Fulfilling every young European club enthusiasts dream and packing in his job to peruse a career in the ever-expanding realms of Electronic Music, Dutch newcomer Dannic is proving to be zero-76′s latest man about town. Brushing shoulders with formidable Breda peers Tiesto, Funkerman and enthusiastic friend turned label mate Hardwell, Dan Carter caught up with the charismatic Dutch newcomer to reveal what makes Holland’s next essential Progressive House asset tick amid his newfound adoration on the global club circuit.  

Where his grandfather’s classical collection provided a sound induction to his passion for music, a host of early club spots in his hometown of Breda would provide the opportunity for the 17-year-old to cut teeth on the smaller side of a very big movement in Holland’s positive musical motions. But having seen so many stars explode from his humble hometown, his sights were invariably set on that same glory from the outset. ‘I had already watched my idols such as Tiesto & Funkerman playing for thousands of people every night. I wanted that more than anything.’

His breakthrough may have finally come at the hands of a Dancetour remix competition for established Breda peer Funkerman, but having hit the ground running on the back of this impressive opportunity, the keen arsenal of well-developed tunes already behind him was a clear-cut indicator that the newfound Dutch contender was in it to win far more than a regional competition. Given the stage, Dannic rose to the occasion and made his first universal platform count with considerable vigour.

‘There are so many good DJ’s and producers in the Dutch scene that it’s hard to get involved. For me entering remix and DJ contests did the job eventually.  This would have meant nothing if I didn’t have my own baggage to show off once I was given the spotlight. Having your own music and an ongoing collection of ideas to show off is key to maintaining your popularity in this industry. You need to be proactive!’

Following on from the positive successions of his Dancetour contest efforts, Dannic’s ongoing ascent can be somewhat attributed to the devout enthusiasm of greater-known Dutch contender Robbert van de Corput, better known as the DJ Mag and Tiesto approved Progressive House connoisseur Hardwell. Forging their relationship over an array of mutual interests and enthusiasms, Dan believes that the mutuality that saw him don his breakthrough collaborative single ‘Get Down Girl’ and further revealed solo endeavours ‘Doster’ has been key to their ongoing joint onslaught of well-tuned anthems. Where other collectives produce, there is an air of universal consistency to their musical etiquette.

‘Knowing how to produce doesn’t make you a good producer. If you don’t have any feeling within music whatsoever then it is really hard to produce an amazing track. Robbert and I send each other everything, I ask his advice and he asks for mine. It’s really about having someone that gives you an honest opinion on your tracks. Robbert literally seems to hear everything and the way we work together keeps you focused and it’s fun at the same time.’

Set to drop their next collaborative endeaviur Kontiki in the next couple of months, the duo could be founding injecting that honest edge into a track just didn’t encapsulate their unique edge from the outset. ‘We played Kontiki for the first time at Sensation in Stockholm, but we weren’t completely happy with it. As a result, we ended up starting it from scratch and it turned out to be the best thing we could have done,’ He explained.

But with ‘Kontiki’ already doing the rounds in Hardwell’s own sets and the essential support of mutual hometown hero Tiesto for his forthcoming track ‘Pipleline’, the industry will be relieved to see that amid the trends of ‘one-trick’ ponies’ whom too often rise as quickly as they fall, Dannic is in this game for keeps. Having made his name as a part-timer with impressive consistency, his liberated ability to dedicate his life to the craft can only spell further positive movements on the horizon. ‘There are still so many clubs and festivals to play this year, but the most important thing is that I use this free time I now have to get in the studio,’ he explained, adding: ‘It feels great to have the time to do that and get my ideas blasting out whenever I can.’

On the route to the same universal infamy as his likeminded hometown peers have stumbled upon, Dannic has quickly realised you cannot hurry perfection. Given the positive movements made by his part-time efforts, his ability to take his sweet time from here onwards suggests this already well-ornamented producer is a force to be reckoned with on the ever-expanding Dutch scene that has become a notoriously universal outlet for all involved.

To his own mind, there is no rush to force his way through to the huge heights of musical infamy to which he is already leaning. ‘I can finish a track in one day, but sometimes when I have less inspiration it helps to clear your mind and give your ears some rest. You cannot rush these things and if you do, it will always reflect in the sound. Leave it and start the next day. It always helps me to empty my head and come up with fresh ideas.’

For the multitude of Dutch talents currently doing the rounds, Dannic’s remains one of the industry’s more organic and ongoing success stories to date. Set against the tides of change to which he has embraced with open arms, 2012 remains a field of promise for the already inaugurated future sound of the Netherlands.He may be wandering far further than the comfort zone of Breda, but in the same vein as so many of his likeminded peers from 076 – Dannic has certainly found his musical wings and a suitable breeze to set his legacy upon. 

‘Kontiki’ is out soon via Revealed Recordings.