Paul van Dyk

Paul van Dyk is the professional name of Matthias Paul, a German DJ, record producer and musician from Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany. He works in trance, techno, progressive trance, progressive house, house and electro house, and is associated with the labels Vandit Records, pd, Deviant Records and MFS. He is also linked with the acts DFM, The Visions of Shiva and DJ’s United.

Early career

Born in 1971 in Eisenhüttenstadt, he grows up in East Berlin, where he listens to radio rather than a strong local club scene and develops an interest in creating a sound beyond straight techno. In the early 1990s he performs regularly in Berlin clubs before releasing his first album, 45 RPM, in 1994. His second album, Seven Ways, gives him a wider profile, and the single “For An Angel” becomes one of the tracks most closely associated with him.

Albums, mixes and collaborations

His third studio album, Out There & Back, appears in 2000. He follows it with his first compilation mix CD, Politics of Dancing, in 2001, and with the DVD Global in 2003, which reflects his international touring. His fifth original album, In Between, is released in 2007 and includes collaborations with David Byrne and Jessica Sutta.

Remixes and wider work

Van Dyk produces remixes for Depeche Mode’s “Martyr”, Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” and Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around... Comes Around”. His original productions from Reflections are used in films including Into the Blue and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, as well as in television programmes such as Entertainment Tonight and MTV’s Cribs. They also appear in campaigns for Motorola, HBO, Land Rover, Ski Vail and Jeep.

Recognition and awards

He receives a Grammy nomination in 2005 for Best Dance/Electronic Album for Reflections, the first time that category is recognised by NARAS. He wins the International Dance Music Award for Best Euro DJ and, in 2006, takes four more IDMA awards: Best Global DJ, Best NuNRG/Euro Track, Best Producer and Best Mix Compilation for The Politics of Dancing 2. Earlier honours include being voted “America’s Favorite DJ” by BPM Magazine in 2004 and 2005, winning three Dancestar Awards in 2004, receiving the Best International DJ Award at the 1999 Music Awards in London, and being named Best International DJ by Ministry of Sound Magazine and Man of the Year by Mixmag. He also receives the Mexican Oscar for his soundtrack to the film Zurdo in 2004.

Broadcasting, touring and activism

He creates the internet radio station VONYC.com, focused on electronic dance music, and hosts the weekly radio show Paul van Dyk’s VONYC Sessions in Berlin, alongside Soundgarden on Fritz radio and over the internet. His touring schedule takes him regularly across major venues and festivals worldwide. Outside music, he supports political and social causes, including a children’s charity in Mumbai and work with the German Red Cross to help poor children in Berlin. He founds the charity Ruckenwind and receives Berlin’s Medal of Honor in recognition of that work. He also takes part in the Rock The Vote campaign in the United States.