Q. You've been working with Hed Kandi for a number of years now on different projects, but for all our new fans out there, who is Patrick Hagenaar?

A Dutch guy that moved to London back in ’99 to discover the UK dance scene and has since been DJ-ing around the world and more recently (2008) started producing tracks for numerous labels and remixed Nr1 records for peeps like Ke$ha & Wynter Gordon.

Q. What made you want to be a DJ and producer and, which came first, DJ sets or endless hours in the studio?

Well I got into dance music when I was about 10, went to my first rave at 11, starting faffing around with production software when I was 13, but just for a laugh. As a kid I always was obsessed with music + DJs and when I had a chance to try DJ-ing when I was 15, I was hooked and start saving for decks, which funnily enough ended up being CD decks (CDJ100’s) back in 99’ when mixing with CDs was a ‘dirty word’ :-)

Q. What is the inspiration behind your new single L.O.V.E (Yout Give The)?

Well, I like fun, ‘feel good’ house music – nothing too serious and wanted to make a happy feelgood anthem. I have always liked some of the French house stuff from early 2000 so took that kind of as inspiration and came up with the instrumental and afterwards found a little vocal sample which made the track complete as a club record.

Buy Patrick Hagenaar feat. AMPM - L.O.V.E. (You Give The) on iTunes


Q. This record has gained a great deal of attention as soon as it was released, how does is it make you feel when fellow DJs champion your productions?

When you make music, you want other people to get it and enjoy it. When fellow DJs start playing your music it’s kind of a sign of approval that fellow music geeks give the ‘thumbs up’.

Q. The record first came out without a vocal in 2011 and had huge success, but the new vocal remix simply takes it to a different level. How has crowd reaction been every time you drop it on the dancefloor? Biggest track in your record box at the moment?

Yeah, you know it’s the hardest bit when you have a club track that does well on its own and then you start adding vocals at a later stage – it’s often very hit or miss, but this has worked out a treat :-) So far I have been getting great reactions and with the addition of the Ghosts of Venice and David Jones mix – its only getting bigger and better!

Q. What was it like collaborating with the AMPM, for the vocal mix?

AMPM is wicked – this London girl works under a different pseudonym in the Dubstep/D&B scene and really brought a bit of this attitude to the record, which I really really like - rather than the same old dance vocals... I hope this is a start of many more collabs to come with her.

Q. What was the first piece of equipment you bought or programme you had to make beats and what are you using now?

Haha that was Magik Music Maker 1 back in 1994 – I think it was a 8-track and I just used a couple of kicks/snares/hihats/melodies, which i just sampled from other house tracks – just thought it was fun to do, never thought anything of it. In 1997, I played around a lot with Rebirth, then got the first version of Reason, which I played around with for a quite some time and made my first couple of tracks on – then about 2,5 years ago switched over to Ableton, which I use now, but also just got myself a copy of Pro Tools 10 which I’m starting to learn...

Q. What’s been the proudest moment in your career to date?

Might sound a bit sad, but it was winning the upcoming DJ award in Holland back in 2001, beating 500 DJs in the process – I was the only DJ playing with CDs, so for me it was kind of putting two fingers up to all those peeps at that time who thought DJ-ing with CDs was a joke. It also made me realise that I probably was OK at it, so might as well see how far I could take it. Still got a long way to go though!

Q. What are you looking forward to most this year and anything lined up with Hed Kandi in the upcoming months?

See where L.O.V.E will end up this year, finishing off the follow up to L.O.V.E, (obviously forthcoming on Hed Kandi) and lots of other fun music projects for viral campaigns, TV series and obviously lots of DJ-ing – oh and mixing a comp for Ministry of Sound in the forthcoming months :P


Quick Fire Questions

Q.If you were an animal – what kind would you be and why?
Turtle – They always seem nice and chilled out – do everything at their own pase :-)

Q. What is the last album you bought? Any good?
Emeli Sande’s new album – yeah – got some belter of tracks on there!

Q. If you could trade places with any person for a day, famous or not, living or dead, real or
fictional, who would it be?
Michael Jordan – I have always loved Basketball and he is in a league of his own

Q. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
‘If It Ain’t Dutch, It Ain’t Much’

Q. What's your favourite Kandi?
Do M&M’s fall under this? Just double checked – ‘chocolate candy’ – don’t give me a bag, because I’ll eat them all in one go – even if it makes me feel sick haha

To find out more about Patrick Hagenaar, follow him on Facebook and/or Twitter

Patrick's latest mix for you to enjoy xx

Meet Sam Cannon and Greg Myers...the DJs behind our latest release World Series: Barcleona. With Greg on CD1 and Sam laying down CD2, we decided to finally get these two in the same room and find out just what gets these boys going! A huge Hed Kandi thank you to both of you for your time and the incredible CD you've created!!


In 5 words describe your mix on CD2 of World Series: Barcelona

SAM:     Deep, techy, funky, bad ass!
GREG:   Sexy, Twisting, Sunshine, Glitz and Glam

How long have you been DJ’ing for Hed Kandi and can you tell us more about your clubbing experience in Barcelona?

GREG:   This is my 4^th Year as a Dj at Team Kandi, Starting from my residency at super club Space with Hedkandi in Ibiza, to playing to the world’s biggest dance floors. My experience of Barcelona is definitely up there with the best clubbing cities i’ve played in, from big balearic clubs, to the underground intimate venues!! Either way, you’re always guaranteed an amazing night.

You’ve been an established DJ on the Hed Kandi roster for quite some time now, but who do you think will be the 2012 breakthrough DJ from Hed Kandi?

SAM:     Tough one as I don't want to give anyone a big head! Stu Ojelay has been getting some fantastic reports and is also on the money with his productions. Krystal Roxx has also been amazing for us this year. We also have a few tricks up our sleeve for 2012 so watch this space.

If the choice was yours, what destination city would be the next World Series stop off or release and why?

GREG:   Would have to be Vancouver in Canada for me!! I Love their summer parties, the city and most of all the clubbers over there.

SAM:     We have covered so many great cities, is there anywhere left?! Las Vegas would be amazing to do. A weekend in sin city is always appealing. 

What do you enjoy most about DJ’ing at Hed Kandi events and what is your favourite Hed Kandi party from any destination across the globe?

GREG:   Most of all would be seeing people enjoy their night and seeing their response to the parties we put on at Hedkandi, it’s not just about the music, it’s also the whole experience from getting to the club, to that last hands in the air track at the end of the night!!! That’s when i enjoy my job the most!!!!!!! Vancouver is my best destination, I just love the hospitality over there, the vibe and they love our Hedkandi parties, their summer boat parties are definitely up there with the best for me. It’s a tough one though, as we do some amazing parties across the globe.

What big plans does Hed Kandi have on the horizon?

SAM:     New Year’s Eve is the next big one for us. We have done some amazing parties in London at the O2 in previous years. This year due to pre-demand for World Series: Barcelona, we are planning a big one in Barcelona where we want to invite all our international fans to come and party with us in this fantastic city. Keep your eye on hedkandi.com and facebook.com/hedkandi for more info. We now have our own bars opening up over the UK, along with a fantastic audio range of headphones. We also have some great plans for artists next year, as well as our continued domination of worldwide events so everyone across the world can have 'A Taste Of Kandi'.

Where will you be DJ'ing for New Years Eve this year, what plans have Hed Kandi got in store?

SAM:     Aside from Barcelona we will also be in Madrid, Hong Kong, Brazil, Poland and Germany, to name a few, as well as our UK residencies. I am not sure where I will be yet, somewhere hot hopefully!

What piece of advice would you give to upcoming DJs/producers?

GREG:   Just keep your head down, stick to your own vibe and never stop learning and watching others! And most of all, never stop smiling and enjoying what you do. The sky’s the limit and why stop at the stars!!!!!

Quick Fire Questions

1.              What is the top track on your iPod at the moment?

SAM:     Good night (DP Cash Mix) - Ewan Rill
GREG:   It’s an album by a New Zealand band called Avalanche City! Nice for the drive home from gigs

2.            Who is your favourite Superhero and what superpower would you steal from them?

SAM:     Invisible man. Need I say more ;)
GREG:   Buzz Lightyear. . . .As I’ve heard it’s a nickname of mine at Hed Kandi HQ!!!!!!!

3.            If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would you follow and why? Ice Cream Taster, Dentist, Crocodile Wrangler

SAM:     Crocodile Wrangler! Just to see people's reactions when I told them what I did!

If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would you follow and why? Laughter Therapist, Arctic Explorer, Playstation Game Tester

GREG:   Arctic explorer, as I could sledge every day and chase penguins!!!!

4.            What’s your favourite type of Kandi?

SAM:     Cola cubes

GREG:   Would have to be Disco and Kandi Classics!!!!!!!!!

5.            Celebrity Tag Team Death Match, Waifs & Stray vs Jamie Jones & Lee Foss, who is your money on? 

SAM:     Jamie and Lee definitely. Jamie would kill me if I said otherwise!

5.            Celebrity Tag Team Death Match, DJ Chus & David Penn vs Rober Gaez & David Herrero, who is your money on? 
GREG:   Would have to be DJ Chus and David Penn, as there beats are just a little bit BIGGER and heavy weight!!!


You can order your very own copy of World Series: Barcelona - right here!

1.       Your track, Will I (Discover Love) a collaboration with DJ Chus, is a firm Hed Kandi favourite on our dancefloors across the globe, we are also loving the remix you guys did of Copyright Feat. Imaani - Story Of My Life, any new release for us to keep a look out for in the near future?

Well, so many projects for the coming months, with Chus and Abel Ramos as Iberican League we are planning to release two tracks called "Get Up" and "Loveground", I am also doing the new Deux single with Toni Bass, and I am doing a track with Lisa Millet, and a collaboration with ATFC on a new track...

2.       If you could change anything in the past 10 years of your music career, what would it be and why?

I don´t wanna change anything, things happen for a reason and they just become part of our lives. I am very lucky doing my profession and everything that I've lived is just a way of learning. 

3.       What piece of DJ equipment in your studio would you recommend a must have for starters?

Good computer, that´s enough to start.

4.       What is your ultimate end of the night track to play when you DJ? 

Deux "Sun Rising Up" (One of the thousand mixes...)

5.       What is your favourite clubbing spot in Barcelona?

Athletic Disco Club parties are great with Toni Bass.

6.       When on tour, what are the top 3 essentials you pack in your suitcase? 

Laptop, pendrive and headphones.

7.       You have been cementing your name and talents as a favourite Hed Kandi DJ over the past few years, what Hed Kandi compilation have you enjoyed working on most and why?

Not any special, maybe all. I remember the first Hed Kandi compilations, I was buying every release and I really wanted to be on any of them one day, after the years I am so proud to be in numerous Hed Kandi compilations. 

 Quick Fire Questions

1.       What is the top track on your iPod at the moment?
Normally is the last production I am working on, now the new Deux single that will be released soon.

2.       Who is your favourite superhero?
My father

3.       If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would you follow and why? Bounty Hunter, IMAX Screen cleaner, Golf Ball Diver...
What kind of a question is this?? 

4.       What’s your favourite type of Kandi?
Chupachups

5.       As you come from Spain, Celebrity Death Match, Fabregas vs Kaka, who's your money on?

 Kaka because he is from Real Madrid but Fabregas is a great player.


Thanks David :) If you'd like to catch his latest work then head to the shop page right now where you can get yourself a copy of World Series: Barcelona!

We caught up with the one and only Patrick Hagenaar to discuss his new single on Hed Kandi Records 'L.O.V.E. (You Give The)'...

Who is Patrick Hagenaar, where are you from and what do you do?

I’m a Dutch DJ/Producer based in London –so basically I make music that I play all around the world.

Your record, ‘L.O.V.E. (You Give The)’ has recently been released On Hed Kandi Records. What was the inspiration behind the track?   

I like to make different styles of house music and after doing a couple of disco bits (like ‘Double Kross’ on Hed Kandi) I really wanted to make a feel good anthem, influenced by the French sound, so initially I came up with the instrumental and afterwards found the vocal bit, which ended up being a great match together!

Is ‘L.O.V.E. (You Give The)’ your main production sound or do you also produce other genres of this thing we call house music?

It’s a mixture of stuff as I play quite a range of house music as well, so this reflected in my production. I like making big room tracks, but also really enjoy producing tracks with a nice bounce/groove that gets the dancefloor going.

We know you're not just a producer and that you love to spin some records around the world, what’s the best party you’ve ever played at and why?

My recent gig in Seoul, South Korea is definitely up there – I was just so impressed with how knowledgeable the crowd was and how open they were to new sounds – everything I played just really felt right and just ended up playing well over my assigned time!

Apart from ‘L.O.V.E. (You Give The), what essential battle weapons do you have ready to play in your sets?

I’ve recently done some cool mash ups of tracks like Avicii, Clashback etc. plus finished some new tracks (‘Boob control’ & ‘Everytime We Touch’) that generally seem to hit the spot. All these will be released in the next couple of months, so watch this space.

If there was an opportunity for you to work with any artist (dead or alive) in the music industry, who would it be and why?

Oooh, very difficult question, i can't think of anyone...Sorry!

Remixing Vs. original compositions. Which is your favourite?

I’ll have to go with original composition. It’s always fun to completely redo an existing track and give your own spin to it, but there is nothing more fulfilling to compose a track from scratch and see other people enjoying it whilst you play it out.

Who do you think is really producing great music at the moment and who is your tip for stardom in 2012?
Perhaps a bit of an obvious choice. There are two guys that really rock it at the moment –Nicky Romero and Hardwell – they both have a great sound and will shoot up to the premier league in no time.

What was the first record you ever bought?
Probably a Dutch Techno compilation back in 1989 called 'Turn up the Bass 8'.

Have you got any exciting plans for the rest of the year and beyond?

Tour wise – this year I’ll be hitting – South Africa, Holland, Latvia, Australia, Dubai, Oman, Russia and South America.

Production wise – I want to take my production to the next level quantity wise – expect much more to come on labels like Hed Kandi, Stealth, EMI, Big Beat, Nervous and my others.

Quick Fire Questions

What is the top track on your iPod at the moment?  

Baskerville – Devil’s Town

Where do you see yourself in 20 years time? 

Dj-ing House at weddings!

If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would you follow and why? F1 driver, actor or a food taster?  

Food taster – preferably ice cream – I can eat ice cream all day – besides I always try to convince people that I’m related to the Haagen-dazs family (used to be my nickname when I used to work in a record shop).

What’s your favourite type of Kandi?

Dutch liquorice

If you could get two people in the ring for a celebrity death match, who would you choose?

Mike Tyson vs Hitler

You can download Patrick's track right here: http://www.beatport.com/release/l-o-v-e-you-give-the/652550

Here at Hed Kandi we're lucky enough to have a line-up of incredible DJs. Wherever you turn there is exceptional talent waiting to blow you away with a performance, a production or even just their personality! This man is no exception to the rule, in fact, he created the rule! He's just released his remix of Moony's 'I Don't Know Why', along with help from his partner in crime Morris Mavado, on Hed Kandi Records. Introducing...Steven Quarré.


Hi Steven, for the people that are just getting involved in the Hed Kandi scene, who is Steven Quarré, where are you from and how did you get involved in the industry?

Steven Quarré is a DJ/Producer from the Netherlands. I’m 28 years old and just love everything about music! I’ve listened to electronic music all my life but the moment I bought record players and a mixer was when it all started for me. From then on I started playing in clubs and parties and started to produce. Nowadays I travel around the world playing my music. It’s the best thing there is!!

Your remix of Moony ‘I Don’t Know Why’ with Morris Mavado has recently been released On Hed Kandi Records. How did you end up working with Morris and what was the inspiration behind the remix?

We met each other on a forum about music and producing and from there on we started making music, first more soulful and beach house but nowadays it’s more Bigroom stuff. Re the inspiration for the Moony remix: The inspiration was Brazil! I have been there 3 times now (in total 15 gigs) and this Moony track is still massive there. From all the remixes there are from this track there wasn’t really one which fits in my dj sets. So we tried to make one. And I think it worked out well!!

What’s the best party you’ve ever played at and why?

That would either be Space Ibiza, Piso 30 Bogota or Paka in Poland...and that’s just because the people went crazy! It’s all about the response of the crowd. It doesn’t matter how the club looks or if the people are yellow, blue or purple. I just love when people are having a good time with the music that i’m playing!

Recently you’ve been spinning records for Hed Kandi in Brazil! How did the Brazilian public respond to your set?

I think they really liked it to be honest. Well I hope they really liked it ;-) Brazilian people are a joy to play for. They are really responsive and from the moment they enter the club they start dancing. I always get a lot of reactions on my twitter and facebook from the Brazilian people so that’s a good sign!

Apart from your record bag...what essentials can you never travel without?

My Macbook. Travelling means a lot of waiting and my computer helps to make this as joyful as possible. I can make music on it, watch a movie, play games, surf the Internet. It makes travelling so much easier!

If there was an opportunity for you to work with any artist (dead or alive) in the music industry, who would it be and why?

Coldplay or Beyonce should be cool but house music wise it would be Axwell. He’s a genius!

Remixing Vs. original compositions. Which is your favourite?

I do like both. Creating something from scratch is amazing. Certainly when the track is finished and you can play it out. But making a remix around a vocal is cool to. It’s great to see you can make a total different track than the original.

Who do you think is really producing great music at the moment and who is your tip for stardom in 2011?

There are a few cool producers out there. Actually to many to name… I hope all of the guys who work hard for it get the credits they deserve!

What was the first record you ever bought?

Not sure, but probably something like Technotronics – pump up the jam…

Have you any exciting plans for 2011?

Release some cool productions and getting my twitter (www.twitter.com/stevenquarre ) to 100k followers… ;-)

Quick Fire Questions

What is the top track on your iPod at the moment?
Avicii’s essential mix.

Where do you see yourselves in 20 years time?
Still in the music industry. Maybe as a DJ, Producer, A&R or something but definitely something to do with music!

If you weren’t in the music industry and had to choose one of the following career paths, which would you follow and why? F1 driver, actor or a food taster?
Food taster. Definitely. I just love food!

What’s your favourite type of Kandi?
Something sweet…………

If you could get two people in the ring for a celebrity death match, who would you choose?
I don’t like a death match. Just make Love to each other!!!

Click Here to Listen / Buy - Moony - I Don't Know Why (Steven Quarré & Morris Mavado Remix)

This Saturday Steven will be gracing the decks at the one and only Es Paradis for Hed Kandi's Ibiza 2011 parties 'Disco's Revenge'. For full details and to purchase tickets, click here!

See you on the dancefloor...we'll bring Steven! xx