Q&A
Could you start by telling us who you are and what kind of music you make?
Howdy, my name is Harald Uunk. I’ve been making music for almost my entire life and the last decade my main focus has been on sound design and incorporating new ways of producing music into a more niche experimental corner. Mostly dancefloor focused although I also focus on a lot of soundscaping and ambient music designed for specific spaces and environments.
As an artist from The Hague, what unique sound or energy do you bring to ADE?
Unique is more of a perspective but energies I resonate with. For me it's important to tap into the energy and atmosphere of the event I'm playing at. Seeing where people are at and what energy is being captured before I'm performing. From there on I decided how I will play.
How did this booking come about. Did ADE reach out, or was it through your own network?
It was Tim van Oosterhout. Part of Kølt, we spoke at Modem Festival and he reached out to me for a 3 hour set on the ADE Sunday morning slot.
What makes you happiest about being here; the recognition, collaboration, or contribution?
The people make me happiest! Having conversations, seeing people that you didn’t see for a long time. Those things are for me the most important. The rest is extra.
Does ADE feel like just another gig, or does it hold a special place for you?
Next to the fact that ADE is a commercial way of centralizing all electronic music - it does hold something special in a way that everyone comes together and it doesn't really matter where you are going. You will meet a lot of friends and colleagues along the way.
Since its start in 1996, ADE has evolved a lot - what changes stand out to you in the music or industry side?
The changes I mostly noticed at ADE were like 6 years ago. One year we only had EDM headliners at the bigger parties and the next year it was Techno that completely wiped away the EDM scene. Which basically meant that the (mainstream) Techno became the new EDM of these days. Which is still going on.
What trends are you noticing right now; in sound, performance style, or audience energy?
I don't really follow any trends so I cannot answer this question.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming artists who want to be part of ADE?
Keep going and don’t give in.
How does this year’s ADE experience compare to others you’ve had?
This year's weather was just terrible therefore it was more intimate and cosy at the events I was at. Normally with a bit better weather. People also party more outside and this year was more focused on the indoor venues.
As a Dutch artist, how do you see ADE’s role in bridging the national and global electronic music scenes?
I think ADE has always been a way of showcasing which music genres, event organisations and artists are doing something a bit different or gained popularity over the last year. So it also should be seen as a showcase of those topics. Other than the fact there’s too many different parties people can choose from. For me it's always a way of reconnecting with people that I haven't seen in a while and catching up with different artists from all over!
