The Kid Wonder, Our Interview With Martin Garrix
The 17 year old producer had already had a few Beatport #1’s in 2013, and he’s just getting started. Martin Garrix, the mastermind behind songs like “Animals” and “Wizard” was kind enough to sit down with us. We talked ghost producing, producing strategy, and more. Check out what Martin Garrix said in our interview below. Enjoy!
With so much success at such a young age, what do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
I really have no idea, I just really hope I can continue with what I’m doing and just keep on releasing the top tracks and doing shows. That’s really important to me.
How do you balance your musical career with your family and school as a 17-year-old?
My main focus is family and friends, then school. I’m attending an academy for producers, so it fits my schedule very well. Producing tracks is more important than doing shows right now because I can always do shows in a few years or later. I’m really in no hurry with the shows.
How was it being voted #40 in the DJ mag top 100?
It feels unreal! It feels crazy! We didn’t do any promotion and didn’t expect to even enter this year. At the manager meeting we said, “Hey, let’s not do any promotion because it looks bad if you do promo and don’t enter.” If your not entering the list why even do promo? So we decided this year we don’t do any promo and next year we’ll hopefully enter. We go a call from the DJ Mag guys like, “Hey you’re one of our entries!” It was definitely a big surprise for us and we thank so many people for it.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the music industry?
Tiesto! He is just so humble, so down to earth, so nice, and he really supports next generation of artists.
What is your opinion on the ghost producing epidemic, given your past experience?
I think it’s a good way for producers who don’t want to DJ to still put their music out. I started as a ghost producer. The way I got signed to Spinnin Records was because I ghost produced a track for them, but they didn’t know I produced the track but it got really big and somebody said to them, “Hey, but look at who produced the track” and my name was there. They invited me down to the office and it turned out really well. What I don’t like is if somebody is using a ghost producer and pretending like he’s producing everything himself.
Do you have any songs currently in the works that you can reveal for us?
I working on something with Tiesto. I’ve got like 4 or 5 other new tracks ready. I’m working on something with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. (Tremor) I just did a track with Dillon Francis that I’m really, really happy with. (Set Me Free) There are a lot of new tracks coming out.
How did your production strategy differ between songs like Keygen and Animals?
The whole club experience; they’re two totally different tracks. “Keygen” is more a song for the listeners while “Animals” is, in my eyes, more a song for the club. It turned out to be very well played on the radio was well, but it was original made as a club record by me. I wanted it to be played a festivals and clubs, but suddenly it got picked up by the radio. It wasn’t what I expected.
If you could collaborate with any artist, regardless of genre, who would it be and why?
Calvin Harris because he’s a boss, but also Lana Del Rey and Elle Goulding because their voices are great!
Do you have any tips for young, aspiring producers?
Lock yourselves in the studio. Don’t even worry about getting your tracks on a big label. If you just put it on soundcloud and forums, if your stuff is really good, after a while labels will find you anyways. So for me, I would just keep producing new tracks and lock yourself up during your free time, sit behind your computer and create music.
Where can we expect to see you in 2014?
I’m doing a big US tour in February, I’m doing my Australia at Night Tour in March. I got some really big other tours coming up. I’m going to release a lot of new tracks and stuff.
Take a listen to a few of Martin Garrix’s biggest hits below. Enjoy!
