PRUNK | NL 2024 #05

Hailing from a background rich in Indonesian heritage, Prunk discusses how these cultural roots have profoundly shaped his artistic vision and personal values. His commitment to integrating these influences into his music is evident in every aspect of his career, from organizing the culturally infused PIV Festival to mentoring emerging artists in the electronic music scene.

Prunk’s journey unfolds as a testament to his passion for music and dedication to nurturing talent.

Beyond his Indonesian roots, he shares insights into his family’s pivotal role in supporting his career and maintaining a balance between personal life and the demands of his profession. Reflecting on his evolution from a young enthusiast sneaking backstage to an internationally acclaimed artist performing at iconic venues like Space Miami and Hi Ibiza, Prunk offers a unique perspective on the industry’s growth and the personal milestones that have shaped his artistic identity.

As he looks forward to an exciting year ahead, filled with performances at major festivals and the release of new music, Prunk remains committed to his mission of bridging cultural diversity with musical innovation. His interview promises an inspiring narrative that not only celebrates his achievements but also sheds light on the transformative power of music and cultural heritage in today’s global electronic music landscape.

In a captivating conversation with him, Prunk shared insights into his journey, revealing how his Indonesian heritage, passion for music, and dedication to nurturing new talent have shaped his career.

From organizing the PIV Festival to supporting emerging artists, Prunk’s story is one of cultural pride, artistic growth, and commitment to the spirit of music.

Prunk’s Indonesian heritage deeply influences his values and approach to music. Growing up surrounded by rich traditions, he integrates cultural elements into his creative process and interactions.

“The sense of community and respect for traditions in Indonesian culture guide my interactions with the people I work with, fellow artists, and my audience,” he explains.

These values are reflected in his work, where community and tradition play central roles.

“My Indonesian heritage is deeply embedded in my values and approach to music and life. Growing up, I was surrounded by Indonesia’s rich traditions and values. These cultural influences often find their way into my creative process”.

The PIV Festival is an inclusive dance experience featuring cutting-edge house music. And PRUNK is at the center of it. Having taken place on July 20th, the PIV is the place for everyone to discover new music, experiences, artists, and friends.

This unique Festival embraces the vibrant Indonesian heritage, where dance, music, and religion are central.

This allows Prunk to showcase his heritage on a grand scale. The festival features three Bali-inspired stages—Borneo, Nusa, and Sumatra—designed to share the beauty of Indonesian culture with a broader audience.

BORNEO: embodies themes of wisdom and love, fostering personal journeys and a sense of communal affection among dancers.

NUSA: represents introspection and rejuvenation, offering a serene atmosphere to recharge amidst the vibrant beats of house music.

SUMATRA: channels resilience and physical vigor, encouraging festival-goers to celebrate their progress, push boundaries, and fully immerse themselves in the festival experience.

“In organizing the PIV Festival, we - there’s a huge team of friends and family who is working tirelessly on the festival and events wanted to ensure that my Indonesian heritage was prominently featured”.

A unique blend of cultural elements creates a festival experience that stands out in the electronic music scene.

“The festival theme revolves around unity and celebration, where music, dance, and food play a central role,” Prunk says.

Prunk’s reputation for discovering and nurturing new talent is well-earned. He looks for artists with a unique sound, strong work ethic, and genuine love for music.

“Discovering and nurturing new talent is something I’m passionate about. I look for artists who have a unique sound, a strong work ethic, and a genuine love for music. Once I identify potential, I offer mentorship by sharing my experiences, providing constructive feedback, and helping them navigate the industry. I also encourage them to stay true to their artistic vision while being open to experimentation”.

Prunk’s mentorship has significantly impacted the careers of artists like Chris Stussy, M-High, Jamback, and Kolter. He shares stories of supporting these artists, from offering A&R opportunities to collaborating on performances.

Supporting young artists is a key part of his mission, often playing tracks from new producers in his sets.

“I don’t want to take much credit for that! I just tried to help them along the way in any way I could. Supporting artists like Chris Stussy, M-High, Jamback, and Kolter has been a rewarding experience. For example, with Chris Stussy, we had a great connection from the moment I met. We started playing together and sharing music”.

“Quickly I found out he had a great ear for new music, and I was able to offer him the job as A&R for PIV Records. We played a lot of B2B shows together, from Awakenings and DGTL to Straf Werk” He Laughs.

Prunk inspired him with my musical background and connected him with key industry contacts like promoters and his very own management

“It’s great to see that he developed his sound and it’s doing so great right now. With M-High, I found the new A&R for PIV and he signed a ton of amazing records. It’s great to see him doing so well and becoming a headliner slowly, which is also great for the PIV events. I try to talk a lot with artists who are connected to the label and try to help them in any way I can. For me, it’s great that I have my current position now, and that I have a platform like PIV where I can offer a great label deal and some amazing gigs”.

Family is a cornerstone of Prunk’s life, influencing both his personal and professional decisions. His family values and experiences have shaped his journey and the way he sees life.

“Their encouragement and belief in my dreams have given me the confidence to pursue my passion for music. Values such as hard work, respect, and staying grounded, which I learned from my family, are integral to my personal and professional life”.

“One particular experience that shaped me was seeing how my family balanced their professional responsibilities with family time. This taught me the importance of maintaining harmony between work and personal life. Now I have a young daughter I found out how hard this can be sometimes. I am extremely lucky to have such an amazing wife who has been extremely important to me. She supported me in the best way, from the time that I was a party boy until now, now I’m a father and am touring so much. Aside from this, for me, it’s amazing to work so closely with my brother Jordi, he has been a crucial factor in the success of PIV and myself. We have an amazing team who I all call my family now”.

Balancing professional responsibilities with family time is a challenge, but Prunk’s team of friends and family work together seamlessly.

“Trust and mutual respect are essential, and we always strive to support each other,” he notes.

"Balancing personal relationships and professional responsibilities is indeed challenging. But when you have a team of friends and family, who all have the same goal, it makes things way easier.I am touring a lot and for me, it’s such a good feeling that I have such a great team taking care of the label, the events, and the festival behind the scenes. I think it’s all about trust and mutual respect are essential, and we always strive to support each other, both as colleagues and family members."

Prunk has played at some of the world’s most iconic venues, including Space Miami, Hi Ibiza, and Amnesia Ibiza. These performances have been transformative, allowing him to connect with diverse audiences and share his music on a grand scale.

"I don’t think there’s one pivotal moment for my first big break. I think that I always stayed true to myself, but at the same time keeping my eyes open for new trends. I think you hear this back in my music and sets, modern music with much respect for the legends and the past."

"Also, PIV Records gave me the ability to curate and promote music and artists and music industry professionals I believed in. I think supporting them and having their support was crucial over the years as well."

Reflecting on his journey, Prunk emphasizes the importance of staying true to himself while embracing new trends.

“The last years were amazing, I had my debut at places like Amnesia and Hi Ibiza, Space Miami, Savaya Bali, Sound Los Angeles and tons of other amazing places. But playing all these venues has been incredible. It sounds cliché, but I can’t believe it myself sometimes.10 years ago we were handing out flyers on the street for our 250 cap party, and a while ago I hosted our nights in Ibiza, Miami, and Amsterdam within two weeks. I’m just happy that I can play some of the best venues in the world, and I am enjoying it to the fullest”.

Being who he is, Prunk also had memorable nights at Space Miami,

“A recent memorable experience was the PIV hosting we did at the Space Miami Terrace. We curated a lineup with Dennis Ferrer, Fleur Shore, Kellie Allen, Ms. Mada, Monroe, and Ranger Trucco. This is the perfect combination of legends, new kids on the block, great producers, and PIV residents. Reflecting on that, that’s what I and PIV stand for”.

Still, he remains so grounded that his impressive journey is only surpassed by the way Prunk carries himself with everyone.

“I didn’t blow up as an artist on the back of a hit record or a viral Boiler Room clip,” he says.

“But I think I had a very nice and steady growth over the last 20 years. I want to point out that I will never forget where I came from. Next to me finding it important to support new and smaller artists, I also find it very important to support new and upcoming promoters. I try not to only play superclubs and festivals, but if you look at my agenda, I can play in London on Friday and play a small club or festival in an unknown town in NL on Saturday. I think these young kids are the future and in my position, I can support them by playing their events from time to time and help them develop”.

And the best is yet to come...

“It’s great to see that the music that I love and try to push is being picked up in huge countries such as America as well now. I think being sober is helping a lot as well, I have a clearer vision and have the headspace to work super closely with the PIV fam and my management”.

Hosting your night at Cova Santa for three consecutive years is a remarkable achievement.

“Hosting our night at Cova Santa for three years has been transformative. It has allowed us to curate nights that reflect our artistic vision and showcase the talent we believe in.This residency has strengthened my identity as a curator and a performer for sure. For me, it’s nice to not take the prime time spot here every week but to give others the chance to shine. It’s great that the event became so successful, and such a diverse crowd shows up every day”.

Prunk has got more into producing over the last few years. About this, Prunk shares

“I’ve always been into producing, but like a lot of other artists, I was always a bit insecue about my tracks. If I listened to my music and compared it to the tracks I was playing, 5% of my tracks didn’t win. But over the last 5 years, I developed myself a lot in the studio and learned a lot from other producers. Resulting in putting out my first-ever album named ‘Le Funk’ in 2023. This is genuinely something I am very very proud of. It also allowed me to work together with some close friends like M-High, Dennis Quin, and Ruze. Next to this, I got to work with Jovonn and Mr. V on two tracks. And everyone that knows me knows what this means to me”.

“I’m happy to see that party-goers, DJs, and industry professionals appreciated the music. The absolute highlight is that I got asked to make a remix of Defected ́s very first release, ‘Soulsearcher - Can’t get enough’, which is coming out towards the end of the year”.

With a packed 2024 schedule, including major festivals like Escape Halloween, EDC Las Vegas, Loveland, and Straf Werk, Prunk continues to grow as an artist. His recent foray into producing, highlighted by his first album “Le Funk,” showcases his evolving sound and dedication to his craft. As he looks to the future, Prunk remains committed to supporting new talent and sharing his unique blend of cultural heritage and musical innovation with the world.

From humble beginnings as a young enthusiast with a deep love for music, Prunk’s trajectory has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to staying true to his roots. Growing up surrounded by Indonesia’s rich cultural traditions, he found early inspiration that would shape his artistic identity and values.

Throughout his career, Prunk has not only carved a niche for himself as a talented DJ and producer but has also emerged as a guiding light for aspiring artists. His role extends beyond the DJ booth; Prunk is known for his mentorship, nurturing new talent through his label and events. This dedication to fostering the next generation of electronic music stars reflects his belief in community and the power of collaboration.

As he continues to evolve artistically, Prunk remains grounded by his family and the values instilled in him from a young age.

Their unwavering support has been a cornerstone of his journey, enabling him to navigate the highs and lows of the industry with resilience and grace.

Today, Prunk’s story is a testament to the transformative power of music and cultural heritage, resonating deeply with fans worldwide who are drawn to his authentic sound and genuine passion for pushing boundaries in electronic music.

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