Actor Jason Dottley is probably best known for his lead role on the TV version of "Sordid Lives," yet he is making the crossover to the music scene having made it to the Billboard Club Chart with "Hit Play" and "Party Round the World." His new single “Pop It” features remixes by Loverush UK, Yiannis, and Wawa. Jason attended the Amsterdam Dance Event for the first time in 2011 and spoke to us about his experience.


DJ Ron Slomowicz: How did you hear about ADE?
Jason Dottley: Both my American record promoter, Brad LeBeau, and my UK promoter, Mark Loverush, go each year. It's debatable to say that my first passion is traveling, so in combination with dance music, ADE was a no brainer!

RS:Why did you go to ADE?
Jason Dottley:I don't feel like you can achieve your potential if you don't maximize your knowledge. ADE was the perfect opportunity to both network and learn; two highly precious activities in the game of success.

RS:What were your goals when you attend ADE?
Jason Dottley:Being my first trip, I just wanted to break the ice. I didn't overwhelm myself with a massive "to-do" list, rather I immersed myself fully into the conference and took in all that I could.

RS:Was ADE what you expected?
Jason Dottley:No! If you're expecting White Party, you're going to be sadly disappointed. Luckily, I wasn't seeking another White Party; the one we have here is wonderful enough - but I was expecting something like it.

ADE is about the music, not how you're feeling while listening to the music. I was also not prepared to see a city as gorgeous as Amsterdam celebrating dance music with such solidarity. The ADE flags flying across bridges throughout the city were breathtaking.

RS:How did you prepare for ADE?
Jason Dottley:I was only there for 3 days, so I prepared with a lot of rest! Professionally, I made sure my representation had my new record "Pop It" ready to go.

RS:How selective were you with meetings? Would you accept a meeting request from anyone who contacts you?
Jason Dottley:If you contact me and I google you and find nothing frightening, meeting is on! When someone shows an interest in you, embrace it! Of course, then you must evaluate it, but that's after the meeting.

RS:Were there any unexpected meetings - people you bumped into?
Jason Dottley:Only after the event -- when I find out friends like DJ Ron were there and I never got say hello!

RS:What was your favorite party of the week?
Jason Dottley:Call me cliche, but the David Guetta event was pretty wild.

RS:Any other highlights of 2011?
Jason Dottley:Creatively, 2011 has been the first year where my ideas, my thoughts, my approval or rejection all came first. It's easy to get lost in a field of opinions, and I have been lost there before, but it's far more logical to navigate your own career with your gut and not the thoughts and motives of others.

RS:Would you recommend that other artists attend ADE?
Jason Dottley:I believe that every chance you have to enrich your life is one you must take. As an artist, you leave ADE inspired by the city, the people, the music and at the end of the day, isn't that what being an artist is all about; being able to create by reflection from your life experience?

RS:What advice do you have for people attending ADE for the first time?
Jason Dottley:Don't be worried about meeting everyone. Just go with the flow, be yourself, and be proud that you're breaking the ADE ice.