German DJ/Producer and label owner D.O.N.S. has established himself as one of the most innovative, unique, and exciting figures in the dance music Industry. From his solo productions to his bootlegs and covers to his highly sought-after remixes, D.O.N.S. studio output is an ever impressive slew of crafted gems for the dancefloor.
Oliver Goedicke, aka D.O.N.S. got digged very early into the music by his radio host uncle. Age 12, he started collecting vinyls and a few years later playing at private parties which he organized himself. His unlimited knowledge of music got him a position as a salesman at a notable records store, which ended up throwing branded parties. One night, the resident DJ called in sick which gave the opportunity to Ollie to replace him, even though he had never touched a professional set up before. Still he was so successful that he was offered a residency every weekend.
Later on, he moved to New York for half a year, where he got fully infected with the House Music virus, going to legendary Tunnel and World, listening to Frankie Knuckles, Todd Terry or Adiva performing one of the first big gigs of her successful career. He quickly realized that music was his life and instead of keeping most of his earnings to finance his studies, he actually spent it on buying more and more vinyls. These were the first steps of the crazy genius monster of production!
Founding the Hard House/Hard Trance DJ/Producer duo Warp Brothers with his music partner Jürgen Dohr in 1999 was his career booster. Thanks to worldwide hits such as We Will Survive (Top 20 UK) and Phat Bass (Top 10 UK) (Blade), his success reached an immeasurable level at a breathtaking speed. He quickly got to play live for dozens of thousands of frenetic techno and Warp Brothers fans.
In 2005, Oliver decided to become D.O.N.S. in order to focus on a softer side of House music. During a couple of years, Oliver was working on D.O.N.S. productions from 9 to 5pm and touring as a Warp Brother from 9 to 5am. Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hide lasted until Oliver found his passion and happiness in the D.O.N.S. project releasing a few hits such as legendary Pump Up the Jam (2nd most successful worldwide dance track 2005), Big Fun (voted as one of the best 25 cover versions of all times by DJ Mag) and The Nighttrain, Searching For Love, Alive and many more all topping mainstream and dance charts around the Globe and propelling him to the rank of an A-list DJ/Producer. Top 10 sales charts positions in the UK, Spain, Ireland, Scandinavia, France and many more countries were the result of his hard work.
From John Dahlback’s Blink and Everywhere, to Kid Cudi’s Day ‘n’ Nite, Roger Sanchez’s Release Yoself, Afrojack´s Esther, Bob Sinclars What I Want or Ron Carroll’s Lucky Star, many international hits owe their success to his remixes, giving him the recognition of the remixer the most in demand in the world.
On show, his technique and energy have set the fire in prestigious clubs and festivals impressive crowds such as over 300,000 people in Valencia. Bootlegging and mash-upping, live for shows, or especially edited for his radio show, his performances are always a not to be missed one of a kind. Amnesia Miami, Ministry Of Sound London, Pacha London, Pacha Buzios/Rio De Janeiro, Pacha Munich, Space & Amnesia Ibiza are displaying only a small selection of the top notch clubs he rocked the crowd.
With over 30 million daily listeners on around 100 radio stations in 40 countries, D.O.N.S. IN THE MIX is carefully prepared by D.O.N.S. himself every single week, with the most exclusive, undiscovered and up-to-date sound, all edited for the purpose of the show.
Besides his busy DJ and production schedule, he still devotes some of his time to manage one of the EDM scene’s most exciting and forward-thinking labels, Kingdom Kome Cuts aka KKC, and discover new talents. He is also an active international Ambassador for HIV/AIDs charity Dance4Life, a role he shares alongside artists such as Tiësto and Fedde Le Grand.
Name: D.O.N.S.
Location: London, bedroom 6:30am full moon ;)
Dimitri: Can you mention your biggest achievements in your music career in 2014 and your personal life if it is something that you wish to share with our readers?
D.O.N.S.: I’m really proud of my latest single “Big Fun” with Terri B currently at #12 in the Billboard Dance Charts. It’s still climbing so let’s see how proud I will be at the end! ;)))
Dimitri: 2014 was packed with releases from so many different styles, which Electronic Music style you believe is the absolute Electronic Music Style Of 2014 in the mainstream indifferent if you like it or not. Why you believe this style became so successful in 2014?
D.O.N.S.: If you really want to categorise one I’d say it’s Deep House. People became tired of the Big Room/EDM sound that was dominating the festivals (where it still works), radio and charts for the past years, and as always in life, if there is too much of something people look for new ways and things and they re-discovered Deep House.
1) Best Track:
D.O.N.S.: Oliver Dollar & Jimi Jules - Pushing On (Original Mix)
2) Best Artist (Dj & producer):
D.O.N.S.: Oliver Heldens
3) Best Remix:
D.O.N.S.: Axwell - Feel The Vibe (Schwarz 100 Remix)
4) Best Remixer:
D.O.N.S.: Oliver Dollar
5) Best New Talent (Dj or producer):
D.O.N.S.: Hansol
6) Best Electronic Music Album:
D.O.N.S.: Sadly I had no time to check out any full albums this year
7) Best Electronic Music Compilation:
D.O.N.S.: Defected In The House Ibiza 2014
8) Best Lyrics in an Electronic Music track:
D.O.N.S.: Green Velvet, Patrick Topping – Voicemail (Original Mix)
9) Best Vocalist/Singer featured on Electronic Music track:
D.O.N.S.: Terri B! on “Big Fun”. I just love her voice.
10) Best Electronic Music Label:
D.O.N.S.: Defected Records
11) Best online Funny video related to Dance Music
D.O.N.S.: This is a must watch. The best EDM festival scene ever!! ;-)))
12) Best Online Social media network:
D.O.N.S.: Instagram
13) Best Twitter or Facebook message you received from a fan or friend or you have read on someone else’s account:
D.O.N.S.: Maybe not the best but one that says a lot about the current situation of our industry and I didn’t only get one like this this: “Hi my name is ….., can you produce a track for me and release it on your label. I want no money from sales and would pay you for the releases”. It’s not about producing music for others but more and more people are desperate for a release and are even willing to pay. Almost looks like a new business model but in the end I feel it’s sad.
14) Best music composition software:
D.O.N.S.: Ableton
15) Best Event or Open Air Festival:
D.O.N.S.: Tomorrowland
16) Best personal Dj Gig:
D.O.N.S.: EMF 2014 in Port Bacares/France
17) Best Dj set of the year from other fellow Dj:
D.O.N.S.: John Digweed @ Melkweg in Amsterdam
18) Best country that you have visited to perform with the most up for it crowd:
D.O.N.S.: Actually it´s the UK for me this year
19) Best Radio show:
D.O.N.S.: D.O.N.S. In The Mix ;-))))))
20) Best Radio station:
D.O.N.S.: Prysm Radio
21) Best Online Record shop that you purchase your music:
D.O.N.S.: Beatport
22) Best Website that you visit frequently:
D.O.N.S.: www.dancingastronaut.com
23) Best Dj equipment (software or hardware):
D.O.N.S.: CDJ2000
24) Best tip that you learnt this year for your Djing techniques or music composition:
D.O.N.S.: It’s still all about the music you choose (oldie but goldie)
25) Best piece of advice you got in relation to your career in 2014:
D.O.N.S.: Don’t release just for the sake of having a release!
26) Best hobby or activity that you spent a lot of time in 2014:
D.O.N.S.: Growing a beard
27) Best holiday destination for 2014 that you manage to visit this year either to relax or to perform in a club or festival:
D.O.N.S.: This year it was definitely Portugal. The only two days I was able to spend at a beach besides having a gig at Club Vida in Albuferia
28) Best Book of the year preferably related to Electronic Music:
D.O.N.S.: It’s not a new book but one of the books I read this year. Irvin D. Yalom “The Love Executioner”. Not related to music at all though.
29) Best Movie of the year preferably related to Electronic Music that may inspire you to compose a track:
D.O.N.S.: Not related to music but a great movie. “Best (Serial) Weddings”.
30) Best online/PC/video game of the year that you have played this year? No time to play any video games.
D.O.N.S.: The only game I play from time to time is Clash Of Clans but this soundtrack is ultra lame.
Dimitri: Finally, 2015 is ahead of us would you like to tell your plans with your future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations, Dj gigs.
D.O.N.S.: Continuing the re-launch of Warp Brothers with some heavy releases. Lots of new releases for D.O.N.S., establishing our event brand from Kingdom In Da House called The Core, expanding our label KKC and trying to find some spare time for myself…
Thanks to D.O.N.S. for his fantastic answers
Thanks to Simon Tillotson – PR Manager at SLK Associates Limited for his support to organise the interview.
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