Sander Ketelaars, known professionally as Sander van Doorn, launched his recording career in 2004 with a focus on tech-trance. Hailing from Eindhoven, the Dutch composer and disc jockey gained significant industry traction through his early productions on Oxygen Recordings and his residency at prominent venues including Ibiza’s Judgement Sunday and London’s The Gallery.
Early Career and Industry Recognition
By 2006, van Doorn secured a featured spot on BBC Radio One's Essential Mix. He expanded his influence as a remixer, moving from trance productions to reworking tracks for artists such as the Arctic Monkeys, specifically their hit "When the Sun Goes Down" in 2007. That same year, he founded his own label, Doorn Records, and won the Best Breakthrough DJ award at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami.
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His debut studio album, Supernaturalistic, arrived in 2008 through Spinnin' Records, featuring thirteen tracks. He followed this with his second studio album, Eleve11, in 2011. Throughout this period, his style shifted from mid-2000s tech-house and progressive house toward vocal-driven electro-house and EDM. In 2011, these efforts contributed to his receipt of the Dutch Silver Harp award.
Global Touring and Collaboration
The artist became a fixture at major international festivals, including Transmission, Electric Zoo, and Beyond Wonderland. His 2012 collaboration with singer Mayaeni, "Nothing Inside," topped several charts following its debut at Ultra Miami. Subsequent work included the 2014 single "Gold Skies" with Martin Garrix and DVBBS, and further collaborations with artists such as R3hab, Firebeatz, and Oliver Heldens.
Radio and Alter Egos
In 2013, he launched the radio program Identity on the station Digitally Imported, which eventually broadcast globally across 70 stations. The show concluded in November 2021 after 623 episodes. Alongside his primary production work, he utilized the alias Purple Haze to release the album Spectrvm in 2017, marking a return to trance elements.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Stage name: Sander van Doorn
- Award: Silver Harp
- Record Label: Doorn Records
- Radio program: Identity
- Debut album: Supernaturalistic (2008)
- Second album: Eleve11 (2011)
- Occupations: Composer, disc jockey, record producer
Questions readers ask
What is the origin of his stage name?
He is born Sander Ketelaars and uses the professional stage name Sander van Doorn, often abbreviated as SvD.
Which artists has he remixed?
His notable remix credits include work for Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Yello, Sia, Lady Gaga, The Killers, Swedish House Mafia, and Depeche Mode.
Achievements
- Genres: electro house
