No we aren’t talking cheesy electronic pop that someone somewhere decides to call ‘trance’ in an attempt to market it to the young teen generation. We are talking about quality uplifting music, the kind of music that millions of people across the world go crazy for. Granted, some of it is cheesy, but quite frankly, what is wrong with that? In regards to the music industry as a whole Paul had this to say: “electronic music has so many global issues about it and I love the fact that my music can unite so many people from different cultural backgrounds all over the world, and that the music will continue to grow and there are so many more people listening. It is really exciting to be part of.”

Paul Van Dyk made his return to New York City in the first weekend of November. The responses from the night’s punters were phenomenal, and I couldn’t help but mention this to Paul as we were talking about what he had coming up in terms of gigs. Obviously no-one can get such an amazing reaction from the masses after each and every gig, so I asked Van Dyk if he often finds himself on the receiving end of this type of response. “It totally depends on the crowd on the night, and DJing is all about interaction - the willingness to interact with the crowd and for the crowd to interact in return. I have always had a strong connection with the New York crowds from my time at Twilo and I think last weekend was getting back those moments… it was just amazing!”

The reports from PVD’s last event at Gatecrasher, at London club Heaven, were also positive. “It was superb, it’s amazing how they manage to get such a huge crowd and such a banging night going. Although my impression about London, compared to most places, is that it’s more about hanging out being seen, drinking champagne, rather than partying and enjoying the music. This is why I’m amazed that places like Gatecrasher and The Gallery at Turnmills are so happening in London.”

Paul Van Dyk’s upcoming DVD release is set to hit the international shelves early next year. As to the reason for doing this release, Paul said “Well, I got my back catalogue back and wanted to do something special to release it.” Paul has recently had to contend with various problems and legal issues arising from a fall out with his previous record label management, and had to fight to get his own work back. What better way to release it than as a DVD.

In relation to this upcoming DVD release I asked Paul if the final product had ended up as originally planned. He said “it has come out much better than expected. The project grew every day since we started working on it and it became bigger and bigger as more and more work went into it”. And what about the actual footage on the DVD? “The DVD will feature the full 74 minute length of full quality video and audio quality, and will features pictures from clubs as well as imagery from people, streets, cars going by and that sort of thing. I am very happy with the outcome.

“It took us a lot of time and energy to focus on getting the 5.1 surround sound out there perfectly, as it’s a totally different system to work on producing for Dolby Digital 5.1 Channel Surround Sound. First of all you need to find all the regional sounds, to engineer and mix them and then split it and then try to recreate the original feel for the track. It takes a lot of time and hard work, but the final product gives the track a much brighter feel.”

“The full release of the DVD will be on the 15th of February, but pre-release copies will be available from our offices on December the 2nd.”

The next release in the Vorsprung Dyk Technik series is titled the ‘Second Level’. “We are working on it now, the problem is with these things, remixes are owned by the original labels and its taking a lot of time, talking with lawyers etc to get rights to the music. So it will available in due time and it will feature a lot of my remixes from ’99.”

A little over a year ago Paul Van Dyk’s Politics of Dancing album was released, a double CD that featured was a trance compilation. As this year draws to a close, Paul has revealed a few surprises in store for the first half of 2003. “My new artist album should be released in the summer (mid-year) of next year with the first single from the album being released in February or March. It has a current name, but I can’t release that, as it’s not final and it’s a little early to be released. One of the tracks from my new artist album will be ‘That’s Life‘ - it features some great vocal lines, explaining a bit about life, and that really give the track an uplifting, pick-up mood.”

As there are countless numbers of albums and compilations being released every month it makes it increasingly difficult for the more established artists to release something that is both a cut above the rest, and something that will stand out. “My artist album will also have a limited edition 5.1 surround sound version. This will have a different feel and will be something special. I’m really glad about the outcome of the album so far.”

This week will see Paul Van Dyk take off on his latest tour of Asia, hitting all the major centres and encompassing nine tour dates in just twelve days. Paul loves touring Asia, and of the particular cities said “they are all very different, I don’t have a favourite”. His last tours were predictably well received, Paul stating that “Kuala Lumpur is amazing and Bangkok was outstanding, and Tokyo and Hong Kong are both just huge.” The upcoming tour begins on Thursday of this week and the full schedule is listed as follows;

Paul Van Dyk’s Asia Tour Dates
28 November - Bangkok.
29 November - Manila.
30 November - Shanghai.
01 December - Taipei.
04 December - Kuala Lumpur.
05 December - Beijing.
06 December - Tokyo.
07 December - Singapore.
09 December - Mumbai.