German trance supremo, Paul Van Dyk, chats to TNT about his label’s 10th birthday, getting records in communist east Berlin and his Grammy nomination.

Congratulations on your record label, Vandit, reaching 10 years. What’s been the highlight?
Every single record released is a highlight because we love what we do and we only release music that we really like, so therefore it’s always special for us.

What can people expect from your upcoming London show?
We’re going to kick in some of the classics that we’ve released over the last 10 years but at the same time, we have always been a label with the outlook towards the future so there’s going to be a lot of new music as well … there’s going to be production that is worth being watched, but it’s as much about closing your eyes and dancing your arse off.

You were nominated for a Grammy in 2005 for your album, Reflections. What was that like?
It was a great honour, especially since it was the first time they even had a Grammy for electronic music. Being among the first five to ever be nominated in that category [Best Dance/Electronic Album] is something special.

Did you go to the ceremony?
Yes we did. I know about U2 but I wouldn’t necessarily recognise them on the street. I was sitting among all these people and then I remember hearing 
“And the winner is U2” and suddenly everybody around us stood up and went up on stage. This is when I realised I was sitting in the middle of U2.

You got into dance music by listening to west Berlin radio while growing up in communist east Berlin. Did anyone ever sneak records over the wall for you?
Old people were allowed to travel 
because the communistic system thought: “If the old people leave the country, 
we don’t need to pay their pension”. 
So when my grandma travelled to the 
west, she bought a record that I told 
her to get for me. My very first record 
was Organisation by a band called 
OMD, and for whatever reason my grandmother got a seven-inch as a gift because she bought the album. It was 
a-ha, Take On Me.

Your grandma sounds quite cool.
Well, she probably didn’t have a clue what she was buying me, but definitely very cool for her to bring it over.

Were there any illegal dance parties in east Berlin?
I wouldn’t really call them dance parties. It was more like we met up – maybe 20 people – and we recorded all of our favourite shows on these German tape recorders and we just played them back and danced in somebody’s apartment or basement. It was definitely not an official party, more like an illegal house party.

What else are you working on?
I’m working on my latest artist album, which will be released at the beginning of next year. I am quite far through already so when you see the London show, you will hear all of the new stuff.

Hopefully you won’t have any problems with volcano ash.
The thing with London is there’s always a way to get there. Worst case scenario, I’ll start two days early and drive.

» At Vandit 10, Brixton Academy, 
211 Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL  Brixton 

0844 477 2000
Sun, May 30. £20
myspace.com/paulvandyk

Interview: Natasha Vuckovic