Saturday the 14th of August two labels are joining forces to take over your mind. Fanatix and Sur+, two very young labels in the world of Belgian harddance, are planning a complete take over at The Qontinent. Both labels were founded in the last weeks of 2008 and started with a couple of vinyl releases, but 2009 and certainly 2010 brought real life to both labels.

Fanatix and Sur+ are labels from and for youngsters with a real passion for the harder styles. Innovation is one of the keywords for both and this is not only shown in their releases and their believe in the younger talents, but also in the way the releases are being published. Fans can purchase their releases under the form of MP3 files instead of vinyl records. Talking about innovation!

At The Qontinent they present the best of the best in the big pool of young talents just waiting to make it, accompanied by a couple of true masters. Bestien, Dr. Phunk, Kid Rascal and D-Vision are a just a few of the names you will have to watch out for. Come and enjoy their magnificent sets Saturday the 14th of August at The Qontinent!

Line up Fanatix & Sur+:
-Bestien
-Davoodi
-Def Toys
-Dr. Phunk
-D-Vision
-Itraxx
-Junior Waxx Live
-Kid Rascal
-Orson Keith
-Point Blanc Live
-Q-IC
-Royal S
-Shaytek
-Solaxx
-MC Chucky

He got gold with Fiocco. He reached the number one spot in The Netherlands with Scoop. He even made it to the top ten in the United States and France with D.H.T. Jan Vervloet has done it all. He has seen it all. Is The Qontinent still a challenge for this talented man?

Jan Vervloet… What a name in Belgium and beyond. How do you deal with that?
That’s very simple. I’ll just keep on going making records and spinning the wheels. That’s just what I love to do and that’s what I’m going to keep on doing. Until the bitter end. (laughs)

There is almost no-one as versatile as you. Fiocco, Thunderball, Scoop, D.H.T., your own dj name, … And then all those different kind of parties. What’s your secret?
There’s no secret. I just like different styles of music and I try to translate that to the party people, in dj sets as well as in productions. I don’t like the same kind of music all night long and that’s a hype these days. Trance lovers don’t accept techno, minimal or hardstyle and the same counts for the other way around. That’s why there are so many different stages at festivals. People used to be satisfied with just one stage where dj’s could play “Pump Up The Jam” together in one set with real underground music. But times have changed. I try to go as wide as possible and apparently with success. Because everywhere I go, people ask me again for the next edition.

If you would have to pick one style… What would the lucky one be?
The Jan Vervloet style! (laughs)

How has the scene evolved since early 90s according to you?
You used to have those smaller local clubs, the local youth parties, the house clubs and Torhout/Werchter in the summer. That’s it. Nowadays you have a big outdoor event each and every weekend in the summer and even in other seasons. Belgium is also the country with the biggest amount of clubs per capita. But the music industry has changed as well in just a few years time. There’s almost no vinyl anymore and that’s a small disaster for the dj’s. Too bad, but we just have to accept digital downloads are taking over now. There are over a thousand new releases each week worldwide, where there used to be maximum a hundred. A lot of people just don’t know where to start looking and a lot of good music just goes lost in the mass.

If you would have to bet your money on the newest talent, who would that be?
To be honest, I haven’t found the person with the same motivation and courage as I had twenty years ago. Al of my money was spent on music. I never had any time for a girlfriend and I almost never took a vacation. Maybe I’ll have to wait until my son Mats will be bitten by the music vibe. (laughs)

The most ultimate retro record according to you?
Jeez, that’s a lot… To sum up a few: Drax LTD – Amphetamine, RMB – Love Is An Ocean – Three Drives – Greece 2000 and Underworld with Born Slippy. It’s all in the sounds, melodies and atmosphere.

Illusion at The Qontinent. Isn’t that a weird sight for you?
The team of Illusion has already proven it’s knowledge and professionalism in outdoor events. Take a look at their experience at Beachland and Hype XL. Illusion at The Qontinent will be a blast.

You will be playing twice at The Qontinent. How will your sets differ from each other?
On Saturday I’ll play house, electro and trance, mostly from the past two years. I might throw in a retro record. On Sunday it’ll be 100% retro house.

How are you going to surprise the people at The Qontinent?
If I would tell you now, it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it? (laughs)

Do you have a special message for the visitors of The Qontinent?
Check out Jan Vervloet at The Qontinent… and party, party, party!

Footworxx is a phenomenon in Belgium and across the borders. Industrialized beats and sounds are the main goal of the organization and they do it with a lot of flair and variation. But there is one name that always returns. Sandy Warez practically breaths Footworxx air. Here’s his story…

You have been active in the scene for the past few years, but most people only know you for a handful of years… What do you think is the reason for this?
In the beginning the most important thing for me was to create music. Really being a dj didn’t interest me as much. Also because I thought it was unachievable. Some of the tracks I produced became real hits and big names in the electronic music, both in techno and hardcore, began to play my tracks. A few of those big names are Carl Cox, Dj Rush, Promo, Lady Dana, … In that time I played at different free parties in France and Spain. After that the little clubs and parties began to book me. The first real big party in The Netherlands was DefQon 2006. And I think that was the main reason more and more people got to know and like me.

Isn’t 2010 a big year for Sandy Warez? Fifteen years in the scene! No big parties or other plans?
We’re celebrating my birthday every year, so we didn’t really organize something for the 15 years. But 2010 has been a really good year so far. When we talk about productions, there has been and will be in total three albums released on the labels of The Third Movement and Madhouse Records. When we talk about parties I did great festivals in Russia, Spain and Germany and closer to home there’s still Decibel Outdoor and The Qontinent coming up. The next real Footworxx party scheduled is the 4th of September in Liege.

It seems like 2010 is a slow year for you in Belgium and The Netherlands…
It’s true that I have had less bookings in Belgium and The Netherlands, but I went to other countries in the world like the Ukraine, Russia, Hungary and quite a number of times in Spain, where I have a big fan base. In Belgium it’s mostly due to the fact I’m resident of Footworxx and Suburb Sounds. Therefore I don’t accept a lot of other bookings in Belgium.

Your style of music attracts mainly a male and adult audience. Do you think there’s a special reason for this?
My music is known for being hard, distorted and fast. It’s true that mostly males like this music, but this is also the case with other dj’s that play the harder styles. I got to know my girlfriend Ingrid when I was playing, and I see a lot of female fans I know personally. So I can’t complain about the amount of female fans I have. Whether my public is younger or older, I can’t really say. I think I have fans in all age categories, but it’s a fact that my younger fans from the beginning are grown adults right now.

No artist album for you yet as Sandy Warez. Planning to or just not interested?
There has been an album release in the beginning of 2010, but it was under the name of Madhouse Brothers. The album was called ‘Machete’. After three weeks it was already sold out, so now they are pressing new copies which will be released again in September. On the day of The Qontinent my new album on The Third Movement, called ‘Ugly Warez’, will be released. And in October and November two new LP’s will be released on Madhouse Records.

What is the secret of the success of Footworxx?
I think the secret of Footworxx is that we are always trying to innovate and let the public taste new styles and sounds in the underground music. I meet a lot of foreign dj’s and I try to invite performers that haven’t played at Footworxx yet, or at least haven’t played there a lot. We also have a big fan base for Footworxx in Belgium, Spain, France and Italy. They are following the Footworxx stream for over four years now.

You were at The Qontinent last year as well. What were your impressions back then and what do you expect this year?
Last year my public and me really enjoyed The Qontinent. So when we were asked to organize a Footworxx area again this year, we just couldn’t say no. We did our best to have a different line up in comparison to last year and I think both hardtechno and industrial lovers will be excited.

You will do two sets on The Qontinent and both on the Footworxx area. How different will they be?
One of the sets will be on my own, as Sandy Warez. The other set will be a live set from Madhouse Brothers, an act I began to do with my “bro” Ritchie Gee. The set I’m doing on my own is going to be real Sandy Warez style… fast and furious. The other set will be like a promotion for all the tracks that will be released in 2010 and 2011. So expect only the best.

Speaking about promotion… Why do people have to come to your set(s)?
In the first place, because every dj loves it when there are a lot of party people enjoying his music. Also because I try every time to really feel my public, give them what they want and create a great atmosphere.

Do you have a message for the visitors of The Qontinent?
They all have to come take a look at our Footworxx area, because all of our dj’s are really motivated and it’s going to be a madhouse from beginning till the end!

Hardcore still rules the world

Twelve years after the last appearance in Belgium, the wizard is finally back. Hardcore has proven it’s right to be called the hardest. It has evolved from a small underground style to one of the most adult and reliable music styles around. This time it isn’t Antwerp that will be conquered, but a small village near Ghent. The Qontinent will be the setting for the great return of Thunderdome. At this two day festival Thunderdome will host two areas, one for each day.

Saturday the 14th of August Thunderdome will pick up where they left off. That day the pure hardcore and early rave of the magical nineties will be presented. Let yourself be taken to the past with renovated artists like Stanton, Paul Elstak, Buzz Fuzz, Promo and Vince. The true masters of the early rave will take over world domination at The Qontinent. The wizard will relive once more.

But that’s not all… On the second day of The Qontinent Thunderdome is going back to the future. Everyone that has a big status in the hardcore scene will be present to kick your motherfucking ass. Dutch masters like Evil Activities, Endymion, Tha Playah and Ophidian will be accompanied by Italian perfectionists like Art of Fighters, AniMe, Unexist and the magnificent live set of Noize Suppressor Sonar.

Welcome… to another edition of Thunderdome!

Line up Thunderdome – The Past:
-Buzz Fuzz
-DJ Rob & MC Joe
-DJ Yves
-Human Resource Live
-JDA
-Panic
-Paul Elstak
-Promo
-Stanton
-The Viper
-Vince
-MC Jeff

Line up Thunderdome – The Present:
-AniMe
-Art of Fighters
-Endymion Live
-Evil Activities
-E-Ruption
-Kristof
-Mad Dog
-Noize Suppressor Live (SONAR)
-Nosferatu
-Ophidian Live
-Partyraiser
-Predator
-Tha Playah
-Tommyknocker
-MC Justice
-Unexist

The Qontinent belooft het ultieme party-weekend voor de harder styles te worden, en Hardtraxx is daar bij. Op 13 augustus, de vooravond van het festival, hosten wij een Hardtraxx Future Stage op de camping. Vandaag presenteren wij jullie de line-up hiervan.

Hardtraxx werd gevraagd door Q-dance en Bass Events om een Hardtraxx Future Stage te hosten. Dit aanbod namen wij natuurlijk met open armen aan. Nu de voorbereidingen inmiddels in volle gang zijn presenteren wij de line-up van deze stage:

Hardtraxx Future Stage:
In-Phase (NL/BE)
Heatzone (NL/DK)
Jones (NL)
Waverider (NL)
San Miquel (NL)
Mind.Illusion (NL)
Outlander (BE)
Unloaders (BE)

De camping
De Hardtraxx Future Stage bevindt zich op de naastgelegen festival camping. Deze camping opent vanaf vrijdag 13 augustus om 17.00 haar deuren. Van 18.00 tot 00.00 zal de Hardtraxx Future Stage een nieuwe editie van The Qontinent inluiden met opkomende talenten. Deze stage is dus gewoon toegankelijk als je vrijdag al op de camping bent.
Wil je dit niet missen? Zorg dan dat je een kaartje weet te bemachtigen met toegang tot de camping.

Sunday 15 August The Qontinent will shake and shiver under the heavy beats of Footworxx. For more than five years this hard concept has spoiled the ears of many. Hunderds of artists like Akira, Hellfish, Jeff Amadeus and Miss Djax combine various styles into one single concept. Only condition is raw hard music. And that’s exactly what they are planning to do at The Qontinent.

When we talk about harddance in Belgium, one man always comes to mind… Q-IC. Since the last years of the nineties he has been present in the Belgian scene and the past few years he has worked himself up the status of the godfather of jump & tekstyles. We had a little chat with the man.

Q-IC actually comes from the word Quick, a very known fastfood joint, you once said in an interview. Are you still a Quick junkie?
No, those beautiful days are over. Nowadays I try to maintain a healthy diet. But that doesn’t mean I never go to the Quick anymore.

You’re a proud father since a few years. Are you working on the future in the scene?
Who knows! It would be nice to see my son or daughter follow in my footsteps, but i fin dit more important they finish school and do something they really like doing. I’ve been lucky to turn my hobby into a living and I really hope they will have that same luck one day. Whatever it may be. The eldest is three years old now and she has an amazing sense of rhythm and music. Solid Sounds is one of her favourite discs in the car.

You are very active in jump & tek as well as in techno. What do you like the most?
I’ll always Carry techno in my heart, because that’s where my roots are. Jump & tek were a nice extra for me, because in the beginning it didn’t matter what you played, the people always went crazy. Those days are over, unfortunately. I have some difficulties with people thinking in genres all the time. They only let themselves go on the 4 or 5 tracks they know. I always liked techno because of the broadmindedness of the fans. I do hope time will change again. If yes, i see a bright future for jump & tek.

You studied audiovisual art. How does that comply to what you are doing now?
Producing and mixing is a learning process. You have to be hard for yourself and you have to constantly want to learn. These studies and a background as engineer really do help, since it teaches you not only to use the presets, but to fully explore the possibilities of a machine.

You once said you wouldn’t release any vinyl anymore because of the bad sales. Are you really turning your back on the vinyl business?
Not quite. Vinyl used to be a fantastic way to promote yourself. Promo’s weren’t sent out via internet or mail because it simply wasn’t that advanced as now. The big names in that agereceived the promo’s on vinyl and back then there was a big difference between all the dj’s. You used to go and watch a dj working because he had records nobody else had, played or even knew. Those were the days. Now I’m convinced that the promo of an artist works very differently. Nowadays social media such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are the way to go. Most labels experience some losses on the sales of vinyls, records and compilations. We have to come an age where everyone wants everything for free, even music. If I had to choose, I’d rather have something I can feel, like a record or a discs. But I don’t have a say in that, i’m just an artist. Labels simply have to make some profit to keep on working.

You didn’t have that many releases after “Eat This”. Are you working on something right now?
“Eat This” actually was an album to see how far I could go with the audience today. I didn’t try to make something I knew everybody would like, but more a curious point of view on the scene back then. For me it was a test to see if people could appreciate some renewals on the scene and how far they would go to follow me.

After the big success of Sur+ it became clear there’s a new line of artists and music in which I can’t find myself anymore. For me it’s a great moment to take a break and do something else. But that doesn’t mean I’ll never return. When the time is right and the inspiration follows, I’ll be there again. I’m working ons ome new projects since the beginning of this year and after the summer you’ll be able to hear them. These projects are mostly house, electrohouse and dubstep. I’ll release some tracks at Killaz and Miditonal as well soon.

Ghost has developed his own “style” (Ghoststyle). How would you describe your style?
I don’t really have a name for it. It’s more a pleasant mix between jump & tek, classics, some new stuff and a sense of craziness.

Who do you think is the most promising talent?
There are several talents. On Sur+ and Fanatix we try to catch them in an early stage and support thema long the way. But if I had to choose… Junior Waxx on Sur+ and Bestien on Fanatix.

Why should the people come to see you?
Especially to hear the new Sur+ and Fanatix releases. But I think most people know what they can expect from me.

Do you have a message for the visitors of The Qontinent?
Don’t miss The Qontinent! Puyenbroek will shiver!

http://www.q-ic.be/

The Qontinent presents a very international scene to the party people. Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany and France are all present. But we don’t stick to just Europe. Oh no, we go way further. We searched in the depths of South America and found Julyukie in Brazil. Here’s her vision on techno music, The Qontinent and Europe…

Except for real techno fans, few people have heard of Julyukie. Can you introduce yourself for them?

I’m a Brazilian girl that got interested in electronic music in her teen years, like so many people. The first time I heard techno I simply knew this was what I liked and when I saw the dj’s playing and enjoying the art of turntablism I wanted nothing else but to learn that as well. It all started as a hobby in 2004.

In the beginning I stuck myself to just buying records and playing at home or at parties friends held. In 2006 a big switch came. I decided to organize parties called “Descontrol Techno” and things were getting more serious after that. I started to play in some clubs in Brazil and in 2007 I was invited to be resident in “Lôca Club”. This club is very important for the techno scene in São Paulo, and it’s the place where I had my first contact with the techno I got to like so much. Pet Duo, Murphy, Renato Cohen, Lukas and other dj’s were residents some years before. It was very important for my career to be a resident there. That’s how I improved my technique and learned how to handle the people on the dancefloor.

I started to work with new partners at the parties and we created a group working on  “Technopride” , “Fuel Techno”  and “Descontrol”. In 2008 I went to Colombia for the first time. In the end of 2009 to Venezuela and Europe. And now, I’m back!

I can imagine it’s not that common for a Brazilian girl to make it in the techno scene. How did you do it?

I think all is a result of a passion for the music. Things happened naturally. First I started to practice at turntablism, afterwards I had the idea to organize some parties and when I saw I was playing at a lot of parties I only wanted more and more…

How is the techno scene in Brazil?

The techno with lower BPM sounds (135-138) still have space to grow in Brazil. And according to me it actually is growing. But on the other hand, the real hard stuff like hardtechno and acid techno is going down… Unfortunately in my humble opinion.

What is the most memorable country and party you have been to so far and why?

Till now I’ve played in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium. And except for Brazil I only played once or twice in each country, so it’s kinda hard to know exactly how the scene is in each country. But I do can say I enjoyed every single performance. Although… there is one party that was absolutely the bomb. It was a party of Urban Connection in Portugal at New Years Eve and it truly was amazing.

How would you describe your kind of techno?

Heavy, powerful and happy with a crazy energy.

What can we expect from Julyukie in the future?

I just moved to Europe to live in Germany. I did that to dedicate myself to music only. In Brazil I had some things beside that, so I couldn’t be 100% in the music. You can expect some releases for sure! I’m already working on it.

Brazil didn’t do that great on the world cup soccer… beaten by Holland, a neighbour from Belgium. How do you feel about that?

(laughs) That’s a funny question… Brazil was not playing the beautiful soccer we are used to see from them. It really was a shame. But we still had hope. Many friends back at home were enjoying the game with me, but when Holland scored the second goal, Brazil was completely lost and the game was over… everyone was sad and pissed. Well, the next day everything was fine again… Life goes on and we need to accept that Holland played very well in the World Cup!

What do you expect from The Qontinent, since it’s your first time there?

I’m really excited and I expect to see some happy people dancing a lot, because this is what gives me the energy to play.

Now you got the chance to attract the audience… Why should they come and listen to you?

Well, I can tell that when I’m playing I forget everything. I don’t see the things around me. It’s just me and the real party people in front of me. I play with my feelings and I just love the music. The only thing I need is to see some people smiling to make a nice performance.

Do you have a special message for the people of The Qontinent?

I hope everyone is going with a lot of energy in their legs and minds, because I will be there and I want to give everything behind the decks!

http://soundcloud.com/julyukie