With their new monitor “Collision” touchdown on Adam Beyer’s Truesoul, Jochem and BLR open up about what makes their partnership tick. From turning a easy concept into an epic membership weapon, to their shared love for gear, manufacturing heroes, and the evolving Dutch scene, the duo dives deep into the artwork of collaboration—and what’s subsequent for 2025.
What do you want most about working with each other? What’s one thing distinctive that every brings to the collaborative undertaking?
Jochem: “Leon is a real manufacturing wizard. I had a primary model of our new monitor ‘Collision’ on Truesoul that was okay, however then I despatched it to Leon, and he took it to epic proportions.”
BLR: “I’ve recognized Jochem via his radio work for the reason that early days, and afterward we acquired correctly launched by a mutual good friend. I later discovered he additionally truly has some nice musical concepts on the subject of manufacturing, subsequent to the truth that as a radio curator he is aware of what’s occurring sound-wise in all places within the trade. So we had been within the studio for a number of tasks earlier than after which he despatched this concept for ‘Collision’, which immediately resonated with me so we took it from there.”
Do you go in with a plan or simply let issues move?
Jochem: “The plan normally comes collectively after a while spent messing round, searching for the suitable sounds or a groove.”
BLR: “Jochem already put out the framework for ‘Collision’, I needed to take it to peak-time dancefloor degree by including the BLR low finish in addition to thickening up the manufacturing the place wanted for that function.”
Who’re your manufacturing heroes?
Jochem: Junkie XL, Eelke Kleijn, Hans Zimmer, and everybody who places actual love into their work.
BLR: “Timbaland, Trentemoller, Charlie Might.”
What’s a dream little bit of studio gear you’d like so as to add to your assortment?
Jochem: Nonetheless lacking a Moog in my setup. And sure, I do know it’s important.
BLR: “The {hardware} I personal I don’t use usually as VSTs have gotten so good, so normally I’m simply eyeballing the subsequent CPU improve; nevertheless I’d not thoughts to have some large modular synth beast someplace in an attic, simply to idiot round with and who is aware of I’d pattern the outcome.”
Do you set profession targets and attempt to manifest sure issues or simply let issues move? In that case, what would you want to realize in 2025?
Jochem: “I need to reside within the current and ensure all the things I do is as a result of I genuinely get pleasure from it. I undoubtedly have targets, however they will’t get in the way in which of my on a regular basis happiness. ‘Manifesting’ is such an overhyped phrase, usually utilized by charlatans, so I attempt to avoid it. However when you do what you’re keen on, keep crucial of your self, and maintain bettering and exploring new instructions, you’ll ultimately get the place you should be.
“My objective for this yr was to launch my album and put out music completely on high labels which labored out amazingly, with releases on ASOT, Days Like Nights, Watergate, and now Truesoul.”
BLR: “I let issues move but in addition at all times have targets, or no less than stuff I’d consider like: now THAT could be good – however it doesn’t maintain me up at night time, the primary factor for me is that I’m completely blissful creating the music I really like and never having to fret about monetary stuff.”
Exterior of music, what kind of hobbies or practices do you must maintain stability in your life?
Jochem: “I’ve a two-year-old daughter who’s—cliché as it could sound—really the most effective factor that ever occurred to me. So, she takes up a number of my time. I additionally love motion pictures, like to cook dinner, and I learn quite a bit. Fiction, non-fiction, all the things!”
BLR: “Not that a lot to be trustworthy, I really like story-driven single participant video games (particularly on the survival horror facet), and I attempt to spend as a lot time as attainable with mates and family members throughout free weekends, simply do good stuff, ? Apart from that, music is my large true ardour so I’d usually discover myself within the studio on weekend days too when not touring, simply trigger I liked the concept I used to be engaged on a lot, and I couldn’t wait til Monday.”
Share a musical suggestion you possibly can’t cease listening to.
Jochem: “Moreover dance music, I really like fashionable classical and minimalist stuff. Artists like Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, and others.”
BLR: “I at all times advocate individuals take a look at the older Trentemoller stuff, or the OG Sasha Involver compilations, or James Holden’s Steadiness. Such ahead pondering stuff, and each monitor differs from one another bringing in new, outdoors the field concepts. It’s what I’ve at all times appreciated about dance music somewhat than the copycat, administration/label pushed stuff ‘hey make this cuz it’s poppin’. Having stated that, for myself, I after all take a look at what’s occurring on the market, however nonetheless wanna give my very own twist to it so stuff doesn’t get boring.”
What’s arising subsequent by way of your studio tasks?
Jochem: “Subsequent up are some cool remixes from my album ‘Introspection’, which was launched final month on my La Guardería Data imprint. I’ve been making a number of music over the previous few months, and there are some thrilling tracks arising on very cool labels. although I can’t say an excessive amount of about that simply but.”
BLR: “I’ve a number of releases deliberate proper now, subsequent one being a launch on a Chinese language main Liquid State, a collab with a undertaking by Terry Zhong (Cluster 56) – funnily sufficient I’m answering this interview from a resort room in Shanghai. Afterwards I’ve a 3 monitor EP arising on Reinier Zonneveld’s Filth on Acid, and masses extra deliberate with labels like Armada whereas I’m additionally planning an enormous string of remixes.”
How’s the native Dutch scene monitoring lately? Is the membership scene wholesome? Are you able to spotlight some up-and-coming artists we must always have on our radar?
Jochem: “The scene could be very vibrant and continuously evolving. A complete new technology has jumped on that old-school membership and trance sound. They uncover tracks from 20 years in the past as in the event that they have been model new, which is wonderful to see. What I really like most is that genres are fading an increasing number of. I by no means actually match into anybody style, so for me that is the proper time with ‘melodic DJs’ enjoying tech home and ‘tech home DJs’ enjoying melodic tracks.”
BLR: “Thriving actually, all genres coming collectively is one thing I’m very blissful about as that is precisely the place I wanna be with BLR. Up & coming artists: take a look at Corren Cavini, Millean.”
What’s your most anticipated gig of the summer season followers ought to take a look at?
Jochem: “There are some thrilling issues arising, however for me essentially the most particular one is an all-nighter within the majestic Amsterdam Tower. I’ll be doing a back-to-back set there with Jaap Ligthart for my very own La Guardería night time.”
BLR: “We’re already midway, however I gotta inform the techno heads about Luminosity, an OG trance competition that’s branching out proper now reserving extra techno and OG progressive artists, vibe there may be what it’s all about – performed this yr’s version in June once more and it was pretty. Proper now I’m wanting ahead to some large gigs in South America arising, and nonetheless buzzing from my latest gig in Shanghai.
Anything you’d wish to share?
Jochem: “I hope to see you round!”
BLR: “Simply thanks for all of the assist on the market, it’s why I’m able to maintain doing what I do, love!
Jochem Hamerling & BLR’s ‘Collision’ is out now on Truesoul.
