Mugasha Aux

Dutch superstar Woody van Eyden is a celebrity in the dance music world! If there was a Trance Walk of Fame, Woody would have his own star on it by now! Known for being quirky and just going mad on stage, he fathered early trance sounds in the 80s and continues to pioneer the scene through countless releases and remixes on labels such as Fenology, Alter Ego, and Kontor, among many other compilations too.

You’ve seen him live, you’ve seen the videos, you’ve heard his music, and we all love his radio show, Heavensgate. Thanks to a time he calls “babypause,” we get our 5 minutes with the legendary Woody van Eyden!

Woody van Eyden

Woody, we are extremely glad to be speaking with you for Radio KUL Extra. Trance wouldn’t be the same without you. How are you these days and what have you been up to?
You are right, what would the world be without me..hahaha, less rock and roll I guess. At this very moment I am enjoying a time of no DJing as my wife is expecting our first baby (soon). (Not travelling for the first time since) so many years gives me time to be more creative in the studio, that’s great.

How’s the response coming along for the remixes for “B.O.B.?”
Well I firstly made the track last year for my gig at Germaniys highest profile “Mayday”, then the reactions were great so we finished it and the new single “B.O.B.” was born. I asked my studio partner (in this case CRX) if he wanted to add a remix and he did a great remix. Then Spinnin Records from Holland asked me if i could imagine (releasing) this track on their label, (which sounded) very exciting, so we did it. Then they had an awesome remix made by one of their new names, Ummet Ozcan. (After which) “B.O.B.” was completed ready (and got) released.

What are current favourite tracks?
“Gosh… they change by the hour. I love Dash Berlin’s remix of Medina´s “You & I,” (as well as Alex) M.O.R.P.H.’s remix of Loverush UK.”

You’ve been to Malaysia last year for Knight Castle 09, and we hear you’ll be back again soon! When can we expect you?
I hear there are negotiations either for the end or this year or early 2010, (so yeap) I am coming back!

You bring so much energy to a live show. How do you stay up and running like this all the time!
It’s so funny, if i see videos of myself i think…ooohhh, aaahhhh and other things. The truth is I am so much a clubber myself and (clubbers) shouldn’t stand still, (so) neither can I. I expect my crowd to get my energy (so) that they can give back (that energy) to me (too). (It’s) a full exchange of energy.

Which track do you think got you into trance, if you had to choose one?
I really loved “Waterfall” by Atlantic Ocean and it wasn’t even called trance those days. When I signed Airwave from Rank 1 for my label Clubbgroove back in the years, nobody believed this thing called trance would go so big. (But) I just loved the track so i signed it.

Tell us about your radio show, Heavensgate. It’s turned into a series of parties too, that’s really wicked. Any more Heavensgate live shows on the horizon?
Oh yeah, and it’s only just starting. We have a global network of 35 stations in over 30 countries and we are growing weekly. The (events) side of HeavensGate (are sometimes) events that we host ourselves. (For example), we rented a Toyota Car Center in June this year, (took) out all the cars, (furnitures, and etc.) and we did the full organsation, line up, sound, bars, etc. (It) was a sell out ..people loved it! Sometimes we (go) live from clubs like we did from Cream Ibiza again this year, as well as Judgement Sundays. (We’ve even had) 2 years in a row (live from our) HeavensGate Loveparade truck!

Are you currently working on any new music?
Inspirations are huge at the moment . I just finished 2 remixes, started to work on a follow up for B.O.B. and I am doing different demos at the same time for my artist album (due to get out in mid 2010).

Who’s your favourite newcomer to the trance scene for this year?
Defo: Ummet Ozcan

What’s your tour calendar looking like for the rest of the year?
Babypause till end of September then back on the road. Germany, Russia, Holland, England, Scotland, Switzerland, etc.

Who do you think of when you’re having a bad day?
I don’t think about one person in (particular) but (the way I see it), the world and it’s (citizens have) a lot of problems and I see myself as being very fortunate that I can travel the globe and bring this world at least 2 hours of joy.

Where do you see yourself a year from today?
Being 1 year older and still being a nutter….

What’s your favourite Woody van Eyden production or remix and why?
Hmm I hope that (there’s still one of that to come), but I guess the stuff I am working on right now (are) gonna be my favourites. From the past, (I) really enjoyed doing “Going Wrong” for Armin (van Buuren) (together with my B2B partner Alex M.O.R.P.H).

Guy Mearns’ remix of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” was sorta discovered by you! After you played it live, the track got a lot of attention! What do you think of the track?
I love DJs being creative with existing tracks and Guy did a great job. I (heard) somebody filmed me (while) I was playing this (hahahahahaha, 50000 viewers or so, simply mad). (Check out interview with Guy Mearns here.

If you could change one thing about trance, it would be …
Nothing.. hmmmmm maybe this (pigeonholed) thinking. I don’t classify (genres) into names. Ii like good (electronic) music, (whether) it’s trance, electro, techno, when it’s good, I’ll play it!

And lastly, a quick word to all your fans reading this!
Believe in what you do and convince others of your aims.

Catch an exclusive guestmix by Woody van Eyden on Radio KUL 103 with Simon Lee and Alvin. The first hour will be mixed by Simon Lee and Alvin, followed by an hour long mix by Woody. Airs Friday, 11th September 2009 on Mugasha.

Woody van Eyden “B.O.B.’ is out now on Liquid Recordings.

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