The Qontinent belooft het ultieme party-weekend voor de harder styles te worden, en Hardtraxx is daar bij. Op 13 augustus, de vooravond van het festival, hosten wij een Hardtraxx Future Stage op de camping. Vandaag presenteren wij jullie de line-up hiervan.

Hardtraxx werd gevraagd door Q-dance en Bass Events om een Hardtraxx Future Stage te hosten. Dit aanbod namen wij natuurlijk met open armen aan. Nu de voorbereidingen inmiddels in volle gang zijn presenteren wij de line-up van deze stage:

Hardtraxx Future Stage:
In-Phase (NL/BE)
Heatzone (NL/DK)
Jones (NL)
Waverider (NL)
San Miquel (NL)
Mind.Illusion (NL)
Outlander (BE)
Unloaders (BE)

De camping
De Hardtraxx Future Stage bevindt zich op de naastgelegen festival camping. Deze camping opent vanaf vrijdag 13 augustus om 17.00 haar deuren. Van 18.00 tot 00.00 zal de Hardtraxx Future Stage een nieuwe editie van The Qontinent inluiden met opkomende talenten. Deze stage is dus gewoon toegankelijk als je vrijdag al op de camping bent.
Wil je dit niet missen? Zorg dan dat je een kaartje weet te bemachtigen met toegang tot de camping.

Sunday 15 August The Qontinent will shake and shiver under the heavy beats of Footworxx. For more than five years this hard concept has spoiled the ears of many. Hunderds of artists like Akira, Hellfish, Jeff Amadeus and Miss Djax combine various styles into one single concept. Only condition is raw hard music. And that’s exactly what they are planning to do at The Qontinent.

When we talk about harddance in Belgium, one man always comes to mind… Q-IC. Since the last years of the nineties he has been present in the Belgian scene and the past few years he has worked himself up the status of the godfather of jump & tekstyles. We had a little chat with the man.

Q-IC actually comes from the word Quick, a very known fastfood joint, you once said in an interview. Are you still a Quick junkie?
No, those beautiful days are over. Nowadays I try to maintain a healthy diet. But that doesn’t mean I never go to the Quick anymore.

You’re a proud father since a few years. Are you working on the future in the scene?
Who knows! It would be nice to see my son or daughter follow in my footsteps, but i fin dit more important they finish school and do something they really like doing. I’ve been lucky to turn my hobby into a living and I really hope they will have that same luck one day. Whatever it may be. The eldest is three years old now and she has an amazing sense of rhythm and music. Solid Sounds is one of her favourite discs in the car.

You are very active in jump & tek as well as in techno. What do you like the most?
I’ll always Carry techno in my heart, because that’s where my roots are. Jump & tek were a nice extra for me, because in the beginning it didn’t matter what you played, the people always went crazy. Those days are over, unfortunately. I have some difficulties with people thinking in genres all the time. They only let themselves go on the 4 or 5 tracks they know. I always liked techno because of the broadmindedness of the fans. I do hope time will change again. If yes, i see a bright future for jump & tek.

You studied audiovisual art. How does that comply to what you are doing now?
Producing and mixing is a learning process. You have to be hard for yourself and you have to constantly want to learn. These studies and a background as engineer really do help, since it teaches you not only to use the presets, but to fully explore the possibilities of a machine.

You once said you wouldn’t release any vinyl anymore because of the bad sales. Are you really turning your back on the vinyl business?
Not quite. Vinyl used to be a fantastic way to promote yourself. Promo’s weren’t sent out via internet or mail because it simply wasn’t that advanced as now. The big names in that agereceived the promo’s on vinyl and back then there was a big difference between all the dj’s. You used to go and watch a dj working because he had records nobody else had, played or even knew. Those were the days. Now I’m convinced that the promo of an artist works very differently. Nowadays social media such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are the way to go. Most labels experience some losses on the sales of vinyls, records and compilations. We have to come an age where everyone wants everything for free, even music. If I had to choose, I’d rather have something I can feel, like a record or a discs. But I don’t have a say in that, i’m just an artist. Labels simply have to make some profit to keep on working.

You didn’t have that many releases after “Eat This”. Are you working on something right now?
“Eat This” actually was an album to see how far I could go with the audience today. I didn’t try to make something I knew everybody would like, but more a curious point of view on the scene back then. For me it was a test to see if people could appreciate some renewals on the scene and how far they would go to follow me.

After the big success of Sur+ it became clear there’s a new line of artists and music in which I can’t find myself anymore. For me it’s a great moment to take a break and do something else. But that doesn’t mean I’ll never return. When the time is right and the inspiration follows, I’ll be there again. I’m working ons ome new projects since the beginning of this year and after the summer you’ll be able to hear them. These projects are mostly house, electrohouse and dubstep. I’ll release some tracks at Killaz and Miditonal as well soon.

Ghost has developed his own “style” (Ghoststyle). How would you describe your style?
I don’t really have a name for it. It’s more a pleasant mix between jump & tek, classics, some new stuff and a sense of craziness.

Who do you think is the most promising talent?
There are several talents. On Sur+ and Fanatix we try to catch them in an early stage and support thema long the way. But if I had to choose… Junior Waxx on Sur+ and Bestien on Fanatix.

Why should the people come to see you?
Especially to hear the new Sur+ and Fanatix releases. But I think most people know what they can expect from me.

Do you have a message for the visitors of The Qontinent?
Don’t miss The Qontinent! Puyenbroek will shiver!

http://www.q-ic.be/

The Qontinent presents a very international scene to the party people. Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany and France are all present. But we don’t stick to just Europe. Oh no, we go way further. We searched in the depths of South America and found Julyukie in Brazil. Here’s her vision on techno music, The Qontinent and Europe…

Except for real techno fans, few people have heard of Julyukie. Can you introduce yourself for them?

I’m a Brazilian girl that got interested in electronic music in her teen years, like so many people. The first time I heard techno I simply knew this was what I liked and when I saw the dj’s playing and enjoying the art of turntablism I wanted nothing else but to learn that as well. It all started as a hobby in 2004.

In the beginning I stuck myself to just buying records and playing at home or at parties friends held. In 2006 a big switch came. I decided to organize parties called “Descontrol Techno” and things were getting more serious after that. I started to play in some clubs in Brazil and in 2007 I was invited to be resident in “Lôca Club”. This club is very important for the techno scene in São Paulo, and it’s the place where I had my first contact with the techno I got to like so much. Pet Duo, Murphy, Renato Cohen, Lukas and other dj’s were residents some years before. It was very important for my career to be a resident there. That’s how I improved my technique and learned how to handle the people on the dancefloor.

I started to work with new partners at the parties and we created a group working on  “Technopride” , “Fuel Techno”  and “Descontrol”. In 2008 I went to Colombia for the first time. In the end of 2009 to Venezuela and Europe. And now, I’m back!

I can imagine it’s not that common for a Brazilian girl to make it in the techno scene. How did you do it?

I think all is a result of a passion for the music. Things happened naturally. First I started to practice at turntablism, afterwards I had the idea to organize some parties and when I saw I was playing at a lot of parties I only wanted more and more…

How is the techno scene in Brazil?

The techno with lower BPM sounds (135-138) still have space to grow in Brazil. And according to me it actually is growing. But on the other hand, the real hard stuff like hardtechno and acid techno is going down… Unfortunately in my humble opinion.

What is the most memorable country and party you have been to so far and why?

Till now I’ve played in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium. And except for Brazil I only played once or twice in each country, so it’s kinda hard to know exactly how the scene is in each country. But I do can say I enjoyed every single performance. Although… there is one party that was absolutely the bomb. It was a party of Urban Connection in Portugal at New Years Eve and it truly was amazing.

How would you describe your kind of techno?

Heavy, powerful and happy with a crazy energy.

What can we expect from Julyukie in the future?

I just moved to Europe to live in Germany. I did that to dedicate myself to music only. In Brazil I had some things beside that, so I couldn’t be 100% in the music. You can expect some releases for sure! I’m already working on it.

Brazil didn’t do that great on the world cup soccer… beaten by Holland, a neighbour from Belgium. How do you feel about that?

(laughs) That’s a funny question… Brazil was not playing the beautiful soccer we are used to see from them. It really was a shame. But we still had hope. Many friends back at home were enjoying the game with me, but when Holland scored the second goal, Brazil was completely lost and the game was over… everyone was sad and pissed. Well, the next day everything was fine again… Life goes on and we need to accept that Holland played very well in the World Cup!

What do you expect from The Qontinent, since it’s your first time there?

I’m really excited and I expect to see some happy people dancing a lot, because this is what gives me the energy to play.

Now you got the chance to attract the audience… Why should they come and listen to you?

Well, I can tell that when I’m playing I forget everything. I don’t see the things around me. It’s just me and the real party people in front of me. I play with my feelings and I just love the music. The only thing I need is to see some people smiling to make a nice performance.

Do you have a special message for the people of The Qontinent?

I hope everyone is going with a lot of energy in their legs and minds, because I will be there and I want to give everything behind the decks!

http://soundcloud.com/julyukie

Saturday the 14th of August MarK with a K will blow your mind at the Main Stage. With two albums in two years time he has put his mark on the harder dance scene. At The Qontinent he will give his best to entertain the people as a real artist of his status should do. Get set for a “Harder” set…

La Bush presents some of the hottest names in the harddance scene. Mystery is one of those bigger names. This German producer has almost seen it all; different styles of harddance, different countries, different parties… But how does he feel about the Qontinent? We went to him for some answers…

You are still very young, yet you have a rich career already. Not many people can say that. How did you do it?
Well, I’ve got a quite strict plan when it comes to my job as a DJ and a producer. But to reach the aims I have set for myself I really have to give up a lot. It takes a lot of you when you really want to make it in the scene. I’m often in the studio for up to eight to twelve hours in one day. And I don’t do things one at a time, I work on several music projects at the same time.

You started out with hardcore, but you are mostly known for your harddance mixes and creations. Why the sudden change?
Yes, that’s right. I first started playing hardcore and oldschool at the biggest German events, but then the sound changed. Everything just became harder and harder. At that point I saw a chance to start in the harddance scene, which started quite well with my productions “Type Face” and “Punani”. After that everything else just followed.

“Punani” probably is your biggest hit ever. Do you have stigmata from that song?
No, I have all of my fans to thank for my success. They made the song to what it is now. This song actually simply originated from my feelings at that moment. I never was aware of what it did for the party people until I saw the effects afterwards.

Do you think you will ever create something that compares the impact of “Punani”?
Sure… the firm goal of every musician has to be to go on working successfully. But that’s just the point. I’ll always have to give it all… up to 100%. And that’s where my problem may rise. It is not easy for me to make that happen because I’m a German producer and I don’t live in The Netherlands or Belgium. That really makes a difference.

What can we expect from Dj Mystery for the remainder of 2010? Any new releases coming up?
Well, I’ll be on several events all over Europe. Furthermore I’m working on new productions, which are going to be released almost every six to eight weeks on my new hardstyle label Davaro Records [www.davaro-records.com]. But there are also going to be releases on other labels like the new label from Showtek and Marcel Woods. So be prepared!

Dilemma: Be the king of music in Germany or a mediocre dj/producer internationally?
Things are easier for me in Germany than they are in The Netherlands, but the journey isn’t over yet. My status in Spain for example is just as big as it is in Germany and who know which country will follow next.

The Qontinent has it’s second edition this year. What are your impressions so far and what do you expect?
This kind of event is a big challenge for every performing artist. The whole harddance world is watching and you have a chance to prove yourself. It can make your career, but it can break it as well.

What secret ingredient would make The Qontinent the best party ever according to you?
The secret ingredient has to be that every single dj, musician and the crowd melt together to one big family and just party.

Do you have anything special planned for your set?
My set is especially co-ordinated to every single party and I have quite a few surprises like bootlegs etc. to offer for all party people. B.O.M.B. 100% Dynamite.

Do you have a message for the visitors of The Qontinent?
Hey party people… come and visit me at The Qontinent. Let’s make one big party!

Somewhere deep in the jungle that’s called the club scene of Belgium, there’s a club that gives all visitors sensational illusions of the highest sense. A lot of people walk around with sweet memories in their heads. Memories they experienced in club Illusion. The nineties were a great period for house music and Illusion was one of the leading clubs presenting the best of house. The Level en Illusion Retro are respected names.

And they still are a great player on the market. Since the start of the club in 1987 it put a lot of importance in varied styles of music. Slowly evolving from disco, new beat and new wave into deephouse, dirty house, electro and the hardest jump- en tekstyles, Illusion has become a club that cannot be ignored.

This summer Illusion will host two areas at The Qontinent. Saturday 14 August they present The Hype XL all of the Illusion residents present at the wheels of steel. Yves-V, Vertesse, Jan Vervloet, Chichou and many others will spoil the fans with the best of the best only. Classy music for classy people they say. But Illusion is more than just classy.

Sunday 15 August they give the audience the best of retro house. Be prepared for a stunning show with all the best the nineties had to offer. Tofke, Sven Lanvin, A-Tom-X, again Jan Vervloet, etc. will blow the dust of the old records and play them till you drop dead… Be prepared for an overload of Illusion pleasure…

Line up Saturday (The Hype XL):
-Chichou
-Chiq
-Christophe
-David
-Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
-Guy’Do
-Jan Vervloet
-Jean
-Nico
-Seelen
-Vertesse
-Yves-V

Line up Sunday (Retro):
-A-Tom-X
-Francois
-Gert
-Glenn
-Jan
-Jan Vervloet
-Jimmy Goldschmitz
-Sven Lanvin
-Tofke
-Vince (aka Binum)

Sunday 15 August Endymion will send shivers down all the spines of the hardcore lovers.
They are preparing an astonishing liveset which hasn’t seen daylight so far.
The Thunderdome stage is certainly going to blast.