Q&A: EDM artist Hardwell discusses his fans, upcoming festivals

Before Hardwell took the stage at the F-Shed at the Market on Friday, he sat down with The Daily Orange to talk about his music and what it’s like to switch between small bus tours and the main stage at major festivals.

The Daily Orange: In two weeks, everyone will be in Miami, and it will be crazy. What is it like going from a bus tour like this to Ultra Music Festival and Miami Music Week?

Hardwell: It’s a big difference, but that’s why we enjoy this tour as much as we do a festival like Ultra. It’s not, like, better because it’s different. We chose this bus tour because we wanted to go back to the roots. We all started playing in clubs. Obviously since we became so big we started playing at major festivals and have concerts everywhere, but playing the small parties is more intimate. It’s where it all started. You’re more connected with your fans and that’s really important. That’s what the bus tour is about.

The D.O.: Does staying connected to fans helps you stay popular despite not having a big radio presence?

Hardwell: I think that’s maybe the reason why I’m still cool to the kids. A lot of kids call it ‘selling out’ if you’re on the radio all the time. “Oh you’re not cool anymore. You’re now commercial, you’re mainstream.” I’m still one of the guys without ever having a radio record.

That’s definitely one of the reasons, giving back to the fans. That’s why we do this bus tour. Especially, we are in a college town. Probably 95 percent of these kids couldn’t afford to fly down to Miami and pay a ticket to Ultra Music Festival. So why not come to them and play parties for them. It’s definitely one of the reasons why I would say we — I don’t necessarily want to say are popular — but at least are still relevant.

The D.O.: How much longer do you see yourself going on bus tours?

Hardwell: ‘Til I’m dead or under the ground because I love playing records and being everywhere. When you’re up on stage every night and there’s so much love and appreciation for your music, this is what I live for. I’m living my dream. I’ll definitely do it again.

The D.O.: Do you think EDM has staying power in the United States, like it has had in Europe?

Hardwell: It always goes up and down — same for Europe, same for America. It’s really coming up now in Asia, especially Japan and China. America is always about trends and if something is really new they take it with both hands and make it bigger than anywhere else in the world. I think within two years it’s going to be 50/50 again with hip-hop, but it will always stick around. Dance music isn’t a genre that will fade away — it will stick around. But you can tell that hip-hop and R&B music is definitely coming back.

The D.O.: Why is EDM such a youth-centered movement?

Hardwell: Because it’s the most universal language that exists on Earth. You can play, even for like techno DJs, you can play underground records without vocals, but everybody can understand the feeling, the energy, the 4/4 beat. It’s easy to dance to, and everybody can relate to that. You’re always in a happy environment, everybody just wants to party, it’s a great place to create and to be in. That being said, it’s the most universal thing on earth. Everybody can relate to it.

The D.O.: You’re coming out with your first hardstyle solo soon, and always say you don’t make the same thing twice. How do you get inspired to make new sounds?

Hardwell: I would never be in the studio and reopen a template I did before, like a previous song because it was a hit and use the same sounds. It’s so much fun to be in the studio and create something new that didn’t exist. That makes my job so interesting.

I’m a big fan, a big music lover, and I listen to all kinds of music and use that inspiration. I just want to create something that works for me and works on the dance floor. Hopefully the fans will love it as well. Of course, sometimes you don’t make like a really huge hit record, sometimes it’s an underground record, but that makes my job interesting to me.

The D.O.: Do you see yourself ever going back to your hip-hop roots?

Hardwell: I just — (for the first time in) a very long time — made a hip-hop track again. Recently, like three weeks ago. I have no idea what the plans are for that track, if I’m ever going to release it. Maybe in the future.

The thing is I have two faces. I’m a producer, and I’m a DJ. When I start to release hip-hop music, dance music promoters will have no clue what I’m going to play at a party. So will the audience, they will never know what I’m going to play. So I want to keep it in one certain direction. Like, when Hardwell plays, this is his style and you can expect it. If I’m all over the place people will never actually notice what I’m doing. I’m thinking about it.

The D.O.: Do you see an end in sight, as far as DJing?

Hardwell: No, never. It grows bigger and bigger every year. It’s not about necessarily being bigger or more popular, I just love what I’m doing. And 10 years from now, five years from now, who cares. Even if EDM’s not hot anymore I will still be touring and playing small clubs, small bars, whatever, as long as I can make music and play music. That’s what I love to do.

The D.O.: Would you come back to Syracuse if you did another bus tour?

Hardwell: One hundred percent. Yeah, last time I had a really great time here. (Friday) is looking good, it sold out (Friday).

The D.O.: Is selling out important to you?

Hardwell: No, it’s about the fans who are here, not about selling out the whole arena, as long as you are able to play for your fans. One hundred people, 400,000 … it doesn’t matter. It’s about the fans who are here and want to party. It’s about me being with them and having the best time of our life.

The D.O.: What would you like to say to fans?

Hardwell: To the fans, thank you for all the support. I love being back here and we’re going to party tonight. Hope to see you again soon and thanks for all the support.

The D.O.: Do you think “bros” are ruining EDM? Is commercialization of the genre a problem to you?

Hardwell: This goes for every genre. EDM is always on fire for some reason. (People say) “EDM is getting mainstream, EDM is so drug related.” Yeah, go to a rock concert and watch what’s happening over there. EDM is such an easy target because it’s such a universal thing. Since it’s not mainstream, that’s why it’s such a big target, since it was underground and became mainstream. Rock music was always popular, hip-hop was always popular, R&B was always popular, but dance music was a weird, underground movement in dark rooms, like, “What are people doing there?”

The mainstream media, they have no clue what I’m doing onstage, so we’re an easy target. (They say) “Oh, those are the guys that press play and stand with their hands in the air.” People forget about the work being played … people all see the simple side of it, they don’t want to look any further. … people are really narrow-minded when it comes to writing reviews, naming it mainstream. Now what’s wrong with mainstream? The more people can enjoy it, so what’s wrong with mainstream?

I wish the world in general was more open-minded. Like every single Skrillex fan. … Skrillex is the best producer, technically, I don’t know anyone better than him. But he produces a song for Justin Bieber and all of a sudden (fans say) “Oh no, man, he’s a sell-out, he’s not cool anymore.” He’s a sell-out? He’s a f**king genius. His song is all over the world, on the radio worldwide. He’s a genius.

He re-invented Justin Bieber. He had the balls to do that. If they called me a couple years ago like, “Yo, you should work on Justin Bieber’s new album,” (I would have said) “I think that’s not really going to work out for me.” And he was like, “Yeah, why not, I’ll give it a try.” We should give him props instead of taking him down and that’s what I’m trying to say. People are narrow-minded, people should be more open-minded.