Biography
Maurice Steenbergen was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 1973, and has a passion for audiovisual technology. He started his career as a graphic designer and pre-press engineer for a daily newspaper after studying graphic design.
“Poing” Pioneers Gabber Music Movement in Europe
At the age of 12, Maurice discovered his love for music and began creating mixes as a hobby. By the age of 15, he had his first gig as a DJ. At 19, Maurice bought an Akai sampler and Atari sequencer, and created the international hit song called “Poing”. The track is an early example of the gabber music style that originated in the Netherlands in the early 1990s. The song features a simple, yet catchy beat and a sample and a continously evolving beat based on Roland TR-909 drum sounds.
When the song was first released in 1992, it became an instant hit in the Netherlands and went on to become a chart-topping success in many European countries. The song’s popularity also helped to popularize the gabber music style, which became a major cultural phenomenon in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe in the 1990s. Today, “Poing” is still considered a classic and iconic track of the gabber genre, and is often played at raves and dance events across Europe. Phil de Wilde, producer of popular act “2 Unlimited”, states that their biggest hit “No Limits” is inspired on Maurice Steenbergen’s creative drum programming on “Poing”.
From Graphic Design to Air Traffic Control
In 1993, Maurice went on to work as a Senior Creative at Mid-Town Records, where he created album covers, flyers, merchandising and ultimately hit music videos for popular artists such as DJ Paul Elstak, The Klubbheads, and Kadoc. In 1998, he joined Hollywood Music Hall in Rotterdam, the largest nightclub in the country, where he was heavily involved in the marketing and daily operations of the creative team.
In 2000, Maurice joined Future Publishing, LTD as an Art Editor for PC Gamer Magazine and Future Music. He then started teaching audiovisual technology in 2003 at Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam, where he helped students master various creative techniques including stage design, multimedia production, photography, and producing, directing, and editing film.
In 2007, Maurice started his own media production company, where he worked as a freelance producer, director, and editor for the next 7 years. During this time, he created over 100 music videos and won the Buma NL Award for Best Music Video in 2013. He ultimately produced a documentary called “Oldschool Renegades” about the rise of rave culture in the early 1990s, featuring well-known artists such as The Prodigy, Moby, and Frankie Bones. The documentary was featured at international film festivals such as “CPH:DOX” in Denmark, “Planete Doc” in Poland, and “Beat Film” in Moscow.
After 2014, Maurice focused on applying audiovisual technology to highly critical environments. In 2018, he joined LVNL (Air Traffic Control The Netherlands) as a Product Engineer, and in 2023, he transitioned to a new role as a Product Owner and Senior Systems Specialist.
Combining AI and Imagination for Stunning Digital Artwork
In addition to his impressive career in the music industry and audiovisual technology, Maurice Steenbergen is also an innovative artist who utilizes artificial intelligence to produce stunning digital artwork. His creative talents, combined with the power of AI, result in abstract designs and bold, vivid creations that are a testament to Maurice’s skill and imagination. Through this unique approach to art, Maurice is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the digital realm and creating truly captivating pieces that showcase the intersection of technology and creativity. His work is a testament to his ability to adapt to new technologies and leverage them to create cutting-edge art that is both visually stunning and conceptually intriguing.
Throughout his career, Maurice has been dedicated to using his expertise in audiovisual technology to create innovative and impactful projects in a variety of industries.