Who wouldn't to be an international DJ? Still only 25, Dyro counts Ministry of Sound, Pacha NYC, The Light and Drai’s in Las Vegas as among the many venues he's played around the globe, as well as headlining festivals such as Tomorrowland and ULTRA. In 2015, Dyro founded WOLV Records, which releases his own material and those of other young artists. He talks us us through his daily grind...
How did you get into music – and, more specifically, become a DJ?
I was very much a 'bedroom' producer early on. I was producing when I was still at school studying and I wanted to experiment in that world. Being Dutch, we are always surrounded by dance music, electronic music, “EDM” from when we are children – guys like Tiësto and Armin are the pop stars of the scene that we’ve grown up with. Hardwell played one of my early tracks out at a show and it all went crazy from there but I was a producer first off, before I started DJ’ing and touring.
What’s the best thing about being a DJ?
Being creative and working to my own schedule, you have to stay organised and stay in contact with your various teams, of course, but I’m basically my own boss.
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And the worst?
I really enjoy visiting new places and places I never thought I would – like the first time I toured Asia, it was just dope. But the jet leg and waking up in different places, added to the late nights and alcohol, that can get tough.
What’s the biggest misconception about your job?
That it’s so glamorous and 'easy', you know, like we just turn up for an hour and press some buttons. So much preparation goes into a set, track selection, working on edits and solo productions of my own in the run up to huge festivals, in some cases I can be working on a track for months just to get it exactly how I want it. Then it’s looking for new music online, making sure you bring the level of mixing and quality to your live show so that the fans enjoy it and you play the best you can. No DJ wants to turn up and do a show half-assed, yeah sure we’re not rocket scientists but it takes a lot of work.
What’s the secret to a great DJ set?
Preparation, environment and the crowd can also have a lot of influence on the direction a set can go in. Tracks and the vibe of the set can chop and change but if you’re not prepared and you’re having technical difficulties, it can be hard to pull that back. That is when the crowd can sometimes save you!
What do you think makes you successful?
I’d like to say originality and allowing myself to evolve. Everything I do with my music and my label, I always try and stay true to myself.
Of all your tracks, which are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of my new music that is coming out this year. I’ve already released some original tracks, ‘Alive’ and ‘Surrounded’ and I feel like it’s some of the best work I’ve ever done. More to come for this year! [Feature continued below video]
What advice would you offer to young, would-be DJs?
Get proper, actual advice from a trusted source when you’re joining labels and signing contracts. Seek legal advice if you have to, take your parents with you, whatever you have to do, just make sure you fully understand what you’re moving forward with and that you’re not compromising your views and beliefs. Stick to your guns!
Where’s your favourite venue / festival to play?
Tomorrowland and ULTRA – I’ve played the main stage of those events a bunch of times and they’re always so fun. The contrast is interesting too, because Tomorrowland is in Europe and ULTRA is American, you really see the different sides of the scene with different sounds, different productions and the crowds change, too!
How have you found running your own label?
It takes up a lot of time but is very rewarding. It is a lengthy process which people underestimate, y’know? But with WOLV we don’t put tracks out that are quantity over quality, we really wanna nurture specific artists as part of our family.
What do you look for when signing a new act?
Originality and a vision. Sometimes artists come to me with tracks that aren’t quite there yet but do have a lot of promise, so we’ll work with them to develop their ideas and where they wanna go. It’s not, like, talent-at-first-sight all the time, it’s about the bigger picture.
What’s the most difficult aspect of running a label?
Staying organised with our schedule and helping nurture the artists, it takes up a lot of time but I want to be present and a central part of the whole process. Plus, one of my good friends helps manage the label which is a great help and relief to be working with someone you trust to have your vision too.
Who would you most like to work with in the industry?
I wanna collab with Diplo, for sure
What are your ambitions for the future?
To grow WOLV into one of the best labels in the scene and to keep making music I truly believe in no matter if it is against the norm, that’s what I want. To be exciting and always pushing forward.
