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| Volume 11, No. 43 |
July 28-3, 2010 |
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| | Paul Van Dyk: DJ superstar, and humanitarian, heads to Club 101 | | By Lorenzo Alba, Jr. | |  In a nearly two-decade career, dance music phenomenon Paul van Dyk continues to top industry charts, win countless awards and run two radio shows. But he hasn’t lost sight of what’s important.
“I don’t believe that prizes or awards should have an impact on music in general – it’s about the art of making music,” said van Dyk in a phone interview from his native Berlin.
The world-famous DJ is among the few names you can look to for consistency in the growing electronic dance music industry. He headlines major music festivals, sells out tours and constantly releases new cutting-edge music.
“There are guys that are like Paul van Dyk, who are … well, global phenomena,” said local dance-music promoter Adam Lucero of SMG Events. “He is one of the forefathers of the modern electronic music scene, consistently ranked in the Top 10 electronic artists of the year. His roots and influence have helped make what was once considered very ‘underground’ into what is now accepted in many musical realms.”
Van Dyk’s world tour is making a long-awaited stop in El Paso at Club 101 on Sunday. Sebern, along with Zeller and Cromeens, will open the show.
“I’ve never been to El Paso, so I’m really looking forward to going there!” van Dyk said. “I love electronic music, and I love people that love electronic music. I’m looking forward to an awesome time in El Paso.”
Van Dyk’s album “Reflections” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2005 – the first year the category was recognized.
“The Grammy category does need some fine tuning because there are still compilations receiving nominations, and it’s really about the artist production and songwriting efforts,” van Dyk said.
The DJ is working on his new artist album, which should be out sometime next year, he said. His label VANDIT will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary on the last two days of Winter Music Festival in Miami next weekend.
“We’re releasing a three-CD compilation set in celebration of 10 years of VANDIT,” he said. “These are all the best releases on the label.”
And the awards keep streaming in. Last year he was voted Best Euro DJ at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami during Winter Music Conference. He continues to remix some of the best, such as Depeche Mode, and expand into music production for video game and movies; in 2004, he won the Mexican version of the Oscar for the soundtrack to the film, “Zurdo.”
Eric Cromeens, one-half of El Paso duo Zeller and Cromeens, said he admired the headliner.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than Paul van Dyk,” he said. “He’s one of the best, if not the best, at what he does. Over the years, he’s remained consistent and remains at the top of his game because of the quality of his music.”
Van Dyk’s radio shows – “Paul van Dyk’s VONYC” on XM Satellite Radio’s Area Channel and “Soundgarden” on Fritz Radio and Galaxy FM – continue to capture listeners and a fan base that is comparable to any American pop or rock star.
And on top of the musical acclaim, he finds the time to stay aware of social needs in his native Berlin. Raised in communist East Berlin, he eventually fled to the West over the Berlin Wall. He never forgot his humble beginnings and has dedicated much of his life, time and money to social justice.
He began a children’s charity in Mumbai, India, and another in Berlin, partnering with the German Red Cross.
“The problem of poverty is still there and the idea is for the charities to have longevity, to be there until the children can take care of themselves, that is the goal,” van Dyk said. “We want to provide medical services, education and anything more that might help a child in need. I may be the one who initiated some of these projects, but they would not be possible without the volunteers.”
The DJ recently received the Landesverdienstorden, Berlin’s Medal of Honor, in recognition for his work with Ruckenwind, the children’s charity he established to help the poor children of Berlin.
Paul van Dyk
with Sebern
and Zeller and Cromeens
Club 101, 1148 Airway Blvd.
Sunday, March 21, 8 p.m.
$25, all ages
Tickets available at Ticketbully.com
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