released. With TAR, I now have the opportunity to release something at any moment. If you have to wait, for example, 8 months, the energy and feeling for the track you made back then disappear. The music released on TAR is what I play myself, giving me the chance to play this music before it’s released".
"The advantage of TAR is that I can relea- se music from artists I find very cool. I recei- ve a lot of demos myself, mainly from upco- ming artists. This way, I discover a lot of new music that I release, regardless of how big or
that I stand behind, both
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