Superstar Dutch DJ and producer Sander Kleinenberg has built his
international reputation on an ability to create different atmospheres,
for myriad crowds, at venues all over the world.
Kleinenberg
is not only an artist who declines to stick to a single, easily defined
sound, he also utilizes more than one medium to create a night out.
Long at the forefront of integrating video imagery and other visuals in
his VDJ sets, Sander includes Pioneer among his sponsors for these
innovative performances. The manufacturer has been involved with
outfitting select clubs around the world with the SVM-1000 audio-visual
mixer (which Kleinenberg helped develop), DVJ players, plasma
televisions, and other custom video installations exclusively for his
performances.
Integrating music and images single-handedly
requires sharpened skills and on-the-fly invention. "Now, in the
process of DJing, I am in control of another dimensions. The thought
processes are not just about music; there is a visual element as well."
Which allows his to shape his identity, and stimulate crowds, in a host
of fresh ways. "This is a whole new way of looking at what you do
creatively. In the end, that is very challenging. It makes you more
versatile as well. I love keeping on my toes."
Sander will
continue to show off his aesthetic flexibility at residencies around
the world during the course of the year, including Pacha in Ibiza,
Avalon in Los Angeles, Ministry of Sound in London, and Paradiso in
Amsterdam.
Each of these gigs affords him unique creative
opportunities; the exclusivity and luxury of Pacha elicits different
impulses from him than the storied, historic Avalon, pristine sound
quality of the Box main room at Ministry of Sound, or the iconic pop
temple status of Paradiso for example. Which is how he likes it.
"Residencies are like laboratories: You can go in and experiment. As
you get to know the sound system and the clientele, and become
comfortable, you have more faith in each potential change of
direction."
Kleinenberg is also hitting the summer festival
circuit, with performances scheduled at Global Gathering, SW4, Exit
Festival, Extrema Outdoor, Lovelands and more to be announced.
So
his calendar is jam-packed. But for Sander, there is always still more
to do. The head of his own Little Mountain Recordings label, and a
producer of sublime original tracks that elude being easily
date-stamped, Kleinenberg plans to tap into all the facets of his
creativity for his debut artist album, which he has been working
furiously in the studio to complete over the past year with the one and
only Josh Gabriel. "I am working on a definitive document," he hints.
"I want to create a real landmark, both visually and musically, where I
say, 'This has been my journey over the last twenty years… and this is
where I am now.'"