"Electronic music," he says in a hyper German accent, "is about so much more [than partying]. People donate money to charities [because of it]." Well, really, because of him. Van Dyk advocates for poor children, public schools, democracy, and Greenpeace. Still, "as positive and as forward-thinking as I am," he says, there are "millions and millions of dolphins and whales dying and an amazing rate of pollution. We all live our cool little lives in Western society, but someone has to pay the price for our wealth." Don't worry, though -- "Going forward with a positive view will bring change."
But you probably want to hear him spin, not lecture. No problem. The only politics at Club Space this Saturday will be The Politics of Dancing, Vol. 2. Van Dyk's live set is a release party for this new CD. Mr. In-Demand has a gig in New York's Central Park from 6 to 10 p.m. "My bags are waiting behind the stage," he explains, "and ten minutes after I'm done, I'll be in a car" -- to catch a private jet to Miami for his 2-to-5-a.m. engagement.
Saturday's event is also a ten-year anniversary party for PAM DJs, a West Palm Beach company that represents the world's biggest turntablists. Van Dyk has worked with "the whole amazing team," he says, "putting on successful events with the music we love so much. I want to send them a big hug and say congratulations to everyone who works there and who ever worked there." And to the dolphins and the whales and the poor kids... and you!