With genre-smashing tracks on the way and his fans literally tearing down fences to experience his set, Jan aka Dr Donk proves he’s not just pushing the BPM – he’s breaking boundaries. Also on the table: traditional Carbonara and why he’s banned from his own kitchen. This is the side of Dr Donk you don’t see on stage – come behind the booth for the full story!
Interview: Dragan / Equalizerz
Transcription & translation: Simon / Hardstyle Mag
Dragan: Hello my dear friends, it’s Dragan again for Hardstyle Mag, and today with…
Jan (Dr Donk): …with me, Dr Donk! What’s up?
Dragan: Dr Donk, with Jan. Hey, super cool that you’re here in Switzerland now!
Jan (Dr Donk): I’m really excited!
Dragan: We’re excited for your set, too! So, what’s the situation – what new stuff do you have in store? Any new tracks coming out? Anything in the pipeline? Are there any new projects you’re working on right now or anything like that?
Jan (Dr Donk): Definitely! I’ve got a bunch of new music with me – and, above all, something that’ll drop next Friday (Editor’s note: August 8th, 2025). My new EP with two new tracks that couldn’t be more different from each other – one is at 250 BPM and the other is at 110 BPM!
Dragan: Wow, that’s wild! Will you play them today?
Jan (Dr Donk): I’ll play both of them today! (Editor’s note: at RELEVATEZ on August 2nd, 2025)
Dragan: We’ve got to be there for that, we have to see that! Okay, next question – I ask this to every act I interview – the craziest thing you’ve ever experienced on stage, or on the way to a party, or I don’t know… emergency landing… stage collapse… someone running naked across the stage… What was totally crazy?
Jan (Dr Donk): I think one of the craziest things for me was at Defqon this year – just seeing how insanely packed that stage was! For those who know what the Defqon Yellow Stage looks like: from the crowd’s view on the left side, there’s a little trench with a fence running along it…
Dragan: …okay…
Jan (Dr Donk): …and it separates the path. And they actually tore that entire fence down completely just to make room to stand there, because the stage was completely overcrowded!
Dragan: Okay! So now we know what’s up for next year…
Jan (Dr Donk): My fans make room for themselves when there isn’t any! (laughs)
Dragan: I think that’s a pretty clear statement! Alright, the standard question: food! What’s your favorite dish – and do you cook it yourself?
Jan (Dr Donk): So, my favorite dish is traditional Carbonara – meaning, of course, without cream sauce, but properly Italian and traditional. And I do enjoy cooking myself, but… (raises his index finger)
Dragan: …but?
Jan (Dr Donk): I’m not allowed to! (laughs)
Dragan: Why? (surprised)
Jan (Dr Donk): My girlfriend loves cooking, and our kitchen is really small. If we’re both in there, we’re just in each other’s way. So I said, “Look, I’ll leave it all to you!” Because she makes insanely amazing food and – as much as I love cooking myself – I also love being cooked for!
Dragan: Alright. So, dear folks, traditional – you know it – with Italian bacon and Pecorino! No Lardo, Guanciale! No Parmesan, Pecorino! Okay, Dr Donk, awesome! Jan, that was a great interview! We’ll talk again! Dragan for Hardstyle Mag – cool, people, see you soon! Ciao!
The interview has originally been done in German and was transcribed and translated by Hardstyle Mag.