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Dutchican Soul is formed
Sometimes a surprise meeting can lead to some true inspiration. In this case, two renowned producers, namely Niels Schröder & Jasper Drexhage, bumped into each other at Amsterdam Dance Event 2008, leading to the succesful formation of Holland’s latest quality house sensation: Dutchican Soul. These two experienced industry professionals met while discussing the future of the dance scene, finding out that their approach to making music was the same. In that random meeting the guys spoke passionately about making music from the heart and soul, and how they play most of the musical parts themselves with real instruments (drums, programming, guitar, saxophone, piano, etc). They quickly agreed to open a new studio together in Amsterdam, and the rest, they say, is history.
Jasper “Drexmeister” Drexhage
Jasper’s musical journey started as a child, influenced by his father’s classical taste and his mother’s feel for soul. Jasper’s key influences essentially came from artists such as George Duke, Quincy Jones, Depeche Mode, Roberta Flack, Bob Katz and Nile Rodgers rather than the piano lessons he grudgingly took (little did he know then how useful they would be in later life). He rapidly discovered real creative ability, becoming competent on other instruments such as guitar, saxophone and percussion.
Fast forward to the late 80s. Jasper formed a band called Human Resource and the track ‘Dominator’ became a massive hit worldwide, making a huge impact on the house scene globally. Artists such as Joey Beltram, Frank de Wulf, Speedy J and C.J. Bolland turned in hot remixes of the techno anthem.
Jasper decided to quit Human Resource’s sound to pursue a solo career resulting in a number of solid releases throughout the 90s. As time went by his focus shifted to the art and science of mastering and engineering at the Urban Simplex Studios. With his skills now finely honed and thirsty for a new challenge, he met Niels in 2008 and subsequently formed Dutchican Soul.
Niels Schröder
From an early age and influenced by soul and pop, Niels played drums and sang in a church choir for a few years. When he discovered house music in the early 90s, his course was set. He began buying records and playing at local venues. In the clubs, his DJ work frequently took him abroad with gigs in Greece, Spain and Austria. In the Netherlands he continued to be in demand, playing in Amsterdam and Rotterdam on a regular basis.
He moved into the industry as a professional in 1999, employed by major record distribution company Astral Music. It was around this time that he started producing music. In 2001 Niels went to Australia to study at the Conservatorium of Griffith University to study a Bachelor of Popular Music, where he learned to produce music professionally.
Never forgetting his DJ roots, he also played in several clubs in Australia in the meantime, holding down residencies in Brisbane such as Family Nightclub and Pressclub and on the Gold Coast in clubs like Mybar, Berlin Bar and Elsewhere.
Niels’ study and professional musical development, along with his ‘ear to the dancefloor’ DJ abilities, has been crucial in the current success of Dutchican Soul.
Releases
It’s been a busy 12 months since the boys joined forces. Within a year, a vast amount of quality house productions have come from the Dutchican Soul studios. Their sound quickly caught the ear of Hardsoul’s frontman DJ Roog, with the diminutive DJ releasing Dutchican Soul feat. Princess Freesia ’Inspirations’ on Hardsoul Pressings. The boys also turned in a remix for Roog and Greg’s ever-hot Dutch label, with a slamming remix of Jjah VS Ron Carroll 'Dancin' With You'.
This was swifly followed up with Dutchican Soul vs Pridian ’El Ritmo' on Dutch DJ/producer Jaimy’s Drum Mode Records. The boys’ sound has also been noticed on the other side of the Atlantic, with ’Jazz It Up’ coming on Hermosa Records USA, and also a remix of Justin Michael feat. Gina Rene’s ’Celebration of Music’ on the same label. The second remix of Justin Michael was for the track ’Music High’. There followed a hot reinterpretation of 'Attracted To You' by Danny Clark & Jay Benham feat. Angie Brown.
Aside from Hermosa records in the USA, America’s Soulfuric Traxx have also been on the case, releasing the Dutchican Soul Deep Journey mix of Matt Caseli 'Regina's Reloaded'. Lewis Ferrier feat. Mavis Acquah ‘Love Is On It’s Way’ Dutchican Soul Deeper Dub on US label Reelgroove has also done the business in the clubs that matter. Barcoda Music have spotted the telents as well, commisioning a Dutchican Soul Remix of Musol & Central Avenue’s ‘I Believe’, as well as house legend Miguel Migs signing their remix of Lisa Shaw 'Like I Want To' for his Salted Music imprint.
Such is the popularity of their sounds, a variety of productions have been picked up for a slew of compilations, such as Hed Kendi (Beach House 2009) Be Yourself Music (Ibiza Nights 2009) Salted Music (Get Salted Vol 2) and Drum Mode (House Kitchen).
DJ Support
DJ support from your peers is of course essential to any dance producer, and within a short space of time Dutchican Soul’s releases have gained a spot in the bags of renowned spinners such as Miguel Migs, Sergio Flores, Danny Marquez, Hardsoul, Born to Funk, DJ Jeroenski, Brian Tappert, Rasmus Faber, Alfred Azzeto, Roberto de Carlo, Jay-J, Jask, Random Soul, DJ-Spen, Aaron Ross, Axwell and Shane-D to name just a few.
Dutchican Soul productions have also been played on the airwaves, with Hed Kendi, Ministry of Sound and Miss Moneypennys airing the sounds of the duo in recent months on their respective dance radio shows.
Dutchican Soul in the Future
The boys are getting set for 2010 as we speak. They are now ready to use their years of musical production experience to form a live band/act. They are also on the verge of setting up their own label called Solitone Music. The imprint will be a home to cross-over productions for soul and pop artists.
Here is the rundown of upcoming Dutchican Soul original tracks and remixes:
Dutchican Soul feat. Amel Eiland ’Get On Down EP’ (Salted Music)
Dutchican Soul feat. Andrea Love ’Back In The Day’(Panevino Music)
Dutchican Soul ‘Get on Down’ EP – (Salted Music)
Dutchican Soul feat. Mavis Acquah ‘Ecstacy’ – (Solitone Music)
Dutchican Soul feat. Miss Bunty ‘Never Give up’ - (tba)
Dutchican Soul & Phonic Funk feat. I/Fan ‘After the Dance’ – (tba)
D-Reflection feat. Christa ‘Wave of Love’ – Dutchican Soul Boutique Build Mix (Adaptation)
Dutchican Soul & New Believers ‘Open Arms’ – (Solitone Music)
Inaya Day & Dutchican Soul ‘Made for me’ – (tba)
Stereo Mutants 'African Culture' – Dutchican Soul & D-Reflection Remix (Tri-Circle)
Dutchican Soul & Andrea Love ’Feel’(tba)
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