BnB talks to Dutch DJ/producer Eric de Man about his recent activities, new projects and future plans...
November 27th sees the L'Etiket crew rocking the Winkel van Sinkel venue in Utrecht (The Netherlands) with a night revolving around both seasoned DJs as up and coming talents. Playing alongside other big names such as Dimitri, Jaydee, and Lemon 8 is Eric de Man who took to DJing in '93 after Chicago House got a grip on him. Next to DJing, Eric's been producing music for years too as well as having played in bands such as Handel, and now Eric en de Zusters van het Gemene Leven.
Although best known as a house DJ, Eric's always widened his musical scope, which also includes hip-hop, dub, and many other genres. We recently teamed up with Eric to get to know more about his recent activities, past and future.
Hi Eric, how’s life? Life’s pretty good, I’m spending a lot of time in the studio, am working on my health and I just got signed to a new booking agency: Dollhouse.
For those who are not that familiar with you yet, can you tell us a bit more about yourself? Well my name is Eric and I am many things such as, but not limited to, a rascal, bon-vivant, pilgrim, ‘rauschforscher’, brother, lover, bitch, music freak, avid hiker, bearded monkey, DJ, night person, advocate of the devil, rotten soul and friend.
You’ve been DJing since the early days of house music here in The Netherlands. How would you define your sound nowadays and what do you consier to be the big difference between past and present? I see myself more as a ‘second generation DJ’ and to be honest with ya, I do not like to limit myself when it comes to DJing. After all, the DJs that inspired me to start mixing, such as Dimitri and Derrick May, didn’t do that either. I think it’s very important to keep your ears open to hear new things. I do have a certain focus and I feel that music ought to be sexy but also innovating. I think the main difference with the old days is that people change, but a good party’s still a good party.
What’s your current Top 5? 1. Eric en de Zusters van het Gemene Leven - Loeder 2. Chilli Gonzalez- I Am Europe (Claude Von Stroke remix) 3. B.D.I.- City & Industry 4. Detroit Grand Pubahs - Dr. Bootygrabber 5. Prince - Controversy (Edm 2010 Edit)
You have your own label, ManMadeMusik. What’s the idea behind this label? In essence, ManMadeMusik is a platform for my own releases. There are no limitations: if it’s cool I will release it. Hence the mission statement: we rather be incredible then credible.
What can we expect from the label in the near future? There will be a new KILO release out soon. KILO is my project in which the focus is on bassheavy music, including a lot of references to reggae and dub.
On the production side of things, can we expect to hear some new Eric de Man tunage soon? My latest track, the no.1 from my Top 5, will be released soon: Loeder (Baaad Influence). There’s a sentence in there that runs through the entire track: “you know and I know you’re such a baaad influence”. The reaction on the floor is amazing. People are singing along to it and point at each other the First time they hear it. Such interaction is very important to me and of course it’s very cool to see.
Can you tell us more about your Eric en de Zusters van het Gemene Leven? It’s my latest project and revolves all around the form of interaction I just talked about. ‘Gemene’ (Dutch for ‘mean’, but also generic -BnB) in this context doesn’t apply to being mean, but to things people have in common. It’s about sharing experiences in a time where everyone gets more individual.
On Saturday November 27th you’ll be playing at L’Etiket at The Winkel van Sinkel venue in Utrecht, along with a number of Dutch house music veterans. What can we expect? I expect we’re going to have a mad party. Next to the seasoned vets there will also be a range of up and coming stars hitting the decks and I think this combination is going to be awesome. I’ve been playing numerous times at the Winkel van Sinkel and I am really looking forward to play there again together with Dimitri. The previous L’Etiket editions were great so everything’s gonna be alright!
Describe as punchy as possible why we all should come! You have to be there ‘cause this shit is gonna rock!
Last question: is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? See you at the club, rave, afterparty, illegal bas or festival. Life isn’t always a party so let’s take every opportunity to turn it into one!
L'Etiket - Nostalgie Saturday November 27th 23:00 - 05:00 Winkel van Sinkel (Oudegracht 158, Utrecht) Tickets: EUR 13
Main: Nostalgie oud, hosted by L'Etiket Dimitri Eric de Man Harry Lemon Jaydee Lemon 8 Robin Albers
Basement: Nostalgie nieuw, hosted by Kranck Macroscope Samuel Deep Visser Wesdex Live: Camiel Daamen Live: WeissNicht
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