Mark Knekelhuis to quit touring due to "burn out"

Mark Knekelhuis, real name Mark van de Maat, has announced on Instagram that he will stop gigging and touring "in a professional way."

Signing off after seven years of professional gigging and touring, Knekelhuis will play his final two shows of the year at De School this Friday, November 24, and at Garage Noord on December 9.

The Knekelhuis label head cites the "broken nights, travelling, messing up your biorhythm, intensity of social interactions and social media, the booze and substances" as some of the difficulties which have made his body and mind start to struggle.

Read this next: Social media is dangerously affecting DJs' mental health

van de Maat also felt uncomfortable with the stress and pressure of living as an artist dependent on income from gigs, stating that "there is no real safety net and living from month to month to be able to pay our rents is for many more of a rule than an exception."

The artist, who is also one half of hybrid analogue-punk act Volition Immanent, has brought his eclectic sound that sifts through techno, synth pop, post-punk and ambient to places such as Berlin, Bristol, Krakow, Montreal, Nantes, New York, Tbilisi, The Hague, Tisno and Toronto in the last 12 months.

Knekelhuis thanks everyone he has met during his journey as a touring DJ, toasting everyone "who gave [him] the opportunity to express [his] musical voice on dancefloors, festivals, living rooms and art spaces."

"I keep so many valuable moments in my heart."

Read this next: How the cost of living crisis is impacting DJs and producers

Since burning out in June, van de Maat has been focusing on recovery and his eponymous label. He has found joy in working on exciting new projects that he is building with fellow musicians, while taking up meditation and daily exercise. The Amsterdam-based artist has announced that, now that he is back in his natural rhythm, he will be looking for part-time work.

As Mark Knekelhuis himself says, "when one door closes, another opens."

Read Knekelhuis' full statement below.

Tibor Heskett is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter