What the F…it’s Ferry Corsten!
Dutch superstar DJ, Ferry Corsten has landed in Australia for his up and coming performance at Ultra Australia this Saturday and he is so glad to be back in the country especially on behalf of the international touring brand Ultra. While he is here he is slatted to play a string of headlining sideshows including Elysium’s Roof Top Party on Sunday in Sydney. We had the absolute pleasure to be able to ask the trance master about Ultra, his views on a changing industry and of course when we can expect a new Ferry Corsten album.
Ferry, you have just landed downunder for the 2023 edition of Ultra Australia, are you excited to be a part of this huge international festival event?
I can’t wait to be back in Australia and perform at Ultra. It’s a great line-up and I’m excited to be a part of it. And of course, it’s always a pleasure to party with Australian festivalgoers who never fail to bring immense energy to the show.
What has been your experience of the Australian music scene?
I’ve been coming to Australia for years now and I love spending time here. Sydney in particular brings back a lot of good memories, just last year I brought my What The F! show to the city which was so much fun.
What are the essentials you have to remember to pack for an international tour?
My laptop for sure! I’ve got everything I need to connect to my studio back at home and it allows to continue producing while travelling. I’ve developed a bit of a structure/schedule while travelling where pretty much everything is down to producing and prepping before every show.
“there are not many festivals that have lasted and/or expanded Ultra is one that has been able to do that”
What do you think makes Ultra such a special and successful series of events around the world?
Over the years, there are not many festivals that have lasted and/or expanded Ultra is one that has been able to do that. I’m very proud that over my career that I have been able to play at numerous Ultra festivals around the globe. It’s fantastic!
From your back catalogue what is the one song you always include in a festival set?
Over the years, I’ve produced so many tracks so I try to rotate some of my back catalogue. At the moment it’s Ferry Corsten “Punk.”
Sideshows are part of big festival tours these days; do you prepare differently for these shows? Does your set preparation differ?
Festival sets are typically shorter in length than the club shows, so I definitely try to put a lot more punch and energy into my selections when preparing for festival sets. However, I do try and keep the essence of how I DJ in longer club sets prominent also.
“A lot of tracks are credited to my aliases so often people don’t realise that it was me behind it”
In 2022 you created a new tour concept, ‘What the F, what makes these shows different to others?
The idea for What The F! first came from my fans asking me to do an open to close set. Over the years, I’d played various producer sets of exclusively my own music and the energy at these nights was crazy. Looking back on how much music I’ve produced over the years, and the range of genres, I thought why not create my own open-close producer set. A lot of tracks are credited to my aliases so often people don’t realise that it was me behind it. I pictured the expression on their faces when they’d realise, and go … What The F*ck… he made that as well? And that’s where the name What The F! came from.
You have your own established your own ‘Flashover Recordings’. Why did you decide to establish your own label, what made you make this leap to label owner?
Since I produce my own music, it has always been important for me to have the free reign to release what I want. Having a label like Flashover gives me the freedom to do this. It also allows me to support and work with other music producers who I admire and give them a platform to get their music heard.
“I have a lot of fun working on my Resonation Radio show which is recorded every Wednesday in the ASOT studio”
You also do a weekly radio show called ‘Resonation Radio’, what can listeners expect when tuning in?
I have a lot of fun working on my Resonation Radio show which is recorded every Wednesday in the ASOT studio. Last October we celebrated the 100th episode with a party at Amsterdam Dance Event which was an amazing milestone. When you tune in you can expect to hear a diverse range of genres from progressive house to melodic techno, really any tracks that I’m enjoying at the moment.
You have had some high-profile guests and even celebrated your 100th show, are there any particularly stand-out moments in your time on air?
The 100th party was particularly fun. We had back-to-back beats from Jesse Hummen, Tritonal, Kryder, Marco V Vision 20/20 and Matt Fax, and jumped behind the decks too. Here’s to the next 100!
You have recorded and released under many names including System F, FERR and Moonman, did this add an extra challenge in building your reputation as artist? What were the advantages and disadvantages of using different names?
The various aliases came from when I wasn’t yet DJing and I was simply producing too much music for one label. So, by releasing under different names I could release through various labels. When I started my own label ‘Tsunami’ I created what looked like different artists to make it seem I had a roster, but ultimately, it was all me. That’s one of the joys about my What The F! tour now, people can hear music from my aliases that they might not have realised was produced by me.
“I’ve always thought that I was the luckiest guy in the world to be able to have a job that I consider a hobby”
You have been a part of the industry for over twenty years, in that time what would you say have been the positive and negative changes in your opinion?
I’ve always thought that I was the luckiest guy in the world to be able to have a job that I consider a hobby. In the last 20 years it’s been a lot easier for people to share their music and thus have more opportunity for people to create their own tribe which is amazing. On the other hand, nowadays I find it frustrating how people would rather have their phones out and taking picture and videos than being there for the music in that moment and enjoying it!
Being an Artist and a label owner, what are your thoughts on streaming services? Are they helping or hurting the industry?
Both! On the one hand, it’s great how through streaming anybody can have a potentially larger reach and get their music heard across the globe much easier. On the other hand, if you look at what an artist earns from each track, it’s such a tiny piece of the pie.
“I’m particularly fond of ‘Rock Your Body Rock’ because it is such an amalgamation of influences with sounds from almost every genre”
From your back catalogue do you have a favourite track or album and if so, what makes that one so special?
Honestly, it’s really hard to pick just one. However, I’m particularly fond of ‘Rock Your Body Rock’ because it is such an amalgamation of influences with sounds from almost every genre. My ‘Blueprint’ album is also a special release because of the scale of the project and how much fun it was to produce.
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
I am very lucky to have a job that is based on my passion. When I first started making music as a teenager, I had always hoped that I could make a career out of it, but I never thought it would happen as quickly as it did. The success I had with my alias System F at that time really jump started my career. Without that I would have never been able to get to where I am today.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My team at home, Jesse, Joeri, Vass, Jo, Roland, David, and Taj. They are normally behind the scenes but work around the clock and are always on hand. I’m very lucky to have them with me in the team. Last but not the least, my family. They keep my world turning.
What does the future hold for Ferry Corsten? Where would you like to see yourself, your career and your label in five years’ time?
I’m currently working on my latest artist album which will be released later this year. It’s been a pretty intense time for myself right now, trying to get everything done and sound the way I want it to, but it’s all coming together. I can’t wait to tour with the concept in 2024. Stay tuned!
Interview by Michelle Symes
April 2023
