The Zane Lowe Interview Series cover image

The Zane Lowe Interview Series

Hardwell

Jul 7, 2022
Hardwell, a DJ who recently made a comeback after taking a break due to health issues, discusses his return to music, the craft of DJing, his relationships with Swedish House Mafia and Tiësto, the influence of electronic music and Dutch dance, the supportive Dutch electronic music scene, exploring genres and personal reflection, reconnecting with his team and peers in the DJ industry, taking a break and prioritizing health, and his admiration for musician and producer Tim.
45:51

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The EDM boom shifted the focus of DJing to business and formulaic performances, leading to a sense of detachment for Hardwell.
  • Taking a break allowed Hardwell to reflect on himself as an artist, escape formulaic approaches, and explore new sounds.

Deep dives

The Struggle of EDM in the DJing Era

Hardwell reflects on the EDM boom and its impact on the DJing experience. He describes feeling detached from the music and the audience at times, as the focus shifted to business and formulaic performances. The pressure to maintain success and the fear of losing one's position in the industry were also discussed. Despite the challenges, Hardwell emphasizes the importance of taking a break to focus on personal growth and reconnect with one's own music. He shares his journey of rediscovering his passion and creating a new album that reflects his authentic self.

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