Dutch producer Joost van der Vleuten's mind knows no boundaries. Over the past decade, he's released under several monikers and explored many styles in the electronic dance music landscape. After numerous successful projects and releases in trance, it was the warm beats and intricate melodies that drew him into the world of deep progressive and organic house – Namatjira was born. This creation was the origin of highly successful collabs with Royal Sapien (Lowbit), Mz Sunday Luv (Asymmetric) or Jelle van Leeuwen (Purified) as well as outstanding remixes for artists like Guy J, Marc Poppcke, Armin van Buuren, Stephen. J Kroos and a beautiful reinterpretation of the legendary Subsky classic 'Strawberry Fields'.
With originals such as '1000 Of Years Ago' (Cyber Records), 'Road To Nothing' (Vise Versa Music) and 'Late At Night' (Mistique Music), the Namatjira sound became a hot property for both the ecstatic crowds and his highly respected DJ colleagues. Namatjira’s releases on Anjunadeep, Sudbeat and The Soundgarden have been picked up by some of the leading lights in progressive house – from John Digweed, Sasha and Guy J to Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren, giving Joost the recognition he deserves. A legacy that continues to grow.
Namatjira's latest tracks Strawberry Sundays / Loneliness EP are out now on UV and we feel is the best opportunity to let him talk about these tracks and his pathway to music so far. Enjoy his answers.
1-Dimitris: It would be nice to start by telling us your 3 most important achievements or goals fulfilled in your career so far that you very are proud of.
Namatjira: My remix for Armin van Buuren back in 2016, releasing on Anjunadeep and my 2nd album on Manual Music
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Namatjira: I don't DJ, I'm more of a studio nerd.
3-Can you note down the top 3 producers that have influenced your decision to get involved in the electronic dance music scene and you admire and respect them very much?
Namatjira: The global underground compilations featuring Sasha, Cattáneo, Nick Warren and others
4-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your Strawberry Sundays / Loneliness EP on UV. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Namatjira: As always I find inspiration everywhere. Same as for this release.
5-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Namatjira: I always start with a simple chord line and the rest comes and goes step by step.
6-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular track or any specific technical challenges or obstacles that you had to overcome during its production.
Namatjira: Nah, this two tracks where opening up like a flower, while working on them...
7- 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?
Namatjira: I work since 2001 with Reason, back then Reason didn't had vst support and everything was inside the box. I liked it cause everything I needed was inside the program. Nowadays Reason supports audio and vst's as well, so everything I have in mind is possible.
8-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?
Namatjira: Depends... The most inport is that the compliment each other.
9-Dimitris: If you really like to produce vocal tracks which vocalist/singer or lyricist on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Namatjira: I love to work with male and female vocalists, the don't have to be famous, the most important thing is that they can think as a producer as well.. I recently did a collab which will be out later, and he worked closely with me on the whole project. His melodic suggestions made the track even stronger and complimented the vocals.. The track grow to a higher level with this collaboration.
10-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?
Namatjira: Yeah, artwork attracts people. Best artwork ever, I don't know...
11-Dimitris: Can you pick your top 3 record labels including the one released the track that we discuss in this interview and give us a short comment about them?
Namatjira: This ep fits really well on UV, cause the are a crossover between the deeper and the more uplifting progressive house this EP is about. I listen and produce deep/organic/melodic/progressive house.. You can see that in my spotify playlists. Labels that are currently featured there are Do Not Sit, Anjunadeep and Moments. But I don't have a top 3, there is more happening then you can catch in just 3 labels...
12-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?
Namatjira: As much as necessary =)
13-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.
Namatjira: Take the time.. When you think you have finished your best track ever, put it away for two or three weeks and then listen to it again.. Is it still your best track ever?
14-Dimitris: Can you describe your music as certain music genre such as trance, house, techno or your music exempts these categorizations? What is your opinion about hybrid styles and the artists who are attempting to mix influences from various genres in their tracks?
Namatjira: It's hard to catch my style in a certain genre. I used to describe my music as progressive.. But if you want to know what you can expect, it's deep/progressive/organic/melodic house music, and sometimes even with a wink to trance..
15-Dimitris: Is your music business your full time occupation and are you able to make a leaving out of your music business (DJ/producer/label owner/teaching or mastering tracks)? If not what other jobs are you doing in order to support your income?
Namatjira: I'm a male nurse working in a hospital.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Namatjira: Hope you like my music...
Find this beautiful EP here: https://uv.streamlink.to/loneliness
Thanks to Joost aka Namatjira for his time to reply to this interview.
Thanks to Paul Thomas at UV for organizing this interview for our readers
Additional info:
Connect with Future Sound of Egypt