iQ: Paul van Dyk

We capture a mental fingerprint of some of our musical and cultural heroes and preserve it in cyber-amber for the wonderment of future generations. This is the Insomniac Questionnaire.

What was your favorite toy as a child, and when and why did you stop playing with it?
I actually always wanted to get headphones because the people next door always complained about me.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten? Did you take it?
Yes I did, it was by my head schoolteacher back in East Germany. Despite the repressive Communist system, he encouraged me to be myself.

What part of your day do you look forward to most?
Waking up next to my girlfriend and getting a kiss.

What’s the best time you’ve ever had without spending money?
Everyday holds many “best moments.” I learned to value those a lot.

What is your most treasured possession?
All the memories of my fans around the world. Without you guys, I could not have done what I have and do what is still to come!

What is your favorite word?
Passion and integrity… They belong together, for me.

Do you owe an apology to anyone?
Yes. When I was five years old, I was playing football with friends and shot the ball over the fence. A woman who was riding her bike was hit. She was fine, but I never got a chance to say sorry.

When is the last time you were really scared?
I was reading in the news how discriminating United Airlines staff is treating passengers that are either handicapped or coming from a different cultural background. That scares me.

What is the last thing you googled?
Depeche Mode tour dates 2015.

What’s the last sound you would want to hear before you die?
The voice of my girlfriend telling me she will be fine.

Do you have any recurring dreams or nightmares? If not, what’s the last dream you remember having?
I don’t really have nightmares, and right now I am on a tight tour schedule, so I basically fall straight into sleep and don’t remember any dreams.

How do you measure success?
By the smiles of people in front of me when I play.

If you could have one magical/super power, what would you want?
Healing.

Have you ever had a brush with the paranormal or supernatural?
When you are really in love with someone, you have that “brush” everyday.

What do you remember about your first kiss?
Not much! It probably was my mum after I was born, saying: “Holy shit, look at that nose,” he-he.

What four words best describe you?
It’s up to you.

What’s the last impulsive thing you did?
I jump a lot when I play.

Do you have a pet?
I would love to have a beagle again.

What is your strongest (or best) personality trait?
You’ll have to check with my friends and family!

Do you believe in any conspiracy theories or urban legends?
Most of the time, there is more to a story than what we are made to believe.

The Politics of Dancing 3 is available now via Ultra Records.

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