With his third release in the ever-growing and popular Everybody series, Sander Kleinenberg continues to annihilate dance floors from the Space terrace in Miami to his residency at Crobar New York. We had a chance to talk to Sander after his most recent US stop. He gives insight on the Everybody series, his use of the video mixing, the future of progressive house, and some off-topic items. Everybody loves Sander, for a reason.
Pete Kay: What was the concept behind This is Everybody on Tour?
Sander Kleinenberg: Well, the concept is obviously to show the world a quality piece of
music but in an interesting package. I think Lee Burridge is an amazing talent, someone that's all
about the music, someone that leaves the nonsense behind when he gets behind the decks and he does what
he does. So it would be amazing to have him onboard and to show the world both of our DJing abilities.
Pete: Where do you plan on taking the Everybody series?
Sander: I can't really say too much because we're in the middle of negotiations, but we've
got some interesting names coming out.
Pete: You've had a lot of people come on to your gigs on the Everybody tour, is there
anyone currently pushing themselves out there?
Sander: Well, if you look at the people that I book, those are the ones that I'm really
looking to to work with more. And it's not hard to look at the lineups and go 'oh, we'll probably use
so-and-so or so-and-so' but, again, I'm in the middle of negotiations and I can't let go of the names
before the contracts are signed.
Pete: Do you feel the logical evolution of the clubbing experience is to integrate the
visual and the audio components together? Where do you think that leaves the DJ with respect to their
ability to affect the mood of the night with audio alone?
Sander: Well, to be really honest with you, audio's a really powerful tool and for years
we've all been able to do very well without (video). To have the illusion that it's going to completely
change… no, it will not, but it definitely will enhance it. I think if it would only enhance it for
ten percent or fifteen percent, then that already makes it more interesting. The process is usually
not an overnight thing. I think I'm very comfortable with using visuals in my clubbing, it's almost
like I've got my own lighting guy. I'm in control much more of the night. I can have a real sort of
impact on the mood of a night and that in itself is something that I'm very, very interested in pushing
even further.
Pete: In general, do people get what you're doing or do they maybe ignore it or they just
kind of stand there and gawk at the screen?
Sander: You know, I hope it's going to be some kind of television show, but it's not like
that at all. At the most, it's a subliminal scene that's there, I don't want them to see that, I don't
want them to be too aware of it at any given time, but giving it an answer is all I'm looking for. And
if it's more than fine, great, if people think it's the best thing ever, then phenomenal. I'm not
looking for it to be any bigger than what it's always been, and I think what it says, it's progress,
it's clubbing in 2006, it's the future, you know, it's like it's just a futuristic way of dealing with
nightlife, and the more the better. Anything that you can come up with that makes it slightly better is
what I will use because I'm getting to paid a lot of money to travel around the world and entertain all
these people. So it makes sense.
Pete: You just got back from New York, how has the residency at Crobar been going for you,
how is the crowd taking everything in?
Sander: Entertaining a New York crowd on a monthly basis is not a simple fact. It's like
you don't get away with shit, you've got to really deliver and if you don't they'll let you know, and
they have let me know. And that's the kind of edge I love. I love being on my toes, really. Just the
idea of always, being able to make it better is fantastic to me, and New York constantly gives you the
idea that it could always be better and that sense of constant self-reflection and improvement on what
you do is what I love. It's what I fucking live for.