'My dot on the horizon? A Ziggo Dome show of my own'
Start Up Campus Haarlem in conversation with Leeroy Zschuschen
Leeroy Zschuschen (20) is an E-music student at the Conservatorium in Haarlem and is an artist under the name Rey and runs his own event company Groovv.
If I really want something, I just can't do it halfway
‘I like to work hard. Just trying things out, not being afraid to make mistakes and going down on myself. For me, hard work means working long days, doing a lot of effective work, not hanging around and if you don't want to anymore, keep going anyway. I am a quick and creative thinker. Whether everyone can keep up with me? Sometimes not. In the beginning, I used to get frustrated about that, but now I have learned to deal with that. I just have a different work pace and that's fine, I allow everyone to work and learn at their pace.
If I really want something, I just can't do it halfway. Unfortunately, that often comes at the expense of seeing friends, free time and my health. With the right help, I now have a better understanding of how to dose my energy. You can't peak all the time.’
We want to get rid of the ‘headline culture’
‘I am a performing artist and have my own event company. Under my own alias, Rey, I perform and release records.
I also started the event company Groovv with a friend. With this, we really want to make a difference in the current event industry. We want to get rid of the ‘headline culture’. Groovv should become a travelling event where the art of the evening is not formed around the DJ or the venue. Everything should revolve around the audience. The experience of the event revolves around them, the people you met, with whom you danced and with whom you saw the night become day. We clearly choose a sound, though. Latin Tech. That sound has so much future. We've already had two editions on the IJ and at Club Atelier in Amsterdam. The concept is far from figured out, but the drive is there. That's the starting point.’
I dream bigger and want to show that it can be done
‘I am an ambitious guy. Being busy with music gives me satisfaction. My dot on the horizon? A Ziggo Dome show of my own. Of course my parents are also proud when I get booked at the pub around the corner, but I dream bigger and also want to show them that it can be done.
'Now you see that people only come to parties when there are big names, but that does not at all mean that something is good. You notice that artists also get booked more often if they have a lot of social following. In the end, it's all about selling tickets now.'
‘Imagine if the focus was no longer on the DJs but on the audience and the atmosphere, then I believe something could really change in the event industry. And that change is needed.’
'I hope that visitors are really touched by music or an event. That they start looking at life differently or that you can make them experience something unique. We have so many social issues right now. Music and events also have a role to play in that. That's why I'm also using the next four years to explore how to convey a bigger message as an artist.’
Confidence in your own development
‘Starting in September, I joined SUCH's Growth programme. That was really super valuable and fun. Apart from gaining a lot of information and insights, you also expand your network. You also learn a lot from others. Musicians generally hope that one day they will be discovered and then they will ‘naturally’ sell. But I have now become acutely aware that this is not how it works.
To others considering entrepreneurship, I would say: start by putting everything on paper. Not an elaborate plan, but first get your ideas out of your head. Then approach people in your network who have something to do with your plan and ask if they want to do something together. Also try to think about what you think about things yourself. Have faith in your own development, you don't know everything right away, it will come. Now that I have been at it long enough, I am finally starting to feel the first consequences of my initial choices. That is wonderful to be able to experience. So don't keep dreaming, get going!’
Start Up Campus Haarlem is the place for entrepreneurial students at Inholland University of Applied Sciences. Through an inspiring five-month program of events and workshops, you work on entrepreneurial skills, and your network grows at lightning speed. Entrepreneurship begins at Start Up Campus Haarlem! Want to know when the next Start or Growth program starts? Check our Instagram or website.