Dutch DJ Don Woezik, based in Malmö, Sweden, began his musical life as a drummer when he was 12 years old.
"[That] which later sparked my passion for rhythm and led me to start producing," he says. "I also became addicted to it when I discovered my teenager heroes after attending underground raves with Ben Klock, Oscar Mulero, Planetary Assault System Chris Liebing, Robert Hood etc. Which was the sound I was producing and playing at this time."
Woezik started producing on Ableton at when he was 18.
"Over the past 14 years, I’ve dedicated myself to music and DJing, but it wasn’t until 2022 that I began receiving recognition and started touring professionally," he says. "Early on, I worked as a promoter in Malmö, Sweden—a city with a quite challenging scene. Strict drug laws, high crime rates, and a general mistrust of techno by authorities make it difficult for the genre to thrive. The lack of this techno culture in Sweden has left many unable to appreciate or explore the genre thoroughly. The country is quite behind on global music trends, for example: We're still stuck in the EDM phase. While this presents challenges, it also gives me the unique distinction of being the only industrial hard techno artist in Sweden, which is pretty cool."
Woezik describes his sound as, "industrial hard techno with a strong emphasis on rhythm, heavily influenced by my background as a drummer in metal bands when I was younger. Drums are my natural strength, though I’ve always found synths more challenging since I never learned to play chords."
Woezik has three exciting releases lined up for 2024.
"The first is a remix of Jayron’s iconic track, "Knock Knock," which became a global phenomenon," he says. "It’s a crowd favorite, and audiences often sing along whenever I play it live. The second release is a high-energy festival banger available as a free download on the renowned platform Innergated. It features distorted kicks and a playful Dutch vocal sample I discovered while scrolling through social media, which felt fresh and unique. To round off the year, I’ll debut a track on HIVE’s new record label. HIVE, one of Germany’s most celebrated festivals, is launching this exciting platform, and being part of its inaugural roster is an incredible honor. These projects represent diverse aspects of my sound, from energetic remixes to innovative originals, and I’m thrilled to see how they’re received."
As for gear: "My journey began with a Traktor S2 and CDJ200s, casually playing loud enough to get kicked out of my apartment—a classic DJ story. After upgrading to CDJ2000+ and moving to a studio, I’ve consistently used the Xone mixer for its dual analog soundcards and incredible filters. For live performances, Sennheiser headphones are my go-to."
"In production, I work entirely in the box, using EVE SC207 speakers with a subwoofer and Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones for precise mixing," Woezik continues. "Depending on the task, I’ll also use Sennheiser headphones or even AirPods for checking sub-frequencies—it’s all about being familiar with your tools."
Looking ahead, Woezik has plenty planned for the coming months.
"I have major releases in the pipeline that I can’t share yet but are set to make some big noise," he says. "Touring will be a big focus, particularly in the U.S., where 30% of my fanbase is located—a surprising stat for a European artist I’d say. My 2025 tour will include major stops across the States, including LA, NYC, Miami, Washington DC, San Diego, Phoenix, and MMW. In the beginning of next year, I’m also launching a new clothing brand called DW. Unlike typical artist merchandise, this line focuses on high-end, handcrafted items. The first drops are coming in the beginning of 2025, offering quality pieces designed to stand out. The future looks promising and I'm very excited about what’s ahead!"
