Hey Menno, First and foremost - where does DS find you today?

I’m currently in the office of Intuition Recordings catching up on some emails. This morning I recorded a guestmix for Above & Beyond’s Trance Around The World, and later on today I will be heading back in to the studio to continue working on a track I recently started.

How has the last 12 months been for you, and what have been the highlights?

The last 12 months have been amazing. Earlier this year I was invited to become resident for Global Gathering and some of those gigs have been incredible. Kiev for instance was nothing short of spectacular and possibly one of the best gigs I have played this year. Global Gathering UK is up this weekend so I’m very excited about that one too. Other than that, I did a remix for Alex M.O.R.P.H.’s new album earlier this year that was picked up by all the big boys. At the moment I’m finishing off my own tracks that will be part of the new mixcompilation I’m doing: “Intuition Sessions Vol. 2 – Ipanema”.

You have performed pretty much all over the world now, and no doubt these experiences go beyond Dj-ing - which country stands out for you personally and why?

This depends on the time of the year really, and even then every gig has it’s positive side. Eastern Europe has made a massive development over the past few years and I truly enjoy playing there, but equally well the crowds in many other places are amazing too. Some of my favourite countries and cities to travel to as a DJ include Montreal, Buenos Aires, Ibiza, Prague, Leeds (no surprise there hehe, last DS was amazing!), Los Angeles, Melbourne and Shanghai. Every place has it’s own twist – without the contrast of one gig the other does not stand out!

This August see’s the return of the Intuition Summer Event in The Netherlands - did you ever think this concept would be as massive as its become? Memories of the first beach party right up to the most recent hold fond for us guys here at DS!

I certainly hoped so back then and I’m happy it has become what it is today. Every year it’s my chance to invite some of the artists that I think are excelling at that point in time and who I feel will be taking the scene by storm in the years to come. The crowd that attends the party is very open to new music and always makes for a goosebumps-guaranteed atmosphere. That combined with the beatiful sunset over the ocean and DJ booth, the BBQ, lovely shoreline and every so happy looking smiling faces makes this one of the parties of the year for me!

The success of Intuition Recordings is well known right throughout the dance scene, which producers do you feel contributed to this success and who are the next hot artists to keep an eye on?

Some of the producers that have helped fuel the fire from the very beginning include Jonas Steur, Airbase, Orjan, Cliff Coenraad and Leon Bolier. Some of them have moved on to do new and different things whilst new faces such as Mat Zo, Mike Mikhjian, Kimito Lopez and many others have filled the gap and are providing quality releases for us to put out. Airbase is also still very active, he has recently decided to go fulltime in to music and is currently working on his debut artist album.

And yourself, how is things on the production / remix front?

Just before the summer I finished a new co-op with Leon Bolier called 'Last Light Tonight'. This has been doing quite well and already appeared on various compilations. It’s due out in September and will also be part of my new mixalbum scheduled for October. This double CD will feature quite a few new tracks of mine. It’s been long in the making and I’ve tried very hard to make the sound and atmosphere of the mix as unique as possible. The music on the album is basically Trance in the broadest sense, ranging from deeper stuff on the first CD to pumping tracks on CD 2.

Your making your 2nd appearance here at Digital Society Leeds in September, the last time was back in February for the epic DS 2nd Birthday how was the experience for you?

Firstly, I don’t think I have ever seen a club as packed as for the 2nd birthday of Digital Society. It was nearly impossible to get to the DJ booth. It just shows that when you organize parties with lots of love for the music the possibilities are endless. The crowd was simply amazing and absolutely up for a party!

What are your top 3 tunes at the moment?

Ilya Soloviev - Universal Universe
Nic Chagall - This Moment (Prog Mix)
Andy Moor & Ashley Wallbridge - Faces

Special mention also goes to: Orbital - Halcyon (Tom Middleton Re-Model)

What would be your chosen career if you weren’t a DJ?

Back in High School I was very involved in Model United Nations: This is a platform for young students to gain experience in international politics by representing a random country in various fictive political situations. Using the experience gained there and my diploma in International Business I would have probably gone on to work for the United Nations, an NGO or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Netherlands.

And finally, tell us some interesting facts about yourself?

I do Capoeira (a Brazilian form of martial arts combined with dance) and am addicted to TV series such as The Wire, 4400, Entourage and whatever else can possibly keep me entertained during long haul flights. Also, my lucky underwear has blue and purple hearts on it. Okay that’s enough embarassing facts for now!

Thanks Menno, looking forward to welcoming you back at DS in September!

No problemo! Can’t wait, see you at the front =) Peace, Menno