 |
|
|
 Back   Paul Van Dyk Biography
Born on December 16th, 1971 in Eisenhuettenstadt, East Germany, Paul grew up in communist East Berlin. Prior to Germany’s reunification, he at least had an early window to the capitalist world via the cross-border airwaves. "We were able to see Westside - TV and listen to western radio stations. In those days I listened to the radio show of Monika Dietl. I was really captivated by the music of ‘The Smiths’ and ‘New Order’. It (the music) was very strong and emotional.” Then in 1989, as the wall finally came down, a broad Club culture sprung up throughout all of Berlin. "Mainly they played that hard Detroit - Techno. I liked this energetic spirit, but something was missing. I (was looking out) for something else." That search would never leave him. Only a bit later, in March 1991, his unique style of dance music was played for the very first time to the public at the embryonic Berlin club "Tresor". Around this same period, Paul also started making his own original compositions. His first production "Perfect Day", put together with Cosmic Baby as "Visions of Shiva", was released in 1992. "Perfect Day" was published by the Berlin underground label “MFS”, and launched a promising career, which aimed without pause or hesitation for the top! In 1993 Paul created the club hit of the year with his remix of Humate’s "Love Stimulation". The following year, his first album "45 RPM" was recorded, while he was also regularly spinning sets at the legendary club “E – Werk”. Over the next few years Paul garnered further respect by remixing tracks of many renowned artists such as Inspiral Carpets, Sven Väth, Curve and New Order. This was of course until the release of his second album, "Seven Ways", which firmly established him as one of the world’s truly great electronic artists. “Seven Ways” unleashed a frenzy of national and international interviews, and many globe-roaming DJ - sets as well, as Paul was catapulted into the Top 100 - Sale charts. Even the English music media, typically protective of their own homespun DJ artists, unanimously praised the record. Readers of "DJ Magazine” – voted “Seven Ways” as the Number 1 album of the year. Bellowing singles such as "Beautiful Place", "Forbidden Fruit" and "Words", featuring remixes of Salt Tank, Quattara and Curve, fully secured him a place as a major player in the British and European dance charts. Before the club closed, Paul became an institution at Berlin’s “E – Werk”, regularly spinning new musical magic, with guest appearances by fellow superstar DJ’s Nick Warren, BT, Dave Seaman and Sasha. In 1998 his first album "45 RPM" was released in the UK, and the new remix of the single "For an Angel" attacked the worldwide dance floors. The album buzzed for two weeks at number 1 in England and four weeks at number 1 in the German dance charts, and also achieved major postings in the American, Australian, Dutch, Belgian and Scandinavian dance charts. However, Paul’s core sentiments are not as a producer, to be shuttered away in some stealthy studio, but as a performing DJ very willing to be seen, and with a deep desire to have contact with his audience, whether it be 500 people or 1.5 million... "As I began my career as a DJ I discovered that there is a really deep communication between DJ and people. I learned to observe the different vibrations, learned how to move the crowd, and how to create atmosphere." Paul remembers, "…because while spinning, an interaction takes place between the people and me. I never come into a club and spin just a ready set. It is a very new experience for me every time, and nobody knows in advance how it will end.” Now he creates that experience regularly, as resident - DJ in New York’s "Twilo" club, at the acclaimed "Gatecrasher" in Sheffield, and in his hometown of Berlin. In 1999 Paul left his former label “MFS” and started up, together with his team, the new label "Vandit" – Records. This label presents both Paul’s releases, as well as other new and innovative dance/DJ artists. In England, “Deviant” - Records are taking care of Paul’s creative output, whose brainstorm was the 1998 Triple - CD "Vorsprung Dyk Technik". Combining 33 tracks, it is the most exhaustive collection of Paul’s remixes to date, containing classics like Humate’s "Love Stimulation" and Joe T. Vanelli ‘s "Playing with the Voice in Germany" as well as Binary Finary’s clubhit "1998" and Paul’s own chart single "For an Angel". A year after its release in Nov 1999, "Vorsprung Dyk Technik" was officially declared "Silver" with over 60,000 UK sales, a very rare feat indeed for a Triple - CD. Paul's third album "Out There and Back" was released in summer 2000 and went straight in the Top 20 album sales charts in the UK and Germany. Singles like "We are alive" and "Tell me why" entered the sales charts with top positions in the UK on number 15 & 7 and 14 in Germany. In October 2001 was the release of the Columbia EP. This record is rounding off with the new remixes from the "Out There And Back“ album as well as the 3 new tracks "Movement“, "Out There“ & "A Different journey to Vega“. Today Paul’s touring diary includes major venues in London, Melbourne, Mexico, New York and Singapore. Between all that, Berlin is always there and waiting -- if not for the interviews and local club dates, then for looking after his own label, recording studio and radio show (not to mention his friends and family as well!). "It isn't the success or which place I take in the sale charts that is important for me. (What’s) most important are the people, the family, friends, ..and everyone, (especially) where I’ve changed something. I am really pleased when someone tells me: ‘Hey, by hearing your song something changed in my life!’" Paul says, "I’ve never made music for being trendy or making the fat money. I make music for myself; …it (the music) comes directly from my stomach, my music springs from an intense feeling. And every track has its own little story..." On the 5th of November 2002 Paul's first mix CD since 8 years was released on Ministry of Sound. “The Politics of Dancing“ is a new mixture of artist album and mix CD. Paul reworked most of the tracks in the studio before he started mixing. “The Politics of Dancing“ is the first compilation that was released on the same day worldwide. “Remember the beginning of the 1990´s? We all said that this was as much a political movement as it as a cultural one. But now the authorities are closing clubs. They don't understand and accept it as a global youth culture. That's what I wanted to make aware off that's for me „Politics of Dancing“. Paul just finished his work for the soundtrack of the Mexican film “Mano del Zurdo“. Now he will concentrate on his fourth artist album to be release in 2003. In 1999, the readers of the English magazine "DJ" voted Paul as the "Best Music Maker", ahead of DJ legends Fatboy Slim (2) and Paul Oakenfold (3). Then at the 1999 Music Awards in London he received the "Best international DJ award". The "Ministry of Sound” Magazine elected him as the "Best international DJ", and his regular 6 hour set at “Gatecrasher” was voted as the "second best club night ever" by the readers of the English magazine "Muzic". His hit singles "Another Way and Tell me why" and "We are alive" spent several weeks at number 1 in the German Dance - charts, and also reached number 15, 13 & 7 in the UK Sales - charts. He continuously moved-up in “DJ Magazine’s” annual list of the "Top 100 DJ´s worldwide", then in September 1999, "Mixmag” Magazine elected him as "Man of the year" and "Muzik Magazine" named him as "Leader of the Trance Nation". PAUL VAN DYK's OFFICIAL SITE DJ Mag - TOP 100 - Vote Now ! It is the most important voting in the dance calendar: the DJ MAG TOP 100 POLL. A phenomenon that grows in strength every year, with more than 120 000 votes coming from 147 different countries in 2005, which elected Paul van Dyk as number 1. The 2006´s voting has now begun and is open until the 25th of September. It is your chance to play a vital role in deciding the outcome of this year’s list. Support Paul van Dyk - click on the link, navigate your way to www.djmag.com and choose your favourite DJ´s for 2006 Paul van Dyk - new radio show on Sirius Radio - USA Paul van Dyk is coming to Sirius Radio and will be launching a weekly show on Area 33:the Paul van Dyk's Vonyc Sessions.It will air Thursday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm ET (with re-broadcasts Saturdays at 8 pm ET and Tuesdays at midnight ET). The next show will start Thursday 14th September and will re-run Saturday and Tuesdays... don't miss it! Biography International DJ and producer Paul van Dyk was voted “America’s Favorite DJ” for 2004 by BPM Magazine and was the big winner at the 2004 Dancestar Awards, taking home 3 awards: Best International DJ, Best Event and Best Music in a Commercial (Motorola). He also won the Mexican Oscar for his soundtrack in the film Zurdo in March 2004. Paul partnered with the “Rock the Vote” campaign in order to encourage America’s youth to exercise their right to vote in the 2004 presidential election. Paul’s involvement marked the first time an electronic artist became involved in the campaign and he joined other artists such as Bono, Mary J. Blige, Lenny Kravitz and the Black Eyed Peas. Previously, Paul was voted "Best Music Maker" by DJ magazine, ahead of DJ legends Fatboy Slim (2) and Paul Oakenfold (3). He then went on to receive the “Best International DJ Award” at the 1999 Music Awards in London. Ministry of Sound Magazine named him the "Best international DJ", and his regular 6 hour set at “Gatecrasher” was voted as the "second best club night ever" by the readers of the English magazine Muzik. In 1999, Mixmag elected him as “Man of the Year” and Muzik Magazine named him “Leader of the Trance Nation.” Born in Eisenhuettenstadt, East Germany, Paul grew up in communist East Berlin. Prior to Germany’s reunification, he had an early window to the capitalist world via the cross-border airwaves. Because his community did not have a true club culture, Paul listened to the radio where he discovered the music of artists such as The Smiths and New Order. Then in 1989, after the wall finally came down, a broad club culture sprung up throughout all of Berlin and although Techno music emerged, Paul was looking for a different, more unique sound. That search would never leave him. Stemming from two crusty old turntables, the first remix tapes of his musical ideas were created. And in March 1991, his unique style of dance music was played for the very first time to the public at the embryonic Berlin club "Tresor". Around this same period, Paul also started writing his own original compositions. His first production "Perfect Day", produced together with Cosmic Baby as "Visions of Shiva", was released in 1992. In 1993, Paul created the club hit of the year with his remix of Humate’s "Love Stimulation". The following year, his first album 45 RPM was recorded, while he was also regularly spinning sets at the legendary Berlin club "E–Werk". Over the next few years Paul garnered further respect by remixing tracks of many renowned artists such as Inspiral Carpets, Sven Väth, Curve and New Order. This was of course until the release of his second album, Seven Ways, which firmly established him as one of the world’s truly great electronic artists. Seven Ways unleashed a frenzy of national and international interviews, and Paul was catapulted into the Top 100. Even the English music media, typically protective of their own homespun DJ artists, unanimously praised the record. Readers of DJ Magazine – voted Seven Ways as the Number 1 album of the year. Bellowing singles such as "Beautiful Place", "Forbidden Fruit" and "Words", featuring remixes of Salt Tank, Quattara and Curve, fully secured him a place as a major player in the British and European dancecharts. Before the club closed, Paul became an institution at Berlin’s “E–Werk”, regularly spinning new musical magic, with guest appearances by fellow superstar DJ’s Nick Warren, BT, Dave Seaman and Sasha. In 1998 his first album 45 RPM was released in the UK, and the new remix of the single "For an Angel" attacked dance floors worldwide. The album buzzed for two weeks at number 1 in England and four weeks at number 1 in the German dance charts, and also achieved high positions in the American, Australian, Dutch, Belgian and Scandinavian dance charts. Paul then became a resident DJ at New York’s legendary dance club “Twilo” and also at the acclaimed “Gatecrasher” in Sheffield. In 1999 Paul, together with his team, created the new label Vandit Records. This label presents both Paul’s releases, as well as other new and innovative dance/DJ artists. In England, Deviant Records took care of Paul’s creative output, whose brainstorm was the 1998 Triple CD "Vorsprung Dyk Technik". Combining 33 tracks, it is the most exhaustive collection of Paul’s remixes to date, containing classics like Humate’s "Love Stimulation" and Joe T. Vanelli ‘s "Playing with the Voice in Germany" as well as Binary Finary’s clubhit "1998" and Paul’s own chart single "For an Angel". A year after its release in Nov 1999, "Vorsprung Dyk Technik" was officially declared "Silver" with over 60,000 sales in the UK, a very rare feat indeed for a Triple CD. By the time Paul released Out There & Back in 2000, it became clear that the Berlin-based musician had far more to offer than his signature club sets and remixes that had already defined him as one of the most influential German DJs and producers of all time. His first compilation mix CD Politics of Dancing was released in 2001, followed by Global in 2003 – an original CD/DVD which illustrates his own experiences traveling the world. Paul’s current album Reflections illustrates little stories told by life and was released last year. The magic of the album’s thirteen tracks is based on each song’s potential to extravagate and blow away clichés – and still be unbelievably multi-faceted. The first release from Reflections was the hit single “Nothing But You” with its yearning Norwegian vocals and the impassionate lyric line “I have nothing but I have got everything when I have got you” and quickly made its way onto mainstream radio stations worldwide. The follow up single, “Time Of Our Lives”, is the result of Paul’s first collaboration with the rock band Vega 4 and was the first “live in concert” track Paul presented at his record release tour. “Time of Our Lives” reached the first position in German and English dance charts. Shortly after the album’s third single “Crush” was released, Paul collaborated with Peter Heppner, singer of the band Wolfsheim, which resulted in the hit single “Wir sind Wir” (translation: This is Us). Both artists were inspired by the German TV documentary “Das Wunder von Bern”. The song illustrates the spirit and history of Germany and although lots of Germans in east and west lost their self-esteem, they are united and unafraid of what the future may bring. Today, Paul’s touring diary is incredibly hectic with regular globetrotting stops at major venues in London, Tel Aviv, Mexico, New York and Singapore. Between all that, Berlin is always there and waiting -- if not for the interviews and local club dates, then for looking after his own label Vandit, recording studio and his radio show Soundgarden which airs every Wednesday 2pm – 4pm (EST) on Fritz radio and over the internet (www.fritz.de). Some comments from PVD's fans in Mexico City where he weill be returning in November for a huge concert. I hadn´t danced that much in my life before, everything was not just fine but PERFECT, the place, the organization and obviously Papi PVD was great as usual He opened at 12:00 pm with LOLO-WHY (wunderwar) then he played also Crush, My world, Time of our lives, We are alive and almost at the end of hos gig he played For an Angel. Now that He is the #1 DJ he will have loadsa gigs around the world, as I said before he never had to be recognized as #1 by DJ mag or "América", I can say México Really loves him, He´s got this very special vibe which we like. I still remember the first I saw him back on 1999 and I feel the same way!! HE will always be my number 1 for me although his set was not the best I´ve ever heard he means a lot to me (finally he got me into this), this was my 8th time on pvd´s gig and there is no doubt there will be more on the list, I could get some pix which I will try to upload later on!!! CYA maybe pretty soon!!Thanks for my Bday Gift!!! thanx Beat 1009 se la rifo, la neta les salió TODO muy bien todo lo contrario a lo de B&J sin duda de las mejores noches de toda mi vida, creo q no pare literalmente en 4 horas, todos me decían donde te apagas? pero pues que les puedo decir es lo que mas me apasiona en esta vida y pues ya es toda una forma de vivir, mis amigas y mi novio estaban felices (y eso q no les raya) esto fue hace dos días y todavía me quedan resagos de energía!jaja Bueno pues espero que los que hayan tenido la suerte de ir se la hayan pasado igual de bien que yo porque finalmente de eso se trata. THE DAY I SAW HIM (14-08-99) oh mein got! *l* i have no words to describe the vibe i felt yesterday while he was djing :))) , yesterday August 14th i saw him finally! he was at 40-50 cm of me!! i still cant belive it. I must confess that my friends and I almost left the place without seeing him dj , since he started djing at 3:35 am, and my friends and i arrived to the club at 9:00 pm so as u might be thinkin´ we were kinda desperated to see him djing after 6 hours, but finally there he was!!!after we had listened to 4 djs and been kinda sleepy, he started to play and everybody woke up!!! he did a great job :-).I cant belive the huge diference i noticed between pvd and the djs who were playing before him ... HE IS THE BEST!:). I couldnt stop looking at him 0=),i danced before he arrived because by that time there was enough of space, because when he came over, all the ppl went crazy and i couldnt even move my arms, I tried to learn some stuff about the way he spinns... j/k ;P *s* yeah right. SECOND TIME I SAW HIM (11-11-00) So as u can see it was all a mess (talking about the gig´s info and advertising) they changed da place like 3 times but finally he played @ toreo 4 caminos, I finally decided to go *l* and this time was huge, i mean the first time i saw him it was like *g* he is cute and he spinns really good, but YESTERDAY!!!!!!!damn he almost made me cry (remember ana?*l*) he really rocked!! he is great, he is the best dj EVER seen!!!!i can´t say anything else for the moment... any comments ana??*OFF*. LATEST REVIEW (May 10th 2003) Well... I dont know where to start, he was absolutely wonderful!!!there is no doubt he is the best DJ!!!!, the acoustic of the place wasn´t good at all, because it used to be a Cinema and is not excactly a place for a gig, but it was O.K. Paul started playing at 12:20 after 4 Dj´s. Everybody was screaming PAUL´s name! so the DJ in turn did not know exactly what to do, he just played a few minutes more and had to leave the stage. Paul u know México loves you, dont u??? all his set was amazing but, he played a pair of songs that just put me on a natural high!. C U NEXT YEAR PAUL!!!! I´ve seen him 6 times, 5 times in México (in my city) and one at his home(Berlin@Love parade), and I hope I can catch him up on his next NY Gig at Central Park. Paul just finished the filming for the new Motorola C350 TV spot | Klick N Read New | Klick & Read Aug/Oct 06 | Henri On.... | In The Guirre | AN ORDINARY DAY | | Return Home | Klick N Read | Monthly Calendar | SYM Calendar | Venue Photos | SYM Photos | News Etc | VALENTINOS | My Space | Great Links | FAQ Page | Contact Us | |
||