Tatanka - Meet The Bison
3D’s Rezo chats with hardstyle DJ Tatanka, the native American term for Bison, owner of the Zanzatraxx label and responsible for some of the most recognisable tracks in the genre.
So when did you decide this was it with music-
Well, I’ve been stuck with dance music since ’93 when I began buying records and mixing for fun. Afterwards, I felt I wanted to write my page in this world and I practiced more to get booked in local clubs. Then the first club requests came. I was trying to make something different with my music selection but it was not enough for me so then the production part came; at the beginning as a customising issue and then more in a creative way about my own ideas. This was the step that brought me slowly to a higher level. Then I started travelling and I saw a lot of people going nuts at the tracks, so that motivated me a lot to improve both my music and my performances.
You’ve been around a while – what have you learnt-
‘Progress’ is the key word in electronic music. Although I still like old tunes I’m a progress fan. I’m a fan of the old and new in the same way because I think we need the old to get the new within evolution and I like to see good things in the new concepts of music.
What have you been up to in the studio from a production or remix point of view- Any plans for an artist album-
Both things really appeal to me but I like to create my own stuff more so. On the other hand I also like to customise other people’s tracks to create a new concept in order to let them fit with my selection while performing. And the artist album I’m considering but I don’t like to force things, so I don’t know if there will be a Tatanka album out soon.
What are some of your inspirations and influences-
I really get inspired by everyday life, and every time I’m stimulated to make music to give a message – sometimes hidden, other times more obvious. Eventually anything at all can inspire you; I suppose it is about how you embrace these different things.
And what can your fans expect to hear from your on your trip out to Australia again-
Yes, this will be my third time over there so I really hope it will be as good as the previous ones. Australia is definitely a country to move at for my taste. Easy and open-minded people like Australians are something I really go for.
WHO: Tatanka
WHAT: Plays The Sound of Q-dance: World Tour 2009 at Hordern Pavilion
WHEN: Saturday 21 March
MORE: q-dance.com.au