Tell us a bit about yourself? Where're you from? What do you do?
I'm a 21 year old guy from Aalst, studying Image/sound/Editing at the RITS in Brussels. I have been into D'n'B for quite some years really but it has only been since Stardust (the crew that I am part of for about 2 years now) came around that I have somewhat come out of my dark, little, quiet corner.
Why the name Contradiction? Is there a specific reason you picked that name?
Well, it isn't my first alias. I used to have another name but since a rather well known producer already used that one, I had no other choice than to search for a new one. Back in those days I had some plans with a guy from my class to start our own crew, the Contradiction crew (talking 'bout one hell of an alliteration :P). The crew never got further than our minds but I took the name.
You mentioned the Stardust crew, what's that all about? What can we expect from this illustrious crew?
Well, we are 4 blokes sharing more or less the same taste of music, some might call it liquid but we prefer to stick to good music, whether it's liquid or harder D'n'B. It doesn't matter, as long it has that little extra. We are now working on the next episode of the Emphasize saga. With those parties we try to offer the Belgian crowd a night with quality music, warm atmosphere... Things we believe to be an integral part of a nice evening out and which we of course try to offer.
Marcas, part of the Stardust crew, is doing really well on the production side of things. When can we expect the first Contradiction tunes?
Haha, well, I would lie if I’d say I haven't thought about it at all. But I just can’t seem to find the time and urge to really devote myself to it. And besides that, I really wouldn't know if I would be made for production. I mean, everyone can make a tune nowadays, but it takes a lot of talent and musical knowledge to make a good tune. Maybe the fear of lacking those things, keeps me from trying so. But until then, I'll just blame it on a lack of time, and leave it to others.
What made you Dj Drum'n'Bass? What attracted you most to the genre?
The person that got me interested in D'n'B or electronic music tout court was my father. He was the one that made me realise that electronic music wasn't just for Johnny's (please bear in mind that I was 12-13 years old and quite a Hard Rock addict). My first encounter with D'n'B was when I found the "This is D'n'B vol 2"-CD here at home and listened to LTJ's Atlantis for the first time. And slowly but surely I moved from Daftpunk, Leftfield, Underworld, The Chemical Bros to D'n'B.
What types of music other then DnB interest you?
Hard question. My non D'n'B musical preferences come in phases. I now find myself in a leftfield-phase again, which was preceded by a Sven Van Hees-phase. During these periods I listen to the same cd over and over again until I'm tired of it.
What would you like to accomplish as a dj? What goals have you set for yourself?
What I really, really want to do someday, is to record a set (studio mix) of which I can say: this one is finished. Every tune-transition is a big fat combo, every empty moment is filled up with a tease etc... And I must say, I haven't heard a mix like this, so the chances that I will succeed are rather small. Especially combos are very important to me. The mix should be better than the separate tunes as a matter of speaking. And keeping this standard throughout the whole mix is difficult, to say the least. That's the philosophy Easy got me hooked on.
Talking about mixing. You've provided us with a wicked mix; tell us a bit about it!
I tried to accomplish my idea of the ideal mix as I mentioned above. Not going for the newest tunes but just combos. Some pieces of this mix come close to want I want to achieve. Overall I'm quite happy with this mix and that's quite a thing for me.
Can’t forget the traditional bassculture.org question: if they want to make a Spinal Tap about DJ's, which personal story would you tell the director?
Don't know if it's the most annoying thing that has ever happened to me or whether it just pops in my head because it just happened quite recently. I was spinning in a bar and I was kind of tired already from some heavy working days. Some lady sat in front of the booth and for some reason she decides to start touching my spinning record while I was mixing another one in. Don't think it's necessary to say it kind of pissed me of and somewhat ruined the rest of the set for me. Not really an exciting story, but the juicy ones happen after the dj'ing. I still have stories about vandaalman, blootman... But that’s for another time! ;)
Any last words or shout outs?
Just a big thank you to the people that have supported me and enjoy the mix!
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