The Dutch artist’s impact and ever-increasing influence on electronic music is immeasurable, along with his consistency, knowledge and skill. Hardwell has been at the helm of electronic music for decades with his trademark bold, anthemic drops, hypnotising melodies and massive builds which create a sense of euphoria and unity on the dancefloor. He’s a regular at festivals like Tomorrowland, Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra Music Festival as well as Creamfields. Through his label Revealed Recordings he’s discovered many emerging EDM acts such as Blasterjaxx, and his guidance has helped shape careers of artists like KSHMR.
In an exclusive chat with YourEDM, global EDM giant Hardwell, speaks about his journey through the ever-changing world of dance music, the importance of authenticity as an artist, his approach to collaborations and a lot more.
Hi Hardwell, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with YourEDM. We’re super excited to catch up with you! 
Your career has spanned decades, and you’ve been involved in the music industry since you were 14-years-old. In your opinion, what are the most significant ways EDM has evolved since you started out?
Well, when I started out dance music was way more niche than it is today, and the scene was mainly about club culture. But these days dance music is international, and this explosion has made it more of a global scene with the rise of huge festivals, massive brands and record labels. Technology has been a big driver of this with the growth of social media and streaming platforms both giving music fans instant access to music and news and insights about their favorite artists. Dance music has come a long way from its early rave days.
You’ve sampled and remixed numerous tracks that range from Pop, R&B to House. How do you select which songs to sample or remix? Do you have a specific process or is your method less structured?
When it comes to remixing or sampling, I try not to get too stuck into a specific process mindset, but instead just go for the vibe of a track. Sometimes it will be a certain melody or vocal that just grabs me, or other times something will just stand out and I’ll see if I can play around with it to make a new experience out of it.
Your record label Revealed Recordings has been at the forefront of electronic music for many years and in fact next year celebrates its 15th year. What’s your proudest moment since establishing the label?
Nearly 15 years and still going strong. That’s something I’m super proud about because, honestly, Revealed isn’t just about me, it’s about creating opportunities for up-and-coming artists. So, to still be able to be a platform for new talent and continue to help them break into the scene means so much to me. Moments like hosting our Revealed stages at festivals or seeing our artists top charts and gain recognition for their talent make me incredibly proud.
In 2018 you took a break from touring and live performances. Upon returning in 2022, you released your highly acclaimed second studio album REBELS NEVER DIE. For many artists the idea of taking a sabbatical for that long could be terrifying, as they may fear losing relevance. How do you balance the pressure of staying relevant, while still being true to yourself as an artist?
I’ve answered this question a lot since my return show in 2022 and over that time my belief in the answer I always give has only grown stronger. I really do believe it was one of the absolute best decisions I’ve ever made. I love being on the road, I love touring, I love playing shows, but I also love being in the studio, being creative and making music. I needed that time to reconnect with myself and my creativity. REBELS NEVER DIE was my way of coming back with something deeply personal that truly represented where I was musically and emotionally. For me being authentic is more important than trying to stay relevant. Fans connect with authenticity and that’s what I wanted to give them.
As one of the most ‘clicked on’ electronic music artists in the world, how do you ensure that your social media presence stays aligned with who you are as a musician?
I get it’s difficult in today’s world because social media can all too quickly become a showreel of things, but I try to only share content or moments that reflect who I am both as a person and an artist.
You performed with the Symphony of Unity Orchestra for Tomorrowland at Amsterdam Dance Event recently. Can you tell us about your approach when preparing for such a unique performance?
Interestingly for me this wasn’t my first time playing with an orchestra. Back in 2018 I hosted a special concert of my own, also at the Ziggo Dome during ADE, with the Metropole Orkest Symphony. These kinds of orchestral shows are hugely different from the typical flow and set-up of my own shows, but wow, they’re incredible. As a self-confessed music nerd, I loved the experience of adapting my music into something that blended seamlessly with a symphonic arrangement, finding the harmony between my electronic world and their classical world. I loved it!
You’ve been quite vocal about not being bound by a particular genre or sound. Looking ahead, do you think genres will still have as much influence as they do today?
Definitely! As an artist you never want your sound to be categorized into one box or another, but as human’s, I think, we just naturally like to put a label on everything. So, I completely get it. We all do this, but as an artist I feel genres are becoming less important. The fans don’t care so much about the musical boundaries, they just want to hear good music. From an artistic perspective that’s really exciting because it gives the artist more freedom to experiment and evolve. The lines between genres are blurring, and it feels like that’s where the future is headed right now.
You’ve collaborated with the likes of Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Tiësto and most recently Armin van Buuren on ‘Follow The Light’. How do you choose who to collaborate with, and what’s the process like?
For me, being in the studio, music-making is never about mastering the craft, it’s about constantly evolving, experimenting, and uncovering new creative ideas. I’ve always found that collaborations really enhance this approach and create an incredible opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and learn from someone else’s approach in the studio. I’ve always really thrived on the collaborative process, whether it’s with established artists or emerging talent, because it’s about coming together to make the best music possible. The back and forth on new ideas is always something that excites me.
Can you tell us how your sound has developed recently?
Honestly, it’s just me having fun in the studio and seeing what comes out the other end. For example, if you check out my recent track ‘Falling in Love’, which is a hardstyle track I did with Outsiders, or the techno leaning ‘No Sleep’, with Sarah de Warren, you can see that I’m just enjoying the blend of raw energy and storytelling with what I’m creating right now. 🙂
What can we expect from your forthcoming releases? Any collaborations in the pipeline?
I’m still putting focus into my current single ‘No Sleep’, but I have a new release coming up mid-December which I’m excited about because it’s a collaboration with someone who I think is a legend in our scene. And looking ahead to next year, I’ve used the latter part of 2024 to finish a huge batch of projects I’ve been working on so I’m super excited to jump straight into 2025 and reveal everything.
Stream Hardwell feat. Sarah de Warren – ‘No Sleep’ below:
Hardwell’s upcoming Tour Dates
