Tapski [Interview]

Dutch-born, Dubai-based Tapski produces captivating sounds that spans deep and progressive house.

With a profound love for the genre's deeper and warmer tones, he creates tracks that seamlessly blend atmospheric melodies with infectious grooves.

While his musical exploration initially took a backseat to his career as an airline pilot, a global pandemic ceased all air traffic: a golden opportunity to dive into his true passion - electronic music.

Under the wings all-time legend Camiel Daamen, he embarked on a sonic journey that swiftly led to the release of his debut EP on Future Avenue.

This week finds Tapski taking another huge step with his debut on Mark MacLeod's Deep Down Music with 'The Red Eye Shift', a two-track EP co-produced with Cezar Nica.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Tapski to learn more about the release of 'The Red Eye Shift’, his background, growing up in the Netherlands, DJing and much more. Enjoy.

Hi Tapski, thanks for talking to us today. How has your start to the year been so far and please tell us something interesting about your day today?

Hi there! First of all I want to express my gratitude for this lovely opportunity to chat with you about my release on Deep Down Music and share a bit about my life.

This year has been off to a very good start for me. On the music front, I've been actively searching for the right direction to take my sound, and I'm happy to say that I'm starting to find my groove. I've been diving into some new projects that feel much closer to my artistic vision, and it's been an exciting journey so far.

Now, I just got back from picking up my car from the garage. It decided to give me a bit of trouble last week during the massive floods here in Dubai. You might have seen it in the news, the city got hit by the heaviest storm in 75 years! Luckily, everything turned out alright and I even managed to turn that chaotic day into a productive one by working on an awesome track!

What’s a piece of music (not your own) from 2023 that had the biggest impact on you, and what makes it outstanding for you?

A track that deeply resonated with me is Cuba Libre by Alex O’Rion. His music has been a constant source of inspiration for me, and Cuba Libre is a perfect example of why. For me, this track is an outstanding fusion of groovy drums that effortlessly carry you along, paired with a meticulously crafted melody and bass line that go together so well.

And don't even get me started on his track Solis together with Ezequiel Arias. While it's not from last year, this track might have been one of my most-played and holds a special place among my all-time favorites. Like Cuba Libre, it has this magical, emotional vibe that is exactly the kind of sound that resonates with me.

What was the music genre you discovered first before you turned to electronic music, and what made you continue with the latter?

Before venturing into electronic music, I really loved Dutch hip-hop, known as Nederhop. Artists like Extince and Opgezwolle were on repeat on my disc-man. In addition to my Dutch favorites, I listened a lot to the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Tupac. Even now, their timeless tunes bring me joy when I listen to them during my commute to work.

Back in the early 2000s, during my high school days, a friend introduced me to the music of James Holden and Kasey Taylor and that's when everything changed. My mind was blown and a whole new world of sound and possibilities unfolded before me. I vividly remember burning the Balance Series CDs onto rewritable discs. It was when my friend showed me a version of Reason on his computer that I was completely sold. Despite not understanding much of what we were doing, I was fascinated by the endless possibilities. That was the moment the seed was planted and the magic of electronic music took hold of me and never let go. It's been ages since I last saw this guy and I doubt he even remembers this pivotal moment, but if you're reading this, Jaron, thank you for changing my life, haha!

Take us through a typical day when you’re not traveling, what does a day in your life look like?

I travel frequently due to my work as an airline pilot. My work schedule is never fixed and always subject to change. This makes it challenging to establish regular routines in life. However, whenever I have a day off, I try to incorporate some sports into my day. I really love to play tennis; I played it when I was younger and two years ago I decided to pick it back up again. Best decision ever! If I'm not on the court, you can find me at the gym or going for a run, depending on the time of year. Running in the Dubai summer heat isn't exactly recommended, so I adjust my activities accordingly.

After my workout, I like to spend some time in my little studio. There's no set order to how I do things. I prefer to go with the flow rather than plan too much. However, I've noticed that scheduling studio time into my agenda can be beneficial, especially when it comes to maintaining a creative flow amidst the interruptions of work and travel. I'm still working on refining the ideal balance between cockpit duties and music-making.

Of course, I also make sure to spend quality time with my lovely wife and our friends here in Dubai. I'm grateful that over the almost 10 years we've lived here, we've formed a bunch of wonderful friendships.

Talk to us about where you are from and how growing up there influenced your journey into electronic music.

I grew up in Amstelveen, a town connected to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This had a significant impact on my journey into electronic music. The Netherlands boasts of course a rich history in electronic music and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been surrounded by its vibrant scene from a young age.

Every week, my friends and I would eagerly head to venues like Escape in Amsterdam or one of the beach clubs in nearby Bloemendaal for their Sunday parties. Here, the catchy house music from the likes of Laidback Luke, Funkerman and Roog further fueled my passion for the music.

After that, my journey into electronic music went to the next level when a friend took me to Club 11, an iconic nightclub on the 11th floor of a former post office building. That night, with Dimitri at the helm, was a revelation. That place was something else, unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Here, I was introduced to a wider variety of electronic music and artists, experiencing mesmerizing sets from the likes of Patrice Baumel and Dixon for the first time.

Then came Club Trouw, which holds a special place in my heart. I would say I almost lived there part-time with my room mates and this venue might as well be the place of the most important moment in my life: I met my wife here during a Joris Voorn all-nighter, playing an insane 9-hour set! Reflecting on those times fills me with nostalgia and gratitude.

Overall, growing up in the Amsterdam area exposed me to a wide array of electronic music flavors, shaping my musical taste and influencing my journey as a music enthusiast and now as a producer.

Who else from your home country inspired you when you first discovered electronic music? And what was it about their DJing or production which led you to pursue it yourself?

This is an interesting question. There have been so many artists that inspired me from the beginning, but one that comes to mind is Arjuna Schiks. His track Mahesvari became somewhat of an anthem for me and my roommates, we practically played it every day.

What draws me to this track is the way it feels like a journey, with its captivating use of different arpeggios intertwining seamlessly. I find Arjuna's production skills truly impressive and listening to his music often made me think: “I'd love to be able to create something like this too.” It's that feeling of wonder and inspiration that sparked my desire to pursue electronic music production myself.

Your bio states Spanish Dutch producer Camiel Daamen was an important figure for you early on, please tell us about that.

Ah yes, Camiel! So, my career always took precedence over my musical aspirations, but the global pandemic provided an unexpected golden opportunity for me to dive deeper into production. I spent weeks at home and realised that this was the moment to truly learn the necessary skills.

That’s when I stumbled upon Camiel, an incredibly approachable and talented Ableton certified trainer. We connected, and I enrolled in a course on his platform, Lessons in Live. With Camiel's guidance and coaching I worked my way to my debut EP on Future Avenue.

I am immensely grateful to have crossed paths with Camiel, not only as a mentor but also as a friend who still continues to inspire me to this day.

You have a new EP ‘The Red Eye Shift’ written in conjunction with Cezar Nica out now via Mark MacLeod’s Deep Down Music, tell us about the release and how the tracks showcase your current sound.

We're absolutely thrilled to release The Red Eye Shift EP on Deep Down Music. Collaborating with Cezar has been an absolute joy.

The journey began after a long night shift at work, when I shared the initial concept for The Red Eye Shift with him. Starting as a stripped-down version, Cezar began to add in his magical touch that truly lifted the track to new heights. I'm constantly amazed by the energy Cezar infuses into his tracks. I believe that this beautifully complements my typically slightly more laid-back, or more mellow style.

This synergy is also evident in Midnight Sun, where Cezar showed me his initial idea. It already contained the incredible driving bassline that invited me to infuse my own mellow vibes on top.

This release marks a beautiful moment for me. As I mentioned earlier, I was searching for the direction in which to take my music. I have the feeling this EP truly embodies my journey deeper into progressive house and that’s exactly where I want to be heading!

These are your first collaborations with Cezar, how did you guys meet and eventually decide to write an EP together?

It turns out that Camiel Daamen is not only a great teacher/coach but also has this skill to connect the right people with each other. Both Camiel and I happened to be in Amsterdam at the same time, so we decided to meet up. Camiel suggested we meet at Cezar's coffee bar, anticipating that we would get along well. Since then, Cezar and I have kept in touch, chatting about music and life. The idea of collaborating on an EP came up during Amsterdam Dance Event two years ago and I’m really proud that it is finally here!

Oh by the way, a free tip from Tapski: if you are looking for the best coffee of Amsterdam, head to Moods Coffee Corner in the Jordaan!

What made Deep Down Music the right home for these tracks?

Deep Down Music stood out as the perfect home for these tracks for several reasons. Firstly, I've been a long-time admirer of the label and have always been impressed by the consistent stream of high-quality progressive house they release. Moreover, Cezar had previously released on the label and had a great connection with label boss Mark Macleod.

When I was introduced to Mark at Amsterdam Dance Event, I was struck by his genuine passion for the genre. This passion translates into the label's ethos. The warm personal touch he gives to Deep Down makes it feel like I am joining a family.

Overall, we couldn't have asked for a better place to release our first collaboration.

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in the writing of ‘The Red Eye Shift’.

It's a humble setup to be honest, centered around my Ableton Push and an old M-Audio MIDI keyboard that's due for an upgrade. Acoustic treatment is next on my agenda to improve the studio's sound quality.

When it comes to crafting The Red Eye Shift, Cezar and I heavily relied on u- he's Diva and Arturia's Pigments. These synths offer a rich palette of sounds and textures that perfectly complemented the vibe we were aiming for. Pigments in particular is a go-to tool in my production toolkit. It’s incredibly versatile and always finds its way into my projects.

There is also an excellent remix from Colombian producer and Clubsonica boss Juan Pablo Torrez on the release. How much were you involved in the remixer selection? And why do you think Juan was a good fit to re-interpret the track?

Mark actually came up with the idea for the remix and took the initiative to involve Juan. Given Juan's reputation for delivering captivating remixes and his skill in blending progressive elements with emotive melodies, we knew he'd be an ideal fit for reinterpreting our music. We're absolutely thrilled with the result and believe Juan's remix adds another layer of depth and energy to the release.

You’ve started a monthly ‘Mixed Feelings’ podcast on your Soundcloud this year, so please tell us your approach to DJing, and how your podcast sets might differ from playing in a club.

In the past, I used to record 'Tapski Mixtapes' for my friends. One of my New Year's resolutions was to spend more time exploring great new music by other artists and to translate this into a new monthly series of DJ mixes.

I'm not DJing in clubs at the moment, but this podcast-style mixes allow me to create a journey for the listeners. I strive to guide them through different moods and emotions with carefully curated tracks. These tracks then also inspire me and enhance the ideas for my own productions.

Eventually, I wouldn't mind starting to play gigs, but at the moment, it unfortunately does not fit into my dynamic and busy schedule. It's something to work on!

Where do you source the majority of music for your sets? Is it primarily from producer friends or promo mailouts at this point?

I mainly source music for my sets from various channels. While I do receive promo mailouts, I also discover a lot of tracks through platforms like Beatport, Bandcamp and Soundcloud. Additionally, I keep an eye on what my producer friends are releasing and often find gems there too. Overall, it's a combination of these sources that contributes to the diversity of the sets.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

The amount of preparation I put into the sets varies. When using my Traktor S4 from Native Instruments to record sets, they often come together more spontaneously and with less preparation. However, when I have the time, I also can enjoy putting sets together in Ableton. This allows me to experiment with different arrangements and manipulate tracks more extensively, offering greater flexibility and creative possibilities.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists? (Don’t include yourself)

If given the chance to organize an event, the line-up would feature Patrice Baumel, Hernan Cattaneo, Alex O'Rion, GMJ & Matter together and Dutch rising stars Callecat.

22:00-23:30: Callecat
23:30-01:00: GMJ & Matter
01:00-02:30: Alex O'Rion
02:30-04:00: Hernan Cattaneo
04:00-05:00: Patrice Baumel

Current top five tracks in your sets?

1. Tantum - Scatter (Original Mix)
2. Tomas Briski - Introjection (Original Mix)
3. Alex O’Rion - Melin (Original Mix)
4. Matt Oliver - Collision (The Wash Remix)
5. GMJ - Silver Sky (Original Mix)

What’s something we do not know about you?

As I mentioned earlier on, I met my wife in Club Trouw. A couple years later, months before the club closed it's doors, we actually got married in the club on the same spot we met each other! Coming August we celebrate 10 years and counting.

What are some of your favourite TV series? Both all time and recently, what have you been enjoying lately?

I know, it sounds odd, but to be honest I hardly watch any TV series, so I might not be the right guy to ask this question!

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

Apart from music, what makes me really happy is spending time with my loved ones. I particularly enjoy going on surf trips with my wife. Going on surf holidays really helps me disconnect from the constant rush of Dubai. It's just me, my board, and the ocean. Nothing else matters. Thinking about it now, I should definitely go ahead and discuss our next trip! I also find great joy in spending quality time with my parents, my sister and her family. Family bonds are incredibly important to me and I cherish every moment spent together with them.

What does the remainder of 2024 hold for you?

For the rest of 2024, I'm focused on diving deeper into music production and continuing along the path I've set for myself. I'm fortunate to have recently connected with Dowden, an incredibly talented DJ/producer from Canada, who has been providing me with even more valuable guidance and support. I'm truly excited to see where this journey leads me. I'll strive to maintain the positive energy and momentum I'm feeling after the release of our EP on Deep Down Music.

Another highlight to look forward to is the release of a remix I've made, which is scheduled to come out later this year on LIL Dream, Camiel Daamen's label.

I'm thrilled about this opportunity and eager to share the music with everyone!

'The Red Eye Shift' is available now via Deep Down Music: https://tinyurl.com/5cfxutdr