Oliver Heldens was back in Japan after Fuji Rock Festival for his very own Japan Tour. Three stops at Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya he finally had the chance to meet his Japanese fans for a live DJ set performance. (Tokyo fans were extra lucky with the FULL DJ SET!)
iFLYER Ambassador Mayu Sasaki who has worked with marshmello and The Chainsmokers in the past had the chance to sit with Oliver for an iFLYER Interview! One lucky fan gets to win a signature board by Oliver himself! Details below.
Winner: We will send a Twitter DM to the lucky winner.
How to entry?
1) Follow iFLYER on twitter and Instagram (username: @iflyertv)
2) Retweet this Oliver Heldens iFLYER Exclusive Interview on Twitter
That's it! So get following and retweeting!
Check out what Oliver talked to us about LOTS OF NEW MUSIC and how his new projects such as Hi-Lo has given him musical freedom. Just releasing 'Gecko' only two years ago we can't wait for what this young talented house maestro has in store for us.
When did you start thinking about becoming a DJ/producer?
I was always liked dance music but I really got into it when I was 10. It started off with Hardstyle and Jumpstyle. But I really started to think about music when I was 12 because I went to a school that would throw really big parties and club nights at my hometown, Rotterdam.
Then I really wanted to become a DJ and producer and started to buy a lot of compilation CDs and download mixtapes.
How did the Hi-Lo project come about?
So I was making a lot of different music that were more clubby, bass driven, electro house and techno influenced. They never really saw the light of the day because Oliver Heldens was more about happier melodic stuff. So then I decided to have a separate name for the other kind of music and it was good for me because it gave me more musical freedom. With Hi-Lo I could release tracks that I couldn't release under the Oliver Heldens name.
Hi-Lo tracks are more raw, dark and little more crazier while Oliver Heldens is more summery, hipster and melodic.
In my Oliver Heldens I play some Hi-Lo tracks like 'Renegade Mastah' but a Hi-Lo set would be completely different compared to an Oliver Heldens set. It would be more tech-house.
What’s your favorite song to dance to?
That's really difficult. Can't choose.
Any other releases as Hi-Lo coming up?
I’ll be releasing a Hi-Lo collab with Sander Van Doorn. I also just released a Hi-Lo collab with Chocolate Puma called 'Stream Train'. Other than that Hi-Lo has a made a rework for 'Meet Her At The Love Parade ' and a remix for Moby's 'Go'. So there's plenty of other stuff that will be coming out!
You've released 'Pikachu' in the past. How did you get into Japanese culture?
Pokemon was very popular since I was very small and I really liked it as a kid.
Other than that I really like Japanese food too. But in terms of culture, now that I've been here for a bit I really like the people. They are really kind, polite and seem happy too!
Does touring around the world become an inspiration for tracks?
When you travel a lot you get a lot of impulses and I even read that if you travel a lot it makes you more creative. I think it's true. In the last 2 years I toured a lot and simulatenously started a lot of new tracks on tour because I work on my laptop.
The finishing part takes a long time so I will go in the studio because it has better sound but the creative process is all on the computer.
How did you shift into the more vocal-driven tracks?
I really like vocals and I think it's really nice to have two versions. With 'Gecko' and 'Wombass', as instrumental versions they are good for the club scene but putting a vocal on it you can reach a very different crowd.
How did you meet these vocalists?
I met them through labels. We sent the tracks to songwriters/vocalists and we picked what we like the best so I was in a very luxurious position. For 'Gecko' it was through Warner Music and for 'Wombass' it was through Universal.
Are you working on any future projects?
Next month I have a new track coming up called ‘Good Life’. It's very disco influenced and more of a vocal track. I went to LA and Sweden a few times in the past year and that has been a lot of fun. So there will be more vocal stuff coming up. Oliver Heldens as a whole will still mainly work on club stuff!
Have you found the right vocalist for 'Offence'?
Actually we found the right vocals now and we are going to re-record it really soon. I finished the whole track and production so once we have the vocals on it will be released soon.
If you could be an animal what would it be and why?
For one day I would probably be a bird cause then you can fly or a dolphin cause it's very different from what we are doing now.
At the age of 21, a life tip to young producers out there?
A favorite fan moment from 2016?
Lots of good fan moments. An hour ago when we arrived at Tokyo Station I went out of the train and there were four girls with Oliver Heldens T-shirt and bunny ears. They greeted me like 'Welcome to Tokyo!' I've actually met them before because they were at my show in Miami!
Even at my Osaka show last night there were two girls in the crowd with a board that said 'I'm in the Flamingo Music Video!' After the show I met them and so I also featured them on my Snapchat!
Even three days ago we were bowling and there were suddenly a group of eight people that were really big fans of mine so we took lots of pictures! It's been great meeting fans here in Japan!
Thank you Oliver Heldens for sharing your time with us and make sure to check out his Japanese EP!
iFLYER Ambassador Mayu Sasaki who has worked with marshmello and The Chainsmokers in the past had the chance to sit with Oliver for an iFLYER Interview! One lucky fan gets to win a signature board by Oliver himself! Details below.
Winner: We will send a Twitter DM to the lucky winner.
How to entry?
1) Follow iFLYER on twitter and Instagram (username: @iflyertv)
2) Retweet this Oliver Heldens iFLYER Exclusive Interview on Twitter
That's it! So get following and retweeting!
Check out what Oliver talked to us about LOTS OF NEW MUSIC and how his new projects such as Hi-Lo has given him musical freedom. Just releasing 'Gecko' only two years ago we can't wait for what this young talented house maestro has in store for us.
When did you start thinking about becoming a DJ/producer?
I was always liked dance music but I really got into it when I was 10. It started off with Hardstyle and Jumpstyle. But I really started to think about music when I was 12 because I went to a school that would throw really big parties and club nights at my hometown, Rotterdam.
These clubs had a lot of house DJs. For instance, Hardwell, Fedde Le Grand and Chuckie used to play there back in the days. So that's when I really got into house music.
Then I really wanted to become a DJ and producer and started to buy a lot of compilation CDs and download mixtapes.
How did the Hi-Lo project come about?
So I was making a lot of different music that were more clubby, bass driven, electro house and techno influenced. They never really saw the light of the day because Oliver Heldens was more about happier melodic stuff. So then I decided to have a separate name for the other kind of music and it was good for me because it gave me more musical freedom. With Hi-Lo I could release tracks that I couldn't release under the Oliver Heldens name.
Hi-Lo tracks are more raw, dark and little more crazier while Oliver Heldens is more summery, hipster and melodic.
In my Oliver Heldens I play some Hi-Lo tracks like 'Renegade Mastah' but a Hi-Lo set would be completely different compared to an Oliver Heldens set. It would be more tech-house.
What’s your favorite song to dance to?
That's really difficult. Can't choose.
Any other releases as Hi-Lo coming up?
I’ll be releasing a Hi-Lo collab with Sander Van Doorn. I also just released a Hi-Lo collab with Chocolate Puma called 'Stream Train'. Other than that Hi-Lo has a made a rework for 'Meet Her At The Love Parade ' and a remix for Moby's 'Go'. So there's plenty of other stuff that will be coming out!
You've released 'Pikachu' in the past. How did you get into Japanese culture?
Pokemon was very popular since I was very small and I really liked it as a kid.
Mr. Belt & Wezol came up with an ID to use a Pikachu sample so we built a track around it which resulted in the 'Pikachu' track.
Other than that I really like Japanese food too. But in terms of culture, now that I've been here for a bit I really like the people. They are really kind, polite and seem happy too!
Does touring around the world become an inspiration for tracks?
When you travel a lot you get a lot of impulses and I even read that if you travel a lot it makes you more creative. I think it's true. In the last 2 years I toured a lot and simulatenously started a lot of new tracks on tour because I work on my laptop.
I actually don't work at a studio much. When I make a melody I don’t really use the keyboard. I just make it in my head and click the notes how I want it.
The finishing part takes a long time so I will go in the studio because it has better sound but the creative process is all on the computer.
How did you shift into the more vocal-driven tracks?
I really like vocals and I think it's really nice to have two versions. With 'Gecko' and 'Wombass', as instrumental versions they are good for the club scene but putting a vocal on it you can reach a very different crowd.
How did you meet these vocalists?
I met them through labels. We sent the tracks to songwriters/vocalists and we picked what we like the best so I was in a very luxurious position. For 'Gecko' it was through Warner Music and for 'Wombass' it was through Universal.
Are you working on any future projects?
I'm working on a lot of new music always. In the last year I feel more inspired and diverse than I was two years ago when I made Gecko.
Next month I have a new track coming up called ‘Good Life’. It's very disco influenced and more of a vocal track. I went to LA and Sweden a few times in the past year and that has been a lot of fun. So there will be more vocal stuff coming up. Oliver Heldens as a whole will still mainly work on club stuff!
Have you found the right vocalist for 'Offence'?
Actually we found the right vocals now and we are going to re-record it really soon. I finished the whole track and production so once we have the vocals on it will be released soon.
If you could be an animal what would it be and why?
For one day I would probably be a bird cause then you can fly or a dolphin cause it's very different from what we are doing now.
At the age of 21, a life tip to young producers out there?
Especially to young producers, don’t feel rushed to break through and take your time. Don’t ever force yourself too much to make music. Just have fun and try to make music that you believe in and makes you the happiest. Also don’t look too much on the trend but look more to yourself.
A favorite fan moment from 2016?
Lots of good fan moments. An hour ago when we arrived at Tokyo Station I went out of the train and there were four girls with Oliver Heldens T-shirt and bunny ears. They greeted me like 'Welcome to Tokyo!' I've actually met them before because they were at my show in Miami!
Got a nice welcome at the train station in Tokyo. See you tonight! pic.twitter.com/HkrauFLL0B
— Oliver Heldens (@OliverHeldens) 2016年10月8日
Even at my Osaka show last night there were two girls in the crowd with a board that said 'I'm in the Flamingo Music Video!' After the show I met them and so I also featured them on my Snapchat!
Even three days ago we were bowling and there were suddenly a group of eight people that were really big fans of mine so we took lots of pictures! It's been great meeting fans here in Japan!
Meeting some fans while bowling in Osaka Excited for the shows! Loving Japan pic.twitter.com/ZbZXaCfP7q
— Oliver Heldens (@OliverHeldens) 2016年10月4日
Thank you Oliver Heldens for sharing your time with us and make sure to check out his Japanese EP!
