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You’ve got to hand it to Ferry Corsten. The Dutch electro-trance DJ/producer has been going strong for nearly 10 years in the business, and there’s no signs of him slowing down anytime soon. Emirates Business caught up with the Dubai regular.
You’ve certainly been busy recently; appearing on TV, releasing music, a DVD, and touring. How do you manage it all?
I have a lot of good people around me who help me do it actually. If I did all this on my own, I would probably go crazy by now. In terms of producing music and DJing, I definitely do that all on my own. I am too much of a control freak to allow anybody else to touch that I guess.
You’re back in Dubai at the end of the month for your biggest gig to date over here. What do you like about the Dubai club scene?
Great people and a fresh crowd. But the main reason why I like Dubai is it’s international appeal. In Dubai, I have the feeling that I play for a Middle Eastern, Asian, Australian, American, and European crowd all at once.
Any memorable moments during Dubai visits?
I’ll always remember the first couple of times I visited the place. The first time I arrived, I remember looking out from my hotel room, amazed at the desert around me. The second time, I was amazed at the desert I didn’t see around me even though I was staying in the same hotel and looking out with the same view. There were all these new buildings instead of the desert that I saw there a year before.
Production-wise, what are you up to? What do you have planned for this year?
Well, I am about to release a single Into the Dark from my last album L.E.F. This is a track I did together with Howard Jones. I am also currently working on tracks for my new artist album.
You recently worked with Nelly Furtado, remixing Do It. Who else would you like to work with?
There are a lot of people… since I am working on my new album, I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise by telling you would I? (laughs)
Let’s talk about the business side of music. Do you believe in going completely digital?
If we’re going to talk about music going completely digital on a business level, I don’t think we have much of a choice. The market forces have pretty much dictated that to us at this point with weak album sales in any genre of music in comparison to just five years ago.
Do I believe in the developments of technology on the music side of things? I think it’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the developments of all these new cool gadgets to make music are amazing. There are so many choices now and in so many different forms as well. However, since there are so many different types of products available, there is also too much uninteresting music that is readily available online.
How do you make sure you don’t lose music when travelling?
I always carry it with me. I also have a back up in my laptop and at work as well.
You’re also immensely popular online. Your MySpace page is also one of the most organised I have ever seen. What’s your secret?
Less is more I guess.
What do you think of Facebook?
Great website, I have heard a lot about it but not quite sure if I want to do it since I’m already so busy with MySpace website at the moment. But I think I will give it a go in the very near future. And once I’m on it, I’ll let you know.
- Ferry Corsten spins at Peppermint this Thursday. Tickets cost
Dh185 (regular) and Dh275 (VIP). For more information, call
04 332 0037.
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