Joining us at the Nexus Lounge, Amsterdam edition we spoke with San Holo about writing music, the joy of working with others, and how life inspires his work.
Over the last ten years, San Holo has really broken out into the music scene. Perhaps best known for his remix of “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre, he has a more punk-rock-inspired approach to dance music that serves to create a uniquely recognizable sound.
Now, he’s at a transitional point in his career, with his latest work centered around questions about life and the human experience. It’s a new and artistically bold approach, and, talking with San Holo; it’s clear that these questions are ever-present in his mind.
"Everything I make comes from the heart. I put all my love and soul into the music so it's all real. It's always real whether that's a year or ten years later… I change as a person but the music is always what remains true."
Exploring the inspirations behind his work, we asked how being Dutch had influenced his experience as an artist. Of course, when you’re steeped in the Amsterdam Dance Event’s immersive experience, it’s hard to deny just how diverse and fascinating Dutch dance music can be. San Holo said he attributes a lot of his success to being Dutch because it gave him an instinct for stubbornness.
"Dutch people can be a little bit stubborn. We like to do our own thing."
It’s certainly hard to deny that San Holo has always been an artist with the courage to follow his passions and create truly original work. Perhaps we could all learn to be a bit more stubborn when it comes to our creativity.
Many artists strive to send a message, and San Holo is no different. In his case, he says that love is the message of his music and that the most rewarding moments of his career have come from helping people.
Right now, while San Holo is working on new music, he’s also been playing all around the world, getting the chance to explore new cultures and the people who live there.
"It makes you realize that, in the end, we're all human. We're all the same."
If you’d like to learn more about San Holo, his musical process, his time at ADE, and the most interesting sample he’s ever used in his music, then why not check out the full, exclusive Nexus Radio interview? You can also follow his social media on Facebook for all the latest about his upcoming releases/concerts.
