A Sit Down With DJ Sneijder

Sneijder is an Irish DJ who, since the age of 13, tried to play in his little room, often going to the Netherlands to buy exclusive discs. Over the years, his passion grew to become an obsession, ranging from Dutch Hardcore, to Psy, and finally to the uplifting trance in ’99.

To make a scumbag, he started playing for Irish clubs, becoming one of Northern Ireland’s finest DJs. After this goal, he decided to learn to produce in 2009 and from then on he changes his story.

With of one of the richest label histories in electronic music – stretching back over an astonishing 600+ single releases and 19 mix-comps, its credo is enshrined in its name. In Trance We Trust’s list of former compilation mixers includes hall-of-famers and revered underground legends alike – Bobina, Johan Gielen, Misja Helsloot, Cor Fijneman and Mark Norman to name but a handful. Its singles discography reads more like an A to Z encyclopaedia of trance music’s producers and remixers.

 

“I have went through various genres of music to finally settle on my sound and along the way my career and life in general has taken many different paths.”

 

How you first started out as a DJ? What got you interested in it, and where was your first gig?

I started to DJ from when I was just 13 years old. I would walk home from school everyday past a guy’s house, he had his garage open with music pumping out. One day I decided to go over and see what he was doing, he showed me his decks and all his records, I was hooked from that moment. By the time I turned 14 I had my own decks and practised everyday in a shed out the back of my parents house to the point of obsession. My first gig was at a teenage disco in a small town close to where I lived. I was nervous as hell aswell.

What have been some of your favourite dance music albums?

There has been so many, if we are talking about Artist albums, the stand out ones for me are Prodigy – Experience, Leftfield – Leftism, John O’Callaghan – Never Fade Away, Giuseppe Ottaviani – GO! .. Mix albums I could name 50 easy, I will narrow it down to 3, Nick Warren GU Budapest, Sasha & Digweed – Northern Exposure, PVD Politics of Dancing Vol 1.

Who are your biggest influences in the music industry?

DJ wise…Carl Cox, Sasha & Digweed and Tony de Vit. All amazing DJ’s and their set building was and is second to none in my opinion. As a producer, Ferry Corsten, Aly & Fila, Paul van Dyk and some others have all influenced my sound. Pablo Gargano aswell. David Forbes is one of the most technically gifted producers I know.

When did you get the idea of ​​creating your own album?

The album is something I wanted to do for some time since I started doing music. Time had to be fair, however, my production level had to be such that I could make a good versatile album. So I felt that it was the right time for me this year.

What is your take on the Pure Trance movement?

I think its great, I am very fortunate to have been selected by the Pure Trance guys to feature at some of their events this year. The crowds that attend are always very in tune with the music and passionate about it. It’s great to see people researching music and not just accepting whats put in front of them, this is essential for the growth of trance.

What is the development of Trance world in Indonesia according to you?

Trance lovers in Indonesia are amazing, lots of my social media coment asking me to play here. And in Indonesia also has “Indotrance” which is one of the largest trance community in Indonesia.

You’ve had the opportunity to perform all over the globe and at some of the worlds largest trance events like FSOE 300, Luminosity, and ASOT. Do you prefer large festivals or smaller venues and why?

I enjoy both, large arenas are great and have a unique vibe as do the smaller venues. I think it all depends on the crowd, if the crowd are up for it the dj feeds from that and it makes for a great experience all round for everyone.

Can you tell us a little bit about the other vocal and production collaborations you have on Everything Changes?

Both Katty and Karen are another two artist who I love and it was a great honour to work with them both aswell. It can be time consuming trying to get vocal tracks bang on and Im glad they all turned out how I wanted them too. All the vocals have been massive in my sets all year.

If we talk a little about music, what does the music mean by you as a professional DJ?

For me music is part of half my life. Because the music I’ve listened to from me small until finally I can memproduce a song myself.

If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be doing? Do you work another job?

I worked on a building site since I was 15yrs old, so if I wasn’t a DJ I would still be doing that, I’m sure. I stopped my job last year to focus on my music career, I just had no time left to do both.

Share us your top 3 tracks of the moment?

1. Sneijder – #Acid
2. Factor B – Stratos Galaxia
3. Mark Sherry – The Pillars Of Creation

Questions? Comments? We want to know:@djfollower