CYNTHIA SPIERING | DE 2024 #04

From her auspicious beginnings at Rotterdam Cultuurpodium Perron to her meteoric rise as a prominent DJ, producer, and label owner, Cynthia’s trajectory is nothing short of inspiring. Drawing inspiration from the raw energy of classic rave culture and the driving beats of modern techno, Cynthia’s sound is characterized by its euphoric melodies and uncompromising rhythms. However, her journey transcends mere musicality; it’s a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance in the face of adversity.

In this exploration of Cynthia Spiering’s illustrious career, we delve into the origins of her acclaimed label and event series, Courtoisy Records. Through candid insights and personal anecdotes, Cynthia reveals the driving force behind Courtoisy’s inception and its evolution into a beacon of artistic freedom within the electronic music scene. From hosting unforgettable events amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to championing emerging talent and fostering a sense of community, Courtoisy embodies Cynthia’s unwavering commitment to shaping the future of techno.

Moreover, we uncover Cynthia’s approach to curating lineups and creating immersive event experiences that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

Through meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for talent, Cynthia ensures that each Courtoisy event is a transformative journey for attendees, where the boundaries of musical expression are pushed and the spirit of unity reigns supreme. As we navigate through Cynthia’s visionary perspective on the future of techno and her aspirations for Courtoisy Records, one thing becomes abundantly clear: Cynthia Spiering is not just a DJ; she’s a driving force behind a cultural movement that celebrates the boundless possibilities of electronic music.

Cynthia’s journey into the realm of techno began at the age of 18 when she found herself captivated by its mesmerizing rhythms and infectious energy. Working at Rotterdam Cultuurpodium Perron exposed her to the inner workings of the electronic music scene, igniting her curiosity about DJing and production. Despite facing initial setbacks and criticism, Cynthia’s determination to pursue her musical aspirations remained steadfast.

In 2016, Cynthia took her first steps behind the decks, marking the beginning of her meteoric rise in the Dutch techno scene. Her sound, characterized as both euphoric and uncompromising, draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of rave culture, seamlessly blending classic influences with a contemporary edge. Influenced by pioneers such as DJ Rush, D.A.V.E. The Drummer, and DJ Misjah, Cynthia’s sets are a dynamic fusion of nostalgia and innovation.

It was against this backdrop that Cynthia’s vision for Courtoisy Records took shape. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for emerging artists and disillusioned by the constraints of the industry, she sought to create a platform where she could champion talent and shape the musical landscape according to her standards. Courtoisy Records emerged as more than just a label; it became a testament to artistic freedom and self-expression in a rapidly changing industry.

“I always dreamed about having a label where I can decide what’s nice or not. Back then I received a lot of ‘no’s’ about my productions and the feedback was kind of demotivating. About the name; I remember just finished playing in Bordeaux, France and I saw a hair dryer with the name Coirtousi… something like that, (I was a bit drunk). I thought: omg, Courtoisy is an amazing name. And so the label started. After a year or so I discussed it with my manager about it, and we made a label and event series with his help and experience. And that’s how it all started.”

What distinguishes Courtoisy is Cynthia’s personal touch. From meticulously curated lineups to immersive event experiences, she infuses each aspect of Courtoisy with her unique vision and philosophy. Beyond showcasing established names, Cynthia prioritizes nurturing new talent, providing a platform for emerging artists to shine, and fostering community within the electronic music scene.

“I’m doing the ‘finishing touches’ at the events: serving bitterballen (Dutch fried food) when you walk out of the elevator of Now&Wow, the elevator with music and photos of bitterballen memes, the photo booth with lots of glitter and posters of all the previous events and the upcoming one, I love making it personal”.

“Oh! And the most important thing; booking artists I’m standing for! I’m working long days before (and after) the events to make them special and unforgettable. Supporting new upcoming acts - to give them an opportunity on the friends stage, and showing the world that a talent can’t be unseen. I think that is very important to support local and upcoming artists: especially now, when it’s not happening a lot”.

“Back in the day, it was almost impossible to mix in with the ‘bigger events’, you had to be lucky or to know someone, or hope for the best in contests which is almost impossible. I want to give something that I missed in the past, focusing on what’s important from my point of view”

Booking is such an important part of creating the perfect vibe and Cynthia has become a master of the craft.

“I only book what feels right. For example, when we booked Patrick Mason, he had never played in the Netherlands. I saw his HOR set a million times during COVID-19, the one with him and the black hat, and I loved everything about it, especially his track selection. I wanted to give him a shot, which can be tricky cause he was not a typical name to book back then”.

“But I trusted the process and especially Patrick´s skills. I was so happy and proud. Then, I also got to discover that Patrick is also an amazing human being. I love to take risks making the lineups a bit different than the usual ones, especially with the whole hard techno trend”.

“I like the groovy stuff but also the old-school hardcore, which is if you do the timetable right, amazing to blend. I also had my first time doing a live performance at Courtoisy together with Dissolver, which made me curious to do more with live performances and what I did after that edition”.

Even though the creation of a label was a dream come true, tough moments started happening right from the start.

“Unfortunately, the day of having our first ever event, Corona rules started so we had to do it day and with a lot of rules. Still, in my opinion, it was one of the best events we ever had. It was a magical atmosphere and everyone was dancing and crying like it was the last day of our lives. Something I will never forget. Lucky enough I was on time for the vinyl pressing which is still one of my favorite releases of Courtoisy”.

Despite the challenges posed by lockdowns and restrictions, Cynthia pressed forward, hosting unforgettable events that transcended the limitations of the times. The inaugural Courtoisy event, held against the backdrop of a world in turmoil, remains etched in the memories of attendees as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unifying power of music.

“After postponing our event for 4 times, we decided to do it anyways, from 12 till 18. A daytime party of 6 hours was kinda crazy. But it was an unforgettable day, I cried so many times haha. I felt like something like this could never happen again, so I was emotional”.

Still, from that moment on, every single Courtoisy event has been filled with highlights.

“The other one I also really liked was the one where I did a b2b with Paul Elstak - It was insane in my opinion. Never did I expect to do a b2b with the legend himself. Of course, we all know him from the gabber / happy hardcore era, with amazing tracks, like ‘Rainbow’ and so on. It was an unbelievable experience - I was sick that day but the sickness was gone when we started. He has been supporting me for such a long time now and I’m very grateful for that”.

With over a decade of immersion in the music scene, her journey is a testament to resilience and creativity. From her early days as a budding DJ to becoming the driving force behind Courtoisy Records, Cynthia’s trajectory is a testament to her commitment to staying true to her artistic vision. As she reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped Courtoisy’s trajectory, Cynthia sheds light on the importance of embracing change while staying grounded in one’s identity.

“When I started DJ’ing, the slower hardware-ish bleep techno was a big thing. And now I have the feeling that 160bpm is not fast enough for the events nowadays. I like a lot of techno electronic related music, the slower and also the harder styles”.

“It’s important to stay true to yourself and not to do what others are doing. And that’s the same thing for Courtoisy. I think it’s important to improve your event to do it differently with your vision, otherwise, the events has no soul or won’t be stable enough to survive several years”

“From my point of view, it’s also important to build up your lineup, so no openers who are playing 150 bpm. The closing act has to have enough space to do what they want to do. I like to program a hard closing - hardcore related - and have hard groove-related artists before. I don’t see that a lot nowadays. But as I said, the scene and music are evolving and growing every day”.

At the heart of Cynthia’s artistic philosophy lies a dedication to pushing boundaries and challenging norms. With trends and hype shifting over the years, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity in curating lineups and creating immersive experiences for her audience. From the groovy vibes of slow-rolling techno to the pounding beats of hardcore, Cynthia’s eclectic tastes shine through in her carefully crafted events.

As she prepares for her upcoming 24-hour set, Cynthia shares her excitement for the journey ahead and the opportunity to explore different musical realms with her audience.

Preparing for a marathon set requires not just physical endurance, but also mental fortitude. Cynthia opens up about her preparations, from ensuring adequate rest and nutrition to honing her skills in the gym. As she gears up for the challenge, she emphasizes the importance of enjoying the moment and trusting the process. For Cynthia, connecting with her audience on a deeper level is paramount, and she looks forward to the dynamic energy exchange that comes with an extended performance.

“After my 15hrs gig at Thuishaven, there were some jokes about doing a 24hrs set, which is not the easiest thing to do when I went home after the show, my manager messaged me if I was ‘okay to do a 24-hour show this year’. I was like seriously? I was still resting from the 15hrs show and thought it was an inside joke but he was very serious”, she laughs.

“It’s a big achievement for me. I have so many tracks (I checked it last time but I think I have so many tracks that I could play for a whole week if I wanted to), so many ideas about this show and I’m looking forward to it. I’m also training for that show, not music-wise but training to stand up for 24 hours, so my legs won’t hurt as much so I can enjoy the whole ride”.

As Cynthia gets ready for the big night she gave us some insights as to what should we expect from her epic presentation both at Thuishaven & BRET.

“I want to build up the first 15 hours at Thuishaven, starting at the mainstage, with ambient, slow rolling techno, to the groovy hard stuff, harder styles of techno, and ending with gabber for 2 hours. When the stage changeover takes place, I will start playing techno, then hard techno, schranz and probably ending with some hardcore”.

"For BRET, I want to do something different, I collect a lot of music over the years and I think that old-school groove techno is the way to go. It’s the perfect place to do that, I went a lot of times to BRET on Sundays back in 2018/19, so I can not wait to play those tracks. I’m talking about 90’s Adam Beyer stuff, Marco Carola, Chris Liebing, and so on. I have so many records I wait to play after so many years."

Cynthia’s aspirations for Courtoisy and her musical endeavors are limitless. From expanding her label’s reach to dreaming of playing at Coachella, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of excellence. As she imparts wisdom to aspiring artists and DJs, Cynthia emphasizes the importance of self-belief and staying true to one’s passions. For Cynthia, music isn’t just a career—it’s a journey of self-discovery, freedom, and connection. As she continues to chase her dreams, she carries with her the unwavering support of her loved ones and the transformative power of music in her life.

“I’ve learned a lot and I’m still learning from every show. The first thing I said to myself is that there’s nothing wrong with growing slowly. There’s nothing wrong with opening spots, I appreciate those a lot. My time will come and it’s fine to dream about things. And I can tell you that a lot of my dreams, felt impossible to do at some point, but they eventually happened. The feeling is surreal”

A big example of this had to be awakenings.

“I remember when Awakenings booked me for the first time, I cried for days. That was something really special for me because for many years I went to parties there and then after 8 years or so I was opening the huge area X. All I can say is it all started as a hobby and I’m so grateful to call this my full-time job. It was never my idea of mine to be a full-time DJ, at first I didn’t want to play for a crowd cause it was something ‘for myself’. I’m happy to say that I did it. Taking all the risks like quitting my job and studies. I do not recommend this but I’m always telling upcoming artists to stay true to themselves and not compare themselves with others”.

“I remember when Awakenings booked me for the first time, I cried for days. That was something really special for me because for many years I went to parties there and then after 8 years or so I was opening the huge area X. All I can say is it all started as a hobby and I’m so grateful to call this my full-time job. It was never my idea of mine to be a full-time DJ, at first I didn’t want to play for a crowd cause it was something ‘for myself’. I’m happy to say that I did it. Taking all the risks like quitting my job and studies. I do not recommend this but I’m always telling upcoming artists to stay true to themselves and not compare themselves with others”.

“The evolving nature of music is constant, new sub-genres emerge, new events surface and fresh talent continually rises. It’s a cycle that perpetuates itself, ensuring that music remains a vibrant and ever-changing landscape.”

While some may need help to keep pace with these changes, she embraces the diversity and abundance of options. She sees each shift as an opportunity for growth and exploration, allowing him to incorporate a myriad of sounds into his repertoire.

Looking ahead, Courtoisy shares his aspirations for the future of his musical endeavors. Central to his ambitions is the completion of his 10-year album, a commemoration of his journey inspired by a decade of experiences in the electronic music scene. Additionally, he harbors dreams of expanding Courtoisy’s reach internationally, envisioning events abroad, and perhaps even gracing the stages of iconic festivals like Coachella.

“I don’t have a specific way of doing this for the future, of course, I told myself to focus more this year on production (I’m currently working on my 10yrs album, which contains 10 tracks inspired by all these years going to events) and I want to grow with Courtoisy having events abroad”. “There’s one dream of mine and that is playing at Coachella - as I said before, dreams are fine and nice to have, maybe it will happen in the future. Or not, which is also fine, I will work hard to make these dreams come true hopefully one day”.

Drawing from her wealth of experience in the music industry, Cynthia offers valuable advice to aspiring artists and DJs embarking on their journey. She emphasizes self-belief, resilience, and the importance of authenticity.

“Believe in yourself; it’s okay not having an agency from the beginning. Practice a lot and no you don’t need CDJs for that. You can also start with vinyl, it´s an amazing way to learn the ‘real deal beatmatching’".

Always take some backup USB sticks with you because sometimes it’s hot or rainy and having an emergency loop during the show is fucked up. Don’t do what others do and discover what you like. Go to parties with different styles of electronic music (for example, I went a few times to psy trance parties, DNB events, etc… They inspire me a lot), and most importantly: enjoy your time; Don’t expect anything to prevent disappointments”.

On a personal note, Cynthia reflects on the profound impact of music on his life and identity. Recounting his courageous decision to pursue his passion for music in Rotterdam at a young age, he speaks of the transformative power of music in finding her true self.

“Music means freedom to me. When I was 18, I left everything behind and started over in Rotterdam, alone, not knowing anyone, something very scary. I was living with my grandparents and they worried a lot about my decision but I promised them I would make them proud and that I had to do this to grow and discover what I wanted in life."

“It feels like I discovered the real me and that I can be myself in all ways. All I wanted was to be happy and make my grandparents proud who believed in me since day one, also with the part of quitting my job and study."

“They went to a show to see what I do and I wanted to show them what is like to work in the nightlife as a DJ. They danced so much! And I had never seen them dancing before, They were so happy and so proud. That’s, I think, the most emotional thing that´s happened during my career. This is what drives me the most, feeling for the first time that I’m doing what I love the most and being accepted, all because of music.”

Ph Credits:

@jamessggallagher - https://www.instagram.com/jamessggallagher/

@markrichter - https://www.instagram.com/markrichter/

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