Deeprhythms

From the DJ booth to fostering local music communities, Sander Emil brings heart and soul to every beat. Known for his deep, soulful blend of U.S. house, disco, and touches of techno, Sander’s mixes are rooted in the timeless grooves of dance music.

As the driving force behind Blauwdruk, he’s spent years curating events and a record label celebrating underground music. In 2020, he co-founded Open Source Radio, creating a new hub for electronic music lovers during lockdown. Today, he continues to curate at Mesh in Nijmegen, captivating audiences with his carefully crafted sets and deep connection to the dancefloor.

Hi there Sander, how’s things? Can you introduce yourself briefly to our listeners?

Hi Timo! Things are great—life is good. Sure! I’m Sander, a music enthusiast from Nijmegen, Netherlands. I just turned 30 last week. Aside from playing, finding, creating and connecting over music, I’m also an avid reader, an aspiring cook, and gradually becoming a decent runner!

During the day, I work as a data engineer. I love having this balance between the structured challenges of data and the creative freedom that music brings. My day job keeps me grounded and gives me a clear purpose, while music gives me creative fulfilment, joy, and connections with others. I’ve always wrestled with finding the right balance, but lately, I feel like it’s finally clicking. I’m also grateful that I don’t rely on music financially — it lets me focus on projects I truly love. Massive respect, though, for anyone who manages to make a career out of it—it’s no small feat.

What’s been keeping you busy lately? You’re a DJ, producer, you help run events for Blauwdruk, and curate for Mesh too, right?

Yeah, I’ve definitely had my hands in a few things! Right now, I’m zeroing in on DJing and improving my production skills. As a DJ, I’ve been lucky to play some incredible gigs this year. One of the best moments was playing a three-hour set with my musical brother Guus Christian at Down The Rabbit Hole, my favourite festival.

I’ve also had the chance to take my music abroad—playing a packed club in Tunis for Paradise Now, the iconic Salon des Amateurs in Düsseldorf, and even the intimate side room at Kaiku in Helsinki. Getting to travel and build connections through music has been amazing!

I came into producing much later than DJing, so I feel like I’m still catching up. My goal is to reach a point where I’m excited to play my own tracks, not just road-testing them. Progress has been slow but steady, and I’m trimming down other activities to stay focused on this.

One big decision I made recently was stepping down from Blauwdruk after several great years with the team. I think it’s time for a new generation to shape the label and events, and it feels good to make room for that while opening up new paths for myself.

Can you tell us more about Mesh?

Mesh is a new club in my hometown, Nijmegen, and it’s a dream come true for serious music lovers and dancers. The sound system is fantastic, with immersive audio and a rich bass that’s powerful yet doesn’t overpower. The club’s industrial setting gives it this raw, edgy vibe that really encourages you to let loose. It’s been an amazing experience to be involved with this project. We had a bit of a rough start, but Mesh is slowly becoming the place we envisioned.

These days, I’m actually curating a bit less at Mesh as more promoters start running their own nights. Right now, I’m only curating Morning Mesh, the infamous after-party held twice a year—once on January 1st and again mid-summer. The energy at those events is really special.

Do you have any fond musical memories from your childhood?

Definitely! I got my first (very low-budget) CD decks when I was around 12 years old, after watching Tiësto open the Olympics. I remember downloading big-room trance and EDM bangers through LimeWire and Napster, then burning them onto CD-ROMs—definitely already a techie back then! Those were the days of Vato Gonzalez and his ‘dirty house’mixtapes, which were on repeat for me.

Around age 16, I found the “real stuff” when club nights like Planet Rose came to Doornroosje, an iconic club in Nijmegen. That’s where I first saw legends like Jeff Mills, Steve Rachmad, Kenny Larkin, and Jerome Sydenham. The sound and vibe of that place are forever ingrained in me and still shape my musical journey, both as a visitor and DJ. If you’ve never heard of Doornroosje or Planet Rose (which is the longest running club night in the Netherlands), check out this great short documentary on it! 

Name a few records or songs that had a big impact on you in your early days and why?

One of the first records I got was this box-set compilation of Chicago house—twelve records packed with deep, jackin’ house, plus some underground disco gems. It came with a booklet explaining the roots of house, and that really sparked my curiosity.

​​Early on I was always interested in where electronic music came from and I was always trying to connect the dots between different types of music. This particular compilation really opened my eyes and ears and it sparked my journey as a record collector.

You’re a serious vinyl fan and collector. How do you go about finding new records?

Digging in a record store is the best — it feels like a treasure hunt! I love finding rare records in old stacks. Of course I also appreciate the highly maintained stores with meticulous labelling and knowledgeable staff to give recommendations. Big shout to Marini Records for being my main supplier!

Unfortunately, I don’t get to go record digging physically as often as I’d like, so I also explore music online, where different algorithms can suggest tracks I might miss otherwise. I always have music on when I’m working or at home, and make notes when something stands out. When I’m buying from someone on Discogs, I methodically check out what else they’re selling — it’s like getting a personal recommendation in a store.

As a DJ, your music knowledge is broad from jazz to techno and everything in between. How has your collection evolved over the years? Do you have an approach to collecting?

I’m into so many genres, and I’ve struggled with this at times. Recently, I sold part of my collection—mostly records that were gathering dust. Now, I filter my purchases: Will I play it soon? Will I still want it in 10 years? If it’s a yes to either, I usually buy it if the price is right. As for organization, I’d love to say I have a system, but it’s completely chaotic. I keep thinking about how I’ll organize when I move next year, but until then, I thrive in the chaos!

How do you choose records for your sets?

I try to think of possible moods and directions that I could take, taking in the soundsystem & feel of the location, plus the people I expect to be there. From there I pick some records I could start with & pick some records I would like to end with. If this is done, I can pick the records adjacent to these sounds & the possible twist and turns I could take in between.

Now I could of course be completely wrong in my assumptions when packing my bags. I have learned that ego is the enemy here, it is important to let go of your plan and let the moment guide what should be played. So I always bring my USB where I have everything I need. I have it organised multiple ways so I can find what I want to play relatively easily.

Can you name three “secret weapon” tracks you always carry in your bag?

1. Seventh Movement – Luvdubeats – This one always hits, perfect in a disco-heavy set or as a release after a steady house flow.

2. Max Reich & Johannes Foufas – Alchemy (Erot Remix) – A hypnotic vibe, great for switching up the energy. Erot was a genius—gone too soon.

3. Donnie – Cloud 9 (Quentin Harris Shelter Mix) – This one’s sensitive and needs a focused crowd, but when it lands, it’s pure magic.

Any records that are currently on heavy rotation?

I’ve been loving full albums for home listening:

Nala Sinephro – Endlessness – A perfect weekend wake-up record—puts me in a great mindset.

Marlena Shaw – The Spice of Life – A favourite for me and my girlfriend; a beautiful album all around.

Arthur Verocai – Na Boca do Sol – I saw him perform this with the Metropole Orchestra this summer, which was unforgettable, just like this record

Which artists and DJs do you think deserve more attention right now?

Guus Christian is someone that really deserves the spotlight, so much knowledge and feeling he puts into playing and collecting his music. Fortunate to have him as a great friend!

Foghan is next on this list, an amazing collector that is known for playing energetic house and techno sets (also as part of Mahabe). His Instagram is a great dive into real deep house music as he shares a record from his collection every once in a while.

Doris Nicholas is also someone I want to mention. I have experienced the best trippy sets, while just dancing with my head down for hours on end, on dancefloors that were in full control by him. Someone who really understands how to steer the hypnotic control music can take over someone mentally and physically.

What’s your take on the current state of electronic music?

Since clubs reopened post-COVID, there’s been a surge in fast-paced, easy-thrills music. I get the appeal, but it often feels too surface-level for me. I always feel like a grumpy old fart when I think this way, but I just can’t deny my roots and feel the differences with the experiences that are engrained so deeply in me. 

I guess it also fits in a larger perspective, in the current world people have become numb from dopamine kicks. On social media content gets shorter and more outspoken by the day. I think this sensory overkill prevents people from going deep, getting a nuanced view, reading an actual book, listening to a whole mix or actually getting lost in music when going out.

More recently I see that the electronic music scene is slowly maturing again. I do believe everything comes in waves and that from movements there will always be some countermovement. The silver lining I see now is that there are increasingly more people who are excited about electronic music. I hope they find the true stuff one day. We all start somewhere, for me it was big room trance & Vato Gonzalez, so I have high hopes for the future!

Also, aside from what is popular, so so so much great and awesome music is being made independently these days. I do think the internet & tech in general is allowing so many talented people to start in an easy fashion, which really makes life for a DJ exciting!

Let’s talk about Nijmegen! You have been involved in various aspects of the local music scene. Can you talk about your beginnings?

Absolutely! Nijmegen has been hugely formative for me, and it has a rich, lively history in electronic music that I’ve been lucky to be part of. The city has a nickname I want to mention: “Havana at the Waal.” The Waal, of course, is the river that flows through the city, and “Havana” reflects Nijmegen’s politically left-leaning, community-focused vibe. Here, I feel people generally care about each other and the community. I think having Radboud University, with its strong focus on humanities and social sciences, adds to this spirit, but there’s also just something in the water that makes people here caring, creative, and open-minded.

The electronic music scene has this same warmth and support. I was welcomed early on by a lot of amazing people who truly make the scene thrive. Seeing the effort it takes to keep the music culture alive, I felt inspired to give back to the community that had embraced me. I’ve done this partly by helping set up Open Source Radio, our local radio station that’s become a key hub for electronic music. I also helped organise the kinds of parties I would have loved to attend as a guest, starting with Blauwdruk, and now continuing that spirit at Mesh. It’s been really fulfilling to contribute and to help bring people together through music.

What’s the scene like today?

It’s thriving! We’ve got some incredible spots adding real depth and quality to our nightlife here. Huge shout outs to Bloemerbar & Paak Vinyl & other places like de Plak, which are hosting top-notch parties every week, often entirely for free. For a DJ, it’s a dream come true – it wasn’t always like this when I was starting out. Back then, putting together a quality night took a lot more effort since club spaces were few and far between. That scarcity may have made things feel even more special and definitely more communal, but as a DJ I am not complaining.

Honestly, some of my best DJ experiences lately have been right here in Nijmegen. There’s nothing like packing a bag with records, hopping on my bike, and heading to a packed dance floor where friends and familiar faces are ready to share the night.

So the mix, can you tell us a little something about that? 

Absolutely! This is a 90-minute (mostly) vinyl mix I recorded at Paak using a rotary mixer, which allowed for some smooth, blended transitions and a thick, rich sound throughout. Huge thanks to Paak for letting me record there while they set up their new lights—the whole setting added some energy to the mix.

I would describe the music as deep, soulful, sexy, and gritty. It’s mostly U.S. house with a bit of techno, and draws heavily from the roots —disco, funk, and jazz. Just how I like it I guess. I also put together a Buy Music Club list to go with the mix, highlighting some newer records that are available on Bandcamp. Hope you enjoy diving into the sounds as much as I did.

Many thanks, anything else?

Thanks for asking me to record this mix, I had a lot of fun stringing it together and jolting down some thoughts to your questions. Hope we meet in person soon, all the best to you!