Q&A
Could you start by telling us who you are and what kind of music you make?
I’m Gino van Dam, officially Eugenio Gisberto van Dam, but I’ve been called Gino my whole life. I produce and DJ under the name JEANS. I also work under a few other aliases, though I prefer to keep those completely off-radar so the music can travel on its own without any cross-promotion. Currently, I'm known for my energetic, fast-paced sets built around a psychedelic sound, lots of groove, rolling rhythms, low and midrange pressure, and hats with plenty of headroom.
I usually play on four decks; that setup lets me constantly layer, think ahead, and keep the groove moving without breaking the flow. That rolling momentum is really what defines me as a DJ. As a producer, I move very differently. I rarely produce what I play out, which might sound strange, but for me it’s a separate world. Producing music for me is about disappearing into my bunker studio and exploring whatever comes out of my brain. Sometimes that’s ambient, sometimes trip-hop or hip-hop, and often it doesn’t fit any genre at all. In the studio there are no limits. the possibilities are endless, and that’s exactly how I like it. i’m also definitely keen to explore that realm on the dancefloor too in the future.
As an artist from The Hague, what unique sound or energy do you bring to ADE?
That’s a bit of a hard question to answer, because I never prepare my sets. I carry a 512GB USB filled with everything from gabber to noise to ambient, so I can decide in the moment what direction to take. I often play tracks at completely different speeds than they were intended, sometimes slowing down fast tracks, sometimes pushing slower ones way up, all based on the energy in the room. In terms of sound - it aligns with what I mentioned earlier: the psychedelic, rolling, groove-driven atmosphere people know me for. But I’m also versatile. During ADE, for example, I play an early morning ambient show where I dive deep into pure frequencies, completely without rhythm, just a full-body immersion into sound.
How did this booking come about. Did ADE reach out, or was it through your own network?
My bookings come in through my agency, Meanwhile, where I work with two agents: Saskia and Atif. Of course, I also have a large personal network, meeting people on dancefloors, online, and through the underground studio space I share with a lot of other artists, which naturally expands my connections. But in the end, all bookings go through my agency, and they discuss with me what I do or don’t want to take on. During ADE there are always tons of requests, but it’s important that everything fits well and runs smoothly. Besides the bookings, I also hosted my own event together with Hyperlily, combining our labels Hyperwaves and Oracle Bones. It took place on Friday, and it was amazing to put together.
What makes you happiest about being here; the recognition, collaboration, or contribution?
What makes me happiest is simply playing music for people. That’s where I tell my story. Because my approach is rooted in a psychedelic direction, I take listeners on a journey. I’ve always believed I can tell a story without using any words, guiding people into an inner experience through sound alone. That shamanic aspect of it is something I truly love.
Does ADE feel like just another gig, or does it hold a special place for you?
ADE definitely doesn’t feel like a regular gig. It’s intense, it lasts an entire week, and I’m usually there for several days, playing multiple shows and meeting a lot of people. It becomes part gig, part networking, and that brings a certain pressure as an artist, at least for me. If I already have shows early in the week, I’m also thinking about the possibility that programmers might be in the room, or that I have meetings or another booking the next day. All of that sits in your mind, so the real challenge is staying focused, especially while performing. So no, it’s definitely not like any other gig.
Since its start in 1996, ADE has evolved a lot - what changes stand out to you in the music or industry side?
Not just at ADE, but throughout the whole scene, I’ve really watched the music world change. It used to be all about artists becoming known purely through their quality, their sound, their setcraft, the energy they brought, or their unique approach to sound design. That was the norm. These days, social media and how you present yourself play a huge role. There’s also far more competition than before. Times change, so you won’t hear me complain. I actually enjoy playing the social game now and then; it gives you the chance to show sides of yourself beyond just the music. And I definitely have multiple sides. But it’s still a big shift compared to how things used to be.
What trends are you noticing right now; in sound, performance style, or audience energy?
When it comes to trends, I notice things are becoming more complex and moving in all directions. I’ve often predicted that genres will eventually fade, which feels logical, so many styles are already blending, and people mix everything together. That seems to be the current trend, and I think it will only continue. Sometimes I wonder what music will look like in 50 or 100 years, assuming humanity is still around. I imagine genres might barely exist as a framework by then. Even now, every genre has countless subgenres. To be honest, I don’t pay attention to trends or genres at all. My USB isn’t organized by genre; it’s sorted by my own labels, colours, energies, moods. Many tracks appear in multiple folders because they hold multiple energies. As for trends, I just follow what feels right. And I’m very cliché-sensitive: the moment something becomes a trend or people start expecting something from me, I push back and reinvent myself.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming artists who want to be part of ADE?
Stay focused, follow your heart, don’t look at others, and keep reinventing yourself. Do what feels right, don’t rush, take your time, and show up as fully and intensely as you can. Be unapologetically yourself and make a difference. In the end, hard work and focus will always reward you.
How does this year’s ADE experience compare to others you’ve had?
This year I want to take a healthier approach and get more sleep. That’s why I didn’t book an apartment in Amsterdam, I’m going back to The Hague between shows so I can actually touch my own bed for a moment, or spend a bit of quiet time in the studio without overstimulating myself with too much.
As a Dutch artist, how do you see ADE’s role in bridging the national and global electronic music scenes?
Explaining that role is quite simple imo: ADE brings together people from all over the world, all in one city. Because of that, you constantly run into each other, and connecting becomes very easy, as long as you’re open to it. For more introverted people it can be harder, but that’s where a good agent can step in and handle that part for you. Personally, I like showing my face. I’m a social person, and I enjoy meeting people, even those who do something completely different from me. I find that inspiring. And I think that’s really the core role of ADE: creating those connections.
