In A Genre Of Questions, Beltek Is The Answer

We all can agree: Music is a basic human need. We also know that electronic music is no different – we experience so many powerful emotions in every genre of EDM, it’s hard to imagine life without its metaphysical connector. That powerful connection is not limited to one specific style or genre, we just know it when we hear it; when we feel it. Sadly, the art of human connection is lost on much of today’s most popular music, especially when the style is of the progressive and electro house genres. Some say these are the genres full of sell-outs; the soon-to-be-forgotten artists attempting to make”bangers” instead of real, heartfelt energetic music. So when we are asked who, exactly, in this realm of music do we truly believe in, we always have an answer: Beltek.

I always try to make music that’s interesting to me… I like to produce all sorts of electronic music genres. There are amazing qualities in each and every genre. -Beltek

Beltek is one of the more rare breeds of electronic music producers. He holds no “safe” boundaries for himself, and never has. He lets his pure emotion take over, and creates music based on what he feels sounds right. His sound is big no matter the specific genre, no matter the venue or festival. Beltek’s talent for producing was spotted by Mr. Pete Tong himself during a remix competition in 2008, and since then, both Beltek’s production technique and popularity have grown immensely. We asked what the biggest differences were for his career over the past year, and why 2013 specifically was so monumental for him:

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”]The biggest difference for me is the improvement of my productions, sound-wise and arrangement-wise… I’m also having my busiest year so far, visiting India, Korea and South America for the first time. I also had my first month long US tour in August and… my first bus tour with Morgan Page…so I must say that I’m super happy to be a part of this.[/quote]

Beltek performing in South America for the first time.

As a newcomer on the line-up for some of the world’s most massive festivals, we asked Beltek specifically about his first-ever experience of Ultra Music Festival, from a DJ’s perspective:

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”][Ultra] was mind-blowing. This year I played 3 Ultra Music Festivals actually. One in Argentina, one in Chile and of course the big daddy of them all, Miami in US. All of them were a huge experience for me. I’ve never played before for more than 15.000 people like I did at these festivals. It was also cool to meet a lot the big guys from the music industry. [/quote]

In the earlier 2013 months, Beltek was already seeing major growth for himself and his music – His electro groove track Eric Goes To Disco made the cut for Toolroom Records Miami 2013 compilation, among big names like deadmau5, Sander van Doorn, and Dirty South. Eric Goes To Disco became a major spring break UMF tune, which expanded into the major summer festivals all over the world. When we asked about that moment of making the album, Beltek had a humbled response:

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”]It’s always an amazing feeling to produce a track that you love so much and then get huge support from the big guys.[/quote]

“Huge support” is putting it simply, as his list of avid backers includes Paul Oakenfold, Tritonal, and Armin Van Buuren. Beltek saw nearly every single release grow to become another career milestone for him, which landed him an opportunity to collaborate with the one and only Morgan Page. The finished piece, entitled Captcha, followed suit to Beltek’s growing success, and earned him major notoriety among the EDM big leagues.

DID YOU KNOW:

• Beltek does not have a drivers license
• He was selling clothes before his career as a producer/DJ took off
• He has a deep love for good vodka (it’s true! And perhaps tortilla chips as well..)

Soon after the collab, Beltek joined fellow upcoming producer (and EDM’s newest funnyman) Topher Jones on the tour of a lifetime. Together they were booked to open up for Morgan Page’s game-changing 3D tour experience. We wanted the inside details of the tour: Just how was it, embarking on a 3-week bus tour with an EDM legend:

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”]Almost all of the shows have been sold out and people have been completely mind blown with the 3D technology that Morgan brought with this tour. I’m also very excited to visit the places I’ve never played before and making some new fans and sharing my music with them.[/quote]

“We are constantly exchanging ideas on this tour…so it’s fun to hang out together and share some musical wisdom with each other.” -Beltek, alongside tourmates Morgan Page and Topher Jones

But no matter how massive the festival or the 3D effects may be, Beltek knows that the ultimate focus is on the quality of the music, which he upholds to a high standard. He appreciates every second of playing live to thousands of his fans, but his performance holds no value to him if the music doesn’t measure up. That is a standard we’d like to see more artists embrace, especially when we, as fans, often travel thousands of miles just to see them perform. We asked Beltek what matters more to an up-and-comer: Getting booked for UMF or quality original productions?

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”] [UMF] sure helps me a bit and I’m honored to be a part of a festival.. but the most valuable things for everyone’s careers are the music productions that you put out. Those are the most important things. [/quote]

You can bet that Beltek had a similar viewpoint toward the DJ Mag Top 100 poll, and its relevance to any DJ’s career.

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”]It sure impacts the scene a bit, but it hasn’t been nearly as relevant for the last few years. If you come in the top 10 list then it could get you better gigs and better payment for sure. But otherwise if you’re not in the top 10 I think it doesn’t really affect your career. All in all I think it’s great that there are some lists so people can look up to some new talent, but that’s pretty much it. This is not the list of best DJs, but the most popular DJs, and I think we all know that any contest in show business mustn’t be taken too seriously. [/quote]

We couldn’t agree more, as most of us have our own list of favorites that didn’t make the Top 100 list in 2013, or have never in their entire careers. But at the same time, those artists have a similar mindset: They didn’t come for the popularity contest, nor to be sell-outs just to pull gigs. They are producers by right of passion, and make music solely for music’s sake. And even if their career is taking off in the upward direction, they don’t pay attention to the stats or the lists. We asked how hard it was to ignore the fact that he’s one of the biggest rising talents in the industry:

[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek”]I don’t look at myself as that person at all. I just do my thing and I am grateful for my supporting fans who are making my dreams come true. [/quote]

As a valuable asset to the lifeblood of EDM, we treasure Beltek and his driving desire to make music that stands out of the crowd, and doesn’t fear going against the status quo. With the naysayers of the EDM movement preaching of the proposed “bubble” ready to pop at any given moment, it’s artists like Beltek that give us peace of mind, knowing that our music is sacred and full of life to the artists that make it. The future of electronic dance music is not one for questioning – The music is proof, and Beltek is the answer.

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[quote style=”1″ author=”Beltek, on his 2013 Yearmix”]The year 2013 was my most successful year so far and I had tons of fun playing all around the world in countries I have never played before. The biggest thanks goes to all of my fans. You are the reason I even exist.
Here is my 2013 Yearmix, dedicated to all of you for your holidays. It was very hard to choose my favorite tracks of this year and put them in a 1 hour yearmix. I could easily make a 5 hour mix. That is how many amazing tracks have been released this year.
Play it out loud and don’t forget to smile![/quote]

Become a fan of Beltek on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter and Soundcloud for more upcoming releases.