This week on Nocturnal Knights Reworked the always amazing Woody van Eyeden has teamed up with Rene Ablaze and the beloved singer Cari to rework the classic Minnie Riperton love ballad Loving You that has been sampled many times in the past and used within trance music tracks. This perfect release for Saint Valentines day is the reason to meet up again with Woody and talk about the track and everything that he does within the music scene.
The Dutch entertainer became known to a wide audience in the ‘90s as a DJ, producer and TV presenter. But even today Woody is a busy and successful artist and was even described by Armin van Buuren as “one of the nicest people in the business”.
There‘s no way to miss Woody van Eyden if you are dealing with electronic dance music. Since many decades he fascinates the fans all around the world. Outstanding productions such as “Nangulan", „Embrace The Rainbow“ and remixes for artists like Armin van Buuren, Aly & Fila, Paul van Dyk and many others regularly appear in the international dance and sales charts. His trademark, entertaining and even artistic stage performances braced his image as an absolute crowd pleaser and YouTube star, and his unpredictable way of presentation are a true enrichment for any radio and TV Show.
1-Dimitris: 2023 just started but it will be cool to let us know how was 2022 for your career. Let us know about achievements or goals achieved that you are proud of.
Woody: Being able to travel the world again with my music, seeing friends i made all over the year and meeting new people
2-Dimitris: Do you have already some concrete plans for 2023 and if you are allowed to announce them to our readers please tell us what you are preparing for us in the coming months regarding releases and performances in gigs/festivals.
Woody: My main plan is marry my beautiful girl, being happy and healthy.
3-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your latest release Loving You with Rene Ablaze and Cari on vocals. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Woody: I strongly believe that this great old tracks needed a fresh update so the idea was born. Being able to work with Cari as vocalist is always a pleasure, and Rene and I did quite some tracks in the last years
4-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Woody: Making the demo,2 days ,asking Cari and adding vocals 1 week, producing this till it sounds perfect 3 months...
5-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular track or any specific production challenges.
Woody: Making the Gambrita remix ( an alias I used already a few times) was a challenge.
6- Dimitris: Which music composition software or hardware you prefer and why? What is your opinion of the latest movement to produce music with more analogue equipment and with less or without any digital software?
Woody: However you are able to get the sound you like , the road is your goal.
7-Dimitris: Do you prefer instrumental dance tracks or you adore vocals? Please explain to us your position and if in your latest production you have vocals tell us how did you choose the specific singer and if it was great to work with her/him?
Woody: Vocaaaaaals, I am a trained vocalist myself, so defo vocal !!
8-Dimitris: If you really like to produce vocal tracks which vocalist/singer or lyricist on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Woody: I would love to work with Henning May ( a German rock singer)
9-Dimitris: Do you believe that artwork on your latest track is good and do you believe that artwork can attract listeners or record buyers? Can you mention the best artwork of a track ever released?
Woody: Best artwork ever was from Ice T ,all the way naked , hahahahaha
10-Dimitris: In which label Loving you will be? Tell us your opinion about that particular label and your connection with them.
Woody: Nocturnal Music by Ram...and his super team.
11-Dimitris: Do you have your own record label? if yes tell us when did you set it up, the reasons behind this decision and your top 3 releases on the label so far plus 2 or 3 releases that we should look after from your label.
Woody: well I run a few....discogs knows it all. HERE
12-Dimitris: Are you planning to complete an album or mix compilation soon? if yes please give us all the details about regarding tracks and how will look and sound like?
Woody: Maybe another chill album.
13-Dimitris:How much time do you spend promoting yourself in your social media and you see this as essential tool for self promotion and getting bookings too? Which social media is the one that seems to work better for you?
Woody: Necessary evil social madness.
14-Dimitris: Do you have your own radio show/podcast/twitch stream or Vlog(video blog)? If yes please give us a comment about it and how long it take you to prepare for it and if you are always excited to produce it?
Woody: I run a 3 hours weekly dance show on dab+ station Brillux Radio every Saturday.
15-Dimitris: From the gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2023 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Woody: wow, quite a few, watch my socials.
16-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ performance?
Woody: Playing with Alex is always big fun, we are gong to do more again as b2b team.
17-Dimitris: Are you enjoying to visit music conferences and do you have any plans to attend any of them in 2023:
Woody: Always good to see colleagues and fans.
18-Dimitris: Do you have an agent that organize your performances and gigs or are you taking care of them? If you do have one agency please tell us what is so special and you work with them.
Woody: we have our own Mac and artist management company plus I work with a few agents.
19-Dimitris: Please note for all the new talents that read this interview to get some inspiration from you any technical tips in relation to your DJing or music productions. Also any piece of personal or music business' advice that has helped you to progress even further and is worth telling to the new upcoming talents.
Woody: Practise, work hard and believe in yourself ,always being self skeptical.
20-Dimitris: Many DJs who are producers too they offer online masterclasses or teach to music production courses. If you are offering any of these services please tell us about it.
Woody: working on new ideas at the moment.
21-Dimitris: Is there a club classic that you would like to remix or rework in 2023? Do you attempt often to do your own bootlegs of classics?
Woody: When I do bootlegs I only play them in my sets...any old Ferry tune is always a good one to remix.
22-Dimitris: Vinyl sales are rising and there is strong demand for vinyl releases? What is the reason behind that trend and do you see it as a positive development?
Woody: Well if music gets sold and not stolen I am always happy.
23-Dimitris: Many artist right now attempt to come closer to their fan base and use the meta verse in order to offer exclusive content to their most dedicated followers. Do you have any plans to do the same and what is your opinion about this plan to grow on metaverse?
Woody: I think I am always very close to my fans who I play, that's the way I want to keep it.
24-Dimitris: Do you believe that music genres or styles are still relevant today? What is your opinion about hybrids and artists attempting to mix influences from various genres in their tracks?
Woody: I play always various styles.
25-Dimitris: Finally tell us if you are able to make a leaving out of your music business (DJ/producer/label owner/teaching or mastering tracks) and if not what other jobs are you doing in order to make a decent leaving?
Woody: I am 100 %, 24/7 music addicted.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Woody: enjoy to the max!!
Thanks to the always very busy Woody for finding the time to reply to my questions.
Get ready for powerhouse collaborative effort in the shape of Woody van Eyden, Rene Ablaze and Cari
Here, the trio take the classic Lovin' you for a 2023 excursion into energetic and melodic territories. Cari's stunning reinterpretation adds chills to the skin, and is neatly wrapped in heartfelt melodies and powerful grooves.
This is essential trance! Do you agree? Get your copy now on one of our music platforms!
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