Hit-maker Hendrik Joerges talks all things EDM

Chart-topping, hit-making Hendrik Joerges is on a serious roll.

All pics: Milton Media

He has just released a new single featuring Irinami called ‘You Don’t Get Me” available on iTunes, Spotify, Beatport and Deezer.

He also produced a banging track with Astryd Brown titled “Something Sweet” which has seen major success regarding airplay and on the charts.

We spoke to this dynamic young producer about music, life and his label Do Work Records.

Das Kapital is amazing at speaking reason into me, and the last time I had a large ‘wobble’ he phoned me for an hour to talk about things.”

Your track “Something Sweet” features Astryd Brown on vocals. You two are no strangers to collaborating and saw major success with your chart topping remix of “Rain” originally by Pascal and Pearce, Mark Stent as well as Astryd. How was it working with her this time around?

Hendrik Joerges: It couldn’t have gone any better! I sent through the instrumental and received back the final recording of her vocals less than a week later.

I was so blown away by how catchy these vocals were that I redid the instrumental behind the song because I felt the original instrumental didn’t do her voice justice.

You’ve grown tremendously as an artist over the years and your newer tracks are seriously tight. I especially love your percussive growth and how your melodies are still fun yet more mature. Do you feel that you have stepped comfortably into your niche? (I guess the proof is in the pudding and by the sounds of your track, it definitely is something sweet.)

Hendrik Joerges: It would be ironic if I had had pudding whilst making this song!

But jokes aside, I think there’s always going to be change and growth and I’ll never be ‘comfortable’ until I’ve tried incorporating aspects from every genre into my music.

I’m happy with the growth that’s happening though, I’ve really tried putting in the hours. I’m glad it’s beginning to pay off!

You have also recently been signed to Das Kapital’s “Do Work” label. Congratulations by the way! How has that inspired you as an artist? Do you feel that your musicianship is being nurtured?

Hendrik Joerges: I think my biggest part growth as a brand and as a musician happened thanks to the wonderful family at Do Work records. They push me forward and motivate me.

I really need that sometimes. They also keep me grounded and help me see things from an objective perspective when I go a little ‘crazy’ sometimes.

Who are you musically obsessed with at the moment? What are your ‘most played’ tracks at the moment?

Hendrik Joerges: I’d have to say production wise ‘Eden’ and in terms of vocals ‘ATO’. My most played track at the moment is ATO – Heaven, which happens to be produced by Eden!

Producing music is no easy task. Have you ever been so frustrated with the industry that you felt like walking away? If so, how did you overcome that feeling?

Hendrik Joerges: I have had that feeling many times. I think a lot of emerging artists have this feeling when things take long or when it seems like nothing is happening for you.

Das Kapital is amazing at speaking reason into me, and the last time I had a large ‘wobble’ he phoned me for an hour to talk about things. Having someone to talk to in a time of immense frustration is key.

On a lighter note, what has been your favourite gig/music moment? That moment when you realise you are following your destiny?

Hendrik Joerges: I’d have to say a gig I played in Bloemfontein last year with Das Kapital and Mogey – at the time my remix of ‘Rain’ by Pascal & Pearce and Mark Stent had been #1 on the 5FM dance charts and #1 on CUT FM, which is the local student radio station in Bloemfontein with an impressive listenership, so I was able to play a lot of the music that would usually be very risky, and everyone was having an amazing time!

That moment made me realise I was in this for the long run.

You have just released a track called “You Don’t Get Me” with Irinami, how did this collaboration come about?

Hendrik Joerges: I heard her song “Hold Tight” on 5fm and her voice reminded me a lot of Adele and Amy Winehouse, but she also has a really amazing high-range.

I made it my goal to collaborate with her, so Das Kapital got into contact with her, and she was as excited as I was to collaborate!

It’s an emotionally charged track with matching musicality. What was the process of creating “You Don’t Get Me?”

Hendrik Joerges: As with ‘Sweet Something’, I completely changed the instrumental once I got the vocals because of how emotional they were.

The original instrumental was not emotional enough for her voice, so I decided to transform it into a powerful and melodic song.

The vocals were recorded at Red Bull Studios in Cape Town with Das Kapital, and he told me that it was a process of less than an hour to get the vocals done and dusted. It goes without saying that Irinami is one of the best female vocalists in the country.

Where can fans buy the track?

Hendrik Joerges: It is available on iTunes, Beatport, Spotify and Deezer for purchase and streaming.

Lastly, what sweet melodies can we expect from you, Hendrik Joergens, EDM maestro, this year ahead?

I’m wouldn’t consider the direction I’m going in to be particularly ‘EDM’ anymore. If anything, I’d call it a hybrid between different genres with an electronic influence.

I’ve got a lot of collaborative projects coming, with Garcon, Locnville, The Glitchfox, another one with Irinami together with Styles, and a song with Kaien Cruz to name a few. I’m extremely excited for the future!

Bonus Question: Cat person or dog person?

Hendrik Joerges: I’d have to say Dog. I used to be a cat person, but for some reason cats don’t like me back but every single dog I’ve ever come across eventually loves me back!

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Hit-maker Hendrik Joerges talks all things EDM