Sander Kleinenberg talks to Skiddle ahead of The Ministry of Sound this Friday

This Friday sees Dutch deck maestro Sander Kleinenberg steer the good ship Gallery at The Ministry of Sound.

We caught up with him for a chat about musical influences past and present, how technology might shape the future of DJing, and why he won't be rushing into a second album. 

You're known for your eclectic style which seems to resist being pigeonholed in any one genre. But what musical elements or influences do you think bind a Sander Kleinenberg set together?

My DJ-sets are like little musical journeys, which have a beginning, a middle and an end. The thing that binds them together are funk, soul, bass, and a whole lotta fun. I want my music to be forward thinking, fresh and relevant. 

What was it that shaped your musical development growing up in Holland? Were there any specific artists that were particularly inspirational to you?

As mentioned in my previous answer, my musical taste is as varied as can be. I am and was looking for originality as a main directional guide growing up musically. I specifically admire artists who are individual and are not scared of change. Change is where the exciting stuff happens. 

How did you first get into DJing?

I started DJing at school parties and ever since slowly grew as a DJ to what a DJ has become. I never started this as a career, I started this because I love music and wanted to share that passion.

You're known as one of the pioneers of mixing music and visuals, having helped develop the SVM av mixer with Pioneer. Is the visual element an essential component of your sets? Why is it it so important?

The visual element is a component of my sets. It's a dimension I embraced to continue to bring an original vibe to the clubs and festivals I play at. I can set my own moods and create atmospheres by combining music and visuals in the best way possible so that when you see and hear a Sander Kleinenberg set you are experiencing something unique.

You're always quick to adopt new technologies and incorporate them into your work… what do you think the next few years will bring as far as DJ technology goes?

With what technology offers nowadays a DJ in more and more ways is becoming a performing artist that doesn't rely only on other people's creative output but has the possibilities to manipulate and create his or her own creative musical journeys. As a matter of fact the question is can modern electronica heroes still be seen as DJs? the future will bring unique artists with unlimited possibilities to audio visually stimulate and woo crowds. This is hardly what the 'traditional DJ' was capable of.

Your debut artist album 5k was released earlier this year. After nearly 20 years of DJing, what fresh challenges did the album present you as an artist?

It was a very hard process for me. I tried to translate a lot of personal elements into the album but felt in that process a constant struggle with the DJ inside me that simple wants to entertain crowds in clubs. I'm definitely glad I got it out of my system but I don't think you will see another album coming out of me quickly. After this album I realised that I wanted to go back to producing music that feeds my DJ performances by creating music that I can actually play. 

How long was 5k in the making?

Far too long. 

There's a really broad selection of artists involved with the album. How did you choose them? Were they all people that you'd wanted to work with for a long time?

Most of the people that I worked with on the album are friends and family. But again, the process of creating this album was influenced by so many different directions and artists it was hard to keep a general theme. Maybe one day I can look back at it and be happy about it, but again, at the moment I feel like it was maybe a bit too far away from 'Sander Kleinenberg the DJ'.

Your pairing with Jamie Cullum on 'Remember When' seems an unlikely one at first glance. How did that come about?

Jamie had expressed his love for electronic music in various interviews and when asked in one interview which people inspired him he talked about my mix compilations. I met him and we started talking about his love for club music and decided that it would be fun to work on something together. 'Remember When' was a down tempo dark record. We recently got together and recorded another record which is more clubby. 

So no plans for a second album?

As a said before, not really. I want to focus on club records. 

Looking back over a career that spans nearly 20 years, is there anything that you wish you'd done differently?

Every day I take a look in the mirror and count my blessings. It is unbelievable that a kid with a dream from the east of the Netherlands was able to do what I'm doing. Looking back there's not one single thing that I dare to point out that I could've or would've done differently because I feel this career is the biggest gift I've ever got. 

What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?

Always bear in mind if it's worth it. 

You're headlining Ministry of Sound on December 2nd. What can fans expect from this show? Are you going all out?

All of the above put together in a musical blender and sprayed over the crowd in an epic celebration of life and love. 

What's next for you? Any big plans in the pipeline for the next year or so?

After my album and my pioneering work in video DJing I decided to go back to the club. So in the last 12 months I've been working into creating a sound that will represent me for the next 20 years. I can't fucking wait to unleash these lil' monsters! 

Interview: JR

Catch Sander doing what he does best at Ministry of Sound this Friday. Tickets are available below. 

Buy tickets for The Gallery presents Sander Kleinenberg at The Ministry of Sound 

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