For his friends and family he is known as Ardie Van Beek, but for us from Electro Station, MTV and the whole music industry he is one of the hottest dance music names – he is Funkerman. The story of this talented Dutch producer and DJ begins in the mid nineties where he was starting to produce and promote music, while working in local record store, Magik. Being surrounded by the records he loved gave him an insight to the dance music industry as well as keen sense of how music moved people, and he quickly became a A&R manager; working at the heart of the burgeoning Dutch scene. Through years of hard work DJ-ing and producing, Funkerman established himself internationally, and by 2004 he decided it was time to capitalise on his success, so he founded Flamingo Recordings, with fellow producer Raf and Fedde le Grand. In the six years since, the label has gone from strength to strength, releasing some of the biggest house tracks of recent times, like Funkerman’s “Speed Up”, Ida Corr’s “Let me think about it”, Fedde le Grand’s “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit” and their collaboration on “3 Minutes To Explain”. Flamingo Recordings has of course also been the outlet for his own prolific discography. In 2005 Funkerman topped the Dutch club charts with “Rule the Night” and “The One”, with the latter getting support from leading DJ’s worldwide and appearing on numerous compilations. Then in 2007 he made the Dutch Top 40, the Mega Single Top 100 and the Mega Top 50 in a collaboration with Fedde le Grand, under their F to the F alias, with “Wheels In Motion”. In the same year he also made the international charts with the massive “Speed Up” featuring I-Fan, a track so popular it was released by another nine labels before eventually being signed by legendary UK label Defected Records. In 2008 he again teamed up with Fedde again to release “3 Minutes To Explain”, as well as delivering several huge remixes for the likes of Ida Corr, Guru Josh and the Sugababes, as well as turning hits like Re-United’s ”Sun Is Shining” and Jaimy & Kenny D’s “Keep On Touchin Me” into new club anthems. Off the back of an extensive North American and Australian tour, 2009 saw him release “Remember” again featuring I-Fan, which dominated the download charts, as well as YouTube, thanks to the beautifully sinister animated video. He also invested in the ever-growing reputation of the label by starting the Flamingo Nights series of parties, which soon became an international benchmark for world-class production and quality guest mixes. This year sees the long-awaited debut artist album from Funkerman, along with a production and DJing schedule that perfectly displays his broad attitude to music, playing a diverse mix of the world’s best festivals and clubs, and working with artists varying from soul and hip-hop to underground house and electro. In collaboration with MTV Serbia we are brining you exlusive interview with Funkerman. Enjoy in reading. 
^1 Hey Ardie, how are you? I think we all know you very well, but for those who may not know you yet (impossible ), but can you say a few words about who you are?
Hey guys, I’m very well thanks! My name is Ardie van Beek also known as Funkerman, and I’m a DJ/Producer from the Netherlands. People may’ve heard some tracks from me such as Speed Up, The One, Remember and 3 Minutes To Explain. Besides that I also run a label called Flamingo Recordings together with my good friend Raf and Fedde le Grand.
^2 Ok, why you choose Funkerman for your artist name?
I first played under my real name Ardie but when I made a mix tape which was called Funkerman to the rescue I decided to change my dj name in Funkerman.
^3 How will you describe the sound of Funkerman?
House a la Flamingo
^4 What are you plans for this year? You released couple of remixes, your first album “House For All”, so whats next?
My album was a way to try and push were house music can go. Now I am focusing again on the dancefloor. I made a few remixes of tracks on the album that are going to be just for the DJ’s and I am back to remixing again. Besides that I am full on my summer schedule, DJ-ing around the globe. I already packed my suitcase.
^5 What can you say us about “House For All”? For how long you’ve been working on it? Are there some special meanings under it?
Well I had around 30/35 unfinished tracks on the shelf. So decided to finish the tracks and started to make a collection of it. At the end there were 15 tracks left and House For All was born. I always wanted to make an artist album and I was influenced by a lot of different styles of music all over the years so I wanted to produce an album with all these styles in one particular sound. I think this whole process took me some years of my life. 
^6 It looks like every collab with your mate Fedde Le Grand was mega successful. Are you guys planning some more in the near future?
We just released a track together called New Life check out the music video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPi42osIlo
^7 You had organized a competition about your “Automatic” track with Shermanology. It seems like you love to promote upcoming stars. So, who is in your opinion the most potential name at the moment and why?
It’s hard to say, the next big thing will be someone who will come with a new sound. But nowadays it’s hard to find because most people are afraid to do something completely different.
^8 Do you have any favorite place, event or country where you like to play? Is the place where you feel the most powerful connection between you and fans through music you spin?
For me eastern European and Balkan countries are really great! The crowd over there is really appreciative and they always give me a very warm welcome!
^9 You played at Serbia, twice in last 4 weeks. We had a really great time. Thanks! What are your impressions about Serbia scene? And where are your next stations?
Good to hear you had a great time! It’s always a pleasure playing in Serbia, really like your country, the people there are very party minded!
My next stations are Space Ibiza, I have a residency there this summer. I will also do a short USA tour in August, playing at a lot festivals this summer and hopefully I’m back in Serbia around October!
^10 What does you set up looks like in the studio and what do you prefer to use as your DJ gear when you are playing?
I have a small studio with 3 pairs of speakers on which I can check different stuff. I use Cubase, but also all kinds of different software and hardware. As long as it gets the job done!
When I’m DJ-ing I prefer 4 pioneer CD players and the 800 mixer.
^11 What are you thoughts about illegal sharing music sites, blogs or forums? Do you think that sharing your tracks via blogs helped you to achieve popularity that you have today?
Not anymore. There is so much overkill. I would prefer that illegal downloading becomes impossible. It is slowly killing producers. If you just produce and don’t DJ, it is really hard to make a living from it now. I think that over 99 % of all downloads are illegal. If it would be a “try before you buy” mentality I would have no problem with it, but I’m afraid that it’s not even close.
^12 Now comes one-shot questions. I say one word you hit me back with association on it. Ok?
Serbia – велика земља да делује (I hope this spelling is correct
MTV – Did a lot for music in general
Shadow – Faster then
Courage – Of a bear
Piano – Together with the guitar my favourite instrument.
^13 Any last shoutous for our readers, friends or family?
See you all at a show near you soon!
Thanks for interviewing me and I hope to be back soon!
Catch me on my website www.funkerman.com
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