John 'Johnstar' Witsenburg is a Electro/House DJ/Producer from Tilburg, Netherlands.
Since early childhood John has had an obsession with music which has just grew & grew, and has now earned him respect amongst his peers, especially fellow Dutch DJ supremo Fedde Le Grand.
John is currently busy with lots of new projects, his most recent being a remix of Oded Nirs 'Power of the hair' out now on Beatport.
What is your earliest recollection of music? And how did it make you feel?
JW:Wow, that's a hard question! I was raised on music! Between my dad being kind of a DJ in his student years and my mom loving music I grew up with vinyl. Major influences were from Santana to James Brown and everything from Motown to Pete Townshend! I remember my dad being cross with me as he was afraid I would brake his turntables when I was 3 years old and my mom having discussions with my dad because he bought me my first professional gear and tape recorders when I was just 4 years old!
Can you tell us the feeling you had when you played your first ever gig, and how old where you?
JW:I played my first gig when I was 10 and my first official club gig/DJ contest when I was 11.. matching beats with 2 cassette decks with a pitch knob and a Sony handheld drumcomputer to mask when beats weren't matching lol! From then on I knew this was what I was hooked on .... Music. I remember getting bored every two weeks when I didn't hear new music, thats why I fell in love with house music later on because in those day's that was the only music which was in constant development. You never knew what would be next...
What is your favorite thing to do from the following:-
DJ at a club (small audience)? DJ at an event (large audience)? Sit in the studio & make sweet music?
JW:Well maybe I sound old skool but I think a good dj should be able and wanting to do it all! I love playing a small audience because you never know beforehand if the set will be banging, underground or soulfull with a twist. I think the bigger the crowd, the easier the gig, because of the massive energylevel/feedback from the crowd. Making music in the studio just helps when I have grooves in my head that I know will work on the floor but I can't find in the online music stores. On a different note I think producing great housetracks that work on the floor is only possible when u play alot. Converting the dancefloor energy from the gig the day before into a beat is always a thrill!!
Who would be your dream person to collaborate with ( dead or alive ) ?
JW:Pffffff..... another hard question. I am working hard to get some collabs with the DJ/producers in my direct circle like Peter Horrevorts, who is a good friend of mine. But also club kings like Fedde Le Grand. I also used to work alot with Hollands top jazz artists which I love, so if she were still alive I would love to hook up with Nina Simone to do a great, dark and musical track!
Are you working on any new material right now that you can tell us about? An exclusive maybe??
JW:Just recently my remix for Oded Nir's Power of the Hair has been released which is doing quite well!! Next to that I'm working on a lot of new material. I am looking forward to record a second e.p. with MC Spyder (from the Tick Tock Track). I am going to introduce some new vocalists to the scene which I think are great (within two months) and got some underground stuff lined up as well, but you will have to keep track of the social pages to find out what's what!
Where can we expect to see you in the next 6 months?
JW:You can always find me in my studio working music ;) but I hope my new releases will fall through nicely and I am trying to get my abroad gigs handled so hopefully like last year I will be playing UK, Germany, France, Belgium and of course Holland the coming months! Also I'm finally getting my artwork sorted which means my website and all my socials will be pimped shortly..so also find me there!!
When you are not DJing or working in the studio what is your favorite thing(s) to do to relax?
JW: To be honest.... between working in the music and handling my own djing, productions and radioshow, I don't really relax. My motto is that I can relax when I am really old. (I must say my girlfriend and dog do not really share that opinion:) If there is a day that I have 2 hrs off I like to hit the studio, turn off my phone and produce hiphop music, my first love when I started dj'ing. Also this past year has been pretty tough for me on a personal level, which made me appreciate my friends even more. So finding the time to just hang out with them and relax is something that's really on my to do list this year!
And finally, can you spare some of your wisdom to advise newcomers to the music industry?
JW:Well first and foremost, dj'ing is not getting a laptop and pumping one hand in the air for 120 mins!!! Try to find your own sound and stick with it. In my beginning day's we had to find out everything ourselves, including lining up at the record store to find that 1 tune that would rock the clubs. It's a good thing all the tools you need can be found on the internet! Also if u get stuck with your productions, go online and check out youtube or other forums! All the information you need as a producer can be found online. I'm still learning everyday from guys that post movies, techniques and other stuff, and there's so much gear nowadays! Don't let anyone tell you what's good music and what's not. Be true to yourself, work hard and everything will work out!
Editors note: Thank you so much John for taking time out of your busy schedule to enlighten us about your life as a DJ. Wow you were so young starting out! Your dad must of been a great influence:) I'm really looking forward to hearing your new material...your latest remix rocks!! All the best.
* Special thanks to Susanne
Nicky Romero ft. Mitch Crown -- Schizophrenic (Johnstar Big Love Remix)
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