Musings over my music

I honestly believe that my musical ability and production skills are good. I think that I'm good enough to release music commercially, I have certainly heard enough shit on the radio to justify the belief that I'm not entirely hopeless.

Where I think I am now, is an awkward place where I'm making good music but unsure of how to best have it heard by either a lot of people, or by the right people.
I need to put the insecurities aside and send the EP to as many places as possible. I need to put it and my other music on iTunes. I need the people who like my music and support me now, to share my work on facebook and Twitter. Which reminds me, get on my facebook, my Twitter and my Soundcloud!

It's hard to stay positive and motivated at times but I have to keep going and make myself heard. I know I have the ability, passion and drive to suceed so I guess I just need to keep producing, keep promoting as best as I can, and keep hoping that sooner or later I will catch that bit of luck that pushes my work into the path of the masses, and the path of labels. I will be signed.

Come at me bro.

The EP is done!

Well I have been pretty quiet over the last month and a bit, but for good reason! I was recording vocals, mixing, mastering and getting the EP produced and ready to go. I can now say that after many long months that involved a lot of hard work and love, but not as much sleep - Sunsets and Silhouettes is done. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out (well I probably could, but I'm never satisfied with my own work), it is amazing to hold the finished product.

A lot of people were involved in the EP at all stages of its production and to all of those people I am very grateful to you and I can't believe that we did it! Thank you all so much for supporting me and my music. To set out to do something like this and actually complete it is a big achievement for me I think, I have learned so much through the process and perhaps most importantly it has shown me that I can do it,I'm still learning, and I'm hungry to write more music - better music. Not to say the EP isn't good, I love it - but I know I can always do better and that's what I want to do!

For now, the EP is being sent to everyone who funded the project through Pozible and in the coming weeks it will also be sent to a few record labels and producers. Then there will be a digital release which means you'll be able to buy the EP through iTunes in addition to getting your hands on a physical copy which will also be available.

If you want to check out some behind the scenes action of the production of the EP - here you are!

Take a look and as always, let me know what you think! I hope you like it :)

T minus six days and counting

Today it hit me hard that it is now less than a week until we go into the studio to record the vocals for the EP which will begin the final phase of the production. I am officially nervous. Mostly I'm nervous about the mastering process which is a week after the vocals, because that is really either the icing on the cake or the nail in the coffin. We'll have a bit under a week to get the vocals mixed nicely into the songs, so that is what worries me. I guess it's the first aspects that are out of my control so I just have to ride the rollercoaster and see what happens.

Things seem to be going pretty well though, in addition to the fact that I am about to release my first EP with the aim of sending it to record labels, the EP production has been funded by my family, friends and fans which is amazing. I've now had over 1000 plays of my tracks on my official Soundcloud as well, more than 400 of which were for the EP preview so that's pretty cool. I've also been invited to DJ a few events which is also really cool. I really want to start doing more of that and start getting my name out there a bit more.

So yeah, here I am sitting here thinking "Oh my god" over and over and over and over and over when what I should really be doing is going to sleep. I did some good final tweaks on a few of the songs today, I'm satisfied in saying that I think I have done 97% of what I can do - although I am hopefully getting some speakers soon and that could drastically reduce that number!I don't know what is going to happen with this EP now really. I guess I can take comfort in the fact that the worst case scenario is that I release an EP, send it out, people get to hold it and listen to it and I have a professional product that I'm enormously proud of! I should really just focus on that and enjoy the ride. I do enjoy it, I'm incredibly happy don't get me wrong, I just have trouble not stressing sometimes...

How it all began...

In 2009, my mum went back to the Netherlands without me for the first time, I was in the middle of university and it wasn't an option for me to go as well. Amongst my standard Hugo Boss and Armani fragrance requests, I also asked her to bring me back the album 'Imagine' by Armin van Buuren. I had recently started listening to electronic music after a lifetime of punk, rock, metal and classical music. The first electronic songs I remember really listening to were 'Sail' by Armin van Buuren, 'Adagio for Strings' by Tiesto, and 'Exploration of Space' by Cosmic Gate. Mum being my lovely mum, brought back not only the album, but the 'Armin Only - Imagine' DVD taken from his live concert. I remember sitting down and listening to the album, it was really a new experience for me. It was completely different to what I was used to and it really struck something in me, I loved it. Watching the DVD only made that grow, seeing so many people just enjoying the music, seeing that big grin on Armin's face as he stood at the front of it all. I said to myself, this is what I want to do. I saved up and bought some decks and got an old computer from a good friend and started playing around with a few things. Again, I thought wow - this is what I want to do. I said to myself that by the time I was 22 I would have something to show to labels.

It would have been in 2010 when I built a computer with the purpose of running some music and audio programs, inspired by this new music. When I first started I really didn't know what I was doing, I just started learning. Musically I had some idea as I had learned piano and guitar from a young age, but conveying that through a computer was a completely new experience and something I really enjoyed. So, for a long time I just practiced, learning new things about the programs I had and all of the little things like structure and how particular sounds are used in electronic music. There was a time when I had a song that I thought was pretty good, so I showed a few people but I was still really shy about it. I would always compare my work to that of Armin, Tiesto and Cosmic gate though, so any time I thought I had made something half decent I became my biggest critic and threw it onto the pile.

Then in 2011 I started to really feel like my music was starting to sound pretty good. I started to show more and more friends, and they really liked it. I remember when a friend sent me a message asking me when my stuff would be online because he had one of my songs stuck in my head, that really made my month. Over time I had more comments like these, I remember when I showed my mum a song I had made and a song I love from Paul van Dyk, 'For an Angel', and she said she liked mine better. Sure, she might be biased and I don't think in any way that any of my music is at that level yet - but that was awesome. So now I had turned 22, and I thought hey, a couple of years ago I said I'd have something to show to people by now. I listened to some songs I had made, and some new stuff I was making and I thought yeah, I think this might just be alright! Then thanks to Nina Las Vegas and Triple J I had the chance to meet Armin van Buuren himself. So I got some of my music and got in my car, and the whole trip to Sydney I was thinking, oh my god, I'm not good enough, there's no way I'll ever be good enough! I walked into the studio, and there was Armin mixing a set. I just sat there with a grin on my face, enjoying the music, thinking that here was the guy I watched on my DVD and now I'm a couple of metres away! Afterwards he did an interview, and then I got the chance to have a chat with him quickly before he went off to his next gig. All nerves, I gave him a USB with some of my music on it. He said he'd listen to it but to send it in to Armada anyway. I never heard anything back, but I never did submit that music to Armada. Again, I started thinking that it wasn't good enough, and if I only had one chance to have them listen to my music, it needed to be good.

So then it was 2012, and I had a few things happen in my life that knocked me around for a while. I didn't really do much of anything for quite a while, but after a time I was able to turn some of this into inspiration for some songs. I said to myself that it was time to take the next step, go more public with my music and get a CD together to send to some producers and labels. So that's what I started doing, I picked 5 of what I thought were my best works in progress and starting working really hard on them. Then I started thinking of names for the EP and 'Sunsets and Silhouettes' jumped into my mind. Then when I started getting close to being ready for the next stage of mastering, I thought ok David, you've wasted enough time - it's time to share your music with more people! So the facebook page, my soundcloud and youtube channel were launched. Now it's July 2012 and I'm so close, closer than I ever have been before. I've finished all of the songs, I just need vocals done for two of them and then the whole EP mastered and produced. I'm really proud of where I am, sure on the one hand you could say that I haven't achieved anything yet and maybe there's some truth in that. The way I choose to see it though, is that I've stepped out of my bedroom. I've gone public. I've created an expectation among my awesome group of family, friends and fans that I will soon have an EP out. I've worked for years to get to this point, and I'm really proud of this collection of 5 songs.

I will finish the EP, it will be sent to labels. Together, we will make sure that my music is heard.

What happens if nothing comes of this EP? Well, something has already come of it, people have heard previews of the songs that they never would have heard if I didn't take these steps, but let's just say nothing else does - then I'll just have to keep practicing, keep producing, keep sharing, and keep trying until something does happen.

Deadmau5 and EDM

Joel Zimmerman, perhaps better known by his handle - deadmau5, is one of the biggest names on the EDM scene and has been for a while now, and I like many others will happily state that he is one of my favourite producers. I love his music, his kicks and percussion are probably the tightest I've ever heard and I love that I will recognise his music purely based on that. For a guy who is humble to the point of being dismissive about his musical abilities, he writes some amazing melodies. Ignore the 4/4 beat, ignore the vocals, ignore that mau5head that has become a global brand. Listen to the chords and melodies in songs like Strobe, Raise your Weapon, Get in the Cart, Pig and Bleed. Whether he knows or acknowledges it or not, he has an understanding of music and an ability that allows him to so beautifully convey emotion through his self made synths - don't even get me started on his technical proficiency! Just watch this video of him making his latest track 'The Veldt', 16 hours straight, broadcasting live to fans... and the sheer pleasure and joy on his face as he listens to it in full. That's what I'm talking about, that emotion is what he makes me feel through his music.

However it is not just Joel Zimmerman the Producer that I admire, I admire him as a person. So many times I have heard people call him an asshole, so many times I've seen people get up in arms on the internet about something he's tweeted or blogged, or said in an interview. Most recently Joel outed the Button Pushers of the EDM scene and seems to have hit a nerve. Well, quite a few nerves belonging to quite a few people. So much so, as usual, people have taken to the internet to voice their anger. Others like A-Trak, have felt it necessary to justify what they do. It seems that Joel has unwillingly started somewhat of a flame war. This is part of what I admire, Joel says what he thinks. He is honest. It doesn't matter who he is talking to, some kid on the internet, or a magazine or even Madonna and her PR people. He believes in something and he'll stand up for it. So what if he comes off as an asshole sometimes, at least he has conviction and isn't pretending to be what the majority want him to be.

Sure, it's not everyone who is content to push play. Joel knows that, he's stated that, but it doesn't take away from the fact that he is right! Every man and his mau5 seems to be a DJ these days, so many times I've watched guys jump up on their desk, dive into the crowd, screw around on stage, and all the while the mix keeps going. Sure, it's true that if you're syncing lights, pyrotechnics, video or whatever to your set it might not be always possible to mix some parts live, but it's this act that is being adopted by the majority and undermining the hard work and dedication of others. The fact is for every 'real' DJ out there today, there'd be another 50 who have just jumped on the bandwagon to get some attention and their slice of the EDM money making pie. For heavens sake, Paris Hilton played a DJ set this month!

The sad thing is, like it or not - Joel has contributed to the Massively Marketed Cruise Ship, that is sinking fast (as he calls it) that is EDM. Because his music is so good, because he has engaged such a large audience - it became more popular than ever. What happens when something becomes popular? More people try and do it, and more people try and make money from it. The positive I take out of this is that like most things I've seen, once the whole flavour of the month/year/decade thing wears of, the true artists like Deadmau5 will still be there, still producing some amazing work.

Who knows, maybe I'll even be among them one day.

Oh, and in case you've missed this - I like deadmau5.

Decisions and Doubt

This is mostly unrelated to my music really, but I'm just sitting and thinking, back in my old room in the house I grew up in. I figured I might as well write these thoughts down, and then maybe they'll get someone else thinking, or help them make a decision, or perhaps just provide them with some light reading.

Life is crazy sometimes. It's something we all think, we all hear, we all experience throughout out lives. Sometimes it just feels like a rollercoaster ride, you'll be on top and you can see things mapped out before you, and then in the blink of an eye you're going down again, and it's always so much worse on the way down. I'd like to acknowledge that things could always be worse, but it's all relative and you have to deal with what you're dealt.

Personally, 2012 has been a pretty eventful part of that rollercoaster for me. It's involved one of the lower points and to be honest I found it pretty difficult to think about the future at times. Some days I felt like I wasn't going to be able to come out of it, but I did. Writing music helped, using it as inspiration let me have an outlet for what I was feeling. Going outside, trying new things, meeting new people. It all helps. What is important for people to know is that it does get better and you'll be ok in the long run - but you have to try. Talk to family, friends, anyone. Just don't let things build up within you as that can be pretty toxic. Surround yourself with those who you care about and who care about you.

It's easy to doubt yourself and the decisions you make, and perhaps let your feelings stop you from doing certain things. It is harder to find the courage to take a chance or make a change in your life, but sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and go for it. My family and my friends really helped me do this, and they'll help me do it again, but there is also something that I read that hit home, and I'd like to share it with you.

"This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once; seize them. Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating. Live your dream, and wear your passion. Life is short."

Einstein also had a good one, he said to live in the moment and not worry about the future because it will come soon enough.

So I'm not sure what I set out to say, or whether I've said it. Either way, life is good - just be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do. I know I will. 

Love to you all.

It begins...

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog!


Here I'll be mainly writing updates on my music production and my progress with my upcoming EP and whatever follows after, but I'll also be writing about various thoughts and interests - whatever pops up!


If you've stumbled on to my blog without any prior knowledge of who I am or what I do, my name is David van Dijk and I produce electronic music. I spent a while just messing around with various software to get a taste for the production side of things and felt myself getting more and more into it, until I reached a point where I knew that I really wanted to put my music 'out there' and hopefully one day be involved in some capacity with the music industry.

Where I'm at right now is an exciting time for me, I produced 5 songs that I'm very happy with and that work together well with a central idea, so I'm producing my first EP! It will be called 'Sunsets and Silhouettes'. I'm just adding the final touches and making the final tweaks to the songs, and then I'll be off to get them professionally mastered. After that, well... I guess you'll see!


So everything feels like it is coming together after a lot of time, effort and love for music! We launched my official facebook, Soundcloud, and YouTube pages in May and things are going well there, so I'm just working on building an online identity and profile to get some awareness for me and my music. I'd love to see lots of new people reading, watching and listening, and coming along for the ride, so stay tuned, get in touch, and thanks for the support!

- David