You have been involved in music on many levels since 1989 as a label owner, producer and as a DJ/performer. Why did you get involved in music?

I always loved music, ever since I was young kid. My dream was to become a DJ at a radio station or in a club. I bought my first record at age 12 and always played music at my little orange plastic turntable. I even had a little light system (with red, blue and yellow lights) that reacted on the basskicks of the music.

What role do you enjoy the most: being a DJ, a producer or running a label? Why?

I enjoy them all very much but I like the artistic and creative part of my job the most. The paper shit that comes with having a company is the thing I hate the most.

You started Djax Records as a Dutch hip-hop label with a release by 24K in 1989. Were you into hip-hop before you discovered techno? Was it only Dutch hip-hop you enjoyed or were you influenced by US hip-hop, too?

Yes. I was very much into hiphop but also into hiphouse and electro. I like many styles of music, and I have always bought the newest underground dance music that came out.

In 1989, there was not much Dutch hiphop yet. 24K was the first Dutch hiphop band with a complete album. The rapper was from New York, and they were much influenced by Public Enemy which was my favourite rap act that time, together with NWA. I like hardcore hiphop the most.

Do you find it more difficult to release hip-hop music than techno music considering the domination of US hip-hop within the global music industry?

In 1991, I signed the Dutch hiphop band Osdorp Posse. These guys rapped in Dutch, and that was something completely new these days. With the signing of that act I started a new genre in Holland called Nederhop. That genre became highly popular.

What made you decide to release techno music on Djax-Up-Beats?

The first techno release on Djax was in 1990. I was very much into techno and acid, so when I heard the music of Stefan Robbers (Terrace) I was very impressed and signed him to my label.

How has the sound of Djax-Up-Beats evolved over time?

I think that the sound of Djax always has been sort of the same thing. Analog, raw and unpolished. Regardless if it is techno, acid or Chicago, it all has that same roughness.

What are your favourite releases on Djax Records, Djax-Up-Beats or your other labels Djax-Break-Beatz and Djax-X-Beats and why?

Well I like all releases otherwise I would not have released them but among my favourites on Djax-Up-Beats are DJ Rush, Mike Dearborn, Edge of Motion and Claude Young. In the hiphop department that is Osdorp Posse, 24K and Spookrijders and on X-Beats Head First and Grumpyhead all because of their originality and strong personalities.

What businesss achievement are you most proud of?

I am very proud on everything that I achieved. I never would have dreamed that I would have come this far, so I am very grateful. If I have to name one business achievement I think it’s the success of Nederhop and Osdorp Posse.

Artwork has always been important to your label’s releases including the classic drawings by Alan Oldham (DJ T-1000) and the current illustrations by Ed Repka (Megadeath artwork) . How do you go about choosing an artist to create the visual elements to your releases?

I knew the work of Alan Oldham from the early releases on Transmat and when Alan sent me a demo with his music in 1991 I asked him if he wants to make some illustrations for my label. That’s how we started working together. The illustrations from Ed Repka I already like since the 80s when I worked in a recordshop as he illustrated many hardrock albums. I have worked with many other talented illustrators such as Zender from The Netherlands. He made the beautifull illustrations for my Djax-Break-Beatz series.

After years of DJing and releasing other people’s music, it seems it was not until 2005 before you finally released your own album ‘Raw.’ Why did it take so long for you to release your own music? Were you too busy with the business side to focus on the creative side?

Since 1994, I released some 12” and 7” with my own music, but in 2005 I released my first complete album. Before that I was too busy with managing the record label and djing that I had no time to focus on my own productions.

Since you have been producing and releasing lots of your own new songs including the ones on your recent ‘Inferno’ album plus releasing more DJ mixes, do find you are approaching music with a different mentality than before? Are you thinking about dancefloor reactions more?

Yes, I am producing my new tracks more for the dancefloor then I used to do.

Currently, you seem to be playing much harder techno and schranz. How has your style of Djing evolved over the years since you started many years ago?

I have always played very hard and fast techno and acid. Schranz I see more as a trendy name, I rather call it hardtechno. The tempo (bpm) of my sets haven’t change but I tend to play much less acid then some years ago. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it anymore as I still play at acid parties (Acid Wars) too and I love it.

Have you ever played hip-hop sets?

Yes, in the eighties. But I played all kinds of music, from disco, funk and reggae to new wave. I love it all :)

You seem to still play vinyl which, in my opinion, is excellent! What are your thoughts on the evolution of DJ technology now that there are so many programmes such a Final Scratch, Traktor and Serato and CD players available? Do you ever think to yourself: ‘These records are too heavy! Maybe I should start playing CDs?’

Always carrying this heavy recordcase with me is indeed a nightmare, but I simply love vinyl… So as long as I’m happy with it I will keep on playing vinyl. And if I would change I would change to Final Scratch or Traktor but not to CD. I really don’t like to play CDs.

What direction do you see techno going within the next few years? Have we reached the limit for what can be made?

Techno will always be there. I think it’s the most consistent style in dance music. It’s the true underdog.

Are there any producers out there doing work that you think is very cutting edge?

I really like DJ Rush. He does his own thing and he is such a great personality.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

I don’t know! They always ask me this question and 10 years later I’m always still doing the same stuff! Hahaha! So I guess it will be the same for the next 10 years? Up to the 30th anniversary of Djax.

What is your most memorable performance at a gig?

That must be my performance at the Victory Tower at Love Parade 1997 and 1998 in Berlin Germany. 1.000.000 visitors where there. Amazing!

When was the last time you played in London?

That was somewhere in the nineties I think. A long time ago….

What are your expectations for the Family Groove party on the 8th November?

I think it will be a great party with lots of energy!

What should the Family Groove crowd expect from your performance?

A pumping hardtechno set!

Any acid tracks along with your hard techno?

My new tracks don’t include acid but maybe I will bring my acid machine to the gig.

Is there anything you would like to announce (upcoming gigs, releases, personal messages)?

NEW RELEASES:

My new album Inferno (Djax-up-lp/cd21) is available now. Pumping hardtechno featuring DJ Rush and Pet Duo.

In February 2009 my new 12” will be released (again with nice artwork by Ed Repka)

2009 is the 20th anniversary of Djax Records and to celebrate this I will release a DVD with material from my trips to Detroit / Chicago in 1992 as well as other nice stuff from the nineties.

GIGS:
November/December 2008

07-11-2008 10 years Acid Wars – Fusion – Munster – Germany
08-11-2008 FAMILY GROOVE @ THE CORONET – London – UK
15-11-2008 Florida 135 – Fragar – Spain
29-11-2008 Techno Rulez – Stahlwerk – Dusseldorf – Germany
06-12-2008 Refuse – Waterfront – Rotterdam - NL
13-12-2008 Scum – Katwijk - NL
26-12-2008 Row 14 – Barcelona – Spain
31-12-2008 Awakenings – Maassilo – Rotterdam - NL

Save the vinyl and DJAX IT UP!!!

Miss Djax performs in London for the first time in several years at Family Groove’s London Techno Movement on Saturday 8th November @ The London Coronet along with Dj Rush, Dj Bold, DAVE the Drummer, Unknown Error, Bkey and more! For more details on Miss Djax visit: www.missdjax.nl and on Family Groove’s upcoming events visit: www.myspace.com/familygrooveinternational.

-Interview by John Bromage (Product 19)