Some out of None presents 100% Productions Mix
Some Out of None is a Dutch DJ/producer whose creative philosophy is more than just a DJ moniker; it's a reflection of a creative philosophy deeply rooted in the art of making something extraordinary from the ordinary.
The name itself speaks to the journey of transformation, embodying the idea of creating music that resonates with soul and energy from seemingly nothing. Originating from a childhood surrounded by music in a bar owned by his parents, the DJ's passion was nurtured by the diverse sounds of hip-hop, house, and techno. His musical evolution, from a teenage breaker within the vibrant Dutch hip-hop scene to a producer and DJ deeply influenced by the rich musical history of Detroit, Chicago, and New York, is a testament to his dedication to the craft. A skilled producer - and someone we’re confident you’ll be hearing much more from soon - we’re delighted to host a mix of his, consisting solely of his own productions. We also caught up with him recently to learn more about what makes him tick…
Can you share the story behind the name, Some Out Of None, and what it represents to you?
During my music-making journey, I had different projects, such as "Gravy" and "All.I.As." This one in particular always stuck with me because it fits my idea and concept of music. The name Some Out Of None originates from the concept of creating something out of nothing, using what you have to create something new. It also represents my mindset where creativity, freedom, and being thankful flow through my daily awareness. This way of making music is crucial to me and challenges me to be more creative.
How did you first get into music, and what drew you to genres like hip-hop, house, and techno?
My introduction to music takes me back to childhood, where I grew up with my parents, who owned a bar. Music was always playing, and I experienced the connection with people and the social effect it has. It struck me, and around the age of 14, I finally got my first equipment, like a belt-drive turntable and a small sound system with a radio and CD player. I mainly listened and discovered mainstream music, which was at the time (late 90s/early 2000s) pretty amazing! A lot of house classics were in the charts back then, for example.
In my teenage years, I discovered breaking and was fully into this movement and the whole culture of hip-hop. As a breaker/bboy, I discovered a lot of funk/soul/disco/hip-hop records, especially from the 70s/80s/90s, and it took my heart in an instant. I was hooked on the music, the freedom, and the way the breaking community came together in the Netherlands. It was about inspiring, contributing, and respecting the artform. It helped me a lot through my musical development and figuring out who I was as a person.
After breaking, I soon got into the production aspect of music and delved deeper into the different sounds and genres of music. Through beatmaking, I met a lot of new people around me from different backgrounds, which let me get familiar with house and techno. I remember being introduced to house music by different friends with tracks like Awanto3's "Pregnant" and Kerri Chandler's "Bar A Thym." From there, I immediately dug into the history of the music and discovered the Detroit, Chicago, and New York sounds.
The reason all these genres drew me in is the soul and energy they embody. They uplift me and really touch me every day.
For many people, techno and house music take a while to “get into”. Was this the case with you too? Or did you instantly love it? And what made it resonate with you so much?
When I came into contact with house and techno, I already had a hip-hop background. From the beginning, I experienced many similarities in energy, production methods, and culture. For me, there are different phases in time that always go through a new development.
I think that this music is very accessible, and everyone can connect with it. The rhythms, the bass, and the sounds are inextricably linked to all musical history. For example, I listened to a lot of J Dilla, which ultimately also makes you feel similarities with other music from Detroit.
What was the turning point in your musical journey when you realized that DJing and producing was your true calling?
Growing up, I had the privilege to be able to go out and experience clubs and events while simultaneously getting into musical production and being blessed with all the information and education you can get. This gave me so much inspiration and motivation to also contribute to this culture and artform. I have DJ friends who I joined, and the connection with the dancefloor and the collective energy it created was really appealing to me.
Besides that, I was already active as a promoter for different club nights and events. I always tried to grow a community in the place where I lived so others could bloom and explore their talents. It was really fulfilling to support local artists and create dope events together with friends. I thought, one day, I will also give it a shot and try to experience it firsthand. I already made a lot of music, and the love for DJing and digging for vinyl came after that. But both combined gave it a perfect boost of creativity in both directions.
Do you balance music-making and DJing with other hobbies and activities?
For me, making music comes and goes, but it is always a big part of my life. Because it is not only making music that is part of the process. It is listening, experiencing, discovering, being open, and having a certain headspace. I try to keep it open, but when I am on a roll, I keep rolling like a machine until something feels ready.
The word "balance" is really important in creative processes. So I make sure I do my daily sport exercises, eat and drink healthily, and enjoy the things in life. Be present and trust time and the process. In other cases, you have a certain goal, like getting my mix on Nightclubber ;) and then I approach it more disciplined. It keeps me sharp and lets me achieve things quicker.
Amsterdam has a rich musical culture. How has the city influenced your sound and approach to music?
The city is a wonderful place to live in, and I feel privileged to be able to live here. But for me, it is the people who make and create the culture, also for Amsterdam. I had the privilege to experience a lot of great club nights, events, and illegal raves around the city. I think I am pretty pampered and lucky when it comes to being able to have those things around the corner. Being able to meet and talk with names you look up to and learn from them. I am thankful for living here, and it definitely played a role in molding my sound.
Your music often blends different tempos and rhythms. How do you approach creating a track that feels cohesive despite these variations?
It comes organically with just doing it and also a lot of trial and error. Sometimes a whole different track comes alive through a working project. Or sometimes I open a project from two years ago and totally recreate it. I think it is hard to put your finger on, and it is a process of balancing out your ideas in your head and creating the correct output.
The approach is essential in getting the desired result. If you experiment and explore new sounds and patterns, add this to your foundation, it will come together in your own harmony.
You've released tracks on labels like Closer To Truth, Purism, and Plastik People. How do you decide which label is the right fit for a particular release?
Ideally, I am a fan of the label myself, and I already play their music. Sometimes I just explore on SoundCloud for upcoming labels that I feel fit my sound. To be fair, I am approaching labels myself; I do not get requests yet. But “labels,” if you are reading this, here is the invitation to get in touch!
Do you set yourself goals in this regard? Are there other artists and labels you’d love to work with, for example?
Last year I was on a roll to produce and release as many as possible. It also comes with a lot of acquisition, which sometimes feels like a dead end. A lot of labels do not respond, but that is how the game works. And my music does not have to appeal to everyone, of course. I really appreciate the dialogue between artist and label with the goals to get each other to the next level. So I love constructive feedback and transparency.
I would love to learn from and work with Frits Wentink! He is my go-to producer for years now, and I am stunned by the amount of releases and the top-notch quality he delivers. His sound is so super fresh with a nostalgic feel; he is what the world needs right now. I also would love to release on his Bobby Donny label if we can create something that fits!
As far as labels, I love the low-profile DIY labels who just press limited for the dancefloor, create their own cheesy artwork, and keep it raw and spontaneous. I prefer those collabs before a whole marketing social media campaign blabla. Just for the sake of music, not the image…
In your opinion, what is the role of a DJ in today's music scene, and how do you see yourself fulfilling that role?
The role of a DJ should be providing a crowd with a unique musical story full of diverse energy, dynamics, frequencies, and discoveries. Basically, the music before the DJ. Be the curator and take the craft seriously. Understand and respect your environment, be original, and try not to overdo things. Take time in practicing the correct techniques and trust the foundation of dj-ing. And give stage to new sounds and producers who need to be heard.
I am really aware and self-critical when it comes to DJ sets. I love the craft, but it is also a big responsibility. For me it is important to cater to the crowd, the promoter and support the people behind the music I play. I trust my role as a DJ and I really enjoy the whole process from preparing to actually playing at the gig.
You mentioned that modesty and creativity are crucial mindsets for you. How do these values manifest in your daily life and music career?
These values manifest by just doing your thing and not trying too hard. To stay in touch with you and not chase rainbows or get too much into all the incentives these days. I try to unlock what is inside of me and be selective in what I like and digest.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have they shaped you as an artist?
Although I thought I faced a lot of challenges, the challenge was always myself. If you put all your energy and passion in something, you can easily get lost in your own thoughts and negative emotions. I was always looking for confirmation and recognition from others, but at the end of the day, that is not what you need.
You can not control what others think or feel about you. You should control what happens inside of your head and your thoughts. It took time and effort to understand this and it really shaped how I am as an artist today.
Can you talk about the selection process for your recent recording for the mix for us? How did you choose which tracks to include?
I already envisioned how I would like the recording to be. I spent a lot of hours/days making the tracks, so I was familiar with which ones would fit and which have to wait. I do like to stay in a certain vibe and groove to make the mix feel whole. So a lot of tracks did not make it to the final selection. I have my own DJ setup at home, which makes it easy and comfortable to figure out how to record the mix. It felt special to blend my tracks together and it went organically.
What significance do unreleased tracks hold for you, and how do you decide when a track is ready for release?
Unreleased may be forever unreleased, which means it will be heard only in a certain place or moment. For example, one of my best friends and biggest inspirations ‘’Rob Manga’’ played my unreleased tracks at Panoramabar. It is amazing to test them out in the open and take in the reaction of the crowd. It could be that the track will be released, but it would be a whole different mix or version.
I feel like my tracks are never finished or ready, but I have to let them go at a certain point. Let it live its own life. That is when I release them.
How important is it for you to support and collaborate with like-minded artists, and how do you go about doing that?
It keeps the scene alive and exciting. It is also fulfilling to connect with like-minded artists to share ideas, struggles and challenges. I am always open for this interaction, but honestly haven’t got the opportunity lately to make this happen.
However, I run a platform together with Rob Manga and Bas van Os called ‘’EEKOETHEE’’ and in the past we did a lot of events and streams to get people together. We are now working on creating a label with releases through this platform.
Your music has been described as having a “cheeky” feel." What does this mean to you, and how do you incorporate it into your work?
For me the word ‘’cheeky’’ in my musical context stands for uplifting, not so serious and let loose. I think music, especially in House, should get to you in a positive and warm sense. People should be able to feel the urge to let loose and get cheeky, have fun on the dancefloor, at the office or at home. By incorporating certain chords, melodies and rhythms I try to get this feel in place.
What role do emotions play in your music-making process, and how do you translate your feelings into sound?
Music-making brings me to a happy place (therapy time). So however I feel, it always gets me in a certain emotional positive open state, where I can let go and get locked in. I can easily get lost in time and create. And those positive emotions translate to my music, because I use a lot of soulful chords and sounds. It is just who I am, even when I feel mad and want to make something dark. I end up with music like you hear in my mix haha.
How has your approach to music evolved since you started in the early 2000s, especially with the technological advancements in music production?
My approach stayed the same as the way I use new technology. Try to limit yourself and dive into something, before you go on to the next. If I search too much for the new thing, I get lost and end up making nothing. I really love the crazy development of music software and plugins. I think we are spoiled and blessed with technology, but also keep it simple. I think it is a funny thing that we chase a certain nostalgic lo-fi sound and all the emulations and effects we use to make something sound like an 90s track haha.
Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations and goals for Some Out Of None? Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
My aspirations are to share my music and dj-ing globally with like minded people, venues and events. I hope to get more music released in the near future and get some bookings. I miss playing at clubs and events, so hope to pick this up again.
I am excited for my label project together with Rob Manga, which will be awesome!
And finally, what else is really exciting you about life right now away from music?
Living my best life with my partner, daughter, family and friends. Be thankful for every day and enjoy it while you can. That is exciting for me.
Check Some out of None’s releases on Beatport here and follow him on Soundcloud
Listen to Some out of None’s 100% Own Productions mix for us below