Waverider – Interview At The Hardstyle 2000 Countdown

Scantraxx Record Label Showcase

From the 28th of December until the 4th of January, Revulsion FM did the honourable task of putting on the biggest countdown show consisting of the top 2000 hardstyle tracks of all time! The week wasn’t only about the countdown however, there was a lot to keep your eye on such as interviews, guest mixes and who could forget about the label showcases! So if you forgot to tune in then have no fear, Alive At Night is here to recap the finest moment of the Hardstyle 2000!

On Saturday, the 3rd of January we were accompanied by the lovely team from Scantraxx Records for three hours of madness! The place transformed into “Beast Mode” when laid-back and uplifting producer Waverider entered the building! After his guest-mix, I had the pleasure of having a quick chat with Waverider about his ‘Collabs Project,’ gathering insight into his plans for 2015 and of course, what he ate for breakfast.

*MC Da Syndrome at it again – (f*ck tha system)*

1. Thanks for chatting with me today! So firstly, what did you eat for breakfast today?
Um… Well to be honest, I didn’t eat breakfast today but we just went out with the guys from Scantraxx so I guess that I’ll count that as breakfast.

2. Hmm.. Interesting. Anyway, I would like to talk about your new track “Code Red feat. Pyke” which will be released on the 12th of January. The previews out and it’s a banger but how has the public’s response been so far?
Yeah! The public’s response has been really great. Pyke is an amazing vocalist and worked together to create a track together, that’s about it!

3. I would like to talk further a little bit about the Waverider collabs project – you really engaged your fans and trusted them to help you create “Beast Mode” feat. MC DL, how was the outcome of this project?
Every week, I gave my fans an online opportunity to be involved in creating a hardstyle track. I used four main elements of a hardstyle track and each week, I tried to demonstrate two different ways of producing. In the end, I’m so happy with how the track turned out and the vocals by MC DL are awesome too!

4. Were you surprised with the choices that people made?
Yeah definitely! When I gave fans the choice between the two melodies, they chose the more ‘easy-going’ one whereas my colleagues chose the more ‘experimental’ option. Also on the third week as the track was taking shape, I gave the choice between a climax and anti-climax and the votes were even – so I ended up using both!

5. It was a really cool concept, are you hoping to do something like that again in the future?
Yeah of course! I want to use the ‘Waverider collabs’ project as a thing to keep my fans involved and engaged, it’s something that I would like to do again this year. I have recently given away a studio masterclass in which one dedicated fan is invited to my studio for one day and I will give him some production tips as well as an overlook on how “Beast Mode” was produced.

6. So 2014 was huge for you! You had the ‘collabs project’ as well as some great bookings, looking back on it, how does that feel?
Of course every gig feels great and I love to play, but one of the shows that was special was HDE Live in the Heineken Music Hall with all of the Scantraxx guys in a huge back-to-back set.

7. Speaking of Scantraxx, what does it stand for you to be a part of the label?
Well I looked up to guys such as The Prophet and with all of the hard work now I am super proud to be a part of Scantraxx!

8. You also played your collaboration with Noisecontrollers, “Have You,” what was it like to work with him in the studio?
It was really cool working with him. We made the track in only two days, around one year before the album was released as he wasn’t thinking about an album back then but it turned out really great. In my opinion, Noisecontrollers is the best producer out there, not only in hardstyle but he can produce everything, even dubstep! It was truly an honour to work with him.

9. What are your musical goals for 2015?
Playing at as many festivals and venues as I can! I want to keep my production quality and level high and produce as much as possible.

8. Finally, what track do you think will be number 1 on the HS 2000?
“Lost In Paradise” by Max Enforcer is my fave track of 2014 and play it in all of my sets, I want it to win!

Well unfortunately “Lost In Paradise” didn’t come out at #1 in the countdown this year so sorry Waverider! However, it was a pleasure chatting with you and we wish you the very best in this coming year and also with your upcoming projects!