Eddie Thoneick

Cr2, Defected, Ministry of Sound, Kontor

2007.09.05 ::: Words by Andrew Reid

Eddie Thoneick, a name that stands for uplifting, high octane house music. With his musical background playing various instruments for over 20 years and focusing on electronic music since more than 15 years, Eddie found his way into producing his own tracks. His tight sound programming, strong build up arrangements and his flair for new house styles are just a few reasons why his tracks get very well received by Djs, Labels and Clubbers world wide.

The list of remixes for well known artist gets longer and longer: Junior Jack, Sebastian Ingrosso & Steve Angello, Bob Sinclar, David Guetta, Roger Sanchez are just a few.

In 2006 finally the big breakthrough record; Eddie Thoneick vs Kurd Maverick "Love Sensation", with two mixes from Eddie and one from Kurd Maverick. The "Eddie Thoneick Sensation Mix" generated a huge wave of support from the worlds leading DJs like Bob Sinclar, Angello & Ingrosso, Axwell, David Guetta, Joachim Garraud, Erick Morillo and not least of all Pete Tong, Judge Jules and Dave Pearce. "Love Sensation" was one of the "must have" hot tunes of 2006 and was released worldwide.

In October 2006 Eddie joined forces with a hot new talent from Amsterdam; Berget Lewis covering the classic “Deeper Love” by C&C Music Factory. Released on Cr2 Records in the UK and various indies in all territories such as Oxyd Italy, Kontor Germany, Ministry of Sound in Australia, Ultra USA.

After working on remixes, Eddie steps back into the scene in 2007 with a new stormer in collaboration with vocalist Berget Lewis. The single will be called “Forgiveness” and will include 4 massive mixes of Eddie himself. Further to that, the man continues to churn out dancefloor killers both as remixes and original productions. With his unique sound of bumping beats and slick sexy vocals, Eddie is poised to take over the houe music universe!

Nocturnal: Your breakout really came with the remix of Loleatta Holloway's "Love Sensation" with Kurd Maverick. How did that project come together? Were you shocked by the global success of that track?
Eddie: Well, as I always was a fan of Loleatta and all the Salsoul records, I always wanted to do something with it. Love Sensation was always one of my favourite tunes back in the late 80's. It has been covered several times, but not in a modern way I thought it could be. So I decided to pick up Loleatta's Vocals and conjure up a brand new playback...that's how the "sensation mix“ was made. The one that has been played commercially. Mixes were missing, so I thought about collaborating with my friend Kurd Maverick. He came up with a cool Club version...so we decided to getting together on a project. We definitely had a good feeling about the tune, but not that it gets so successful.

Nocturnal: How did you stumble onto electronic music and what about it drew you to make electronic music your life?
Eddie: As I listened to a lot of different music styles when I was young, I was really open for everything new. I was listening to bands from very different genres: from Straight Edge (youth of today), NYHC (Sick of it all), EBM (Nine Inch Nails, Ministry), Hip Hop/Rap (Run DMC, De La Soul) to Michael Jackson and especially George Benson. But especially Trent Reznor, producer of Nine Inch Nails drove me into electronic music, later I was really up to all the early Strictly Rhythm stuff...When I started Djing at the age of 14 I always wanted to do my own music, so I bought a computer, Cubase, an Akai s2000 sampler and a control synthesizer and that was my basis of my equipment for about 3 years.

Nocturnal: You have an extensive musical background. What instruments can you play? Do you feel your formal training has propelled your production career?
Eddie: 100%! Thanks to my musical education on the Piano, I learned a lot about harmonies and improvisation, as I found a teacher who's roots were in Jazz and Blues. After 12 years I had to stop the lessons because of University. This basis was essential for my musical understanding and the feeling for harmonies. I played in 2 bands, playing Keyboards and Bass. During that time I learned a little of Guitar and Drums also.

Nocturnal: You have one of the globe's most discernable styles. How do you vision your dance floor and sound? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Eddie: As I'm trying to get a unique sound in all my productions I think you can hear when I produced a track. This is essential for a musician: people knowing when you produced a track, when they listen to it! I'm using a lot of original instruments in my productions, as original drums, guitar licks. I think the inspiration comes from my wide musical background, putting it together into 1 new style.

Nocturnal: As an accomplished producer are there any valuable tips you could pass on to someone starting out making music?
Eddie: You always pass failure on your way to success! That's one of the most important things. You will always be pushed back by labels when you're not known. But in the end someone will listen someday and see the talent in you. In this case of course talent is essential and you need to create something fresh, without copying people's sounds. But in the beginning it's normal that you try to produce sounds like artist you're looking up to.

Nocturnal: As the electro sound starts to fade out, a lot of buzz is on all things minimal. Do you feel that the minimal sound is poised to be the next big thing in electronic music?
Eddie: I don't think so! I hope that this pure electro music will fade soon, as it's really sounding all the same right now. In the past few month the electro sound has gotten really minimal. I think we'll go back into that more classic house sounds but mixed up with electro elements. So I don't mean Disco-house, but this true Strictly-Rhythm styled, percussive house.

Nocturnal: Who are the names that people should watch out for as either producers or DJs?
Eddie: Definitely Kurd Maverick of course. Future talent Danny Freakazoid from Switzerland and Deadmau5 who has popped out of nowhere! Amazing styles and most of all fresh.

Nocturnal: You've done several mixes for Bob Sinclar now with "Everybody Movin'", and the forthcoming tune with Steve Edwards "Together". What's it like working on tracks from such a house music legend? Which is your personal favourite remix?
Eddie: It's really nice and I'm feeling honoured of course that he came up to me and asked for mixes. Bob was always one of my fav's! He's also one of my big supporters, nearly playing all my stuff. It really seems like the mix of "Everybody Moving“ is quite timeless, as I'm still playing it like hell. It's from 2006 but it's still is up to date. When I teamed up with Kurd for this mix we knew the result would be nice. The mixes I did for "Together“ are slightly different to "Everybody Moving“ as the original tune from Bob is quite commercial. So it wasn't so easy coming up with a club version. But I think the result is good! There will be a vocal mix and a dub.

Nocturnal: Further to working with Bob Sinclar, you've also done remixes for house heavyweights Junior Jack, Roger Sanchez, Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso, Fedde le Grand, and David Guetta. Who would you work with again without question? Who would really like to work with that you haven't had the opportunity with yet?
Eddie: Definitely all of them. The contacts were all really nice and most of the were directly with the artists. It's nice to be treated on the same level as they are. All of them are really down to earth, especially Roger, Bob, David and Fedde! I will start working a lot with the dutch guys in future. Fedde, Funkerman e.g. The good thing is that I can speak dutch well, as my roots are based in Holland ;).

Nocturnal: What releases and remixes are forthcoming?
Eddie: I will start working on remixes for an Ian Carey tune soon. My brand new single in collaboration with Till West will come out soon: Till West & Eddie Thoneick "Hi 'n Bye“! As well a brand new tune is in progress with an amazing vocalist. Also I'm planning getting back into studio with Kurd [Maverick] for a new tune.

Nocturnal: Lastly here are some quick shots:
Nocturnal: What's more likely... vinyl making a comeback or a non-trance DJ being rated #1 in the DJ Mag poll?
Eddie: Vinyl won't get a revival I guess, as CDs are the technique of the future. Yes I can imagine that a non trance DJ can be voted #1...
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for vacation?
Eddie: Australia and Bali.
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for performing?
Eddie: Australia, as the festivals are monstrous.
Nocturnal: Most indispensable item you travel with?
Eddie: Toothbrush (haha) iPod video packed with loads of TV series (Prison Break, Traveler, Lost, etc)..
Nocturnal: Most indispensable piece of studio kit?
Eddie: Trilogy, TC-sidechain compressor.
Nocturnal: MySpace or Facebook?
Eddie: MySpace: www.myspace.com/eddiethoneick.
Nocturnal: Most emotional song for you of all time?
Eddie: Brothers In Rhythm "The Way It Is“.
Nocturnal: Single greatest moment from your DJ performance career?
Eddie: Fabrique Moscow...was like a pop concert! and of course the whole Australia tours, I hope Canada will be similar.

::: Related Links

::: www.eddiethoneick.com

::: www.myspace.com/eddiethoneick

::: 2007.09.15 » LOVE SENSATION @ The Docks