Our guest for this new year special is Invite (Tim van Paradijs). He doesn’t need any big introduction because we assume that many techno fans around the world are familiar with his legendary and influential podcast series. Namely the “Invite’s Choice Podcast”.

Tim’s work is one of our main influences for starting the Monument Podcast. We reminisce a few years back, gathering in our friends living room and anxiously listening to the latest episode of Invite’s Choice. The neighbors would complain about the loud music, but we didn’t care! Techno music was the first priority. When we discovered his podcast it was like a sense of coming home. The joy of getting access to great techno music is one that we would like to share with our listeners as well.

Tim is a true DJ at heart, and for the listeners his passion for music translates through his performance. He is known for an eclectic selection of techno music that can keep audiences engaged and energized for the duration of his sets.

We are truly thankful for his contribution to our Podcast and wish our listeners a happy New Year! Listen and read our interview below:

Biography:

Carrying well over seventeen years of love for techno and performing experience with him, Invite is one of Holland’s few true household names. A modest perfectionist at heart, he translates his passion and drive into outspoken and highly versatile DJ-sets. Whether it’s opening deep and warm,closing rough and edgy, a small crowd or large setting Invite treats every gig with the same amount of diligence and respect.

When given carte blanche and an extended timeslot, something he much prefers, Invite is able to move a crowd like few others can.

His career has seen him perform at numerous events including Planet Rose, Imprint, and Awakenings, festivals such as Awakefest, Free Your Mind and venues like Tresor, Trouw, About Blank, Paradiso and Doornroosje, on multiple occasions alongside the likes of Surgeon, Dave Clarke, Ben Sims and Jeff Mills. Invite’s reach doesn’t stop at the border however; he has played in Germany, England, Croatia, Scotland, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Austria, Estonia, France and Belgium and is looking forward to a lot more traveling.

Early 2011 has also marked the launch of his own podcast series, dubbed Invite’s Choice. Aiming to provide international techno artists a platform to think 100% out of the box and record a set without any musical limitations, it’s quickly become one of the best weekly podcasts out there.

Tim, tell us what it means for you to be a DJ?

It’s all about passion for music and respect the art of dj-ing. The art not everybody understands nowadays. There are too many people who start DJing for the wrong reasons. Maybe I’m a bit old fashioned but for me it’s really important to give people a good time. Never ever forget the people on the dancefloor! I like to share music with people, something you might have noticed when you follow the podcast series.

How do you prepare for a set?

Most of the time I make a selection of 60 tracks, so I have a good overview of the playlist instead of get lost in the amount of tracks a playlist can have. I always take a few playlists with me, most of the time lists from previous gigs.I always decide on the fly what I will play during the sets and what the mood of the night is. Many gigs I played something totally different than what I expected to play prior to the gig.

What about work in the studio, do you have any upcoming projects as a producer?

I’m really busy right now with finishing projects. Next year I will release an E.P. on one of Philippe Petit his labels. Besides that I will be doing the first release of my upcoming Invite’s Choice records label which will be available both as vinyl and digital. I also will do a track on the second ep. The other artists of the second release will be Tadeo, Zadig and Moving Thoughts.

What are your opinions on the techno scene from say when you got started until now?

Things have changed a lot since I started visiting techno parties in 1997. When talking about the Dutch scene, techno was always small comparing to Hardcore/gabber, trance and later on Hardstyle. The last couple of years things have changed a lot and changing are really fast. Many young people (mainly students) are really into techno. I only think when the genre isn’t that popular anymore more than 50% will leave the scene, simple because they mostly visiting genre’s which are popular or hip. For me it’s all about the music, not if it’s popular or hip. In times when techno wasn’t played that much like nowadays in The Netherlands I still played it simply because I love techno. It’s a big part of my life. My motto: play music which you love if it’s hip or not, believe in the music!

Finally, how would people communicate in a perfect world?

It’s all about respect. Of course I’m using email, facebook, Whatsapp etc, but I really prefer face to face contact.