DJRW BIOGRAPHY
Music inspired me already since early childhood. I had a turntable from a very young age, listened weekly to the radio top 40, and when my parents organized a wedding anniversary party with a drive-in dj at the local venue, with lights and mixing equipment, I realized this was a calling, a dream to me, that later became real.
In the beginning
In 1983, I started to perform as dj, after practicing at home and learning from my first rolemodel/mentor dj Jerry Black at the DOK club in Amsterdam.
My first gigs were at the COC Amsterdam (Rozenstraat). Then MVS Radio followed, and in 1988 I started at the Reguliersdwarsstraat for April's EXIT, under management by Ernst Verhoeven and Jan Veenendaal. I learned technical skills from Jarb and Jerry Black, and slowly built my experience in house music.
I was more interested in underground styles (techno, drum & bass, tribal) but had to save that passion for later periods, because the (gay)scene wasn't ready for it yet, at least where I worked.
Meanwhile, streetparties on Queensday and later the Pride weekend came to my hands (executive production). Later extended to the closing party of Pride outside the operahouse & cityhall.
EXPANDING HORIZON
I worked at EXIT (and April) from 1988-2005. In 2006, I started at the famous Cockring Club, where David Hernandez was my biggest inspiration. Bit by bit, the bigger parties came in reach. PIG Berlin (where I met another influencer.. Jack Chang). At this period, underground music (tribal and techno) started to be well appreciated.
In 2008, I joined Rapido Events, where Edgar Bonte gave me over the years more stage and trust. Started upstairs with Jack Chang, did similar (tribal, progressive) floors in the basement and later, I played twice at the Rapido mainstage. Edgar took over the former Cockring Club and made it Warehouse, where I worked and was scouted by Stefan Lenzen of Greenkomm and played 4 times in Cologne.
In between and after, various other gigs got to me and since 2008, I had a new residency: Club Church, where I still do several events & signature nights. I have worked also many years for Suzie Krueger (Hard On London), for the Web, Cuckoo's Nest, Eagle and the Invasion party . Worked on several nights at Darklands and The Boots Antwerp.
I met so many professionals in the industry, and so many partypeople in 40 years.
CONSIDERATIONS
I always chose to do my dj works with a parttime regular job, and never went 'full force' for it. The downside of it, and my focus on merely subgenres in music, is the limited career growth. Playing it safe, but in peripods like covid, that rescued me financially. Any dj wants a full floor but for me, it's also one where I have a connection, a chemistry with. This can be built and can grow, and I feel quite comfortable with my residencies and regular gigs. So does the crowds and the promotors.. apparently.
There is a lot of competition, and there are backstabbers in the industry but also enough to do, so focus on the good things, working with the people who trust me, and whom I like.
I'm at the end of my 50's, but not ready to quit yet. So, I am proud of reaching 40 years of dj career and hope to take another 10 or so?
I owe big kudos to my first mentor Jerry Black, to my dj influencers the late David Hernandez, to Jack Chang, Francesco Pagano, for giving me inspiration from where I found my own direction.
And big thanks for trusting me, giving me the chance, to Ernst Verhoeven, Jan Veenendaal, Rene van Beek, Edgar Bonte, Wim Peeks, Richard Keldoulis, Anne Rodermond, Max Del Principe, Michael Roks, Arjan Kroner, Suzie Krueger, Rick Souwerbren, Jeroen Van Lievenoogen, Geert Buytaert, Martijn Bakker (ROB). And to my partner Hokit, for being patient and giving support since 2009.
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