Joris Voorn is ‘storming it’ as they say but long-term friend, business partner and studio collaborator Edwin Oosterwal isn’t doing too badly either. Oosterwal has, alongside Voorn, steered cult house and tech label Rejected to mighty things over the past two years; all whilst continuing to develop his own blossoming DJ career, and rated remix and production catalogue.
Oosterwal started DJing in his Dutch homeland during the 1990s and subsequently met Voorn, but at that point was very much focussed on a career in civil engineering. Studies and graduation were followed by an extended ‘backpacking’ holiday to Australia and then a lucrative work placement in New York.
“I did move around” Oosterwal reflects. “I took some records with me to Oz and played in Sydney a few times, but it was fairly casual. As for New York, I found it really hard to do anything musically away from my day-job. My sound was progressive, big-sounding and New York felt incredibly niche and underground; smaller venues. I struggled to put on parties. It was frustrating.”
It was also 2004, and Voorn was really starting to make his clubland mark. Oosterwal increasingly felt the pull of a full-time music career: “Joris was doing really well, playing all over the world and getting lots of attention for his music. His success opened my mind; for the first time, I started to believe that I could make a career from electronic music too.”
Voorn & Oosterwal
The following year and Edwin was on a long-haul flight home to Holland. His relationship with Voorn quickly resumed, and the pair opened Rejected for business. “Rejected was a label through which we could release our music” Edwin comments. “But it was also a name for us to produce and DJ under. Joris’ status helped give Rejected the best possible start and, since then, we’ve just got busier and busier.”
The pair’s earliest releases – classic hard-edged tunes like For The People, Cliché and Let’s Go Juno – made the right kind of noise. And, as label manager, Edwin’s flawless running of the Rejected imprint led quickly to prompts from Joris to consider piloting a sub-label. Hence, Green was born – a more experimental expression of Rejected’s core techno, tech-house and spiky house styling. Overseeing both channels, Edwin would snap up pivotal dancefloor releases such as Pitto’s Feelin’ and 360’s Neon.
Pitto - Feelin' (Joris Voorn Can't Cick This Feelin' When It Hits Mix)
“Early on, the labels were also a great way for me to re-establish myself in Holland and Europe; it was a good way to network with music-makers and other labels and promoters” Edwin adds. “The last two year’s have been unbelievably good but so, so hectic. It’s a huge challenge to juggle the labels with DJing and studio time; we’re actually considering getting an intern. But I love what I do and there’s a buzz when you’re busy. I’m really enjoying things today.”
Edwin, engaged and amenable throughout our interview, certainly gives the air of someone at home with their lot in life. But does he really feel no pressure; not even in the frazzling glow of Joris’ supernova star status? “I’m happy with the way things are going for me, for Joris and for the labels” comes the diplomatic reply. “I don’t feel like I should be doing anything different but, yes, there is always big pressure. You’re only as good as your last DJ set, or record, and I’m always aware of that. The pressure comes and goes but I think it’s a healthy pressure. How can making music not be a fun career? You just have to work hard….”
And Edwin is, most definitely, putting his music where his mouth is. He’s just finished a remix of friend Technasia’s new track Movement – due early next year – and is readying a new Dusty House Room track with Joris and extra-special guest vocalist Green Velvet. Earlier this summer, of course, he released the Dusty House Room 4 EP with anthemic tracks Scrub The Tub and Beat The Dirt; supporters included everyone from Luciano to Reboot.
Away from the studio, Edwin has a heap of domestic and international touring commitments before Christmas; not least his popular residency with Joris at Amsterdam’s revered Trouw club. An especially large festive edition of the night is planned for Boxing Day. “We’re going to push the boat out with that one” he grins. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
Beyond imminent gigs and releases, Edwin is already considering his long-term career strategy. “I want to do more remixes in 2011, and some more solo EPs” he says. “There won’t be anymore Dusty House releases, and I’m trying to move away from that whole tech-house thing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sound but, for me, I need to experiment more… doing things differently.
“I’m actually keen to do some more techno releases and I think you’ll notice Rejected and Green moving in that direction too. We’ll still do a range of tracks, but there will be a conscious shifting of overall direction. We’re also planning a few more label nights and showcases.”
Such foresight and organisation is rare in clubland. The current global economic gloom might have inspired pockets of DJs and producers to order their ‘ships’ but it’s sadly limited to pockets. “My degree was civil engineering and management” Edwin admits, “and the management side has helped me discipline my music career. It’s not enough to be a good DJ these days; it might have been 10 or 15 years ago but today you also have to be able to run a business.
“And it sounds obvious but you do need to put in the work. Some of the demos I get just sound lazy; basic layering and looping of samples over a rhythm. They just don’t have it.”
Thankfully, Edwin Oosterwal does….
Words: Ben Lovett
