My Interview with Daniel Wanrooy

Hi and welcome back home, how was it in Aruba?

Aruba was amazing! A really beautiful island and the snorkeling is out of this world!!

Have you been there for a gig or just Holiday? And hows your burnt ass doing? 

It was just for a couple days holidays this time. The summer in Holland has been the worst I ever experienced so I decided to book a last minute… I just needed some sun. Ha ha, the ass is partly tanned now!

You have been really really busy the last few months with gigs, your own album, collabs, remixes and so on,you been shooting rite up into the DJ olymp! I think its time for the people to get to know you a bit more!

What did your parents say when you started doing music?

When I started to do music stuff the hardcore & gabber was really popular and I listened to it as well back then. The thing is that I couldn’t do much more then making a kick and some percussion back then. So it was all day long *DENG *DENG *DENG from my room, so my mom and dad come upstairs once a while and say I have to put the volume down or they will turn the power off. But I have to say they always respected my choice. It didn’t happen on one day. It’s just a hobby and it still is. I had a 5 days job as a designer when I left school. When I started releasing tracks I wanted to have more time for music and found a new, 3 days a week, job. This year I started fully for myself.

You started off with the Progression & Odyssee project, when did u decide to choose another direction , go your own way and why?

Ah yeah! I used to be a really good team with my former music partner Robin. But eventually things changed and he spent less and less time in the studio, and after a year or so I was almost doing it by myself. In my opinion a team has to be a team, we have achieved great things together and I couldn’t have done things without him for sure, but I didn’t want to go on with it like this. So I decided to start my own career.

When did you realize your life is going crazy?

Ha ha it never was boring to be honest! But music wise after we were on the Tiësto’s In Search Of Sunrise compilations a couple times it really started to be crazy.

How long did it take you to get where you wanted to be? Are you where you want to be?
I think you are never where you want to be! You will always find challenges and things you would like to achieve. But that’s the great thing. I am sure happy what all happened and what I achieved so far, but I am not done yet, that’s for sure!

Are there any negative sides while globetrotting? Apart from the obvious ones of course!

Hm mm, it can be lonely sometimes. And I hate jet lags! I used to hate the long flights as well, but I don’t mind too much anymore, I know how to entertain myself in the airplane.

How do you save yourself from crazy fans? 

I don’t! I love crazy fans !

Craziest thing ever happened to you?

Pff where to start! Every gig is pretty crazy to be honest, it’s still amazing and strange to get invited to a foreign country, play your music for 2 hours or so, do sightseeing, maybe sleep a couple hours and take the plane back. Sometimes I really have to pinch myself when I am back home Sunday or so… Did this really happen??

Craziest thing you ever did? 

I did some pretty crazy things in the past. I once drove butt naked on a scooter through a busy mall, honking that everyone could see me. A friend actually filmed it back then (Thank god Youtube doesn’t allow naked footage!!). But well, I was a lot younger back then… I think I changed a bit now!

Worst hotel you ever got booked into?

Hmm let me think! I didn’t have really bad ones to be honest… Some are different than the others. I once had one in Ukraine, that was just a living room of someone else. It also had a bowl with fishes! I made some good sushi there

Smallest gig? Biggest gig? First gig and how did you feel? Did you ever had a ehm …not so good audience?

Smallest gig… I once played in Northern Ireland as Progression, that was 5 years ago I think. And they had to change the venue at the last minute, from inside the center to outside the city. So about 5 people and the bartenders eventually knew where it was. Ha ha so that was about the smallest gig then. The biggest was a warm-up session for Tiësto. At a rock concert actually in Belgium. Suikerrock, it had it’s 15 year anniversary and they invited Tiësto to play there as surprise. Tiësto asked me to warm up for him. That was close to 20.000 people! I never had any negative experienced with crowds, some are cooler than the others, but it’s been great every time!

How was the feeling to see people walking around with your name on their shirts? Or even on their cars?

That’s amazing!!! I totally love it, that’s where you all do it for. People actually take the time to do something back for you, to show their appreciation. That’s epic!

Why do you like Volvo so much? And pink sofas?

Ha ha first of all, the pink sofa looked more purple to me in the store… They do all these tricks with the lights, and laugh their ass off when they actually sold it to another moron. Ha ha anyway, it looks great, now I am used to it. I used to have a Renault a couple years ago, but that thing was always broken or something didn’t work. Then I decided to buy a 1 year old Volvo c30. Sorry to bring Renault down, but THAT felt like a real car! When I went to the Volvo dealer a couple months ago to remove a scratch I fell in love with this brand new white shiny c30 in the showroom. I bought that! I am just an easy target for salesmen. I avoid shops with expensive things now for a while J

You like cooking a lot. Whats your favourite food? How do you like to get drunk? OK seriously, which drink do you like the most?

I love cooking yes! I just mix all kind of things, I invented a lot of new recipes here. I sometimes combine tuna with banana for example, then wok it with some vegetables. You have to try it! I know it sounds disguisting… but I can tell it works. Oh, don’t forget to add some honey with that. And if you really want a party meal, maybe some teriyaki sauce!

I like champagne and/or vodka red bull when I have a gig. But I stopped drinking more than 2 red bulls, because I just don’t sleep at all anymore. But a nice cold beer will do as well! Or Baco, Mojito, caprihinas…. And so on

Are you spoiled already? 

No!! At least, I don’t think so…

Who helped you the most with your music career? What would you consider the genre of your own music to be?

Tiësto! He took me on tour, supported me so much. I can never thank him enough for what he did!
My music would be a mix of Trance, progressive house, techno and maybe some minimal. Depends on my mood which way to go!

What would you have done if it didn’t work out? being a cook;)?

Ha ha no… if people see my combinations they would leave the restaurant right away. I would be a graphic designer/web designer. I still make websites, logos, flyers and stuff now. I like it and it’s good for a change sometimes.

Who was your idol all the years?

I have a lot musicians I deeply respect. Last couple years I would say Tom Yorke, the singer of Radiohead.

Did you ever think about making tutorial videos ?

I made an inside view in the studio once a while, where I explain some things how I work. Got some nice reactions on that.

How do you motivate yourself and what do you do if you have a creational down?

I don’t have that often, because I don’t force myself in the studio. I always have other work I can fall back on as well. But going to the gym or make a long walk is always refreshing after a long studio day.

Your advice to upcoming producers and DJs?

Keep on going and have faith in yourself!

Any advices for crazy people like me?

Stay crazy!  It’s not a bad habit…

Where can we find you online?

www.twitter.com/danielwanrooy , www.danielwanrooy.com or my facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-Wanrooy/12173531213

Where do we buy your Music?

Mostly on Beatport. That’s the most important chart so it’s cool if my colleagues can climb the charts if I support them there.

Is there an end to my questions? Yes. Unfortunately.

Was that a question? haha

Any comments from your side??

I just want to thank you for your nice interview and thank all the people over the world that support me!

It was amazing to talk to you, enjoy your weekend and i hope to see you soon!