For the twenty-eight installment of our interview series, we introduce DJ Europarking.
The Dutchman artist has been making music for 20 years under different monikers like Dollkraut, De Ambassade and now DJ Europarking. He has built his career with a profound take on electronic music and challenging conventional boundaries, promoting inclusivity and vibrant expression in the music scene.
His sets consist of crafting a seductive old school, rave-inducing and techno loaded mix while incorporating a complimentary blend of modern electronic dance genres.
As a producer, DJ Europarking continues pushing his sound to the next level, and recently announced his third release entitled ‘The Legend of the Princess‘, that will be released on Ellen Allien’ UFO Inc. label on September 20th (Digitally), and September 30th (Physical Release). Pre order: Bandcamp
We chatted in depth with Pascal about his new EP, plus a few more aspects of his career, and it really was a very interesting chat. Read the full interview below.
Hello Pascal, it’s a pleasure having you in our interview series… ¿how are you and where in the world are you taking this interview?
My pleasure too! I’m good, I’m in Amsterdam in my cosy home.
¿Where does the name ‘DJ Europarking’ come from, does it have a meaning?
Well, for a while me and my lover we lived in the centre of Amsterdam. And when we looked outside our window there was a big car parking almost in front of our house. And this was the Europarking lot. So no meaning involved, just a perfect DJ name.
What styles or subgenres of electronic music are your favorites to play in your sets?
Always heading for tons of 90’s Belgian or Italian oldschool techno.
Golden ages of rave, well for me that is.
Also love a good Freetekno records from time to time.
¿When you’re not in the lineup, do you still go to clubs/festivals just to have fun or listen to other artists?
To dance of course! Dancing keeps me young.. Yeah it’s hard not to listen, that’s the downside of being an artist.
¿What has been the most challenging aspect of your career as a DJ/Producer, and how have you overcome it?
It’s no taboo to say that you can be fed up with the whole techno scene and especially how dependent it has become on big tech social media. Because sometimes the scene goes through developments that you can’t identify with at all.
How involved you used to be in the scene and how much you cared about it, now you see it turning into a carnival of superficial souls all with their own opinions displayed. This can be very demotivating. Butttt, by keeping on doing what you do best, in my case writing songs, you won’t be easily distracted by time consuming feeds or stories. In other words, you can showcase your career on big tech but do it responsibly. Yes I am on tha ‘Gram’ too!
¿What’s the concept behind your new EP ‘The Legend of The Princess’, and what can we expect to hear from it?
It’s kinda a split EP, but mixed up.. Get it..? 😉 No, it’s kinda like a happy videogame. Expect all kinds of adventures like diving in Acid, dreaming of gold but rather being an embezzler in eternity, but during Level 10 ending up fighting a bison. It’s all in there. Life is a game.
¿Can you tell us about the production processes and inspiration behind each track of the EP?
My plans for these tracks were not particularly significant. I had some sketches already going for a couple tracks, but ended up with these 4.
I just bought a new system with new routing possibilities so these were more like the first ones going thru it. Test cases really.
¿Could you tell us the story of how your tracks ended up being released on Ellen Alien’s labels?
I discovered she played an edit she did for an Ambassade track. So I got in touch and that’s where it all started really.
¿In brief terms, what would you highlight about each of your three releases on UFO.Inc records?
First: 20inch Chrome, hit record!
Second: Cantado, not techno, not latin, just fun!
Third: Level 10 (Princess Vs. Bison) I hope the Sega company will use this music for their next game.
¿What do you enjoy the most, producing music or DJing, and why?
Oehhh good one, I say sitting in my studio writing these tracks is such a feast.
¿How do you engage with your audience and create community through music and performances?
I always try to go to the front after a gig and say hi. I love it, it’s more fun than in the digital world.. I can recommend!
¿What do you think a DJ has to do today to stand out and be different from the rest in a world full of DJs?
What I said before.. Keep on doing what you do best and be different by just being yourself. The fakers will always fall faster than you.
¿Could you share a particularly rewarding or memorable achievement that stands out in your career and why it holds significance for you?
The fact that I have been making music for 20 years under different monikers like Dollkraut, De Ambassade and now DJ Europarking and still get appreciation for it, that to me is the greatest achievement of all.
¿Thanks for your time, to close the interview, what advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of becoming a music producer?
Don’t do it kids, GO TO SCHOOL!! But seriously, if your music makes the world feel good, you’re on the right track.
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Cover photo credits: Leroy Verbeet / IG: https://www.instagram.com/leroyverbeet?igsh=Yjc0Y2toYm1iMThz
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