Features
Q&A with Oliver Heldens
“I’m very critical towards myself, always looking for perfection.” Oliver Heldens takes on the rapid-fire Q&A.
WHY DANCE MUSIC?
I just love the sound of dance music and the possibilities it gives you in creating this music.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE MUSIC?
A lot. Old tunes, many different music genres, the people I meet. Hard to name just one thing that inspires me.
FESTIVALS OR NIGHTCLUBS?
Haha, that’s too hard! I love playing both, the intimacy of a nightclub is great. But a festival is awesome too, the energy of all those people dancing in front of you is just insane!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF THE STUDIO?
Relaxing and having fun with my friends. I also still go to school.
WHAT’S NEXT ON THE HORIZON?
A lot of new productions and releases, and a great summer tour.
WHAT WAS THE BEST GIG YOU’VE EVER PLAYED?
There are a few great ones. But it was very special to be Avicii’s supporting act during his world tour dates in Amsterdam and Antwerp!
WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT MAKING MUSIC?
The feeling that a track is not totally finished/perfect, is one of the most frustrating things about making music I guess. I’m very critical towards myself, always looking for perfection.
DO YOU PREFER DIGITAL OR VINYL WHEN DJING?
Digital.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCERS? WHY?
I really love the Disclosure guys and their productions!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BLOGS OR SITES?
Most of the social media I use, Facebook etc.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLUGINS?
For creating Synths: Massive from Native Instruments, Camel Phat 3 for Distortion/compression and Sylenth1 also for synths
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN A TRACK IS FINISHED?
Well honestly, I really don’t know. At some point it just feels right, but like I already said, I’m a perfectionist haha!
WHAT íS YOUR FAVORITE SOFTWARE AND/OR STUDIO GEAR?
FL Studio.
IF YOU WEREN’T PRODUCING MUSIC WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU DO?
Something else in the music industry I guess.
WHAT KIND OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UP AND COMING PRODUCERS?
Experiment a lot, try to find your own sound and keep on expanding your production skills!
You can follow Oliver on his Facebook page.