8 Questions with Oliver Heldens

At just 19 years old, Dutch house artist Oliver Heldens is well beyond his years when it comes to producing. After an incredible set at Main Stage East at this year’s Electric Zoo festival, Oliver earned himself heaps of new fans. There is a great chance that Heldens could become one of the scene’s best artists in the near future. Before he took the stage, Oliver sat down with DJOYbeat for a few minutes to talk.

You’re about to take the stage at Electric Zoo, but you’ve been hitting up a few festivals this summer. What’s it like to take the stage in front of all those people?

It’s awesome. Especially since I can do my own thing, which is a little different than big EDM. So, I’m glad to do it.

You recently wrapped up Creamfields. Is there any festival you want to do in the future?

TomorrowWorld. I’m going there next month for the first time. It’s going to be awesome.

Is there any one out in Europe that’d you’d recommend an American should check out?

Sensation out of Amsterdam is really nice. The concept and decorations are great.

Pete Tong recently dropped “This” with you and Sander Van Doorn. What was the process like working with Sander?

It was really nice. Sander was a big inspiration for me so it was nice to bring it back. I went to his studio and I had a bunch of projects and things. We put my stuff in his work and we put it together to finish.

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Who is another inspiration that you’d love to work with?

Chocolate Puma. I might get to soon. We’ve been working together for months to get studio time, but every time I’m in Europe and they’re in the States or the other way around.

What else can fans look out for from you?

I just did a remix for Tiësto for “Lights Years Away” from his new album. I also did one with Zeds Dead. It was really nice since I’ve been listening to their stuff for years. I already have a new solo track that will be coming out in 2015 and I’m working with Tiësto. Lots of studio sessions planned during ADE. Hopefully with Chocolate Puma and Netsky.

Your dad is a big fan of your music! Was your family always behind you as a musician?

They always supported me in a sense. They let me make music and they supported me. School was important than music though. There was also a time that I was making so much music that I skipped some school work; that stressed them. But since “Gecko,” things have exploded. They let me finish a lower school level and focus on the music.

Oliver, the floor is yours. What else would you like to share with the fans?

Thank you for the support of my fans. I like that I can help introduce people to something new. There are DJs that play deep and tech at clubs that thank me for being a game changer and bringing it back. I really appreciate that and that I’m looked like that. If fans can check out my SoundCloud that’d be great. There’s tons of more stuff to come.

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