Hello Ton, how do you do, thanks for according us the interview. We're indonesiaclubbing.com, a portal website for clubbing and nightlife guide in Indonesia, online since the end of 2006. Well, since we don't have much time, let's start right away. Is this your first time in Indonesia?

No, actually it isn't, the first time was in 2007 I think. Long time ago. And I'm pleased to see that a lot of things have changed since, like this new club, X2, which is nice!

Okay then...My second question would be: how did you start your DJing career?

I was 14, more than eighteen years ago (chuckles). I used to go out a lot for these kiddy nightclubs - well I don't have a better word to describe it, but it's actually nightclubs where teenagers between 12 to 18 can come to, we have nice electronic music, of course, but they don't sell alcohol or cigarettes or anything much, really, but the ambience is always great even though everyone must go home at 11 PM.
So, one day, I was kind of interested on how the DJs work behind their turntables, so I looked often how they worked, and bought some first-kit DJing equipments to try at home.
One day, one of the DJs who was supposed to play didn't turn up, so my friends dragged me to the DJ booth and said, come on, Ton, you can play too! And that's how it all started.

So from there on you started mixing and became interested in the EDM?

Yes, true. After that I played more and more often and eventually when I turned 18 I moved off to the real nightclubs and tried the real scene... (chuckles) Then of course I began to take the DJing career more seriously.

Is T.B. abbreviated from your surname?

No, my real name is actually Ton van Empel, as you can see here (Ton handing us his business card).

How did you become involved in Black Hole Recordings?

As you might be aware, Tijs Verwest, better known as Tiësto to the world, owns the label Black Hole.
Before he signed me up to the label, we already knew each other for a long time, for our paths often crossed each other in our journey clubhopping around the world.
Then, of course, Greece 2000 came out - you know the song?

Yes, one of the forever-club-hits, certainly!

So, Greece 2000 came out and somehow, I was approached by Tijs and his label offered me the contract.
Since 2001 I've been signed up there and so far we have a couple of albums already released, me and Black Hole....

Talking about labels...
If Tiësto owns Black Hole, and Armin van Buuren owns Armada.
Is there any rivality in Netherlands between these two labels, since both head honchos are also involved in the eternal battle of being Netherlands' and the World's Number One?

We are all friends!
Yes, of course there are small rivalities between us, for example who sells the best releases, who tops the charts, what hits stay longer, etc.
But these rivalities stay friendly and fair, because in the scene, everyone knows everyone.
It's a small scene, and there's a big public, so there's enough place for everyone in here.

Do you have any gig you remember most, because of the crowd maybe, or because of the acts, or simply because it holds some memories for you?

Definitely the Miami WMC. I played there with Tiësto. The ambience was just great, the crowd was huge, it was a sunny day... Everything's cool about the event!

Now, about JADE 2008 - Jakarta Annual DanceMusic Event.
What have you to say about the concepts, the events... everything?

This is surely a great concept! Well I know it's still small, but it's only its first year! The first time is always the hardest one, because you're still trying to have the perfect combination of everything.
Amsterdam Dance Valley also started very small a few years back, but it grows with time.
Trial and error process is needed in everything.
So, I'd say this is quite good already, cheers for the organizers and I hope it will be bigger and bigger in the upcoming years!

One advice you would like to share with young DJs?

Be yourself, be creative, and follow your dreams!
For everything is possible whenever there is a will.

Thank you so much Ton, we'll see you tomorrow at Centro, yeah?

Sure, anytime!