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News: Mightyfools are smart
One of 2009’s biggest success stories of Dutch dance – if not the biggest – is Mightyfools. Two young producers and djs from the smalltown of Hilversum catapulted from nobodies to internationally touring ‘superstars’ within ten months. “Last year we didn’t exist, this year we spin at the Amsterdam Dance Event.” And it all started in an empty disco.
Mightyfools are Jelle Keizer (22) and Andy Samin (19). They met when both upstart jocks were booked at the same venue. Jelle Keizer: “The club was empty, Andy was my audience and I was his.” They listened to the other’s record selection and concluded they had more in common than just a miserable dj experience. “One week later we met up and that same afternoon, we recorded our first track together.”
Mightfools’ debut release hit the digital platforms on September 29, 2008; the Foolish EP came out via UK label Venga Digital Recordings. All five Mightyfools ‘platters’ so far are digital releases, through Potty Mouth Music (Chicago) and BMKLTSCH (Netherlands). Their tracks have been caned by the likes of The Crookers in Italy, DJ Kraze in The States, Don Diablo in Holland and Judge Jules in the UK. Their appeal is global and instantaneously. Just one year ago, a career in music was a glimmer in Keizer’s and Samin’s eyes. Since than, they gigged in England and toured Australia, with a North America tour (Hollywood, New York, Canada, Mexico) scheduled for this Fall. And they’ve been asked back down under, next year they’ll return to Australia. It’s been one crazy year for Mightyfools, are their heads spinning? “When you step out of it for a few hours every once in a while, it’s okay”, Keizer says. “The dj life is pretty hectic.”
Upbeat vibe
And it’s exactly that – the dj life – that inspired to Keizer to spin records. “This is a dream come true”, he muses. “I learned about electronic club music through 2 Unlimited. In high school, I was a big happy hardcore fan. I liked the energy, that upbeat vibe. However, it was after seeing the videoclip for Charlie Lownoise & Mental Theo’s Your Smile [1997] that I wanted to be a dj myself. That clip showed the dj lifestyle: the planes, the sold-out venues, the crowd reactions. So I started saving up money and at the age of 14 I bought my first decks. Two years later I started spinning, though gigs were very hard to come by.”
That has changed. Straddling the middleground of electro and house, Mightyfools have rocked clubs on three continents over the last couple of months. On average, they do four gigs per weekend; it used to be one every other month. What made the difference? Keizer: “Timing and luck. We did a bootleg remix that was picked up by [Italian electro-house stalwarts] The Crookers; that raised our profile significantly. And it was the right sound at the right time, which is luck. Dutch promoters have been very supportive and, if I may say so, our dj sets are solid.”
Despite their young age and lack of experience, Mightyfools are wise enough not to burn themselves out or paint themselves into a corner. “Maybe we’re hot now, but it’s too early to do an album. For the time being, we’re happy to do club tracks and remixes. We haven’t settled on a sound yet. We cherish our freedom.” Nice going, guys.
Mighty Fools at ADE: New Cake Label Night, Winston, Thursday October 22
Source: DJ Broadcast / Alfred Bos
Return to the Dutch guide to ADE 2009 index
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“If you are inspiring DJ or you want to start and don’t know where to begin, or you have an idea but need to fine tune that, or if you’ve been in the game for ages and want an insight into what’s going on then the Amsterdam Dance Event is the place to get it.”Lucien Foort