About the author
I met SEKOIA resident Dennis Williams in Kater Holzig in Berlin when we were both there as Daniel Zuur groupies. Because Dennis is a DJ and I interview DJs, it was only logical that we met up a few weeks later, in Cue Bar just before one of his gigs. What started off as a chill interview ended with an emotional question, I might have cried myself to sleep afterwards. Get ready!
Let’s start with a superficial game. I’ll give you a word and you’ll give me your first association.
Party – “Atmosphere.”
Club – “Music.”
After – “Pretty much always fantastic but sometimes kinda terrible.”
Vodka – “Sprite.”
Berlin – “Cliché, but it provided me with insight and inspiration.”
Shuffle – “Everyone should be able to dance the way they want to.”
House – “Versatile.”
Sex – “Attraction and love.”
Techno – “Warm.”
Traktor – “A great tool to make DJ sets more interesting (although it’s not always used that way).”
Beer – “Talking with friends.”
Drugs – “To each his own.”
So this is your first interview. What do you think I’m going to ask you?
“Maybe how I started out in music or what kind of music I play and why. Or you’re going to ask me other stuff to get to know me as a person?”
Wrong! You live in Utrecht. Not to be an arrogant Amsterdammer, but isn’t it more convenient for your career to live in Amsterdam?
“I do think that it would improve my chances of becoming a full-time artist. However, I’ve lived in Utrecht for almost 10 years and it became my home. Besides that, Utrecht is a buzzing city with a lot going on, not just musically. Right now I’m happy to be able to produce music and do gigs whilst living in Utrecht, but who knows what the future will bring.”
You have an office job as well. Do you find it difficult to find a balance with music?
“Past year I performed almost every weekend and I started devoting more time to producing, so I hardly have any spare time. But doing it brings me energy, satisfaction and happiness. My job takes up time, sometimes more than I prefer, but it gives me the financial freedom to make and play whatever music I like. I would love it though if I could make a living from music alone.”
If you could open your own club, what would it look like?
“I don’t like dance floors that are too big, it takes away the intimacy. I would program different, daring, quality artists. The club would attract people that are open minded, have different tastes in music, and take care of each other. I guess my club would be something like Woodstock ‘69, but without the political statement.”
Awesome. Now, let’s get serious, give me a track that makes you emotional.
“‘Verkens in London by Kettel, I first heard it at Tivoli de Helling. I recently heard it again and even almost five years later I still got all choked up. The melodic progression to me is insanely beautiful. Oh and if you watch the audience closely, maybe you’ll see me crying and dancing. At the same time.”
Listen at your own risk people…
You’ll play in Cue Bar in a few minutes. Are you nervous?
“No, not at all. I’m usually only nervous on moments when there’s something riding on a gig. For instance gigs like SETFEST with big artists involved. But in the end I just want to make people happy through my music and if that works out I’ll have a great time.”
Do you think you’ve got what it takes to make Dennis nervous? Catch him play in Studio 80 this Saturday with Hunter/Game and Homework.
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