Oliver Heldens Preps for NYE

Oliver Heldens Preps for NYE: Dutch star Oliver Heldens started DJing and producing when he was 12 years old though he admits that, in the beginning, he had no idea what he was doing.

“At that time, I was more occupied playing sports and video games with friends, and high school,” Heldens says. “However, when I was 15, I started to get very dedicated, and since then, I learned and developed very fast. In 2012 things got serious when my dream record label at that time, Spinnin’ Records, offered a 17-year-old me a record deal. A year later, I made the track ‘Gecko’ which ended up becoming my big breakthrough hit. At the same time, my ‘Heldeep Mixtapes’ started to blow up on SoundCloud, and from there, I started to get a packed touring schedule in 2014 and onwards.”

Hedrens describes his sound as versatile.

“Overall it’s quite melodic, but it still has groove, energy, power, and flow, mixed smoothly with all kinds of vocals too,” he says. “Then under my HI-LO alias, it’s a bit darker and more intense, more techno-focused. I’ve also been experimenting with higher bpm EuroDance, Trance, and Rave-influenced stuff for the last couple of years. Mixing this all together at a show usually results in a fun, eclectic journey.”

The artist enjoys the fact that electronic music today isn’t as hindered by boundaries.

“DJs, promoters, fans, etc., have all become more open-minded in general,” he says. “Coming from the more ‘commercial’ side of dance music, for example, the way I broke through in the techno world with my HI-LO project in the last couple of years, would most likely not have been possible 10 years ago.  Anyway I do believe the less that artists are worried about being perceived as ‘cool’, the more likely their art will be fresh and exciting. The less you fit in, the more you actually stand out.”

Heldens performs at Exchange in L.A. on New Year’s Eve.

“With lots of exciting mashups as well,’ he says. “I’ll probably start a bit more house leaning and then take the crowd on a journey, building towards a high energy end mixing EuroDance, trance, hard) techno, and maybe even some drum ‘n’ bass. While still keeping things fun and melodic overall. L.A. is in for a treat! In my career, I haven’t had as much fun DJing as I’m having today, and I think that shows.”

Looking ahead, Heldens has plenty planned for 2024.

“Besides touring, I’ve been in the studio a lot, and I’ve got lots of new music coming,” he says. “A rework I did with Ian Asher of the iconic ‘Mas Que Nada’ by Sergio Mendes is coming on Jan 12. Next month I’m also dropping 2 techno bangers with Space 92 (under my HI-LO alias), and then there are more HI-LO tracks coming with Armin van Buuren, Eli Brown, and ZHU. In February, I’m dropping a really big melodic house anthem with FAST BOY. Then after that, there’s a massive EuroDance/Trance song coming with a pop star who I can’t mention yet. And much more! Thank you for listening.”

Oliver Heldens Preps for NYE: Oliver Heldens performs at 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 31 at Exchange.

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