Tech-trance? Electro-tech? Progressive techno house? Fuck knows what to call it, but one thing's for sure - Sander Van Doorn's big, phat, atmospheric productions have taken dance music by storm over the last couple of years. We caught up with the cheeky Dutchman ahead of his set at Judgement Sundays' London party on 27th May at Heaven.

Growing up in The Netherlands, how were you first introduced to dance music and clubbing?

When I was about 4 years old I already started listening to the music my brother used to buy. Obviously every record he liked, I liked (except for the sleeve of “Kiss – I was made for loving you”; man that was scary)!

Why do you think dance music culture has become so huge there in particular? There aren’t many countries, especially of that size, that can sustain so many big-scale, successful events...

I think the reason for that was ID&T who began organizing big scale Hardcore events at a very early stage. From there it quickly evolved to large events in all different genres of dance and kept on expanding to the size it is today.

Do you make your tracks with a specific crowd in mind? Or do you try and make music that you think will appeal to fans of several different genres?

Well I kinda picture myself standing amongst the crowd and I basically produce the kind music that I would like to hear as a clubber. I think because my musical interest is so diverse I end up using elements of a lot of different styles when producing.

Could you let us in to any of your studio secrets? We’ll keep them quiet we promise....

I can tell you that I use a lot of time in getting the kick and bassline balance right. I start almost every project with a kick and just work my way from there!

You recently remixed Wamdue Project’s ‘King Of My Castle’. Were you a big fan of the remix of it that topped the charts? And what have you done to the track, for the benefit of those who haven’t heard it?

I have always been a big fan of the original Wamdue Project track; it just sounded that bit different from all the rest of the tracks out there back then. What I did for the remix was using a small piece of the vocals and build a more tech house/ up-tempo minimal sounding track under it.

Obviously you’re a bit of fan of remixes of pop/indie type tracks – with your Artic Monkeys bootleg and your support of Ali Wilson’s Coldplay remix. What do you say to people who criticise such bootlegs and reworkings?

As a DJ I’m out there to entertain a crowd and if I feel that a bootleg like that adds up the atmosphere of the night than I will play such a record. That’s also the reason why I sometimes produce a track like that. Right now I’m done with producing bootys for the moment!

How was your recent “Sander van Doorn” month at The Gallery, where you played every Friday in April?

Absolutely fantastic! First weekend I invited all my friends to London to come and see me play and I can tell you that it was a crazy night! And to be honest every single Friday after that was at least equally as good.

The club must feel like a bit of second home to you by know?

Yeah I know my way around there with my eyes shut!

You will be playing at Judgement Sundays at Heaven in London on Bank Holiday Sunday 27th May, as a prelude of sorts to your residency for the their Ibiza events. Did you jump at the chance to be involved with this party?

I was really happy when I was asked for doing this party because for me it kind of kicks off my Ibiza season. Besides that I’ve yet to experience a Judgement party that isn’t a complete madhouse.

How much experience have you had on the White Isle, DJing or otherwise?

I did my first season last year and for me it was like taking partying to a whole new level! I did a few Judgement Sundays which where absolutely amazing and obviously I took advantage of being there and partied along (a bit too much) as well!

You will be joined at the London gig by your fellow countryman Marco V. Do you feel that your sound and attitude to music is similar to his?

Well it has to be because Marco has been a huge inspiration for me since the first time I caught a set of his in the Dutch “Danssalon”. I think our musical interests are possibly very similar with us both taking it into different directions.

We’ve heard from many a UK DJ after their gigs in the Netherlands that “the Dutch don’t dance” Care to comment??

Dutch crowds are different from UK crowds. They do dance ? but you have to work very hard to get them going from the start. You just have to see it as a challenge! Besides that I saw Eddie Haliwell play in Holland last weekend and I must say that the Dutch went crazy!

Who’s the most exciting new producer you’ve heard recently?

I’ve been tracking Dutch producer Maarten de Jong now for a while and I think he has very good potential. His latest track “Massive” is as the title says: massive!

Have you noticed trance influences creeping back into house music recently?

Isn’t that funny!

Check out Judgement Sundays: London here: http://www.dontstayin.com/uk/london/heaven/2007/may/27/event-120108