Ever since Yves V.’s remix of “Insane Pressure” became an ubiquitous dance floor hit, his progressive house productions have evolved into Beatport chart-toppers, such as “Madagascar,” featuring Dimitri Vegas and “Cloudbreaker” featuring Basto.

Fresh from a Tomorrowland stint where he is a main stage resident, the Belgian DJ/producer is grateful to the universe at large for the inspiration: “Everything inspires me, traveling, other DJs, and especially the crowds,” he said. This is good, because after  he debuted at DJ Mag’sTop 100 poll at No. 55 in 2014, Yves V. has been traveling around the world to play sets for all the lovers of progressive house in the world.

Hometown and current residence: Antwerp, Belguim

Is Yves V your real name?

Yes, it’s short for Yves Van Geertsom

When did you realize you loved EDM?

When I was a kid I went to music school and played the violin. I bought my first record when I was fifteen. That was the moment when I discovered my passion for EDM.

What do you like better, DJing or producing?

I have a great passion for both, but it all started with DJing, 19 years ago now, so I have little more experience with that.

What's your favorite city in the world to play in?

I’ve so many favorite cities to play in: Bangkok, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, this list goes on and on. But if I had to pick one I would choose Barcelona because I could really see myself living there.  It’s not too far from Belgium,  the weather is fantastic, the food is great, it’s a fantastic city.

Who would you love to collaborate with? Whose songs do you love to remix?

I have a wide range of influences, but at the moment I really love Tove Lo, Birdy and Coldplay.

Talk about the moment when you realized you wanted to make music for a living. How did it happen?

Music has always been my passion, it started out as a hobby and I never expected to one day do this as my job. Even after everything I’ve done, it still doesn’t feel like work for me!

How would you describe your music to someone who'd never heard you before?

I don’t want to be put in a box, but I really like a nice melodic break and a massive hard drop. It’s really important for me as a producer that you can make any kind of music you like and you’re not bound by the restrictions of a genre.