:: INTERVIEWS :: FERRY CORSTEN

2006 is something of a stomper year for Dutch master of the decks Ferry Corsten, and this month we’ve seen the release of his second artist album, L.E.F. The new album has arrived with a blaze of publicity, and many are saying this is the best yet from Mr Corsten who is already responsible for some of the most credible work on the trance scene. There are some less obvious collaborations on L.E.F. with the likes of 1980’s pop starts such as Simon LeBon and Howard Jones for example, and the album brings a new dimension to Ferry’s trademark sound.

Ferry’s track record is impressive. Very impressive. The industry recognises him through awards such as “Best Dance DJ 2005” at the Ibiza DJ awards, “Producer of The Year” at the Ericsson Music Awards in London, and the Sliver Harp Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dutch Dance Music.

Ferry has a successful career in the UK charts too with the likes of the fantastic “Rock Your Body Rock” (top 11) and “Punk” (top 15) and has worked as producer for an impressive list of house-hold names; he remixed “New Years Day for U2, Duran Duran’s “Reach Up For The Sunrise”, “Why Go” for Faithless and Moby’s “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad”.

The 32 year old currently has the world at his feet and L.E.F. is his latest project whilst keeping to a busy schedule of world-wide tour dates which includes heading up to Daresbury Estate in Cheshire for Creamfields (note the change of venue – full details at www.cream.co.uk) at the end of August. Playing in the Creamfields & Goodgreef Arena he is headlining with the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Armin Van Buuren, Eddie Halliwell to name but a few.

I managed to steal some of Ferry’s time to ask him some questions about L.E.F. and to find out a little more about a man that rocks arenas and dance-floors the world over.

Ru: “Ferry Corsten” is considered by many as a designer brand. What are the Ferry Corsten brand values?

FC: Phat and Quality music, whether produced by me or other producers who’s tracks I play during my DJ sets. Fun is key and I try to keep my music open and fresh…

Ru: You said that after 6 great years playing together with the legendary Judge Jules, it was time for something new. What have you got planned for us then?

FC: I’m doing Cream in Amnesia this year. I’ll be playing there 7 times and have just done a special there, promoting the UK release of my album, L.E.F. I’m really excited about this.

Ru: The title L.E.F. is an acronym of Loud Electronic Ferocious and for those yet to hear it would you agree that this is a case of “saying what it does on the label”? Can you give us some more tasters about what we can expect from the album?

FC: L.E.F. is all about having an open mind towards all kinds of music. LEF actually means ‘having guts’ in Dutch. With this in mind, I started working on this album and it really goes from House and Electro to Trance and Techno. After 7 years of producing only Trance, I felt it was time to produce very open minded again. See it as if you are walking into a club with different rooms and each room has different music…

Ru: Your single “Fire” that you released this year is a collaboration with Simon LeBon from Duran Duran, on the face of it that seems an odd partnership?

FC: I can imagine for some people it may seem odd. Personally, I’ve been a big fan of Duran Duran’s work as well as Simon LeBon as an artist, so for me it’s been a great experience rather than an odd one.

Ru: Fire is one of the tracks on L.E.F. which has other collaborations with artists such as Howard Jones, Guru and Debra Andrew. What prompted you to work with these specific individuals?

FC: A few things really. With Howard for example, I ran into his manager in Amsterdam and we talked about the mutual respect we had for each other’s work and how Howard has been a big inspiration for me since the 80’s. We then decided to do a collab on my next album. In Guru’s case, I felt that the album needed something ‘out of the box’ and I managed to team up with Guru for a track. I’ve always been a big fan of the old skool hiphop and of coarse of Gangstarr etc. Combining his raw voice with the melody of ‘Punk’, created a very weird and twisted tune I named ‘Junk’. Debra Andrew is a fantastic U.K. singer I got introduced to by Ben Cullum (Brother of Jamie Cullum), who I co-wrote the track ‘Forever’ with. Her voice was perfect for a good mood track like ‘Forever’…

Ru: How long did it take you to produce the album?

FC: I’d say it took me about a year and a half to produce the album. I produce everything by myself, so between the gigs and travelling, I have to find time to produce as well.

Ru: What was the inspiration behind L.E.F.?

FC: A lot of things inspired me when I was producing the album. That’s the benefit I think I have as a DJ and a producer. I get to see other cultures, peoples and places and I use those experiences as a tool in my productions. But the main thing was pretty much doing things different compared to what I do normally…

Ru: Creamfields is one of the biggest festivals in the UK with clubbers travelling from all over to be there, how does Creamfields compare to other festivals you have played at?

FC: Creamfields is one of my favourite festivals to DJ. The thing that makes Creamfields special is the attention to the live stage. The combination of dance and bands is great if you ask me… I really love the atmosphere. People are so relaxed and at the same time very enthusiastic. The sight is also great with the fair and the rides etc. I’ll definitely will take one of those…

Ru: Of course we are looking forward to seeing you at Creamfields in August, but which specific DJs will you’ll be wanting to see perform?

FC: I think I will be checking out The Prodigy since they’ve been everywhere and I never had a chance to check them out… Furthermore I will check out Axwell and the Plump’s…

Ru: If it all ended tomorrow, what would be your happiest memory?

FC: That I got to live my life exactly the way I wanted to live it and enjoyed every step of the way. My dream has come true…

Ru: Where does a DJ that visits all four corners of the globe through his work go on holiday?

FC: My wife is Filipino so we do end up going to the Philippines a lot and visit the beaches. I’m crazy about snowboarding so we also try to do that when I do get the time.

Ru: Have you had any fans that have crossed the boundaries of obsession?

FC: Ummm, a few. It is nice to have people appreciate your work and go that extra mile, but when they do cross that boundary and start tattooing my name in their shoulder, things get a little weird for me. But as long as they don’t hurt themselves or others (including me), it’s up to them really.

Ru: There are loads of bedroom DJs and producers out there who are trying to make it big, what advice would you give them?

FC: Follow your own path. Do your own thing. Believe in yourself and what you do and try to be different. Eventually you will get noticed.

Ru: If you were my tour guide for the day, what three places would you make sure I saw in your native Holland and why?

FC: I’d probably take you to:

1.) Red light district in Amsterdam: every tourist is curious about it. Male or female

2.) Coffee shops: Reason same as above

3.) Rotterdam City by water taxi cab: Great way to see modern architecture in a cool atmosphere and a very different place than Amsterdam…

Ru: What is the worst chat-up line someone has used on you?

FC: ‘I love your music, Tiësto!!!’

Ru: Are there any CDs in your collection that I would be surprised to find?

FC: I don’t think so…My musical taste is very diverse and the stuff I really don’t like, I really don’t buy…

Ru: Do you have a favourite Tidy track?

FC: To be honest, I haven’t been so up to date with the hard style scene, but Tidy still brings back that happy moment because of ‘The Generator – Where Are You Now’…I believe that was one of my releases…;-)

Ru: How important do you think it is for labels such as Tidy to remain focused on hard dance and hard trance music, or do you think they should diversify?

FC: I don’t think they should diversify. They found their niche market and it works well for them. Everybody has their own specialty. For some it’s house and grooves, for others it’s trance and for others it’s hard style…

Ru: How would you describe Tidy’s contribution to the hard-house scene?

FC: I think Tidy has created that platform for themselves that people refer to when they want explain something regarding hard style… Not only as a label are they always mentioned in the hard- house scene, but also the Tidy boys are always there…

Ru: Tidy weekenders are legendary, 3000 or so clubbers packed in to a holiday camp all there to enjoy three days of Tidy madness. Many of them wear Tidy branded outfits, have the Tidy logo shaved in to their heads and some even have Tidy tattoos. Do you know of any other label where fans are so fanatical about them that they go to so much effort to show their support?

FC: Well, back in the mid-nineties, Gabber was huge in Holland. In those days the fans of that genre always went crazy on gadgets and clothing of the labels that released that music. ID&T was one of them as well as Terror Tracks…

L.E.F is out now and available from all good record shops, or at www.amazon.co.uk

STOP PRESS – in case you were not aware of the news announced in June; Creamfields have confirmed that their licence has been granted. The event takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend (26th August) and of course Tidy will be having an arena there. Playing in the Tidy Arena are BK live, Tidy Boys, Mark EG, Andy Farley, Rob Tissera, Lisa Pin-Up, Lee Haslam, Paul Glazby, Amber D, Kutski, Paul Maddox, Jp & Jukesy and Technikal.