I want to ask you about your evolution as a producer. You kind of made your name with festival ready tracks like “Revolution” and “Samurai.” Over time you’ve really developed into one of the most prolific producers in the game. How do you manage to put out so much material? How do you stay fresh, how do you balance between festival bangers and more radio-friendly songs?

“Hey, thanks for having me! Yeah, so those older ‘dutch house’ tracks really helped launch my career, but around 2015 or 2016 I realized that sound was getting pretty stale and I was just tired of it. And everyone was like ‘no keep putting out the bangers because that’s what’s working,’ and I just realized what matters to me most is just making music that I like and that I think will inspire people. A lot of the R3hab fans will get that. Like, they get what I do and they like the fact that I make a ton of different styles of music. I always want to challenge myself as an artist. I feel like even in the past six months I’ve started experimenting with a lot of new sounds and new styles. I want to put out a little bit of everything, you know?

As far as how I put out so much music, I think a lot of it comes down to my personal health. I always try to eat right and work out. And I don’t drink, so that just gives me a ton of energy and just makes me feel good. I can get off stage at 2 AM and then be in the studio working by 9 or 10 the next morning. I think that makes a huge difference.”

At what point in your career did you become comfortable enough with producing that you knew you would be able to branch out and experiment with new sounds?

“I always knew I could do it, but I think I was nervous to make the leap and release other stuff. I think my first two records that were a bit more pop-leaning were ‘Care’ and ‘Icarus’ near the end of 2016. I made them and it was super different from everything I’d made previously, but it was pretty clear to me that they were solid tracks. From there I just kept developing my sound and pushing myself, and since then I’ve released two full albums!”

You’re about to wrap The Wave tour, tell us a little about how was it? How do you prepare for your own tour as opposed to playing a festival? Also, where are you most excited to play?

“I think all the shows were amazing, Toybox in Toronto was super cool though. I just really enjoy smaller more intimate venues like that because you can really see the faces of each fan, and it’s so cool to see their expressions when I drop a certain track. Whereas at bigger shows, I just look out at a sea of people and it’s harder to really develop a connection with the crowd.”

Original Photo by Jochem Schuiling

You’ve had three releases this year, all on your own label CYB3RPVNK, tell us about the freedom you have to release on your own label?

“Having my own label is nice because I can make a track, and then put it out within a few weeks, whereas a lot of times in music you’ll make a track and it’ll take closer to six, or even nine months to come out. By that point, you’re not as excited by it anymore. And then the other great thing about CYB3RPVNK is that we can sign music from other artists. There are a lot of up-and-coming producers with a super fresh sound and giving them that platform to release their music is very cool!”

The branding for all the new releases is really cool too, tell us about the inspiration behind that?

“I obviously travel a lot and I think a lot of elements of the artwork were inspired by places I’ve been, especially cities in Asia. It kind of has that futuristic feeling to it, and it just brings me back to certain places when I look at it.”

You were all over the world last year, and I’m sure you will be again this year. What were some of your favorite touring memories from last year?

“It’s really hard to pick specific highlights since pretty much all of the past year was a highlight! I love everywhere I go and every time I play it’s just so cool to get up in front of the fans. I played LIV in Miami a couple of times though which is always pretty insane, so I have to go with that!

And then this isn’t from touring but I have to give an ‘honorable mention’ to my Spotify Fans First event in Los Angeles. We created my own little mini-restaurant for me and a small group of my biggest fans. It was so cool because I don’t always get to interact really personally with the fans in that way.”

When two powerhouse Dutch producers get in a studio together, a hit traditionally follows. That statement rings especially true when the collaboration is lead by none other than progressive house superstar Nicky Romero. He’s here to deliver «Dynamite» in collaboration with Mike Williams and renowned singer/songwriter Amba Shepherd. What started as an internet friendship has blossomed into a classic main-stage bop out now on Romero’s Protocol Recordings.

«I got to know Mike by Instagram, we were in touch for a while when he asked if we could do a studio session anytime soon, so we planned everything and came out to the studio, worked on a few ideas and got this one going really fast,» said Nicky Romero (real name Nick Rotteveel) in a statement. «Great working with someone who is very hands-on with his production, the reason why we could work really fast!»

One thing is for sure: These two producers have the progressive house formula down to a science. They know exactly what will get a crowd going. «Dynamite» is layered with all the bouncy bass and arpeggiating melodies fans could ask for. Shepherd’s beautiful vocals are the cherry on top. 

NICKY ROMERO AND MIKE WILLIAMS REVISITED

This single follows Rotteveel’s recent edit of Trilane‘s «Never Forget,» which was a trip down memory lane for those fist pumping back in the early 2010s. This summer he dropped an original in collaboration with the new #1 DJ’s Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike titled «Everybody Clap.» Catch him live while touring the globe on his Redefine tour which includes stops at London’s The Gallery, Academy in Los Angeles, Medusa Festival in Mexico, PRYSM Nightclub in Chicago, and Ultrasonic Winter Festival back home in the Netherlands. 

Williams is coming off two successful releases in 2019 including his long-awaited collaboration with Hardwell, «I’m Not Sorry.» After catching major attention with his 2017 hit «Feel Good» with Felix Jaehn he’s traveled around the world playing festivals like Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland. With a mentor like Tiësto, the Dutch producer’s trajectory knows no bounds. 

FOLLOW NICKY ROMERO:

Facebook: facebook.com/djnickyromero
Twitter: twitter.com/nickyromero
Instagram: instagram.com/nickyromero
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/nickyromero

FOLLOW MIKE WILLIAMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/mikewilliamsofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/mikewilliamsdj
Instagram: instagram.com/mikewilliams
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/mikewilliamsdj

FOLLOW AMBA SHEPHERD:

Facebook:facebook.com/ambashepherdofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/ambashepherd
Instagram: instagram.com/ambashepherd

To pay tribute to our founder, we will briefly explain his story with quotes he used throughout his lifetime.

It all started with years of practicing piano in my bedroom at my parents’ home. 🎹 The basis for my musical interest, which was quickly followed by my curiosity for electronic music and technology. When did you start listening to electronic dance music? 🎶

2002

DJ Hardwell – My dad came up with that name! He took our last name ‘van de Corput’ and translated it to Latin and English: ‘Cor’ = ‘Heart’ and ‘Put = ‘Well’. ✨ From the beginning on, my friends and family were really enthusiastic about it. 🔥 So I’ve never changed it since.

2002

Young me, I was mixing 24/7 those days. 💪 During the day I was practicing and at night I was playing for a crowd. What drives you 24/7?

2003

In 2003 I released Bubbling Beats mixtapes, Vol. 2 & 3. The signature Bubbling sound spread faster throughout my home country. 🔥 I got more bookings every month and started to travel around more often. Which Vol. was your favorite? This year I also started my first tour. I used the name of my «Bubbling Beats» mixtapes, and travelled around Holland to play at local bars. Have you ever been to one of the Bubbling Beats tours in the past? 😄

2003

In 2004 I publicly announced that I wanted to be No.1 DJ of the world! Watch the interview and dream big! 🙌🌍

2004

Did you know I dropped «Eclectic Beatz Vol. 1» in 2006? It contained 22 tracks, filled with urban, house and dance bangers! 🔥

2006

After graduation, my focus was to make a living as a DJ. I began my study at Rock Academy in Tilburg, learning more of the music industry and meeting more like-minded people.

2006

When I was 18 year I started my own YouTube channel. Mainly to promote the «Eclectic Beatz» albums. 

2006

The first festival I ever headlined was in my hometown: ‘Breda Barst’ 🇳🇱. On which festival did you see me for the first time?

2006

In 2007 I slightly made the transition from urban/bubbling to more electro house music.

2007

I made a bunch of tracks, but only released a few of these back then. Usually I wait and test my new creations in the clubs where I’m playing. If the crowd likes it, I start considering if and how I can release those. 🎶

2007

Aquabest in Eindhoven! The very first time I played at Extrema Outdoor and everyone went crazy as you can see 🙌.

2008

Signed, sealed, delivered! From this point on, I started working with Anna Agency for my worldwide bookings.

2009

I was asked to create the 2009 anthem for Dance Valley festival, a track that is also known as «Twilight Zone». The track is an accurate illustration of my career.

2009

Revealed Recordings kicked off with the release of «Get Down Girl», a fresh collab with my buddy Funkadelic 🔥 Besides my own tracks, Revealed released tracks by talented producers that fit the versatile sound of the label. Do you recognize the voice in this track?

2010

Playing live at the @tomorrowland main stage was a very special milestone 🙌

2010

«Zero 76» with @tiesto was a serious game changer and had a great impact on my career Did you know ‘076’ is the prefix of Breda and that this track was made to represent our hometown?

2011

I felt very honoured when SLAM! offered me my very own radio show, I’ve always wanted to present a show like Hardwell On Air 📻

2011

When «Cobra» dropped, it was crowned as the official anthem of ‘Energy, The Network’, one of the biggest indoor events of Europe

2011

Felt blessed when I received the Best Breakthrough DJ Award at the annual International Dance Music Awards in Miami in 2012

2012

@Mysteryland 2012 was sick It’s always fun to play in my home country and make the crowd turn up like this!

2012

I don’t know what it is, but there’s something in New York that always gets the people crazy 🙌 I enjoyed every second playing at the mainstage of Electric Zoo Festival, and was really exhausted afterwards. The energy between the audience and myself went back and forth⚡️

2012

I was so thrilled when I heard I was voted #6 for the @djmagofficial Top 100 in 2012🏆 Still incredibly grateful to have so many people supporting me, thank you🙏❤️

2012

Won 2 IDMA Awards for ‘Best Remixer’ and ‘Best European DJ’ thanks to the best fans in the world So thankful for all the support and thanks again to everyone who voted

2013

Still buzzing when I watch the Miami 2013 Aftermovie🙌 @ultra 2013 has been one of my best festival experiences up to that date! What do you think of «Never Say Goodbye»

2013

Dreams do come true I was able to kick off my «I AM HARDWELL» world tour in a sold out venu in Amsterdam! I always dreamt of doing a big solo show and take my Hardwell sound around the world with my own production Have you been to a “I AM HARDWELL” show?

2013

Becoming the #1 DJ in the world was a dream coming true! Grateful that I was able to share this highlight of 2013 with my mother, who always supports my dreams Happy Mother’s Day!

2013

Super excited I could close the mainstage of @ultra Miami 2014 It’s one of the best spots you can get and it was an honor to close off this 2014 edition  Did you know you can watch the full set on my YouTube channel? 

2014

I was really excited to join the @ushuaiaibiza family in 2014 During my first residency in Ibiza, I brought an entirely new show to the island. Have you ever been to my show at Ushuaïa?

2014

Did you know that my first «United We Are» show was the first all ages solo DJ show? I wanted to make the event accessible for my younger fans too, sharing this amazing experience and making them feel inspired by the good energy

2015

Forever thankful for receiving 5 IDMA awards in 2015 — Best Electro/Progressive House Track

– Best Full Length Album

– Best Global DJ

– Best Progressive House/Electro DJ

– Best Radioshow Thanks for your support

2015

Did you know I’m a huge fan of the Minions? So when I was asked to participate in the movie (Dutch version), I instantly said ‘yes’! It was so cool to do the voice over of Walter Nelson Jr. Have you seen the Minions?

2015

I’m grateful to do what I love and I wanted to give something back With the «United We Are» foundation I want to unite all of my fans and use our passion for music to provide children who can’t afford it with an education!

2015

Coming from Breda I know how carnival is celebrated properly So I dropped a typical, Dutch carnival track into my show in Buenos Aires And yes, all hands were still going up in the air! Have you ever celebrated carnival?

2016

I just want to do what I love

Hardwell

You’ll never learn to fly if you are too scared of the height

Hardwell

MUSIC IN THE SOUL CAN BE HEARD BY THE UNIVERSE

Hardwell

Buy our latest special edition T-Shirt designed by our top DJ’s in order to win a chance to go to Tomorrowland 2020.

The new black white tape logo t-shirt has a slightly oversized fit and features the Revealed logo on the tape of the sleeves, at the front and a rubber patch on the left chest. This shirt is made out of 210gr soft thick polyester. For a slim fit please take one size smaller.

Everyone buying this product who is logged in to their Revealed Recordings account will automatically participate in a draft giving a chance to go to Tomorrowland 2020. The winner will receive 2 VIP tickets for the second weekend of this festival of madness. Don’t miss out, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity!

How the contest works

This year, one of the largest electronic music festivals, Tomorrowland, will be making a return for two weekends, 20-22 and 27-29 July 2020, in the magical Belgian city of Boom.

Although tickets usually end up being sold out once they are released, it appears as if there is still some hope left for those of you who miss out on ticket sales. Tomorrowland has recently announced the Golden Ticket contest, which gives the People of Tomorrow a chance to win a one of a kind package to the 16th edition of the festival. The lucky chosen winner will receive two Full Madness Comfort passes for both weekends, €500 in PEARLS (€250 for each weekend), €250 Voucher by TML By Tomorrowland, a magnificent dinner in the Aperto restaurant, as well as a second dinner at the Tomorrowland Restaurant.

To enter the contest, you must show the world your interpretation of past year’s themes, such as “The Story of Planaxis,” or «Amnicorum.» To do so, we recommend watching the trailers of these different themes and then following these steps:

Post your picture, video or story on Facebook, Instagram or Youtube.
Use the Hashtag #Tomorrowland & #GoldenTicket2020
Make sure your profile & post are public.

To celebrate its collaboration with Revealed Recordings, the festival will give two VIP tickets for a few lucky contestants who have recently bought the special edition revealed T-Shirt.

You must be 21 or over to enter this competition. Winners need to be available to travel, flights and transfers are NOT included, and the prize is non-transferable or able to be sold to third party.