Q&A
Could you start by introducing yourself - who you are and what you do?
My name is Dario Goldbach and I write books and columns.
Coming from The Hague, what do you feel your background adds to ADE?
It’s always about finding the The Hague connection in Amsterdam. Where is Justin, where is PIP, where is Gino? Because in the end we obviously know everything better than the rest. At least we think so.
Is there a distinctive way of thinking or approaching your work that you bring from The Hague’s creative scene?
I guess The Hague always has this underdog position in nightlife, we’re small, but we have a rich history with the West Coast sound, with Bunker. This position breeds hunger, which reflects in the work.
How did your participation at ADE come about - were you invited, or did you actively pursue it?
Like most of my life, I owe it all to Justin Verkijk.
What excites you most about being part of ADE - the scale, the connections, or the contribution itself?
The fact that the whole city lives and breathes ADE, you can walk into any random building and a DJ will be playing.
Since ADE started in 1996 to strengthen the Dutch electronic music industry, how do you see it evolving today? How does this year’s ADE compare to your previous experiences?
A few years ago I would just book a AirBnB from Tuesday to Monday, but the prices grew faster than my budget. Apart from that stingy complaint, there always seems to be more ADE than the year before.
What current trends are you noticing - in sound, space design, line-ups, or visual storytelling?
It’s a humbling experience to become old enough to see trends coming back. Right now we like sharp corners, in design, in sound, in light, in clothing. Give it five more year, then we will like ‘round’ again.
For emerging artists or professionals hoping to get booked at events like this, what advice would you give?
Make shit and don’t worry about perfection. It doesn’t exist.
How does this year’s ADE compare to your previous experiences?
Had better, had worse.
As a Dutch creative, how do you see ADE’s role in connecting the local scene to the global network?
It’s the most outrageous netwerkborrel in the world. And it’s an honour to have it in The Netherlands. It’s fun, and fun is important.
