Menno De Jong Interview (Aug 09)

1) Hi Menno, how are you on this fine day?

Very well thank you. On my way home from a trip that went through Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Beijing. It’s been another week full of new and exciting experiences with some rocking events and crowds.

2) You’ve had a bit of an action packed summer haven’t you, any particular highlights?

This summer has by far been the best one I have had so far. I was invited to be the resident of Global Gathering this year and those have been some of the best gigs I have played to date. Other than that, Nature One, a tour in the US, playing alongside names ranging from Carl Cox to Orbital and Armin van Buuren to Tiësto, what more can a DJ want?

3) From all the Global Gatherings you have played, which has been your favourite?

That’s pretty much impossible to answer! I must say that it was very unique to play in Belarus as an event of this size is something very new for the crowd there, but nevertheless all the other ones have been amazing. Closing out the UK Global Gathering was great too, Markus Schulz and I jetted over from another festival in The Netherlands and I played after him to end what was a long day for the clubbers. I felt very honoured that everyone partied hard till the very end!

4) This summer also saw the return of your massive Intuition Summer Festival, how did it go? How long has it been running for now?

This was the fourth Intuition Summer Festival that we organized. It started out with about 500 people on a very rainy day on the beach back in the days. This summer we had around 1500 Trance lovers going crazy to some of the best DJs we could get a hold of. Just picture it: the DJ booth is placed so that the crowd can see the sun setting over the ocean, the entire crowd is jumping to the tunes that are played and everyone is walking around smiling. It just doesn’t cease to amaze me how the event has grown to something so beautiful.

5) The Top 100 DJ Poll has come back around again, if you were to vote, whom would you be voting for?

In random order I would vote for: Gareth Emery, Mat Zo, Cosmic Gate, Sander van Doorn and Eric Prydz.

6) Now, as you well know you will be featuring at Godskitchen’s birthday, with this in mind, what would you buy Godskitchen as a present if you could?

A bottle of Sambuca! In fact, I might bring one indeed.

7) We’ve all been bought rubbish birthday presents over the years, socks, underwear, you know the culprits, what is the worst you have ever been bought?

I only ever get alcohol for my birthday. People must think there is something seriously wrong with me! Or perhaps they just look forward to drinking it on my next birthday or BBQ.

8) A reliable source here tells me you like to play the Rusty Trumpet (don’t shoot the messenger haha), would you care to elaborate on that for us?

I have a disgusting little brother who likes to spread false rumours about me to the people of Godskitchen. Very naughty considering that I took care of his ill self after he had too much to drink at the Godskitchen Future event in Newcastle a few weeks ago! ;)

9) What’s the funniest thing you have experienced this week?

In Kuala Lumpur where I am about twice people’s height I had to run to meet someone whilst it was raining as if there were a monsoon going on. I wore a plastic poncho to stay dry and the local people looked at me as if I came straight from the zoo. Their faces were priceless.

10) What was the last text message you received?

From a friend / fellow musician saying he just got the new job he had applied for. Congrats Joost van der Vleuten!

11) If you could go back in time and live in any era what would it be?

I would have liked to witness the first 5 years of Electronic Dance Music. Otherwise – I would have also loved to see Beethoven in real life.

12) What is your pretend porn star name? If you don’t know how to do this, you have to take the name of your first ever pet and your mother’s maiden name…

Pookee Buffalo. Well, sort of.

13) If your house were to burn down what would be the 3 things you would save?

My MacBook Pro, vinyls collection and piano. Judging by the weight of the last two I would probably end up dying of smoke poisoning.

14) Finally, what is your favourite joke at the moment?

Two elephants and a snake fall off a cliff. Buddum, tschhhh

Many thanks for your time Menno De Jong and we are all looking forward to hearing you back at Godskitchen for "The Birthday" celebrations on Saturday 26th September.

In September, it's Godskitchen's birthday and that can only mean one thing - one hell of a party. After a little time away from Air, the smiling dutchman Sander Van Doorn makes a welcome return and will be raising the temperature in the main room with a typically electric performance. Markus Schulz was announced as GlobalGathering's worldwide resident this year which has seen him fly to all corners of the globe, wowing crowds with his powerful blend of melodic music. Menno De Jong has quickly become a crowd favourite with the Godskitchen regulars with show stopping performances at last year's christmas party and this year's GlobalGathering, his Intuition podcast is now one of the most downloaded podcasts online and is most definitely one to watch in the future. Another man to watch for the future is Jerome Isma-Ae who will be making his much anticipated Godskitchen debut, his blend of Progressive House and Trance has been sending shockwaves across the electronic scene and is now held in high regard by all of the big players within the industry.

Air,
Heath Mill Lane,
Digbeth,
Birmingham

GK Birthday
Sat 26th Sept
SANDER VAN DOORN
MARKUS SCHULZ
MENNO DE JONG
JEROME ISMA-AE
JON O'BIR
MARK ETESON

Nitrogen
MICKY SLIM
PAUL THOMAS
NEIL NAVARRA
DUNCAN MURRAY

Carbon Lounge
DEEP CITY SOUL
JEM ATKINS

Early birds - £13.50 +BF
Advanced Tickets £16 + BF

www.godskitchen.com/tickets