Dutch deejay and producer Psyko Punkz’s, real name Wietse Amersfoort, explosive sound has won over countless dedicated Psyko Soldiers since he first burst onto the scene in 2008. Since then, he’s produced anthems of almost all big hardstyle events, both indoor and outdoor, as well as amassing over 40-million views on YouTube. Amersfoort is a true artist by heart and soul, his energetic performance is one never to be missed. His latest release is an EP titled “F**k the Fame” which just dropped, have a listen embedded below.

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SunCity Paradise: The Netherlands is often a country that’s overlooked, but there is such a tremendous amount of natural beauty within its borders. How did you like growing up around that region of the world? Where would you send a first-time visitor to get a real sense of the beauty?

Psyko Punkz: The Netherlands is for sure the best country to grow up if you’re into Dance music and the sickest, best-organized parties. In The Netherlands, they don’t take the law as serious as the United States, for instance, so exploring a lot of stuff that would have landed me in a US jail was a lot of fun when I was growing up.

I would send someone for sure to Amsterdam to check out the coffee shops and of course the infamous Red Light District. Next, I would send them to Utrecht, my hometown, where it’s not touristic at all and you can eat in the old city at the canals. It’s super nice and a good city to see what The Netherlands is really like.

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SCP: When did you first decide you wanted to pursue a life as a DJ? Did the culture and area you lived in have an impact on your career?

PP: Yeah, it had a big impact on my career. The Netherlands have such a big dance culture and loads of clubs to start off in as a DJ. Next to that, there are a lot of producers, so it was easy to get to know some people who were also into making hardstyle music.

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SCP: House, Techno, EDM is music that has been exponentially growing globally over the years. Now, more people are flooding into the genres than ever. Where are some of your favorite venues to perform?

PP: In The Netherlands, I love to play at festivals or big indoor raves like Defqon. 1, Hardbass, Qlimax and Decibel. It’s just an amazing feeling to see 60,000 people dance on your tunes. If you don’t know the parties, you should really check them out on YouTube. It will blow your mind!

SCP: When you have down time and are looking for a personal getaway, do you look to relax on a beach or are you more active looking for a little adventure? Why?

PP: I’m really an adventurous person and have been in my down time all around to the world. I’ve traveled India, Nepal and Tibet by bus and train for about seven weeks, which was an amazing experience. Lately, I’ve been going to the beach in Thailand to kick back and have some rest though. You need it sometimes.

SCP: Everyone has a list of places they haven’t seen yet. What are three destinations you would like to see in the near future? Why?

PP: I have been to so many places that I really can’t come up with three countries, but if I can pick one it would be Brazil. I heard so many good stories and met loads of great people from Brazil. So, that will be the spot I would like to visit.

© Sandee Pachetan

SCP: When arriving at a new location, what is the first thing you try and do?

PP: I’ll check into my hotel, and I always love to try some of the best local food.

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SCP: In your realm of work traveling comes with the territory. What effect has seeing and experiencing different cultures had on you? How has it broadened your perspective of the world?

PP: It made my perspective huge. I love how every country has its own culture. I love to see the differences. In the end, we’re all humans and we’re all the same.

© Les Haines

SCP: Lastly, when’s the next big vacation or work trip, and what is it for?

PP: Vacation is not really going on at the moment. I really need a little holiday break, but for the moment I am too busy. For work, there’s been loads of traveling. I just performed in Croatia and Austria, those shows were fun. I have a really busy summer ahead!

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For more on Psyko Punkz visit his website: