Amir Hussain: Trance is not a casual thing. It's a lifestyle. Every person who loves trance music, makes it their life. [Interviewing artists]
This will be a long read. But a very good one. Amir Hussain is one of the most genuine people from the trance industry I met till now and he had a lot to say about it.
He made my day, when he recognized me at Luminosity and told me he likes my writing and work with Trancers.ro. I never in a million years I would have dreamed an artist I listen to and appreciate would come to me and tell me he knows me by my project.
I am grateful he accepted my invitation and for telling me all the stories: of who was he, how he started out, who is he now, challenge he came across, projects he is working on, people he appreciates and support and other tips and trick of the industry. Sit back and relax while reading this interview. And I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Who is Amir Hussain. When do you actually started music?
Amir Hussain used to be a student, a school student, from Bahrain, which is where I am from, a small country in the Middle East. I went to school there. And I wasn’t very good at school. I was playing games all the time. I used to play World of Warcraft back in the day, and this was my life back then. I would go to school, come back from school at 2 pm, 3 pm, and just play WoW, from the minute I was back, to the minute I had to sleep. Basically, through playing these games, I would watch on Youtube, compilations of people who make videos of the game and sometimes they would put trance music in the background. And I would listen to it. And I’d think: This is really nice! What is this music? And then, I would see the track names, I would look them out, I would listen to them and then I see other similar things. And at the time, I didn’t know it was called trance. For me, it was all, what they called Techno. Where I am from, this is just techno music. See, is this house music? No. It is techno. Trance? No. This is techno. As long as it goes like ntz ntz ntz ntz, it is techno. I didn’t know any better. I used to be one of those people. You know?
I remember when I first found out it is Trance music, and I remember the very first time I googled trance music. And I remember coming across that radio station, which was DI fm. And that is how I started listening to a lot of dance music, not just trance. But then, I figured out actually: trance was the one I listened to, the most. And basically, narrowed it down to listening only trance music. It was just trance. So, that is how I got to find out about Armin, Markus Schulz, you know, all the big names. And that is when my life started to change: from someone who was obsessed with gaming, to someone who was obsessed with trance music.
My intention was never really to produce music. My intention was to DJ. I thought: there is a lot of great music out there, what am I going to offer? There is a lot of good music anyway. This is amazing. And what’s a guy in Bahrain, gonna do anyway? So basically, my first interest was DJing. And through DJing, I realised, you can’t actually do too much with Djing. I had moved to Uk and I started to go the events here, and meeting all these other producers. Some of them happened to be engineers as well, like sound engineers and with the little knowledge I already had about production, I had the opportunity to sit-down and work with these engineers and learn from them. This contributed to my knowledge about production to this day. For me, it was always about DJing. But because DJing, you can’t actually go too far with DJing if you do not release music, or produce music, that is how Amir Hussain started out.
Through working, and sitting with other producers, and learning from them, that is how I started releasing music and that is how I started to slowly improve my skills, not only in music production, but also in a lot of things. In social media, and knowing how to network, my social skills with people, etc, etc.
So, who is Amir in the day by day life? Beside producing music and Marketing and Public Relations graduate?
From a day to day life, I am still the same guy who got into this music. The 18, 19 years old kid from Bahrain, in his bedroom who got into trance music and thought it was the most amazing thing ever. I am still the same person. I do not view myself as different and to any fan or any person in the scene, because we share the same thing. In common. Our life is trance music. We both love trance music and it is our lifestyle. Trance is not a casual thing. Every person who loves trance music, is their life. I never met anyone who is casual about trance music. I don’t even know if that is a thing.
But me, in my daily life, I am a massive football fan. If you follow me on Instagram, you will also notice that I am a massive foodie. I like to eat, I like to cook. I like to try new restaurants, - probably not the best thing to weight gain. I like to travel. This is a nice perk of this job. That it gives you the opportunity to travel, to go to places that you’ve never been before.
I am just an outgoing chilled out guy, who enjoys making people laugh, make people happy and for me, if that is what trance does, with my sets or any music that I am releasing, that people listen with my name on it, then I am happy for that. Because, for me it is like sharing what makes me happy. And for them to be happy about it, it is like a 2 way thing. So for me, that is who I really am day to day. That is a nice summary of who I am as a person.
Do you ever regret taking the decision to move to another country?
No. In fact, my family actually told me: Amir you should go.
I do not know. Some people are too afraid to move away from their own country and they might not be able to live abroad. They may think they won’t be able to handle it. They might leave and they might see that this is too much, but for me, I already grew up into a westernised kind of life back in my home country. I used to speak English the same way I speak it today, fluently, I used to enjoy a lot of things from western culture, so moving here for me, was not a culture shock. It never was and it still isn’t. I visit my family at least once a year. Sometimes I miss it, but then I go back and I realise why I left in the first place. Some people see it a a brave big decision, it is, sure, but it was certainly not a struggle.
Do you wish to have moved somewhere else? In another country?
Well, tough one really. I had the chance to play in Australia, back in 2015 and I immediately fell in love with the place. I haven’t visited Canada yet, but I have family there. And Canada seems so interesting. All I hear about Canada is good things. So Canada, seems another interesting option that I probably may have or could’ve moved to. I’ve been to the US, twice as a tourist, twice to play as a DJ, also interesting country. So intriguing that is so different. Like I’ve been to 4 different states and each one is different from the other, or completely different from the other.
But, would I have preferred moving to another country than in the UK? I would say NO. Because 2 of my loves at the time, which I still have today, football and trance music are very massive in the uk. Europe has a massive trance scene, so I would not say I would’ve preferred to go to another country. I am happy with the decision I have come to the Uk. And since I am here, 90% of my friends are from here. Unfortunately, not in contact with many people back home. That’s what happens when you move away from home for so long.
What should be your biggest musical accomplishment when you look back till now?
Hmmmm. I’d say, for me quite a few. The first one that comes up in my head now, would be: I never in a million years imagined to go and visit Australia. Because it is too far. And it is too expensive to get there. A plane ticket to Australia is too expensive. But for me, to have someone to pay me to play there, and pay for my plane ticket to get there… I played a 3 cities tour. I played Sidney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
And the funny thing is, when I played Melbourne, the Melbourne gig wasn’t very crowded. Sidney gig was crowded. Melbourne gig, it wasn’t empty, but it wasn’t very crowded. The people that were there (around 50-60 people), really enjoyed my set and they told to one of the bigger promoters in Melbourne, that I was here and that they enjoyed my set. And the bigger promoter booked me to play the following weekend. This was not scheduled, this was no in the plan. For me this is a big accomplishment. It is a nice accomplishment. Not only that I impressed people enough to get a bigger promoter to book me while I was there, but that was one of my favourite gigs full stop. I think there were easily 500-600 people. It was packed. And I played the closing set and that was absolutely incredible.
Also, a massive accomplishment was to play Future Sound of Egypt 450 in October 2016, in Manchester at Victoria Warehouse. That was such a great gig. That was immense. I played back to back with Liam Wilson, really really great guy, underrated producer, a great DJ. That was a good one also.
Another accomplishment, I would say. It is probably an accomplishment that many DJs would say that they have. And that is coming across to the artists you looked up to you were listening as a fan and then them knowing who you are. For me that is an accomplishment. That is a great accomplishment. I was at the Amsterdam Dance Event in October 2017, and I had the chance to meet Armin. And to chat with him. And that was really lovely. Because he knew who I was. And he was telling me to keep up with the music and that he likes playing my music on the radio show. That was really nice to hear.
Even Markus Schulz, who doesn’t have a history of playing 138, 140 bpm. I met him at Luminosity last year and I told him: Hey, I am Amir. And he was like: Yeah. I know who you are. I listen to this faster stuff sometimes. I do appreciate that as well. And we were chatting and one year later I’ve just released a remix for him for Markus Schulz ft. Ethan Thompson - Love Me Like You Never Did. For me that is an accomplishment. Because he was my first idol in the trance scene. Markus Schulz was my first ever, like GOD. And for me, to remix him, to get asked to remix for him that was a huge accomplishment. And for him to know who I was even more.
Which single track that you’ve produced had the biggest impact on your career?
The track that had the biggest impact on my career wasn’t an original track. It was a remix. It was a bootleg remix actually: Mat Zo - Lucky Strike. That remix was huge. It had a lot of support. People came up to me and told me how much they loved it more than any other track. And it really propelled me. 2015 was a great year for me. I played some really nice gigs in 2015 on the basis of Lucky Strike. That much it did well for me.
But as an original track, I would say it is a tie between Time Lapse on WAO138 and To the Lost on In Trance We Trust. Those had great impact for my career and also happen to be my 2 favourite originals. Third one is a track called Tylos, but those 2 are the greatest from me till now.
To the lost, came right after Lucky strike and that did also well. So it was like BOOM impact. And then Boom impact right after. So it was such a great start of the year for me in 2015. Many DJs played those tracks. It was great. And I need to hit those heights again. I need to something as good as that again. But it is not easy. No one is a constant hit making machine. It is impossible.
How do you actually produce your music? Do your tracks tell a story? What is the inspiration behind your tracks?
Some people say that inspiration comes from having a glass of wine, smoking a joint, going out and enjoying the sunset, walking in the park.. It’s none of these things for me. None.
For me, inspiration comes from listening to other tracks from now and in the past. And you’d think: Aye, that is a nice idea. Let me see if I can make something similar, but twist it to my own original idea. And that is my main source of inspiration. Sometimes I just wake up in the middle of the night I have an idea, and I record it on my phone, like I whistle it, or I’m like tu tu ru tu dumm, like an absolute idiot, and then I test it out.
What is funny for me, (I know I was mentioning food earlier), the idea to remix Lucky Strike it is a really funny story. Here it is how Amir Hussain got the idea to remix Lucky strike. Here it is how Amir Hussain got the idea to remix the track that did the biggest for him.
One day, I was having lunch. I was having lunch at KFC. I finished my meal and was walking out and then it just hit me out of nowhere: Mat Zo - Lucky Strike. Hey, that is a great track. That is a really good track. The melody is so good. Has anyone have remixed it? And I’ve went and I looked. And no one remixed it. And I thought to myself: You know what? This could do with a remix. Cuz’ that melody is huge. Maybe do an alternative version, with the main melody as the main section with a nice big lead and it worked. I do not know what it was. What was the inspiration. Was it fried chicken, or was it just me walking outside of the restaurant? I do not know. So, sometimes it is just random.
Sometimes, the tracks do tell a story. I can’t say every time a track has a story, because my life is not that interesting. I do not have that many stories. To the lost for example, was actually dedicated to my grandfather, who passed away, not long before that track. I had to dedicate something for him somehow. This track was going into a direction that I knew it was going to be one of my best ones.
Some tracks have stories. Some don’t.
What do you think makes a perfect track?
In trance, I would say a perfect track boils down to a very very important thing: a damn catchy good melody. Trance is all about the melody. And the emotions that the melody has. So if a track is so well produced, but it has no melody, then I can guarantee you it will be overlooked compared to a track that is not so well produced, but has an amazing melody. So that is the most important thing in a trance track I think: a good melody and obviously drive, a good drive, good base. And for me, I am a big sucker vocals, not like sung vocals, but like non spoken vocals. Like the vocal effects to hear in tracks. Like the aaa, uuu, all that kind of stuff.
I always have them in my productions and my main sections. Or even in the built up and in the breakdown, I love female vocals in my tracks.
So I would say those are the things that really make a trance track great. If people can feel the emotion, behind a good lovely catchy melody and associate with it, then with trance you’re onto a winner with that.
Have you ever experienced the creator’s block? And if yes, how did you snap out of it?
Yes. Many times. By continuing. And continuing and continuing and continuing. Until you snap out of it. Simple as that. I’ve had quite a few creative blocks across my career. That is actually a good question.
I remember the first time in 2013 (i think) or 2014, I did a bootleg of an Armin van Buuren track: Armin van Buuren - Rush Hour. I did a remix of that and Armin played that so many times. That track had a lot of good support. And it put my name on the map. But after that, for like maybe 4 or 5 months, I didn’t have anything as strong as Rush Hour. And it started getting to me. Like “mmm.. Ohh, have I peaked?” / “Can I ever be as good as that?”.
So that is the thing. And I continued. I continued until one day I decided “You know what? , Let me have fun with a track. I just wanna have fun with this track. I don’t want it to be uplifty, to be techy, I just wanted it to be Amir Hussain music. And that track was called Catharsis. It was signed to Monster Tunes. Basically, that track, when I finished it, I was in new Zealand. I was in New Zealand to see a friend. And I remember at 4 am 5 am in the morning my phone kept buzzing. It kept buzzing. It kept buzzing. I said: Ohh God! What is happening here? I hope everything is ok. And I wake up and I see that Armin played the track. And I was like : Oohh. Ok that is great. ok. I guess this is good. Maybe I am out of creative block now. Things have started to come back to normal. So that is why I always have a fond memory of that track. Because that was the first track that got me out of my first creative block in my music career.
But the key is to just not give up. Don’t give up! Some people get success quickly, some people get success over a lot period of time. Whether you get success or you don’t. You might never get success, sure. But you will never get to know if you give up. The point is to never give up. And to try and keep improving and to resist. And keep going and going and going. And that’s how you get out of it.
Do you ever get the “help me being a better producer” / “give me feedback on my track” requests
Yeah. A lot. I actually do not mind. But sometimes, I do not always have the time. And if I do have the time, I always give constructive criticism. Like if I like something, I will say why I like it. If I do not like it, I’ll say why I don’t like it. And I would say how I think it can improve, and I will say like: look, this is not there yet. Or this is nearly there.
And I think all producers do. All DJs do. Even I do it sometimes. I always have specific people I ask. I do not ask random people. I ask specific people. I have specific people I ask. It is for example, like an engineer, like a studio engineer I’ve worked with, or if it is one of my producer friends or something. I do not ask anyone for feedback. Because some people are not in a position to give feedback. You know? So that’s the thing.
What is the simplest advice you’d give to someone fresh in the industry?
You have to be patient. Patience is going to pay off. Be patient. And keep at it. And you need to develop 2 things to succeed in this industry: no. 1 patience. no. 2 thick skin. And what I mean: you need to be mentally tough. Because you are going to get a lot of the time you can be overlooked, ignored, criticised, even bashed. Some people literally bash you. You know? Some people say : ohh.. this is rubbish. Ohh this is crap. Ohh this is bla bla bla bla bla. You have to learn to accept that. And just take it and move on. And be patient and learn from it. So that is my best advice for anyone new.
Any new projects coming up?
Yes. Quite a few for next year. I have a new tech trance original coming out which I’ve signed with Grotesque, and it is coming on a very big compilation, can’t reveal which yet.
I also have collaborations: one of the collaborations I’ve got coming up is with one of the new comers who is a favourite of mine, this guy called Leroy Moreno. He is from USA, he’s done a track with Paul Van Dyk on his album last year, sorry this year, and I really loved this guy’s melodies and vocal chops. So I heard this guy’s music and I thought wow I have never heard of this guy before, and he impressed me with one or two tracks. I got in touch with him and I said to him how much I like his music and proposed to work on a track together. And we finished it. Last year in December.
Also, I got a remix of a Christina Sotto track. I love her vocals. She used to do vocals with Tritonal back in the day. Those are 3 I can tell you about now. The rest is too early to tell.
Have you ever thought of releasing an album?
Yes I have. But, not in the near future. Not yet. Because, I still want to establish myself and my sound and my brand, at a higher level before I release an artist album. I do not want to release an artist album for the sake of releasing an artist album. I want to release an album at the right time for the right reasons.
So what is your favourite label? Trance label? And why? Off all time?
And why? Ok. Of all time? That’s easy. Coldharbour Recordings. Coldharbour has a special place in my heart. Some of the most amazing music that I’ve come across was on Coldharbour recordings. Remains to be my favorite label of trance music.
I am also a huge fan of Electronic Elements. It is not going anymore, it stopped I think around 2012. Electronic Elements was gold. They had some of the most amazing progressive trance from back in the early 2000s and mis 2000s.
Recently, I’ve really enjoyed a lot of stuff coming out on Digital Society, WAO138, Future Sound of Egypt.
Any upcomers we should watch out?
Yes. I already mentioned Leroy Moreno, but 2 others I really recommend who I think are underrated and I think they are going to have incredible careers:
1. Sam Laxton - huge hige fan fan of Sam Laxton, both as a person and as a producer. The guys is younger than me and he is smarter, and more talented, and better looking than me when I was his age.
2 Another one is my Spanish hermano a guy called Mike Sanders. Mike Sanders is a really talented guy. Underrated, awesome productions. Really hope he develops more for him next year.
Who else? Niko. I do like Niko/ Nikolauss. He does some great stuff. He sent me 2 of his latest tracks the other days and I said: I am gonna play these as soon as I can. These are really great tracks. So shout out to Nikolauss, as well.
What do you think about the trance community in general?
The trance community, you mean, the trance community like the scene I operate in which is like the DJ’s and producers, and the promoters or are you talking about the fans?
Let’s talk about the fans first.
Ok. The fans. This is going from a DJ/ producers perspective. You have different kind of fans really. You have fans they really know their stuff. Some fans are so educated. And those are the fans every producer and DJ loves and wants. Those are the educated people that you know that you’re not gonna have to keep making the biggest amount of effort in terms of PR for, because they are already on the dot. But you also have other fans, who are biased. They are biased because they follow the name rather than the music. Because they follow the name even if the name can sometimes be average, they will still religiously follow the name. For what ever reason.
But the trance community is great. Honestly, my personal facebook it’s reached maximum capacity and 75 % of it are people that I not actually physically met. But they are my friends, more than people who I actually met. So, that tells you something.
For me that’s the trance community. That’s what it does. Trance music, it makes people friends even tough you haven’t met yet, and it is wonderful. I prefer to see them as friends, and of course.. the fact that they are fans.. is something I also appreciate.
In terms of DJs, well, the name of the game is respect. You give respect, you earn respect. I am close with some DJs, some other I am not. Some other I don’t really know them very well, or like our personalities clash but it doesn’t mean I do not respect them. You have to respect everyone. Because no one gets where they do just like that. Anyone who thinks that a producer can get lucky, or like say buy his way into success, or what ever, .. sorry for my language.. but that’s bullshit. For you to get somewhere, you’re doing something right. And that’s what many people fail to see. Just because you don’t see, it doesn’t mean that is not true. I have a respect and a relationship with as many names as possible, and I try to support as many of them as possible.
If you could change your place for one day with another artist, not necessarily trance artist, with whom would you change places?
I don’t know. Maybe, I would switch with Markus Schulz. For a day. Just so I can see his music library and see all the tracks I may have not come across from his library and I can go and listen to them. He has quite a nice lifestyle with the DJing.. so I’d like to switch with him for a day.
Can you tell the top 10 trance tracks of all times?
I am gonna tell you a top ten, but please don’t take this as a top ten in order. This is not in order.
No. 1 is number one. But the rest is not in order.
My favourite trance track of all time. The one that changed my life completely, completely, completely is Sean Tyas - Lift. This, for me is the greatest trance track of all times. It is fucking amazing. The melody, the acid, the breakdown, the lead. The melody itself the kind of melody where .. as anyone who remixes it they can’t make it sound too different to the original. Because the melody was meant for the synth lead that the original has.
- SeanTyas - Lift
- Simon Patterson - Us
- Armin van Buuren - Rush Hour
- Mat Zo - Lucky Strike
- Jochen Miller - Lost Connection
- Thomas Bronzwaer - Close Horizon (Giuseppe Ottaviani remix)
- Garry Heaney - Citation
- Jon O'Bir feat. Fisher - Found A Way (Joint Operations Centre Remix)
- Alex Monakhov - Roundabout (amazing progressive tune on Coldharbour)
- Markus Schossow under his Progresia alias - a track called Shelter.
Those are my top ten trance tracks of all time. I say this now, but maybe next year I might have a different opinion.
Everyone has a hidden talent. What’s yours?
I am a good goalkeeper. When I used to play football, I always played goalkeeper. Not because I was picked last. I actually was one of the first people to be picked on the team because I was that good of a goalkeeper. So yeah.l I guess that’s my hidden talent.
Do you still play?
No.. not much anymore now. I just watch it. I don’t play it anymore
Why?
I don’t know. I don’t have time. It’s more fun to watch. Easier to watch as well.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Of course. Thank you very much first of all. Thank you very much taking the time to read to this interview, to listen to the music that I am putting out, or the sets that I am mixing. Thank you very much for interacting with me on social media. Thank you very much for supporting me and the scene and the music. Thank you very much for help and support to get me where I am now. And I wish you guys all the best. May you be as happy as you can be this year and may I continuously be lucky enough to get your support over the remained of my career.
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Photo credits: Martin Grant Photography, Steven Cunniffe Photography, Photo by Pedro.
Giuseppe Ottaviani: You need to produce good music, but you also need a little bit of luck in this industry [Interviewing artists]
Happy trancer is happy! I finally had the chance to meet THE music man, Giuseppe Ottaviani and have a proper chat with him. After years and years of listening to his music, I couldn't lose his return to Romania for Timeshift Bucharest Music Festival. It was a great honour to have this interview with him and it still is. I find the talk to be inspiring and it definitely made me think of the future and what I can do more about my love for trance music. He will forever be one of my very special music crushes.
I was lucky enough to see him setup all the hardware and prepare for his set, and to hear that yes for my interview. We went in a more quiet place and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even before I started asking all the questions, he answered to some of them. But we actually digged deeper, we talked about his background, his love for this music, his inspiration, his work and many more.
Giuseppe is a very kind and patient man. He took his time in answering my questions and he avoided none of them! I had fun, Giuseppe had fun. And the set he played that night is indeed a set to remember. Seeing him on the stage and his new Live 2.0, was something I will not forget too soon. I know this interview may seem long for some of you, but it is definitely worth it! Enjoy!
Who is Giuseppe Ottaviani and when did the idea of producing music first occur?
I think I started with trance music around 1996-1997. I started with all the gear, actually. Back in the day, only a computer, a laptop wasn’t enough. You needed a synthetizer, computer, mixer, other hardware and figure out how to connect all the stuff together.
Then I met new friends (Andrea and Jacopo) and we started to make music together. And ended up calling ourselves Nu NRG. We made this project back in 1998 and started releasing some tracks with a small Italian label. In 2000, we got signed to Paul Van Dyk’s label, Vandit, because one of those tracks was pretty good. (smilling) Finally. They liked it, asked for the license for Politics of Dancing 1 and yeah. That was it. We stayed in touch, got invited to play at Love Parade in 2002 and that was the starting point of my music career.
Easy (laughing). And lucky. You need to produce good music, but you also need a little bit of luck in this industry.
How would you describe the day by day Giuseppe Ottaviani? How would you describe your life?
It is hard to split music from my private life. Because music is part of my private life. It is my hobby. It is my favorite hobby. And now because it is my job, it is actually taking a lot of time of my life. But normally I have a family. I have 2 kids. And I just do normal life. Normal dad life. I am family guy.
I also hang out with friends. When I can. Because it is not easy. Between my job and my family, it is not that easy to stay in touch with all the friends I want to. So I had to scale down the number of friends. Somehow. To the very very extremely absolutely close friends. (laughing)
It is like a day job for me. I used to make music during the night, before the kids. But this is not possible anymore. I just work on a simple day time schedule. Like a normal office guy. Finish around 6, spend time with my family, go out on weekend if I am free. Normal Family life.
My favorite question of all: Why trance? Why did you choose this music genre?
Because I am coming from classical music. I have about 9 years of classical piano education and classical music is the music I grew up with. Because that is the music my parents used to play all day long.
I have a weird background because I switched from classical music to pop music, to rock music and then eventually went into German techno music. Very minimal, dark and I used to love techno music. I still love it. But, back then I said ok. I love the beats, I love the energy but I am missing the melody from classical music. So, when Adagio for Strings by William Orbit came out I said: ok. Hold on. I like it. I really like this. Basically, the remix of Ferry Corsten for Adagio for Strings brought me here. That was the track that made me slide. This is it. It just fits.
What should be your biggest musical accomplishment when you look back in the past till now?
Well, I made it here. (laughing) It is like 16 years since I am in this business. Which again it is not a business. It is a hobby. The best part is that I am not feeling like working. I am having fun. The best thing is that it’s been 16 years that I am not working. But I am getting paid. And this is quite nice.
Which single track that you’ve produced has had the greatest impact on your career?
I have 2 tracks. The first one is Dreamland, and it is together with NU NRG. That was the track that allowed us to be signed to Vandit, Paul’s label.
And then I have my first track as a solo artist, in 2005 which is called Linking People. That was the track, after we split up, the track that allowed me to stay within the Vandit Records family and that made my career. Because I had to start again. It was the starting point of my solo career.
How do you actually, produce your music? What is the inspiration behind your tracks?
Well, before at the very beginning, I didn’t had too many bookings of course. So I was just looking at the other big names, their gigs, looking at the crowd, and then I was inspired by the DJs, playing in front of such big number of people. And I was just pretending to be myself playing for the people and getting the inspiration to make music. Now when I finally have my crowd, I just go play, get inspired and make music the day after.
Do these tracks tell a story?
It is really made by inspiration. Depends on the party, the country, the crowd reaction. Everything. It does not necessarily tell a story, but it is about a particular moment of my life, in that particular place, with those particular people. Every track I do is linked to a certain place.
For example. 2 years ago I made Musica. And that track was born in San Bernandino, for Dreamstate. The first Dreamstate I ever played. And it is linked to that place. Linked to Dreamstate. And it will forever remind me of that very special moment. I made another track on the plane going to Liverpool. And I called the track Liverpool. I played a rough demo at the event I had and it went great. I just told myself. Liverpool it is. And that was the track.
Do you ever experienced the creator’s block? And how did you snapped out of it?
No. (Laughing).. I have an idea. I always start with a melody in my head. Especially with my new setup, I improvise in front of the crowd. If I hear a sound, it can be even a distortion, something that inspires me and let me hear a melody, I just play the melody and record it straight away. Even at home, whenever I hear something in my head, I go to the piano I have in my living room, hit record on my phone, play it and then listen to an older stage.
And it is always about getting inspiration from the outside. world. I was in Miami 3 years ago, one car passing by, with loud music (you know those cars with big stereos, very loud music coming out) and I heard a little piece of a melody which started looping in my mind. I do not even know what kind of music that was. I was just listening to this and it just started looping. And then I made a track for my Magenta album. Which is called Waterpark. So you know… It just happens.
We last saw you at Luminosity Beach Festival. And we enjoyed a lot your set, but also your Pure NRG set. How did you actually had the idea to play a part of the Lambada on the set?
(Laughing).. Well, it is summer time. We play at the beach. Let’s do something extremely stupid and play Lambada. And it was fun.
We prepared the set. We decided what are we gonna do, what are we gonna play and after a couple of glasses of wine, we just had a very interesting conversation:
Hey, what do you think if we play 30 seconds of Lambada?
Ahh. That will be nice. Yeah. Ok. Let’s do it.
You sure?
Yeah. Let’s do it.
That was the first and the last time we do something like that.
How do you prepare for a set? Together with Solarstone?
You know, with Pure NRG, we do not play like a normal dj set. We do not go on a fly. We need to select the tracks we want to play. The sequences we want to play. We need to know what are we going to play. We just decide we are going to play this and that. You are going to play the drums in that track., I will play the keyboard. We need to organize, to plan what are we going do.
How is it? Working with Solarstone?
It is cool. Whenever we make a track it is either me flying to his studio, or Rich flying to my studio. But definitely we spend time together in a studio.
I saw an interview about Prophecy being the first online track. Are you planning to do more? Because that sounds really good.
Thank you. But, Prophecy took us some time. Because working online it is not that easy. It doesn’t actually feel the same. Because music has to do a lot with feelings. And we didn’t really fell right working online, for some reason. Also, because we are friends, we hang out together. We spend time together and have a very good time. And we make more music. Almost, one track per day, when we work together.
I am not sure if I can ask you this. But what can you tell us about the Go on air label? We saw that the last Hot or Not compilation is actually the last one…
Yes. It is the last one. Because the Go on air radio show it is not a weekly show anymore. The new concept, the new Go on air show it is monthly one and it is a live recording of one of my gigs. So, there is no reason to release a Hot or Not anymore. Because Hot or Not was connected to the old radio show and it is like a talent selection of music. And it is not going to happen anymore. Something is changing. I can’t tell you, to be honest. But it is changing into a very interesting and good way.
Under a new name?
Eventually.
About the live 2.0 show… How do you prepare? The same flow as preparing with Rich?
No. That is the thing. I do not prepare. It is completely different than a Pure NRG set. I do not prepare with my live 2.0. because it is my music, of course, plus all the live improvisation I do on the stage. It is called improvisation. So, I do not prepare.
I just prepare the hardware part. I do the sound checking. But as soon as I jump on the stage we will see about the rest.
What would you say to someone new in the industry? To someone that just starts producing?
The quality should be at a certain level. It doesn’t need to be amazing. Because you can always fix something in post-production, with mastering and stuff. But it must be at a certain level. You can’t actually, pretend to produce music on your iphone headphones. It is not going to work.
But then, as a label owner. If you are a new one, and you want to grab some attention, do not send 10 demos at a time. Sometimes, I say something like: This one is nice. Ok. But not still there, and then he immediately sends me another one, and another one… and then another. Saying: I am really quick. I can do a track in one day.
No, you can’t. It is not that easy. You can’t do it in one day. Fix that, make sure you spent enough time on one single track and then send it.
I am looking for an idea, but it also has to be at a certain level. Because if you have a massive idea, but it sounds bad, that means you need to sign the track but also get someone who can remix the track. Which is not ok. It doesn’t show the skills of the producers. Because at some point if you want to invest in a producer, then the producer must be able to deliver a finished product. One time is ok to get a remixer. Second time, not really.
Any upcomers you actually know and support?
Well. One of them is here (showing at): Starpicker. I signed a track from him because it got a lot of votes on Hot or Not a year ago. And then I was like: ohhh, this should be a single release. But I had no free slots in the singles release, because I was planning all the other ones. I said ok. Let’s put it on the Hot or Not EP, and then suddenly Armin played it as Tune of the Week. And I was like: There you go... After that, he reached me out for a second track and I said let’s do a single release this time. And it was good. And now I am just wait for the third one…
I know this is one of the hardest questions to ask someone. But can you tell me a top 3 trance tracks of all time?
1. Like I said, Adagio for Strings – William Orbit (Ferry Corsten Remix). This is the track that brought me here. That brought me into trance music.
2. Of course. There has to be Paul Van Dyk -For and Angel. Because it has to be. Seriously. That was the track from which I got the inspiration for that classic pluck sound that I am still using and that really influenced my sound, since ever.
3. And something more recent, I am really, but really in love with Ferry Corsten pres. Gouryella – Venera (Vee’s Theme). I even texted Ferry: Hey, remember me to give you a hug when we see eachother next time. Because it is an incredible melody. Definitely, one of my favorite Ferry’s productions.
Can we go to 5?
4. Aly & Fila with Ferry Tayle – Napoleon. – beautiful one.
5. A track that I am playing right now from 1996. Robert Miles – Red Zone. I know it is not Children. But it Is Red Zone, Part 1. A very beautiful melody for me.
With which artist, would you like to swap the places for one day if you could?
Neah. I wanna be myself. I do not care. Seriously. I like to get inspired by the others. I like to watch what others do. And I love to listen to what they do. But I want to do it in my own way.
What do you think about the trance community?
It is great. It is a real family all over the world. And it is a strong family. People think that is an underground thing. But it is not. It is a global movement. I am lucky enough to play all over the world and I can tell: the trance family. You can really feel it.
What do you think about the statement trance is having a big comeback?
It is true. (Laughing)… For comeback, it means it is getting more attention than before. Because it never left. But it is definitely, getting more attention. Thanks to a lot of factors. But also thanks to the americans pushing trance quite a lot now. A thing that it was impossible to imagine a couple of years ago. Personal opinion, is that Dreamstate is the best thing that happened to the trance music in the past 5 years, or even more.
P.S. Everyone has a hidden talent.
I can make an absolutely, great carbonara. Laughing…
THANK YOU, Giuseppe! Thank you for accepting the interview! Thank you for being such an amazing music man!
And thank you guys, for reading this till the very end. You all rock! Trance on!
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Interviewing artists: AIRBASE
I am saying this in every interview, but it is real! Every interview I have is very special to me and each one has a special place in my heart. This time, Airbase "takes the stand" and makes me over joyed. Met him at Luminosity for the first time and instantly fell in love with the nice man he is. My music crushes are my music crushes and the most special crushes in my life. Of course I had to ask him if he wants to have an interview with Trancers.ro. Of course I also ambushed him with my #IHaveAThingForTranceProducers photo and I am thrilled he didn't say no.
A couple of days ago I sent him my interview and he replied quite quick. But imagine my face looking even more surprised when I read his answers. He really invested the time to answer and make this even more special. Thank you, Jezper! And you , trancers take your time to read all of his answers and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. Trance on!
Hey Jezper, nice to speak to you. How are you doing? Where are you reading this interview?
Hello, thanks for having me! I’m great, just in the middle of a long vacation. I’m doing this interview from inside a sailing boat in the Swedish west coast archipelago. I know I should be outside, but the sun is taking it’s toll on my not so sun resistant skin. :)
Let’s start with the beginning. Who is Airbase and when did the idea to produce music first occur?
Airbase is me, Jezper Söderlund, a 36 year old guy living in Sweden. I come from a very musical family, so I’ve been actively listening to music for as long as I can remember. I was super hooked on the early nineties euro techno wave (2 unlimited, Capella, Ice MC etc). During a vacation with relatives in Finland (I’m 50 % Finnish), I was introduced to a software called Scream Tracker by one of my cousins. I was immediately hooked. I got a copy of it on a 3,5“ diskette, and got busy when I got home. Scream Tracker led to Fast Tracker, and later on I moved to Cubase. I was making so much (crappy) music back then. I had moved on a bit from the euro dance, getting into more German music (Members of Mayday, RMB etc) and somehow discovered trance music around the time Ferry, Armin and Tiesto really started to nail the modern trance sound. So I learned a lot about arrangement of trance music and tried to replicate and understand what makes a good track. From there on, I just tried to get better. So … that’s how it started.
Why trance? Why did you choose this music genre?
I don’t know, I guess I discovered trance at just the right time. It was the right sound for my mind at that time. I loved the melodic nature and energy of euro dance, but was also totally hooked on symphonic music after seeing the old movie The Rock. It was the first time I really noticed the music in a movie. I’m such a sucker for the melancholic sound of symphonic music, and to me, trance music was the mix of high energy melodic dance music with that anthemic and symphonic feel to it.
How would you describe the day by day Airbase? How would you describe your life?
Oh, that is quite boring. I’m not spending as much time in the studio or on the road as I used to. These days I keep busy with other projects, there’s so much I want to do. I’m one of the founders of the largest tech podcast in Sweden, we’ve been going since 2009 and won multiple awards for best podcast within the science and technology category. I’m also currently working on a new online service for charity. Basically we’re letting anyone contribute to charity when shopping online, for free (we make the stores they shop from pay). And every once in a while, I’m in the studio.
What do you consider to be your biggest musical accomplishment when you look back in the past till now?
This is a tough one. I can’t say any specific track, remix or event. I believe the biggest musical accomplishment for me is that I’ve simply made a name for myself in this genre. I was such a big fan of trance music before releasing my own music. To now be a part of the scene I was such a fan of, means a lot to me. Most people with any reasonable interest in trance music knows who I am, and that is very humbling. Basically, being a part of the whole trance music industry and history feels like my greatest musical accomplishment.
Which single track that you’ve produced has had the greatest impact on your career?
That must be Denial with Floria Ambra. It is funny, the tracks you least expect to have an impact, most often has the most (Escape was written in a few hours, basically as an album filler). Denial was basically thrown together in a few days, due to a super short deadline for In Search of Sunrise. We were pretty sure they wouldn’t go for it, but they did. It also led to being part of Tiesto's In Search Of Sunrise Tour which took me to London O2 Arena, Tomorrowland, Privilege @ Ibiza and Scotland. It was an awesome tour!
How do you find inspiration for your tracks? Do these tracks tell a story? Are they a part of your life?
I’m not much for telling stories with my music. It’s more of a emotional journey for me. Perhaps you’ve noticed many of my tracks have long intros. I really like to build the setting, and then get on the journey. I’ve always been a big fan of Hybrid, they’re extremely talented with building a musical journey, they’ve been my inspiration for a long time. Content wise, I’m always inspired by other music, but never trance. I can find small things in the strangest of genres that I think I could bring in to trance music. I have a Spotify playlist specifically to save away certain tracks with small elements I would like to do something with. It can be anything little as a weird drum fill, a certain chord change, atmosphere or FX work.
What influences you, as an artist?
Creativity. I’m often frustrated with myself for not being creative enough. But I get super inspired when I hear others doing unexpected things. There’s nothing I like more than when songs surprise me. The world (both in general and in the trance scene) is so full of safe music. Same basic chords, same effects and the same basslines. That doesn’t interest me. I want something that dares to do things a little different. No need to totally reinvent music as we know it every time, but having the courage to do something a little different, not paying as much attention to what others do.
For those interested, I’m collecting new and good music in a Spotify playlist (no trance there). That will give you a little feeling of what I’m talking about: https://open.spotify.com/user/jezper/playlist/6OTcFvUc48h6dXYmBWDQ1k
What do you think makes a perfect track?
I wouldn’t say there’s anything like a perfect track. But when you get the emotions of a song just right, and the track sounds like it just couldn’t sound any other way, then you’re close.
It’s hard to convince in this industry (EDM). Are you just like those producers saying: “I am just doing what I love and try to keep it going”? What do you think of the famous EDM “trend”?
With EDM I assume you mean this fast food house music littering radio and dance floors the last few years? I’m divided. On the one side, it drives me insane that it’s so damn generic. On the other side, it’s electronic dance music, and any pop culture recognition of it should in theory be good.
I’ve had moments when I’ve cared way too much what everyone else was doing, trying to compete, and that is like an express ticket to writers block. It’s really tough to get out of that mind set, but I’m getting there. These days, I’m focusing of making music for myself. If I like it, I’ve satisfied my main customer and critic. Of course I’m happy when fans like what I do, but I need to be the first one to like it. So by that, I guess I end up in the camp trying to just do what I love doing. I’m sure I could’ve had way more commercial success if I’d tried to align my sound with musical trends, but that’s not why I make music.
What about the story that is wondering around that” Trance is making a comeback”?
I’m a little disconnected from the trance scene these days to be the judge of that. But a lot of big names have left trance partially or completely, for larger commercial success (I assume), and I’m not sure there are that many new talents out there ready to take the limelight and rise. Unfortunately, what I hear from new trance producers these days, is mostly very much generic. That is not the way to a comeback. I think trance music suffers from sentimentality. There’s new remixes of old tracks, and these days, also new remixes of old remixes of old tracks. That is not the way to keep trance fresh, modern and growing.
What do you think about the trance community?
It’s still amazing. A little scattered over the internet these days, but it never seizes to amaze me that everyone is so friendly in this community. For Luminosity Beach Festival 2017, I had a few friends joining, that have never been near a trance event. And they were so surprised over how nice everyone were. No fights, no arguing, no assholes. It’s just friendly people, young and old, from everywhere, all joined by the same love for trance music. That makes the best possibly crowd to hang out with. Love em!
We just saw you at Luminosity Beach Festival a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed every minute of your set. How was it for you? To be again in front of the crowd?
It felt GOOD. It’s been quite a while since I played out, and it was super fun to play a producer set (even though it was tough to select tracks for such a short set). The support from the crowd was fantastic, and I’m truly humbled by everyone showing up for my sets. I’m not much of a showy artist, I just love to be up there playing good music, letting the music do the talking. I really need to do more sets.
Where we will see you next? Any plans you can tell us about?
Next up is the now famous Monday Bar Cruise from Stockholm to Riga in early September. I’ve done those cruises twice before, and they are off the hook. Can’t wait to play there!
What are your plans for the next year/years? What are you planning producing related? When would we hear a new track from you? It’s been quite a while since Lachrymose. We want more! :)
I got a new single coming out in August. Can’t tell much about it just yet, but it’ll be a vocal track. I’m writing on three new tracks right now. I’m not as fast of a producer now as before (well, I’m super fast in actual DAW work, but I’m more picky these days, so the tracks takes longer). I’m not much for planning years ahead, so can’t tell you much there :)
Have you ever experienced the” creators block”? How did you snap out of it? I know a lot of producers would be grateful for some advices.
I’ve touched the subject in a previous answer, but I sure have experienced it. After my album We Might Fall, I felt empty of ideas. I couldn’t write anything. It felt like I had forgot the basics. Couldn’t even nail a decent bassline. This led to me listening a lot to what others were doing, but that just made it worse. That’s many years now, and it’s been a very slow recovery, constantly reminding myself not to care what others are doing. Never let the choice of melody, arrangement or sounds be dictated by “would anyone else do it this way”. Nowadays, I try to replace “is this too weird” with “is this good weird or bad weird”.
What would you say to someone new in this industry? What to avoid doing? What to never stop doing? :)
Learning the basics of music production takes time. Some are faster, some are slower, but everyone needs to do the grunt work, figuring out what makes a track. This is going to sound like an oxymoron, but in the beginning, it’s very helpful to try and replicate tracks of others that you like. Disect the tracks, figure out what goes where, why it’s there, how it would’ve sounded if it wasn’t there. That way, you get a good understanding of arrangement, and the way musical energy works. Music is very much about tension and release. Build up, break down. Not only on intro-breakdown-buildup-climax-outro level, but also on a sub-level, small fills, variations, fx-work etc. Those details are what elevates a track to “release worthy”. Once you’ve got a good understanding of that: stop listening to what others are doing. Try it your way. What you might think “this doesn’t sound like other artists” might actually mean you got something unique already. I wish I had realized this sooner, that when your music doesn’t sound like others, it’s positive, not negative.
I know this may be one of the hardest question for a trancer, but what is your top ten biggest trance tracks of all times?
Wow, ten? That’s a lot, but let’s try. With comments!
- Gouryella – Tenshi (Ferry, Tiesto and Vangelis, three of my favorites in one track. Still love it!)
- Midway – Monkey Forest (Always loved Ralph's metallic sound. So much energy, and the theme is so simple yet so memorable)
- Mesh – Esthetic Visions (Love the theme!)
- Questia – Crystal Clouds (One of those themes I wished I had written myself. This list could actually be 10 Vincent De Moor productions, but I chose my favorite. It’s brilliant!)
- Naxos Project – Cold Fusion (A track that pretty much no one knows about, but I love the edgy production. Simple theme but unique sounding and full of energy!)
- Cliff Coenraad – Gone South (Cliff really nailed this one. It’s as perfect as they come. This track couldn’t have sounded any other way.)
- Solid Sessions – Janeiro (Armin Van Buuren Remix) (Childhood favorite, still love the summery vibe. I was a big fan of Armin's sound at that time).
- Push – Strange World (That theme is so simple yet so powerful. Love the chord changes!)
- Andain – Beautiful Things (One of the best produced trance tracks to date. A wonderful fusion of organic and digital. Great atmosphere, wonderful vocals)
- Sander Van Doorn – AKA (Sam Mix) (Old gem by young Sander. This version is fantastic. Great use of sounds, and that build up is massive).
With which artist, would you like to swap the places for one day if you could?
I wouldn’t want to swap a day with any artist. :)
We're reaching the end of this interview; do you have a message to our readers?
Thank you for your support, and enjoy your summer! And why not follow me on Twitter, the best place to follow me for musical updates: twitter.com/airbase.
Everyone’s got a hidden talent. What’s yours?
Hehe, let’s go with the most useless hidden talent. I can ride a bicycle with my body reversed (back facing to the front). Reason for having this talent: Unknown. Amount of times this talent has been of any use: 0.
Thank you, Jezper! Thank you again for this wonderful interview!
And thank you guys for reading it all and don't forget to leave your thoughts here or on Social Media. Trance on!
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Credit photo: Alan Donaldson @Luminosity Beach Festival.
Follow AIRBASE: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Beatport.
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INTERVIEWING ARTISTS #11: Darren Porter
Special interview is special! I finally get to show you my interview with the amazing Darren Porter! I had a blast meeting him for the first time at Luminosity and after that grab a drink in Manchester at FSOE 450. I got really inspired after chatting with him, and even now, after a couple of months. Darren is the perfect person to snap you out of your blank/ gray zone. Just by telling about music, his passion he gives an energy and optimism like never before. He is and will always be one of my favorite artists and one of the biggest names in the trance scene.
As you already know, I am asking every artist I interview about a Top 10 Trance Tracks, so here it is Daren's top 10:
- Binary Finary - 1998 (Gouryella Remix)
- Gouryella - Gouryella
- Paul Oakenfold - Southern Sun (Original Mix)
- Rank 1 - Airwave
- Verchocha - Carte blanche
- System F - Out of the blue
- Gouryella - Walhalla
- Rank 1 - Awakening
- Robert Miles - Children
- Vincent De Moor - Fly away
Quite a top 10 to choose. Full of memories. Full of classics! What do you think about this top? Do you like it? What would you add to it?
I hope you guys enjoyed this interview as much as I did and don’t forget to follow Darren on Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, Beatport.
Also, huge, but huge thanks go to Copthorne Manchester for allowing me to do the interview there and for helping me with everything I needed.
Thank you guys for watching it and don’t forget to follow Trancers.ro on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram, because lots of awesome things are going to happen. Trance on!
Interviewing Artists #10: Alessandra Roncone
Every interview is special for me. Every meeting with a trance artist is something I will never forget. And chatting with Alessandra Roncone 2 weekes ago, when we went for FSOE 450 in Manchester, UK was pretty great! She is a really nice person and I had a blast partying with her. Alsooooo, I am grateful she accepted my ”impromptu” invitation for this interview. One minute we were just enjoying a beer and a nice evening out with friends, and the next one I was asking her about the interview and we were planning the whole thing.
As you already know, I am asking every person I talk with for a top 10 trance tracks, a top 10 of their own. Aaaand even if it was difficutl to choose, Alessandra sent me her favorite tracks too. In no particular order, here they are:
- Armin van Buuren Feat. Jan Vayne - Serenity
- Reflekt feat Delline Bass - Need To Feel Loved (The Thrillseekers Remix)
- Tiesto - Elements of Life
- Basic Dawn - Pure Thrust (Nu NRG remix)
- Delerium - Silence ft. Sarah McLachlan (Tiesto Mix)
- Saltwater - The Legacy
- Vincent De Moor - Fly Away
- Robert Miles - Children
- Rank 1 - Airwave
- Cosmic Gate - Exploration of Space
Extra: Talla 2 XLC feat. Skysurfer - Terra Australis
Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat. Sylvia Tosun - An Angel's Love (Vocal Mix)
Quite a top 10 to choose. Full of memories. Full of classics! What do you think about this top? Do you like it? What would you add to it?
I hope you guys enjoyed this interview as much as I did and don't forget to follow Alessandra on Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, Beatport. She is quite active and sharing a lot of goodies.
Also, huge, but huge thanks go to Copthorne Manchester for allowing me to do the interview there and for helping me with everything I needed.
Thank you guys for watching it and don’t forget to follow Trancers.ro on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram, because lots of awesome things are going to happen. Trance on!
Photo credits: Alan Donaldson
Interviewing artists #9: Manuel Le Saux (video)
This interview is a very special interview for me. Not only it is something a bit more different, but it is an interview with a very special person. This interview is that one, that is helping me to officially move the 'Interviewing Artists series' from blagaoana.com to trancers.ro, because I think doing this here is more suitable for trancers and because I wanna write more about design stuff on blagaoana.com.
As I said, this interview, the no.9, is with a very special person. A trance producer I am listening for a couple of years now, a producer I really love and appreciate, a person. A trance person. A very nice one. I am super excited I got to meet him (for now just online), to chat with him and to actually work with him on a super trance label. As you already know, from the title, this person is the one and only Manuel Le Saux. A very very nice and simple italian guy, that gave me the opportunity to do even more for this beautiful music, beside listening on a daily basis and supporting my favorite artists: working on Extrema Global Music and working with another 2 special guys: Astuni and Nikolauss. If you don't know it by now, I am the one behind all the Social Media posts and all the graphics/ visuals/ artworks you see on Beatport, Facebook, Youtube, etc.
Usually I am writing here all the questions and answers, but for this Skype interview I don't need to. You just have to hit the play button and enjoy it as much as I did.
I am writing here though, Manuel's top 10 biggest trance tracks of all time. It is one of the most difficult questions to ask a trance listener to do, but I had to. And I really love this top 10, because some of my favorite trnce tracks are there as well.
- Rank 1 - Airwave (Original Mix)
- Mystic Force - Psychic Harmony
- BINARY FINARY - 1998 [Paul van Dyk Remix]
- John O'Callaghan & Bryan Kearney - Exactly (Original Mix)
- Sasha- Xpander [Original Mix]
- Chicane - Saltwater (Original Mix)
- Jens Lissat Project : Energy Flow
- OceanLab Satellite (Original Above & Beyond Mix)
- Underworld - Born Slippy
- Darren Porter - Spellbound (Original Mix)
I still have the thrills from when I did ths interview. I am a very emotional person and I was pretty nervous about it. But Manny, was so kind and helped me get through my emotions and everything went pretty smoothly.
I wanna thank him for accepting my invitation, thank you guys for watching it and don't forget to follow Trancers.ro on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram, because lots of awesome things are going to happen. Also, we're trying to put together a very special contest for you, so stay close!
Keep supporting your favorite artists, keep listening to this awesome music and trance on!
On the road & Interviewing artists: Suncatcher (Luminosity 2016 special)
All those who know me, know that I am really excited about this weekend; really excited to finally attend Luminosity this year. I was telling you some of my excitement a couple of weeks ago, when I started the ”On the road” series, and I am repeating my self since then. Can't wait to land in Amsterdam, to finally meet in real life all the people I met online and enjoy 3 days of pure trance.
Well, I am writing on 2 blogs, and sometimes it is a bit difficult to separate them, since trance is one of those things that defines me the most. A couple of months ago I started a Interviewing artists series on blagaoana.com and I am really happy I got the chance to talk with artists like Anske, Simon O Shine, Emanuele Congeddu, Biotones, Sundancer, Snatt & Vix. Since then, I always tried to come with something new and even thought some interviews are on hold, I always tried to support the Romanian Trance Family first. There is no need to say, we have some really awesome trance producers and I will try to tell you all about them in the next episodes.
For today, I am combining ”On the Road” with ”Interviewing artists” and doing something really special for me, for the artist, for the Romanian Trance Family. Since this year at Luminosity we'll have again a Romanian artist in the line-up, this post comes naturally: Interview with the one and only Suncatcher, Romanian uplifting trance producer; amazing artist and nice man. I am hyped he accepted to do this interview and took the time to answer to all of my questions. Just hit the play button, listen to one of his latest tracks and enjoy the interview!
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Hi Bogdan! How are you? Where are you reading this interview?
Hi there. Fine, home for now. Just sitting in front of the computer. I had to go to the office today, but I decided to work from home. I am still a bit nostalgic, after the Coldplay concert I attended on Wednesday in London.
Nice! Let's start with the beginning: Who is Suncatcher and when the idea of producing music first occur?
Suncathcer is Bogdan Cupcea from a small town (Targu Lapus) in Romania. Everything began with a very good friend, who introduced me to the secrets of music producing. At the beginning I tried eJay, then FL Studio (back then known as Fruity Loops). I fell in love instantly with the program. The name SUNCATCHER is inspired by an old photo: a fisherman throwing a fish nest towards the sun. The title was Sun Catcher. Everything I did was to delete that blank space and unite the words (it was a time when uniting words was kinda cool).
What are you doing beside music? How is your day by day life?
I am full time developer. Beside that, I like very much astronomy ( I have my own telescope), photography (even though I am still an amateur) and lately just going out, enjoying summer.
Why trance? Why did you chose this music genre?
I inherited the love for electronic music from my brother, whom I am very close to. What drove me to uplifting trance was the fact that you can literally put your heart into this music. It's all that matters: the music. the goosebumps. I found it extraordinary how nothing and no one else matters while listening to a track; how I disconnect myself from the world. Sadly, these days, there is a particular focus on how aggressive a track sounds, on how powerful the drop is. But these are the days we live in...
What should be your biggest musical accomplishment when you look back in the past till now?
The fact that I was invited to play at Luminosity Beach Festival. It is amazing to see thousands of people that dance and sing along your tracks. Other important accomplishments would be my collaboration with Ferry Tale (one of my favorite artists) and the remix I did for Tiesto with Paul Miller. Also, there is no need to mention all the times Armin played my tracks in his radio show, or the fact that he ended his set at ASOT500 Buenos Aires with my remix for Agulo feat. David Berkeley - Fire sign.
Which single track that you’ve produced has had the greatest impact on your career?
It is hard to choose. There are a couple that won Tune of The Week or Future Favorite in ASOT, or Webvote winner in TATW. I think these wins helped me the most. Another very important win was the fact that Above & Beyond played my track Epic, 3 times in a row at TATW. I will forever be grateful for that.
How do you find inspiration for your tracks?
Honestly, I have no specific sources. Ideas just pop out in my head, or sometimes I just open FL Studio to see what I can do. Sometimes I develop the idea into a track, sometimes I don't.
I was pretty excited to see you in the lineup for Luminosity this year. How much can you tell us about how it all happen'?
It is very simple actually. I played at Luminosity 3 years ago. Kept in touch with Bo, one of the Luminosity masterminds. This year he proposed to come back and I instantly accepted.
How is it for you, to open the best trance festival ever?
We'll see. Last time I wasn't opening it, but I think it will be epic. I know the expectations and I hope to meet them all.
What should we expect from you set?
Opening the festival, opening the day I will start with a bit of progressive trance, but quickly going in full Suncatcher style. Goosebumps, tears, all inclusive ;)) . I will also play some of my newest tracks, un-released yet. So, it will be everything it has to be.
Your favorite trance subgenre is...
Uplifting, of course. But lately I started to like a lot progressive too; the Anjuna one.
Why uplifting?
Because of my dreamy personality. I think this is the best genre to express exactly what I feel.
Hardest question of all: What are your current top ten biggest trance tracks of all times?
You're killin' me. I'll tell you ten tracks, but there is no particular order. A top 10 is not enough to tell them all, but I'll try.
- Sunny Lax – Blue Bird
- Cold Blue & Del Mar – 11 Days (Sebastian Brandt Remix)
- Sebastian Brandt – Mana
- Above & Beyond – Good For Me (Club Mix)
- BT feat. Jes – Every Other Way (Armin van Buuren Remix)
- Armin van Buuren ft. Susana – Shivers
- Super8 & Tab – Suru
- Paul van Dyk – Nothing But You (Super8 & Tab Remix)
- Daniel Kandi & Neumann – Lovin' Feeling
- Luke Warner & Mat Lock - Deep Psychosis (Daniel Kandi's Cure Mix)
With which artist, would you like to swap the places for one day if you could?
Chris Martin, from Coldplay. Of course, having his singing talent will help too. ;)) I just went to a Coldplay concert the other days, on Wembely and it was amazing. I am curious to find out how they feel when a whole stadium is singing your songs.
What do you think about the trance community?
Here, in Romania we are fewer trancers than in other countries, but I find the ”Trance family” term to perfectly describe the community. Even though it may sound cheesy sometimes. Everywhere I played, I met amazing people with whom I could talk for hours and never get bored.
What upcoming talents do you know, appreciate and support?
I have a coworker with whom I started to work on some tracks. Be sure, you'll hear more about him soon. ;)
We're reaching the end of this interview; do you have a message to our readers?
I am not good with this. Just: TRANCE ON!
PS. Everyone’s got a hidden talent. What’s yours?
Annoying people. Some may say this is a flaw, but I am kinda proud of this. Haha :)
Thank you, Bogdan for accepting the interview. Can't wait to see you in a couple of days!
I hope you guys, enjoyed this interview and see you at Luminosity! Suncacther will open the day, the festival - Friday at 12:00. And, if you wanna meet, just look for the small brunette with the Romanian Flag and a trancers.ro / Trancers gonna trance T shirt , say hi and give her a hug. I always said Trance is connecting awesome people and I am sure my trance family will become even bigger after Lumi. I will try to write every week till the event and daily from there. Also, the plan is to show you the full experience with videos and photos , so follow me on Trancers.ro. Trance on and see you there!
Also, don't forget to follow Suncatcher on social media: Facebook, Soundcloud, Twitter.