Hardwell: "I have no urges to slow down"

Jasmin Phull catches up with child prodigy turned global superstar: Hardwell, ahead of his Ultra Festival debut, to talk about growing up in the business, working with Tiesto, and what excites him about the music scene.

Mike Warburton

Last updated: 20th Apr 2013

Being the youngest in the game never plays out well except for when you’re Dutch electro/house producer Hardwell. At 13-years-of-age he was contending with an older breed of DJs yet 10 years later a new perspective on music is championing a new generation of DJs – where age is but a number. Whether touring with mentor Tiesto or heading his label Revealed Recordings, 25-year-old Hardwell has the zeitgeist running through his veins.

Jasmine Phull catches us with the musical wunderkind before his Ultra Europe gig on 12 July.

You’re so young and have already gained major accolades around the world. Are you ever concerned that you are getting too much too soon? Do you ever think about slowing down?
The funny thing is I've been doing this for 10 years now. So for me all the recent success I’ve had are goals and dreams I've been aspiring to achieve for many years now. Because of this I have no urges to slow down. I still have a lot more goals that I want to achieve.

With so many offers and collaboration requests do you have a team behind you that helps you make informed decisions or is it all about trial and error?
Yes I have a management team who I work closely with discussing ideas and plans for the future. Although we’re more like a family as I have been with them since the beginning. They help guide my career and I have always been encouraged by them, but I am left to decide what it is I want to do artistically. It helps a lot to have such a strong and committed team behind me because I can draw on their wisdom and knowledge when needed.

Since entering the music game what are some things that have surprised you?
Well when I was younger the perception from the outside looking in was that the music industry is this cutthroat, back-stabbing business. But in reality this isn’t true, from my experience at least. There are some really genuine people in the scene who work tirelessly to make things happen. This ranges from promoters to artists to music fans themselves.

The current explosion of dance music around the world is something that has really impressed me and every now and again will surprise. I’ve always known how big dance music is and I am very proud to be a part of it and watch it evolve the way it does.

Signed when you were 13, what is the hardest thing about being a young contender?
Back then being taken seriously wasn’t so easy because the focus was a lot more on an older breed of DJs; many of whom are pioneers of the scene. However, today a new generation of DJs are coming through and in some cases ruling the world so that doesn't apply so much nowadays.

One piece of advice you would give the ’13-year-old’ you?
Just to stick to what you believe in, focus on creating your own sound and production style. Follow your dreams because it is all possible..

You’ve toured with mentor Tiësto. Tell us how that relationship first came about?
He got in touch with me about a track I did and then shortly after invited me to join him in Ibiza in 2010. We became good friends and have since worked and toured together a few times. He's a cool guy and has been a great mentor to me over the years.

Your international breakthrough came with your “Show Me Love vs. Be” bootleg, which became one of the popular and played dance hits of 2009. Could the same journey happen in the music world of today? Has much changed since 2009?
Absolutely! In fact I'd say it’s happening all the time. YouTube is bigger than ever before. You only have to see the impact Madeon's 'Pop Culture' video to see that artists are still being discovered in new and interesting ways.

You’re also head honcho of Revealed Recordings are you signing other artists or just releasing your own tracks?
No, the label is all about signing new artists as well as releasing my own music. Guys like Dannic, Dyro and Jordy Dazz are key artists in the labels evolution. We've also put out music by other great artists like W&W, Ummet Ozcan and Mightyfools.

You’re quite active on the social media front, do you think it’s necessary for your career to maintain online engagement or could you easily develop your career without it?
I do believe it is still possible to develop a career without social media but it is such a powerful tool to help enhance your profile you’d be missing a big opportunity not to use it. For me I just love the way it allows me to engage with people. It's amazing having the chance to chat with fans before and after a show.

What element from your childhood/youth played an important part in shaping where you’re at now?
My family. Their encouragement for me to follow my dream and the never-ending support they've shown has undoubtedly helped shape the person I am today.

Your playing Ultra Europe on 12 July, who are you looking forward to seeing?
Looking forward to seeing the Bingo Players and Krewella if I have time. All those guys have been creating incredible music of late so each of their sets will be amazing to go and watch!

Will you adapt your set for the festival audience? What are the three main elements that you have to take into account when preparing for a festival gig?
The country, the line up, the set time I've been given and the direction I'm keen to take it in for the event. I never pre-plan my sets but of course festivals are a big event so I always work on something special to fit the occasion.

Last song you listened to?
A really cool edit Dyro did of his new single ‘Leprechauns and Unicorns’ which I think he’s planning to play this weekend.

First album you bought?
The Prodigy’s Experience album

What’s next?
I’m about to launch my I Am Hardwell concept at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam on April 27th. This is a new tour project of mine and is something I’ve been working on for several months now. As well as this, I have a residency in Las Vegas starting with Hakkasan under my own night ‘Go Hardwell or Go Home’. Then from August I will be touring ‘Go Hardwell or Go Home’ around the US for a nationwide tour with some very exciting guests joining me on the road. There are also some great festival dates in diary like Global Gathering and Creamfields, which I am very excited about. I also have a couple of new singles coming up which I’ll be revealing more about on my Twitter/Facebook in the coming weeks.