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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
53
Ferry Corsten
6
If, during lockdown, a new home studio parked at the bottom of your neighbour’s garden would’ve sent you a Hulk-ish shade, best look away now. “As it happened I’d just completed it at the beginning of this year,” says Ferry, “and I was really excited to spend time there. We had a lot of show dates scheduled for my What The F tour, but when lockdown came, unexpectedly, I had all this extra time to start tinkering in there. Pure chance it was finished beforehand, though!”
 
That happy happenstance has meant the production tap has been wide open Chez Corsten. Also, by the sounds of it, circumstances have added some multiplicity to his bunker time. “You can expect a diversity of tracks in the new year,” he says, “and maybe even an album in 2021. I’m also working on a show that should be launched soon, so keep an eye on my socials for more information!”
 
Talking of gardens and Hulk-ish shades, another type of ‘green’ has crept its way into Corsten’s system of late. This one though is of the green-fingered variety, with Ferry taking to horticulture to bust through the big stay-home. “A year ago, I never would have thought it,” he reflects. “Now that I had time to be home though, I decided to pick up the trowel. There’s nothing more satisfying than nurturing something and seeing it grow and thrive. I took some real pride in that work!”
 
Throughout, Ferry’s Flashover label has continued to flourish, and not least in his UNITY collaboration project. That has seen new co-ops with Ciaran McAuley and Trance Wax on – respectively — the ‘Black Lion’ and ‘Mo Chara’ releases. Ferry has also been taking the partial reins of Armin’s A State Of Trance radio show, with a first-of-its-kind monthly residency. 

 
What three things have most helped you through Coronavirus Lockdown?
 
“My studio at home, gardening and family.”
 
 
What lessons should the industry learn from this crisis?
 
“That we can never take things for granted, patience and that we all need each other! You can have different genres, sounds, and opinions, but only together can we push through.”
 
 
What steps need to be taken to address the racism in the dance music scene?
 
“I think first and foremost it’s a mindset. If you don’t see a peer as an equal, to begin with, then we will never get further. There is ‘genre-ism’ already, where people like you or dislike you based on the genre of music you play, which in itself is absolutely ridiculous. I’ve always lived with the mantra ‘live and let live’. Respect each other. Whether you’re purple, yellow, male, female or anywhere in between, just respect each other and treat others the way you want to be treated.”
 
 
What industry changes are you personally pushing for to make the dance music scene more inclusive?
 
“As a producer, I actually produce all genres. I think it helps make my creativity more worldly, opens my mind to ideas and keeps thing fresh. I think allowing DJs and producers to open themselves up in this way can only be beneficial.”
 
 
What’s the greatest dance music track of all time?
 
“There are too many amazing ones out there.”