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Published November 26, 2014
The nineteen-year-old Dutch DJ/Producer Oliver Heldens has developed quite a name for himself recently with hits such as “Gecko”, “Koala”, and many chart-topping remixes with “Feel Good” and”Animals”. With his signature Future House sound, he has gained support from artists such as Tiesto, Pete Tong, Porter Robinson, and many more. We got to sit and chat with Oliver Heldens a few weeks ago at EDC Orlando to talk music, his career, and what he likes to do for fun.
How did you get started as DJ/Producer?
When I was in high school in the Netherlands, I went to these big school parties that had these big DJs perform, and they inspired me to become a DJ. In the Netherlands, we had guys like Hardwell and Fedde Le Grand perform at these parties.
What inspired you to make the track “Pikachu”?
I worked with Mr. Belt & Wezol on the instrumental and they came up with the idea to use the Pikachu samples and find that to be pretty cool so we went with it.
How do you feel about Deep and Future House becoming so big in the EDM scene?
It’s great to see Deep and Future House getting a lot of love, but I like to refer to these sounds as “The Groove”, and I’m happy “The Groove” is coming back.
Oliver Heldens at Beyond Wonderland (Photo by Marc van der Aa @ Insomniac)
What DJ/Producers inspired you growing up?
Fedde Le Grand, Gregory Salto, Laidback Luke, and Chocolate Puma.
Any plans to work with any of them?
I’m planning or have worked with Chocolate Puma, Gregory Salto, Laidback Luke, Tiesto, Head Hunters, and Zeds Dead.
Outside the EDM scene, whom would you like to work with?
I love the hip-hop sound elements in House, so I would like to work with Flume, Trippy Turtle, or Disclosure. I like their style.
How do you prepare for your sets?
For clubs I can play for several hours, but at a festival you typically have an hour. In a festival you have to build-up, go down, and build back up…it’s like a roller-coaster. I love playing my own tunes and edits. I play a lot of House, Groovy House, Tech House, Future House, and Deep House.
How do you feel traveling the world at your age doing what you love?
I really enjoy what I’m doing, so it makes it easy. I’m happy with my music and love traveling the world.
What is your favorite track to play right now?
I can’t pick just one…”Gecko”, “Koala”, and a few unreleased tracks.
Oliver Heldens at EDC Orlando (Photo by Marc van der Aa @ Insomniac)
Can you tell us about your podcast “Heldeep Radio”?
It’s all songs I like…it’s groovy, funky, and fun. Check it out!
What’s in your DJ bag?
Headphones and USB sticks.
What’s something many people don’t know about you?
When I was 12-years-old, I was one of the best chess players in my age group. I also used to play field hockey and tennis.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to play FIFA on my PS3, I don’t have a PS4 yet.
When you first started on the scene, who was the one person you wanted to meet?
There are many people I’ve wanted to meet and have met most of them, but the first time I met Tiesto was special for me. When he heard “Gecko”, he invited me to his hotel in Amsterdam and we got to talk about all kinds of stuff. I’m not just inspired by his music, but also as a person and what he has done for the music industry. He’s a nice guy.
Tiesto and Oliver Heldens
Do you feel that social media is important to become a successful DJ these days?
I think SoundCloud is very important where record labels and fans can find out about your music. Twitter and Facebook are a cool and fun way for me to easily connect with my fans.
Where do you to find new tracks?
I get a lot of tracks from artists, sometimes SoundCloud, and I make my most of my own edits and mashups.
Where is your favorite place to play?
I love playing in UK, Scotland, and Canada. The crowds and club scene in Canada is like a blend of America and Europe. Canada loves the Groovy House.
Oliver Heldens and Jon (Smash The Club) at EDC Orlando
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Doing the same thing making new music, touring the world, and working with developing my style of sound. I’d also like to what Avicii did for Progressive House, I would love to do that with Deep and Future House, and make it more mainstream for everyone to enjoy.
Any last words to your fans?
My fans are great fans. There are not many people that play my style of music, so they are very dedicated and special to me, I love them!
You can find Oliver Helden’s tracks on iTunes or Beatport. You can also listen and download his popular podcast “Heldeep Radio” on iTunes.
iTunes
Beatport
Heldeep Radio
Follow Oliver Heldens (Netherlands)
Website: oliverheldens.com
Facebook: facebook.com/oliverheldens
Twitter: @oliverheldens
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/oliverheldens
Instagram: @oliverheldens
Heldeep Radio Podcast: Subscribe to Heldeep Radio Podcast
