If your attention was drawn by the elektronic dance scene lately, you must have heard of this incredibly fresh duo called ‘Zonderling’. These producers from the Netherlands started out in the Dutch city Groningen and have developed themselves into international performers, having a very good sense for crazy house music and freaky sounds. Last year they have produced some awesome remixes and also some of their own tracks that were really well received with public and professionals. Now they came up with a brand new smasher called ‘Crazy For For’, a single full of light and euphoric sounds, being supported by a strong house beat and some heaviness. The track represents the authentic sound of Zonderling and it’s out now via Spinnin’ Records.
Raver Rafting had the pleasure to have a chat with one of these creators and some great stories were shared. Read all about Zonderling, their past, dreams and desires.
Zonderling is a relatively new project, right? How is everything working out?
It’s going really well! Zonderling is a duo and what we release is some sort of strange, crazy house music. The name ‘Zonderling’ is an indication of this and it’s already getting a lot of support. We are creating many releases on Spinnin’ and we already produced a lot of remixes. Last year, we produced a remix of Zedd , we just produced a remix of the Magician and we are gaining a great range of support with all those tracks. Tiësto, Axwell, Avicii, Oliver Heldens, Martin Garrix, all of those artists make use of our tracks, also live and that’s amazing! Music videos are coming up and we’re starting to get more tour gigs. Next week I will be performing in Manchester, London and I’ve been to Ibiza two times last year, with Martin Garrix. It’s going really well, we are working ourselves up. If you listen to our music, you will notice that it’s a bit strange, but really fresh and it’s gaining a lot of support.
How do you guys know each other?
We are both from Groningen (in the north of Holland) and this is where we met. I’m performing as a DJ since 2001 and my music partner Martijn has been producing music for a long time as well. This is how we got to know each other. Groningen is like a village, everybody knows each other. Especially in the music scene you run into each other pretty quickly. He started the project and I got involved with it. Now it’s going pretty fast. We have the same roots in some way, we always went to the same trance parties for example, that kind of stuff haha.
What was the best location you’ve ever performed, up ‘till now?
Ibiza, Ushuaia. When I was performing there, I was really amazed. I’m performing on this stage again next Friday! That’s what I said to myself, since I had to perform two Fridays. That was really something, a real highlight. Everything that is pulled out to create the party is really gigantic over there. It was the first time I performed in Ibiza and it was with Martin Garrix! I had an amazing experience.
Do you have the dream to perform at a specific location some day?
Tomorrowland, Las Vegas, Mysteryland, Coachella, those are places I would really like to perform some day. Especially the last one is pretty outstanding.
Do you have a favorite artist?
That’s a tough one. I have a really broad taste in music, but my all-time favorite is Justice. I’m a huge Justice fan, which has partly resulted in the character of Zonderling. Music based, it’s something totally different, but it also has something similar. I think those guys are really good. And I like the old stuff, electronics, Daft Punk, etcetera.
What are your inspirational sources?
Our inspiration lays with old techno and house. The early music of Deadmau5, for example, and we think Eric Prydz is really cool, just like other techno artists. That’s where our music originated. Martijn and I sometimes call our music ‘fiddling house’, because it has a lot of weird tunes. We just like to play around and then some sort of little ghost child comes out of it. I think that classic sound of some techno artists is something similar to what we do now.
Was there a special moment in your career that felt like a moment of break-through?
We made a guest mix for Pete Tong, which was broadcasted on BBC and that was a special moment. I heard my name on BBC Radio 1, also my voice, because I had to say something. That was a moment that makes you realize your music is received well. It was really awesome. It wasn’t a moment of break-through, because we are still relatively small, but it definitely was one that made me think Zonderling was getting into serious business.
Have you got some tips for younger DJ’s and producers? Why do you think everything worked out with you guys?
Creating your own sound is really important, something different from the others. What I also would suggest is, don’t try too hard. I don’t like people who really want something and try too hard. If you’re too busy trying something, it won’t work out, you get frustrated and you will quit. Of course, you have to have some specific goals, but I see a lot of people who really want something too bad. It’s not easy, you got to work for it, but don’t force it. You often talk in clichés with those kind of questions haha. I wouldn’t say, just believe in yourself, because that’s not true. You have to be able to create good music. It’s about working hard and a little bit of talent is needed as well.
Connect with Zonderling:
https://www.facebook.com/zndrlng/
https://www.twitter.com/zndrlng
https://www.soundcloud.com/zndrlng
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