Erik van den Boom aka Erik Arbores released his very first E.P. at the age of 14, in the same month he started his studies at the University of Delft. He is what some like to call ‘a prodigy’, in both music production as well as the world of Applied Sciences. His ‘Take It’ E.P., released on Armada Music’s Zouk Recordings under his Erik Arbores moniker, shot straight to number one on the Dutch iTunes chart, with the single ‘Bliss’ entering the Dutch Top 40 at number 20 in its first week of release. The sky is the limit and the world smiles at this talented boy from Schiedam, The Netherlands.
Erik’s musical talent was discovered when Erik was invited to Dutch TV show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’, where he showed Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren one of his tracks. Van Buuren, fellow-owner of Armada Music, was very impressed. Since then, the record deal offers started flooding in. Erik decided to have his first record deal at Armada Music and the feedback from the ‘Take It’ release has been very positive. ‘Take It’ E.P includes the tracks ‘Bliss’, ‘Take It’ and ‘Transit’ Jochen Miller, Kid Massive, DJ Feel, The Thrillseekers, Guiseppe Ottaviani and Ali Wilson are only just a few of the DJ’s supporting the package. One of the biggest US radio stations, Sirius XM, played ‘Bliss’ multiple times.
When I checked out his Take It EP on Zouk/Armada Music I was totally blown away about the quality of his productions and the way he manage to incorporate all the influences from the current popular EDM genres and come up with 3 unique, fresh and very original anthems that most importantly sounding really professional and state of the art. When I searched to find more information and I learned about his studies I was left speechless and I was wondering how powerful music is as a medium that can influence a very young teenager so much that he will try even to become a producer and not to remain a simple consumer of music. The revolution of the internet changed not only our perception of music and sounds but open up wide possibilities and created the aspiration, hope and dream to the young users of that medium to become active and productive rather than playing violent computer games for hours or even days. Erik Arbores is a bright example of where the future of EDM is heading at and I’m glad that with the help of Marije at Armada Music in offices I did this great interview with him. There are many interviews circulating on the internet already with him. I hope that you will find my different angle and approach to it very intresting.
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/Club Dj & Music Journalist
Dimitri: First of all I would like to ask you about your impression of performing a dj set at Armada’s Music event at ADE. How do you feel that in an early age you had the chance to perform on the same stage that Armin van Buuren performed later too? Can you remember the track that you dropped and your crowd went totally insane?
Erik Arbores: It was amazing to perform at Armada night, it was my first gig ever! I also met a lot of great DJ’s and producers so it was quite an experience. I remember when I dropped the last track, one of my tracks that's not been released yet, and I saw everyone loved it.
Dimitri: Of course nowadays Netherlands and particularly Holland is at the center of the world of Electronic Dance Music. Did you have the opportunity to attend any other ADE events like conferences or seminars? Do you feel lucky then growing up in a country that has so much presence and influence in the Electronic Dance Music scene?
Erik Arbores: Two days before my own gig, I had the chance to take a look 'behind the scenes' at the opening of ADE by Sander van Doorn and Ferry Corsten. It was great to see how the tracks they played influenced the crowd, because normally I wouldn't be allowed in a club! But in general, it's great to be Dutch because it's easy communicating with the people of Armada and great Dutch DJ's and producers I meet.
Dimitri: Are you coming from a family that has any connection with music or any other forms of arts? What kind of music you were listening in your childhood and you remember more often been exposed within your family?
Erik Arbores: My mother can play the piano, but that's the only connection with music my family has. I listened to a lot of different types of music, my parents often listen to classical music. I prefer pop music and EDM.
Dimitri: Is it possible to list for us the djs or EDM producers that have the most impact in your decision to get involved with EDM production and please give us a small comment about each of them.
Erik Arbores: There’s not really any DJ’s or producers in particular that got me into EDM. But nowadays I'm fan of a lot of producers such as Avicii, David Guetta, SHM, Alesso, Hardwell, Dave Aude, Afrojack, Chuckie and many more.
Dimitri: Have you attended any formal classes in order to learn the tricks of music production or are you totally self taught via youtube tutorials?
Erik Arbores: No, I watched some tutorials on YouTube, but I like to figure it out myself and experiment a lot.
Dimitri: Did you take part to any remix competitions for young talents? Do you believe that labels should be more open with remix competition opportunities for young talents?
Erik Arbores: I've never come across remix competitions for young producers specifically, but I did participate in quite a few contest. I also made remixes with DIY acapellas of famous pop songs for fun, I remixed Rihanna, Katy Perry and Lady GaGa for instance.
Dimitri: Can you tell us why you decided to take part in the Dutch TV show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’, and how did you felt when Armin van Buuren said his comments about your talent?
Erik Arbores: De Wereld Draait Door is a great talkshow and I decided I didn't want to miss this experience. Armin came live on the show as a surprise so I was very excited when he explained he had listened to my tracks and said that he was impressed.
Dimitri: You are signed to Armin’s record label Armada Music that is globally known as the best dance label. Did you had as a dream to become an artist at Armada Music?
Erik Arbores: I always wanted to release my tracks at Armada, and especially Zouk Recordings because I think the house music I produce perfectly fits that label.
Dimitri: Your first release is the massive EP on Zouk records at Armada. Can you offer us a short comment about each track included in this top EP and if there is a story that you would like to share with us that happened to you while you were in the process of composing them?
Erik Arbores: The tracks are all quite different. ‘Bliss’ is a very melodic, and quite a mainstream track, while ‘Take It’ is more of a strong, and a bit darker track. ‘Transit’ is a mix of both.
Dimitri: When are we going to expect new material from you? Are you going to produce any remixes for other artists as well?
Erik Arbores: I premiered an unreleased track at Armada night and I'm very busy producing every day, so you can probably expect a lot of new tracks. I hope to be doing an official remix soon!
Dimitri: Can you please take on a virtual tour in your studio and tell us your favorite software and hardware for music production?
Erik Arbores: I produce with FL Studio because it's very intuitive to work with. If I have an idea I can easily load it into the computer. Of course I have speakers and a keyboard in my studio.
Dimitri: Is it allowed to enter clubs or big events in your age? Did you had the chance to listen any of your tracks dropped by other djs in a club and how did you felt when you recognized your track?
Erik Arbores: Unfortunately not! For some events you even have to be 21! So I haven't got the chance to hear a DJ drop my tracks, unless I play it myself of course :)
Dimitri: You are not only music prodigy you are also the same in applied sciences as well. Is it possible to tell us why you decided to study your current subject and if you are going to carry on producing music and if you aspire to become a full time producer of EDM music as well?
Erik Arbores: I've always had a fascination with the physics of very small things like atoms, so when I had to pick a study I chose physics because that simply attracted me the most. I absolutely want to continue producing and I hope I can make a career in music.
Dimitri: Can you please give your current Top 5 EDM dance tunes and offer us a short comment about each of them and what you like on them as a producer and not just as a simple listener?
Erik Arbores: Alesso's remix of Pressure is amazing! He really has started a trend with a lot of producers, to do the 'stutter' on the last beat. I also love the track of Rihanna & Calvin Harris 'We Found Love'. It's more of a pop song but I still think you can consider it EDM, this track is also very innovative. The straight clap on each beat, instead of only on the 2nd and 4th beat, throughout the whole track for instance. And the synth sound on the start of the song is also something you wouldn't expect. I also love ‘The Way We See The World’ by Afrojack, NERVO and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, the latest track by the Finnish duo Marucs Maison & Will Dragen, ‘Excalibur’, and Matisse & Sadko's 'We're not Alone' with vocals by Ollie James.
Dimitri: Do you use actively facebook, twitter and You Tube to communicate with your fans and do you feel that internet social networks are very important for the promotion of an artist?
Erik Arbores: Yes I use social media actively. I try to answer most people on Facebook because I get a huge amount of great comments via Facebook. I also tweet latest updates and upload a lot of vids on YouTube. I think social media is very important for promotion, and I think its influence will only increase.
Dimitri: Do you listen frequently radio shows by djs? If yes which ones are your favorites and why? Would you like later to host your own show and maybe an official podcast too?
Erik Arbores: Pete Tong's show is my favourite because he picks great tracks, and also does many worldwide premieres. I think it would be awesome to have such a show myself!
Dimitri: Is there a famous pop artist that you would like to remix or produce a track for him or her? Can you choose for us a classic track from Armada’s catalogue that you would love to update with a remix in your own style?
Erik Arbores: I produce as much pop music as I produce EDM so I would love to produce a track for one of today's biggest pop stars as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa etc. Remixing one of their tracks would also be amazing.
Dimitri: What other things you love doing except reading and producing music? Are you sociable and popular amongst your friends as good friend that someone can trust?
Erik Arbores: My main activities at the moment are of course producing, hanging out with friends and doing 'schoolwork' for my study. I also do streetdance/hiphop once a week and I fitness once a week. I have a lot of friends, so I also spend a lot of time with them.
Dimitri: Please give us your advice to any talents that aspire to follow your path and get involved with EDM production and djing as well?
Erik Arbores: Try to create a big network and get many people to hear your tracks, you learn a lot from the feedback you get. And what may be the most important advice: never give up.
Many thanks to Erik for finding the time out of his studies and music production to reply in my questions in a such a wonderful way that make me so hopeful about the future of Electronic Dance Music from new and very fresh European artists ready to conquer the world.
Many thanks to Marije de Konink at Armada Music offices for her assistance to organize this very interesting full of deep insights interview.
Many thanks to Tjerk Coers at Armada Music offices for his support in my radio shows and reviews.
Erik Arbores Take It EP including tracks ‘Bliss’, ‘Take It’ and ‘Transit’ is out now on Zouk/Armada Music
Photo credits: Ellen van den Boom
Additional info:
https://www.facebook.com/ErikArbores
http://twitter.com/#!/ErikArbores
www.armadamusic.com
