The flip side

Van Anh, who's name translates to 'clouds', remembers the moment she first discovered her love for the craft like it was yesterday. She hasn’t dared to admit how she first discovered her talent, until now. ‘About seven years ago, when I roamed the streets of Amsterdam on a rainy day, I walked into a new record shop that just opened, called Zwart Goud. I suddenly felt embarrassed that even though I had been a DJ for years, I had never actually played a physical record before.’ She carefully picked an album and placed it on the record player that was in the store, and immediately got fascinated with the whole process of digging through crates and listening to music in a totally different way than before.

It didn’t take long for VÂN ANH to give in to her new-found enthusiasm. She quickly bought her own turn tables and started investing in vinyl, which is positively more costly than buying music online. It only changed her outlook on music for the better, the DJ proclaims, as you can only spend the money once. ‘Your standard rises when you need to make choices. When I buy music now, it’s not because I have to prepare for a gig on the weekend, it’s because I really dig it. Besides discovering music in new ways, performing with vinyl has taught me to let go of wanting to be in control all the time.’

'Techno is a dual experience'

This almost cathartic experience changed her outlook on her profession. The very cool and collected VÂN ANH has recently graduated in Feng Shui besides her work as an artist, which is part of the reason why she believes that there’s room for every individual and their own energy on this earth. Feng Shui is all about harmonising people with their environment, much like what a DJ does, according to VÂN ANH.

‘I try to flow in my sets, which means that I tap into the feeling of what the people in front of me need, and what I need myself. When I adapt to the room, the space, and the moment, anything goes when it feels right. That's why I don't prepare my sets anymore, I just practice a lot.’ She doesn’t necessarily switch between genres, but always makes you question yourself if her techno can get any deeper and hypnotic still. And the answer is always yes. 'I love the feeling of mixing in a track that people don't expect.'

‘The best thing about dancing to techno that is such a dual experience: on one hand it's extremely external when you dance with others, and on the other hand it's such and individual experience when you turn inwards and resonate with the music. I am not that outgoing myself, which is why the dancefloor has such a strong hold on me. I feel like I can connect with others without having to speak.'

More than beat matching

Good news for those who want to learn how to spin as well: VÂN ANH is convinced anybody can learn how mix two tracks together. But DJing is more than beat matching, if you ask her. Captivating a crowd is an art that belongs to a select few. 'The art of building tension and layering tracks that complement each other takes timing, precision, and a lot of multitasking. When a DJ blows my mind, I’m locked to the dancefloor no matter what, even if I need to pee, drink, or wake up early the next day.'

Her philosophy is that when learn how to mix with vinyl and never lose your focus, you’ll acquire better DJ skills, but there are still some secrets to building up a set, taking people with you on a journey, and having them experience some of their best moments on the dancefloor.

Head in the clouds

She has done so in the fifteen years she has been a DJ, but also during the events she has organised with her own deep-techno concept ISOTOOP. Whether she takes her audience on a high-energy and mesmerising trip to the desert, or to a night full of ambient closer to home, VÂN ANH knows how to tell her story through her lifework of bringing music, people, and space together. And that’s exactly the spot she wants to have in this world. Besides living the dream, she’s ready to guide the next generation of dreamers.

One of the focus points of her ADE Lab is creating a storyline in a set. And that’s all about taking risks.

Very recently, VÂN ANH was booked to perform the closing slot at an event where the room wasn’t filled to the brim that early in the morning. 'Imagine the feeling when you start to play and the room becomes empty! I try to forget about how crowded a place is and not see it as a merit of how I DJ, just like I don’t necessarily strive for people to throw their hands in the air when the drop hits. I decided to let go of my ego and insecurity and replaced it with trust in the fact that the people who are there with me are having a good time. It’s just as beautiful of an experience when people turn deeper into themselves and quietly go "ahhh". Sure, that’s less visible, but definitely palpable.’

So what do you do when you want to draw people back in again, and have them with you in spirit and sensation? ‘Suddenly, the idea popped up to ask the technicians to turn down all of the lights in the venue. I let go of my anxiety and started to play warmer sounds in stead of playing as fast and hard as I normally would, because I wanted to grab the people who were there together and get them to come closer to my DJ booth. That worked like a charm, and became one of those goosebumps moments. Another one of those moments was playing the Vault Sessions at BRET in Amsterdam right after the lockdown in The Netherlands, where I dove into the deepest and darkest waters of techno in stead of kicking it up a notch, much to the surprise of many visitors. Sometimes people ask me why I’m so bold or courageous when I play, but for me the true question is: when else can I take risks?'

Trust the process

‘I like to play with vinyl because it challenges me. I still make mistakes sometimes, but that never stopped me from playing with vinyl.’ During her ADE Lab workshop, VÂN ANH dives into how she tackles the most well-known problems that occur when spinning vinyl, and how she DJs in a club. A little piece of advice she’s willing to give beforehand: ‘Buy equipment to tape your sessions! I record the sets I play at home a lot of the times, and not even for podcasts or streaming services, but to hear my own progress. When it comes to performing with vinyl, you have to trust in yourself and rely on the fact that if you are not stressed and you feel good, those magical moments of bliss will come naturally.’ She encourages everybody to be their true selves, and not shy away from emotion or creativity. 'You don't need to wear black or take press pics in front a concrete block, techno can look however you like. It is just as well a form of expressing emotions. And emotions are there to be let go!'

‘One of the big lessons I learned is: don't focus on the outcome. Let go and trust the process.’

Besides sharing her knowledge, VÂN ANH hopes to get something out of her workshop as well. ‘I would love it for people to experience the sensation that comes with spinning records. It took me a bit to get to the point in life where I am now, as I am almost 40, but it's truly liberating when you feel comfortable to do what you want deep inside. When you find the thing you love, it trickles down into all areas of your life.’

VÂN ANH plays two times during ADE: a three-hour set at Audio Obscura on ADE Friday and at Breakfast Club on ADE Sunday. Join the workshop ‘How to Perform on Vinyl with VÂN ANH’ on ADE Wednesday by securing your ADE Lab Pass now.