Future Legends: Vertile

A talent for making hardstyle, an energetic stage presence, a unique drive and a special view on music. The emerging hardstyle DJs of today are the legends of the future. Read on, get surprised and discover some new, fresh talents. Although a lot of events are canceled due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, it is quite a recognition that Vertile has been announced at just about every major festival. Last weekend he played a set with a delightful mix of catchy melodies and hard kicks during the QAPITAL edition of QONNECT and you may know this talent from solid releases like ‘Stronger’ and his remix of ‘Raging in the Dancehall’. Ran-D likes to play his music, and also during POWER HOUR 2019 his hit 'Stronger' came into its own. Time to get to know Vertile better! Mees van den Berg, as Vertile is actually called, is a creative mind. He produces and plays music, he sings and plays the guitar. “My name originated around Versatile, with the idea that as a DJ and producer I can express myself creatively in many ways. With different genres and instruments, designing artwork, singing.” Because of singing and playing the guitar, Mees became interested in delving more into music production, which started about ten years ago. He started mixing singles, EP’s and albums for (semi-pro) bands in the metal/rock genre, but soon the electronic music and its production caught his attention. “What really appealed to me the most is the hardstyle movement of the past five years. I really like the drive, the kicks and the way the music developed,” says Mees. That was the motivation for him to be able to create something similar. “Still, I think some records from before that time are banging!”

 

 

Vertile has its own take on today's hardstyle. “In a time when everyone wants to get harder and crazier, I think it is important to approach the music in my own way and to put a lot of personality in Vertile. I hope to give others a good feeling with my tracks, like music does to me!” says Mees. And whether that music is extra raw, or whether it has a melodic vibe to it, it doesn’t really matter to him. Mees is still inspired by the metal/rock genre. The English metal band Bring Me The Horizon is an example for him in the field of musical development, branding. “I find it very inspiring how they have shown with their music that they are one of the most relevant on the market.” His examples in the hardstyle scene are Adaro and Ran-D. “That they have fought through the many changes in the scene over the years, and still making bangers and doing their own thing, I have a lot of respect for that!” It gives Mees a sense of acceptance when his records are played by larger artists. Ran-D is also one of the DJs who play Vertile's records more often. “That is of course the biggest compliment you can get as an artist! You spend countless hours in productions and that it is rewarded in this way is super cool.” Mees hopes to be an established name in the scene at some point and above all continue to do his thing. “Of course it is my dream to play at Qlimax or on the mainstage of Defqon.1! In addition, I work on a lot of new music and a few collabs. Hopefully I can show this in many nice places!”

 

 

Although that seems very far off due to the current corona crisis. Now that there are no events taking place until at least June 1st, it is a huge challenge for artists to keep their heads above water during these times. “I try to maintain a positive mentality as much as possible and to focus on the possibilities, such as finishing up projects. Although this is very difficult sometimes due to the circumstances. I especially hope that we as an industry and scene will get out of this as unscathed as possible” Vertile adds. Fortunately, the release of tracks continues and he recently released ‘Ain't Nobodi’. A powerful track with heavy kicks. If we have to believe him, many more releases will follow in the near future. Hopefully we will still spot him at the INDIGO at Defqon.1 or one of the many other festivals where he has been announced this summer. #savethesummer