ØSMOSIS MAGAZINE The Revolution Issue #D71-3 | Page 130

SIMON HEYLIGER

NYC UNDERGROUND
interview by Aniv borche

When did you start DJing - and what or who were your early passions and influences?
I started djing in 2000. My early influences were Carl Cox, Jeff Mills, Dj Irene, Felix The House
Cat, Arman Ven helden.

What is it about DJing, compared to, say, producing your own music, that makes it interesting for
you?
What i loved about DJing from day one was having the power to touch people in ways only music can. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Just having the opportunity to make
someone smile and have a good time by just spinning some records is amazing.

What do you usually start with when preparing for a set?
It depends. I look for my material based on the type of gig i have. Depends if I'm opening or
headlining.
How important is building a real relationship with the music you're playing for your own
approach?
Its very important to build a relationship with the music your playing. That’s what makes you
comfortable when spinning. When your comfortable with what you play, Djing becomes something more than an action; The music becomes part of you, your identity.
There's so much music out there, is it even possible to build meaningful long-term relationships
with a particular track or album?
The more you play you'll build relationship with the music regardless. Theres some records that
never leave my bag. Some records become your signature. You never know when it'll be that
right moment to drop that record.
What makes you decide to play a particular record during one of your sets?Is there a criteria
other than pure subjectivity, for selecting what to play at a gig?
I play records based on the crowd. You have to balance between what you like and what can make the
crowd move. At the same time you want to play that record that will play a part in the journey you’re
creating for the party people.

When there's more music than one can possibly take in, it is becoming increasingly hard to know
what constitutes an original and a remake anymore. What's your opinion on the importance of
roots, traditions, respecting originals and sources?
I've been Djing for so many years I've gained lots of knowledge about music. Whats good whats not.
You start to stick to producers you've been following for years. There will be some new upcoming talent
that'll catch your ear but for the most part you'll train your ear for the garbage.