Nine years ago, Raynor Bruges started as one of the first resident DJs for the popular events and the main festival Vunzige Deuntjes. Nowadays, he is Head of Programming, responsible for the sound and music. In addition to the event management, Vunzige Deuntjes also involves a label and publishing. VIRPP talks to Bruges about the new talent and future of the brand.
Normally Vunzige Deuntjes organizes more than 200 events a year. What did you do during the COVID-19 year?
“We took the time to diversify our company. Music is still the main thing but next to organizing events and the festival, we focused on starting a label and a publishing business. This year, there are even plans to launch our own Vunzige Deuntjes’s agency and an academy. A great way to teach starting DJs all about the ins and out of our business. One of our directors draw attention to VIRPP and how it would be a perfect fit to help realize those plans. We have started talking and here we are.”
What are your first impressions of VIRPP?
“After the first talk, I started using the platform and was pleasantly surprised. I saw a couple of young producers that uploaded high quality stuff. We want to use VIRPP to discover new talent. It would be great if we can find tracks that are perfect, so they can be released on our label straight away. But I also understand that there are lots of diamonds in the rough out there. Vunzige Deuntjes is willing to help to polish that sound to a professional level.”
How does Vunzige Deuntjes look at the big pool of new DJs and producers?
“If you want to make a career in this saturated music DJ scene, a unique selling point is essential. Music that can break the ceiling and goes beyond what you know. Music that makes people go whoa that is cool. We are actively looking for talent through demos we receive. Before COVID-19 hit, we had a special area at some of our events where aspiring DJs and producers could show us their stuff. For us, it is very important to seek and help new talents.”
Can you tell us something about the collaboration between Vunzinge Deuntjes and VIRPP?
“As I said before, we’re hoping to scout and find new talent. We are not only talking about producers and DJs but also vocalists. That search will happen on the platform through special contests. At the moment, we are still talking about the nuts and bolts of the collaboration, but it seems logical that we will release competition winners’ music on our label or give them a shot to play live at one of our Vunzige Deuntjes shows or festivals in the future.”
Can you give some advice to people who are starting?
“You have to realize that there are no rules when it comes to making music. Go out and do your own thing. Have fun with what you do and produce or spin those records. That is the only way to find that unique voice and/or sound. Nowadays, eight out of ten DJs use the same music but they do that in their own way. In the end, we are just looking for good, original music.”
