Interview With Mr. Belt & Wezol
Into the world of Mr. Belt & Wezol: an electronic music duo known for their retro-modern sound. Explore their journey, achievements & aspirations.
In this exclusive feature, Techno Airlines brings you an in-depth Q&A interview with Mr. Belt & Wezol, one of the most exciting and dynamic duos in the electronic music scene.
Known for their unique blend of retro and contemporary sounds, this Dutch pair has captivated audiences worldwide. Join us as we delve into their journey, achievements, personal insights, and future aspirations.
Who Are Mr. Belt & Wezol?
Background
Mr. Belt & Wezol, a Dutch electronic music duo, consists of DJ Bart Riem and DJ/Producer Sam van Wees. Hailing from the vibrant music scene of the Netherlands, they have managed to carve out a distinctive niche for themselves with their eclectic sound.
The duo’s formation is a testament to their shared passion for music and complementary talents. Bart, known as Mr. Belt, brings a charismatic energy to their performances, while Sam, aka Wezol, infuses their productions with a creative flair that resonates deeply with fans.
Musical Style and Influence
Their music is an innovative fusion of retro influences and modern house music. They expertly combine the familiar sounds of the past with fresh, contemporary beats, creating a nostalgic yet refreshing experience for listeners.
Tracks like “I Feel Love” and “New Millenium” showcase their ability to blend catchy melodies with infectious rhythms, making their music a staple in clubs and festivals worldwide.
The duo’s approach to music production involves a meticulous selection of samples, ensuring that each track strikes a perfect balance between the known and the unknown.
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Achievements and Recognition
Notable Tracks
Mr. Belt & Wezol‘s rise to fame is marked by several key tracks that have left an indelible mark on the electronic music landscape. In 2015, their tracks “Finally” and “Somebody to Love” climbed to the top 10 of Beatport’s charts, staying there for several weeks.
These songs not only solidified their reputation as talented producers but also highlighted their ability to create music that resonates with a global audience.
Awards and Honors
The duo’s talent and hard work were recognized internationally in 2016 when they won the “Breakthrough Artist of The Year” award at the Annual International Dance Music Awards.
This accolade was a significant milestone, acknowledging their impact on the electronic music scene and their potential to shape its future.
Major Performances
Mr. Belt & Wezol have graced the stages of some of the world’s most renowned music festivals, including Tomorrowland, Mysteryland, and Ultra. These performances have broadened their fanbase and showcased their ability to engage and entertain large crowds.
One of their most unique contributions to the festival scene is their “The Cuckoo’s Nest” events. These intimate gatherings, held at venues like Colorado Charlie on the Dutch coast, allow the duo to connect deeply with their audience, creating unforgettable experiences for fans.
Personal Insights
Inspiration and Creative Process
Sam van Wees describes inspiration as a complex and elusive concept. He believes that sometimes creativity flows effortlessly, resulting in a week full of productive studio sessions, while other times, it can be a struggle to create anything substantial.
This unpredictable nature of inspiration keeps the creative process exciting and challenging. Sam’s approach to starting a new project often involves a unique sound or sample to spark creativity, which then evolves organically into a full track. This method highlights their innovative spirit and dedication to their craft.
Significant Milestones
One pivotal moment in their journey was Sam’s early encounter with a synthesizer, which ignited his passion for electronic music. This fascination led him to dive deeper into music production at a young age.
Another significant milestone was their first label release on Love Not Money Records. This achievement marked a turning point, proving that their music had the potential to reach a wider audience and establish them as serious contenders in the music industry.
Challenges and Triumphs
The path to success was not without its challenges. Mr. Belt & Wezol faced the common struggle of gaining recognition in a saturated market.
Initially, they released numerous tracks for free on platforms like SoundCloud, often feeling as though their music was disappearing into the void.
However, their persistence and passion paid off, allowing them to build a dedicated fanbase and eventually break through to wider acclaim. Bart emphasizes the importance of balance, noting that maintaining a healthy personal life alongside a demanding music career is crucial for long-term success.
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Life and Lifestyle
Personal Life
Outside the music scene, Bart and Sam are down-to-earth individuals who enjoy a variety of hobbies. Their interests range from designing visuals and artwork to engaging in other creative pursuits.
They also value maintaining a work-life balance, ensuring they have time for family, friends, and personal health. This holistic approach to life helps them stay grounded and inspired, both in and out of the studio.
Interaction With Fans
Engaging with their audience is a priority for Mr. Belt & Wezol. They cherish their intimate connection with their fans, particularly through their “The Cuckoo’s Nest” events.
These gatherings are special because they allow for direct interaction in a relaxed setting, fostering a sense of community and mutual appreciation. Whether chatting with fans or playing extended sets, Bart and Sam make a concerted effort to be approachable and genuine.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Mr. Belt & Wezol have ambitious goals. One of their dreams is to perform a solo show at Gashouder in Amsterdam, a venue that holds sentimental value for both of them.
Additionally, they have a deep affection for Japan and hope to return there for more performances in the near future. These aspirations reflect their desire to continue growing as artists and exploring new opportunities worldwide.
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The Interview: Q&A Highlights
In our exclusive Q&A interview, Mr. Belt & Wezol shared their thoughts on various topics. They discussed the elusive nature of inspiration, their creative process, and the significant milestones in their careers.
The duo also opened up about the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, offering valuable insights into their journey. Their candid responses provide a deeper understanding of their artistry and personal philosophies, making this interview a must-read for fans and aspiring musicians alike.
1- What inspires you the most in your life, and how do you incorporate these sources of inspiration into your creative process?
Answer / Sam (Wezol): “I always find inspiration a tricky thing because it’s such a vague term. For me, inspiration doesn’t seem to exist. Working a whole week in the studio sometimes results in a couple of really cool projects; sometimes, it doesn’t result in anything useful. I can’t understand why sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not. I wish the whole inspiration thing did exist for me because if so, I could influence that, be more consistent in the studio, and create good music all the time. One day, maybe I’ll find out. But maybe not always succeeding in creating a great track is part of a journey towards studio-happiness as well. Because what would be the fun in constantly creating good tracks? No highs without the lows, I guess.”
2- What period or event in your artistic journey has had the most significant impact on you?
Answer / Sam (Wezol): “I still remember the first time I heard a synthesizer on the radio while I was in the backseat of my parent’s car. I had no idea what kind of sound it was, since I never consciously heard a synthesizer before. I was wondering what that sound was and asked my parents. They explained to me that a synthesizer doesn’t have one sound like a trumpet, but you can create all sorts of sounds with it. I then dived deeper into the electronic music scene and got my first music production software on my 12th birthday. That’s what initially sparked my interest in producing music. Another contestant for the most significant impact is our first label release on Love Not Money Records with Mr. Belt & Wezol. When we started out with this project, we were just messing around a bit. However, a label interested in releasing Mr. Belt & Wezol’s music showed that we could start a career in music.”
3- Which three words would you use to describe your life, and why?
Answer / Bart (Mr. Belt): “Creative: I think being creative is the most fun thing about this life! We get the chance to create new things every day and call it our job. It’s pretty crazy if you think about it, not only in music but also in creating content, designing/creating artwork, visuals, or music videos. I think the balance would be the second one; finding the right balance between work, family/friends, your girlfriend, other hobbies, working out, and staying healthy is often very hard. Sometimes it can be so tempting to spend all your time on this project, that we forget those other 5 (also very important) key elements. I think this is something familiar to everyone in this work field out there, right? And lastly, luck. Very cheesy, but I truly feel lucky to play house music all over the world with one of my best friends by my side.”
4- Can you share some insights about the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame them?
Answer / Sam (Wezol): “Of course the hardest challenge in any music career is to initially get noticed by a broader audience. Any beginning or ‘professional’ music artist will have a period in their life where they released music, but didn’t gain any recognition for it. For some artists, this period remains a lifetime. This is fine, because if you truly love creating music it doesn’t matter if you gain recognition from it or not. But if you want to have a career in the music industry, these first steps are always the hardest. We had these challenges as well. The amount of tracks we put up for free download on our SoundCloud page back in the day is insane. Especially in the beginning, it just feels like you’re uploading music into the black void of the internet, never to be listened to again. When you get older, life also gets in the way: you need to study for school, maintain a social circle, etc. And you start thinking, I’ll start spending my free time on something more productive. It’s the constant postponing of this train of thought that makes the difference between making a career in the music industry and keeping music as a hobby. Everyone can learn how to produce a song within a day, but to really become noticeably good at something, you need to spend a lot of time on it and, therefore, sometimes sacrifice other things. This remains a challenge throughout my career, but you just gotta keep at it.”
5- How do you aim to interact and communicate with your audience or viewers throughout your life?
Answer / Bart (Mr. Belt): “Every summer, we organize our own events called The Cuckoo’s Nest on the beach in the Netherlands. We do this in a very intimate venue called Colorado Charlie, and 99% of the visitors, especially, bought tickets to see us. The crowd is very close to and around the DJ booth, the sun is setting, we play a 3-hour closing set, and during these nights, we always get the chance to really connect with our audience. We always try to be there from the beginning until the end, walking around and talking to as many people as possible. There are still five more events to come this summer, so if you get the chance, you should definitely come and hang out!”
6- Which of your works holds a special meaning for you and why?
Answer / Bart (Mr. Belt): That’d be ‘Homeless’. It’s one of the first tracks we released as Mr. Belt & Wezol, and we still play it to this day. It’s still a highlight during our shows, and it shows that we haven’t changed much over the years.”
7- What are your thoughts on the role and impact of your life in society?
Answer / Sam (Wezol): “Haha, this always makes up for an interesting discussion, I think. We work in the entertainment sector. I mean, why do people listen to music or go to festivals? To be entertained mostly, I guess? So that basically means that we, as DJs, are entertainers. So, the next question is: What kind of value does entertainment give to society? If there is any value there, I guess it’s ‘letting off steam’. I can imagine people working hard all week and rewarding themselves by going to a festival on the weekends. We’re there to entertain and let these people let off steam. That’s our role and how we impact society. It’s up to you whether you think that’s worth something. Another thing we try to do is to encourage people to be themselves. We see that some artists see themselves as some kind of above-average human, as if they possess something that other people do not have. As if they hold more interesting thoughts or values or create more interesting music. We don’t share this sentiment at all. We’re all somewhat the same and would never feel too good to do anything, listen to any track, or diminish any music genre. That’s what we try to show throughout our social media.”
8- What does your creative process look like, and do you have any routines or rituals when working on a piece?
Answer / Sam (Wezol): “I’m a sucker for project-starters. I absolutely need a vocal, a specific sound, or a sample to start my project with; otherwise, I feel like I’m messing around too much. It could even be a simple high-pitched string note, so I have some kind of key reference to create chords or a melody around. In the end, I often even remove the starter sound or sample. It’s just to kickstart the project. Once I got a starter sound, I completely let go of any sort of process. I just do things that my brain tells me to do. I’ve gotten used to not resisting that feeling and trying to get into the flow of creating music. No routines or rituals as well, just a good chair, a cup of coffee, and 8 hours of no interruption if possible.”
9- What are some projects or goals you hope to achieve with your life in the future?
Answer / Bart (Mr. Belt): “We’re pretty happy as is. But if I’d have to answer… There’s a venue in Amsterdam which is called ‘Gashouder’. It used to be an old gasworks. We’ve been going there since we were young, so it’s always been a special venue for us. If we’d manage to do a solo show there one day, it’d be the cherry on top of our careers. We also absolutely love going to Japan, so we’d definitely be happy to return there for some shows in the near future.”
Conclusion & Reflection on The Interview
This Q&A interview provides a comprehensive look into Mr. Belt & Wezol‘s world, showcasing their unique blend of creativity, perseverance, and passion for music.
Their journey is a testament to the power of dedication and innovation in the ever-evolving electronic music scene. Through their music and interactions, they continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the globe.
What do you think? Do you have anything to ask Mr. Belt & Wezol, or have we missed anything? Let us know in the comment section below.
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