The Pondering Blonde

BPM Mag Interview with Protoculture

There aren’t many in the world who can truly say they’re ‘Big in Japan’ but SA’s pioneer of groovy intergalactic psytrance, Nate Raubenheimer, aka Protoculture is one to have chewed on some serious sound sushi up North- and a little Goldfish as it turns out; his remix of Goldfish’s Cruising Through for BPM’s first Remixed competition was picked up by Pacha Recordings last year- and nominated in this year’s SAMA Awards for Best Remix- results still to follow. But nowhere near tempted to trade up for white beaches and Blue Lagoons on tap, Protoculture’s year is going to be filled with a little more jungle fever and a whole lot of Love Technology…

There’s no other way to say it; Protoculture is one of the few South African artists to have truly broken into the global game. His rigorous tour travels take him around the world each year and see him owning the stage at infamous festivals like Glade in the UK. Just his schedule over the next 3 months reads like a dj’s dream date- Maitreya Festival in Australia, Ground Beat in Japan and Soul Vision in Brazil- where he jet sets off to in the next few days with nothing but whipping the locals into an exotic frenzy on his mind!

You’re third album, Love Technology is coming out end of March, give us the rundown.

‘Ye I’m really excited about Love Technology. My second album took a bit of an electro tangent and this album has come back to where the first album started, so it’s kind of like a full circle and I’m really happy with it. There are elements of electro, progressive and a more housey trance sound. It’s good to shake up the psy sound and keep it interesting- sometimes a lot of it does run into each other and sound the same.’

You’ve played with some of the best dj in the world- Armin, PVD, ever tempted to cash in and bang the cheese?

[Laughs] No, I can’t stand the diva vocals! I admire the likes of Armin, he has made a great a career for himself- as a business model, he’s pretty damn good and I think there’s no harm in pushing what you’ve done further if you have the platform to do so. The way he’s marketed, runs his label- he’s a professional at the top of his game.

So hanging out with these guys in the VIP room, what are they like?

They’ve always been childhood heroes of mine, so it’s great to chill and chat with them. They’re just pretty normal guys. They keep it quite tidy these days, back in the day they partied hard. Very hard. Now they play, hang around a bit and they leave. When you’ve been doing this for many years, each party is just another gig for you really.

What is it like on tour, do you get to explore much while you’re there?

Often the tour schedule is just crazy and you don’t have time to enjoy the party or get to experience the city. My wife used to come with me but now she doesn’t tour as much. It’s not a holiday, there’s an itinerary of times to be here and there- sometimes you finish the gig and come off to find a taxi waiting to take you to the airport to go to the next city. One time I was picked up by helicopter so I wouldn’t miss my flight!

You recently launched your own podcast…

Yes, the podcast is called Trance Global Express- its available on iTunes- the first episode was released in January. It’s a monthly 2 hour radio show, featuring my mixes and new tracks and having some fun with the music- I’d been thinking about doing it for a while, so excited to see how it develops over the next few months!
Look out for Protoculture’s new album Love Technology in stores from late March!

BPM Mag Interview with Ferry Corsten

BPM Magazine 2009

When you hear the word Trance you think of three names. Now forget those and imprint the name Ferry Corsten into your mind from this moment forward. He’s still one of the top 10, and if the recent success of his new album, Twice in a Blue Moon is anything to go by, he’s inching his way at speeds to the pole position of DJ Mag’s definitive Top 100 list, and my bet is, he’ll do it within the next two years!

I will state this here: If you know Trance, then you know there’s something about Ferry.  Sure, he’s better looking than Paul, Armin and Tiesto put together, but more so, it’s his demeanor; his undercover-trance-brother attitude to the Dance genre that’s been on the receiving end of much non-progressing flak. This is the boy that is going to turn it all around!

He’s sitting in his office in Rotterdam, probably twirling one of his Dutch golden locks between his precious fingertips, having just returned from the first leg of his Twice in a Blue Moon Tour in the US.  The States are a seemingly renewed destination on the map for European Dj’s… I ask him how it’s going. “The US is great; I’ll be heading out there again next week.” And what is the Trance-loving American population like? “There is a really good scene in the US, its happening. It’s not supported by Radio but there’s a revolting underground scene there.” Revolting in the true sense of the word- just how we like it!

The album itself has been collecting huge accolades on the Dance scene as for Ferry, this is a return to his roots in terms of sound- and the people are just loving it! How did this epic statement album come about? “This is my third artist album, and so happened to come together while my wife was pregnant with my little girl. That definitely influenced me and put new emotion into it; I was thinking and feeling a lot of new and different things at the time.” I notice concurring astral projection in the titles of his work, I ask him if he noticed that. “Yes I have, although actually- Twice in a Blue Moon is also the name of an English Rose.”

More about the actual music…“Yes, I’ve returned to the more trancey side of things, I like to be quite experimental with my sound and sets, a while back I was infusing a lot more electro but I felt now was a good time… this is going to be a massive year for Trance!”  So is Gouryella coming back? He laughs, possibly recalling the good old days of himself and Tiger-boy Tiesto sharing a deck space and spinning crowds of tens of thousands into a euphoric frenzy in the early 90’s! -The heyday trance that still feeds the fanatics today! “Not quite Gouryella- but the sound, absolutely!”

So what’s happened, what has changed deep within the musical cogs that will once again bring trance-loving nations to their knees? “Well, I think Trance, as a genre, has become more adventurous… it’s learned to embrace all styles of dance- minimal, techno- but still keeps its melody and uplifting spirit.” Has this music influenced him too? “Definitely, it’s good to keep abreast of all music, but adapting it and filtering elements of it into your sound and style happens organically.”

Cutting no losses in merging sounds and ideas, Ferry’s faith in his music has made him one in-demand dance music commodity, as he currently weighs offers from around the world for his Full on Ferry Tour. The annual event currently takes place in his hometown and commands 12 000 strong supporters to haul themselves into Rotterdam’s Ahoy Stadium to throw themselves around at his will. “The only difficulty in taking Full on Ferry on tour is moving the flying Dj booth.” Wait I missed that, I make a quick Youtube stop, and sure enough, a giant circular dj box is hovering above the mad for it audience. That’s quite some production! He laughs, “Yes, I think some countries would not allow us to bring it in.” Well, it is almost a small island on its own…

We wrap it up; he tells me he’s fiddling around in the studio once more, there are plans for a bigger tour in the works  and the second single off Twice in a Blue Moon, Made of Love is about to be released. Fans on his MySpace page are already calling it their all time favourite! I’m inclined to agree; it seems Trance is coming back- only twice in a blue moon eh?

BPM Mag Interview with Paul Van Dyk

BPM Magazine 2008

I’ve already pressed snooze twice before I realise why my alarm is going off and in a flash I’m up, tying back my hair and brushing my teeth: I have a date with Paul Van Dyk! I make myself some tea and settle back in the pillowed haven of my bed that often suffices as my work desk, surrounded by notes, a bio, a far too long question list and my laptop- opened to several correspondence emails between South Africa and Germany. My ‘date’ is a scheduled 20 minute telephonic interview with the King of Berlin and far from being nervous, I’m bloody excited! My dialing finger is on the button. Click. Here we go…

A brief introduction to his assistant, a moment on hold and “Hi, this is Paul” is the simple greeting that meets my ears. Paul sounds refreshed and relaxed as we get underway, and knowing this is a planned media day- he’s had several of these interviews this morning and no doubt will have several to go after mine. I’m quite impressed, and somewhat charmed by his open and friendly demeanor. If first impressions are anything to go by, it seems Paul is quite a nice chap!

Deciding to get all ‘SAFFA’ on him to warm him up, I start with; does he like coming to South Africa? “Of course” he says, “That’s why I always come back!” That’s what we like to hear! So then, in the blur of dancefloors he reigns over, does a South African dancefloor have its own character? He takes a few seconds before replying, “I have no preconception of the places I visit, whether it’s special or different, for me it all comes down to my interaction with the crowd. Sure every place is influenced by their cultural background but I try not analyze that.” Interesting answer- or did he totally just side step that question? Scribbling silence from my side as he adds, just to clarify, “And it’s not a blur- I always know where I am!”

I quickly become aware that Paul is incredibly aware; he knows where he is, who he is and what he should be playing when- and prides himself on this ‘intuitive’ skill. He is absolutely conscious of his role as a musician; he is, with all intentions, here to deliver something to his audience and ensures he does it on top form. Energy? Check. That PVD smile? Check. Crowd Interaction? Double check! Paul wants his audience to leave his arena feeling good, entertained and having had an intimate experience with his sound.

Aaah yes that PVD sound… He’s fast to put down the generalisation that he is a Trance Dj, “I don’t play Trance” he says. So I ask him how he defines what he plays. He doesn’t. “I play Electronic Dance Music” pretty much sums up his genre. He dually points out how he likes to shake up his sets with techno, break beats- whatever he’s feeling and the crowd is responding to! His passion is audible. I suggest that Dj’ing is an art and he’s a ‘performer’ and he sounds pleased. “Yes” he says. “You can call it that- there’s more to it than just playing the music. What? Mix it in, wait for 8 minutes and then mix in another? That’s boring!” I pause for a second to decide if I can hear a bit of an English accent rising from within the German vowels… Yes, could be!

And then we’re onto the technology side of things… and put simply Paul van Dyk is cutting the edge. He mixes using Ableton Live on two synched laptops; one holding the effects software and the other the audio. He insists it’s not as easy as it sounds- you have to know where each sound and synth is kept and where to look for it when you want it. “The potential and possibilities are endless and it’s so much more fun!” At his stage in the game, there’s no doubt Paul needs to keep himself entertained as much as anyone else, so I can see the appeal of the challenge- making melodic magic off the cuff behind the decks in front of 50 000 people? The feeling of pulling that off must be ecstasy in itself!

I next pose the effervescent but now aging ‘Vinyl Debate’. In the past it has proved to be quite an insight into a dj’s headspace- their standing on digital download or keeping the black beauty alive. Paul’s answer is refreshingly solid on the side of digital; “Well, I haven’t played vinyl in 4 or 5 years” He says matter of factly. “The new advancements in sound technology are so amazing, that’s what I want to be working with… So no, I’m not at all sad about the vinyl” He laughs. I suddenly realise the question is the equivalent of asking Schumacher if he misses the horse and carriage and see why it’s so amusing.

So he likes the ‘internet explosion’, the new technology, what about the new music trends? Paul doesn’t feel much about the ‘Minimal’ sound, in fact he says, “It’s not very special at all.” Hmmm… interesting! I press for more… “I know what it takes to make a track and I don’t think it takes much creativity to make that music. Most of those tracks I could reprogram in 5 minutes.” Paul is all over a good melody and a strong bassline. He name drops Sharam from Deep Dish as being on good form and says few producers are bringing really interesting music to the turn table. Paul is unabashedly hard to please.

“Hot names come and go” Paul says of producers who’ve had their 7 minutes and 45 seconds of fame but didn’t sustain the long haul. “You have to remember it’s a job. You have to be professional and not just there to party.” He reiterates his ‘there for the audience’ speech but steps it up with “You’ve got to be true to yourself and always give 100%- that’s how you gain support. That’s how you crack it long term.” So how did it happen beyond brilliant for our Paul here? “I had a lucky momentum. I think it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time” I’ll say! How does he equate his success with his home town Berlin- where much of dance music was born? “Berlin will always be special to me- it’s still my home base. It’s where I had my first residencies- I was fortunate in convincing some key players to take me seriously.”

Its sounds like the True Hollywood DJ Story! Was it really that easy? “There are always ups and downs, that’s life! But I’m an optimistic person- I made sure to learn from my mistakes.” Paul openly reveals a time when this optimism was put to the test whilst on tour. “My grandmother went into hospital when I was in South America last January. It was incredibly difficult. I was sad and worried but I had to separate what was happening back home and keep going.” Exposing himself as just another granny loving human being like the rest of us, its easy to believe Paul when he says, “How I’m talking to you now- this is the real me, this is how I really am!”

I notice my date is coming to its close and scan my eyes for a ‘Dessert’ question. Feeling bold I venture in with the dreaded Double D’s- that’s Drugs and Dance music. In 1998 Paul Van Dyk declared himself drug free- what are his thoughts on recreational drug use in clubs? “I’d like to make the statement that Drug Culture is not part of Dance Music Culture.” Paul feels this is a ‘social problem’, prevalent in all areas of society- not just music and not specifically just dance music. “The media makes it ok- almost cool- look at the Rolling Stones! But if it were a Dj to have drug issues- that’s a scandal!” Aside from an incident where Paul and his team had their drinks spiked at a club, Paul still holds his claim of sobriety. ‘It wasn’t the end of the world that it happened- I could still function, I could still play, but it definitely wasn’t my best performance.” He adds hastily; “But then it is a party you know? So you should have a few drinks and have fun!” Absolutely! I slip in one last quickie- I need to know what he listens to when he’s chilling out. He does that little laugh again, “Silence!” And after out goodbyes, I can only but wonder if my silence sounds the same as his!?

Mr Spencer- Richard Santana Interview

The Two Worlds LIVE at Truth album has just been released- How did the collaboration come about?

When Elevate music decided to release another Two worlds we wanted it to be something special, something unique and different to all the other product that is being released. When we came up with the Live concept we thought it would be the next obvious step. We can also pride ourselves in saying it’s the very first local album that was recorded live.

The album launch at Truth was said to be incredible- How was the response from the dance floor at your teaming together?

Truth is and always will be a special place; the vibe that is captured on a Saturday night is amazing. On the night of the launch it was incredible, the crowd always up for it, absolutely loved the music. It was definitely a night to remember.

What are these two worlds you’re bringing together?

We focus a lot on the two different styles of music that we play. Still in saying that, both styles compliment the club we are resident at. We wanted to give not only the people that come to truth but also the people that have heard about the club but have not been able to experience it, a taste of that sound.

Nice! What individual sounds and styles to you brings to the turntables, respectively?

I play harder trance and Louis plays a very tech trance kind of sound.

What were you looking for in the track selection of the album?

We wanted a nice combination of big club tunes and cutting edge music that we play at Truth. I am extremely happy with the final outcome of the album as I don’t think you will find that sound on any other albums at the moment.

Which is you personal favourite track?

I must say that the track that has been really doing damage for me on the dance floor has to be Bas- MDMA. Awesome driving track with huge euphoric melodies…

Having begun your careers at 15, you’ve seen the high and low tides of EDM, how have you seen the industry in South Africa develop?

The scene in South Africa has had its glory days, at this present moment it’s in a faze of reconstruction. I don’t think we’ll see the warehouse parties for a long time in SA.

The Dance scene is undergoing a big evolution in sound- what are your thoughts about this?

I think house music has been predominant for a long time and people are starting to get tired of it… I’m excited to see what the next style of music that takes SA by storm is…

How has this affected Trance and the audience that dances to it?

It’s affected it in a big way. The numbers have definitely dropped and there are only a small amount of clubs that play that sound at the moment so it’s very limiting for Trance Dj’s. Hopefully it will change soon.

As a DJ and producer you have embraced the digital age- how has this enhanced your playing and production and what further developments do you see in the future?

Technology is a wonderful thing, if used for the right purpose! When I first started playing off computer I thought it was going to change the way we DJ, but as time went on and the more I played on it I started to realise you loose the feel of the crowd and the personal touch you get by mixing two songs together.
A computer can never replace how each individual Dj send his emotions through the music he plays and the mixes he does.. I noticed a huge difference when I started mixing off cd’s again, the crowd response was much better and the fun came back.

You juggle between the funky (Richard Santana) and Trance genres, how does the one influence the sound of the other?

If I said that it didn’t influence my house sound I would be lying, I’ve always like the melodic side of music, that’s why I fell in love with trance music. When I play house I still like to keep the melodic element of it in my sets so I like to play tracks from the likes if Eric prydz, Ian Carey, Sebastian Léger as it has that melodic element in it.

You’ve played in Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Holland and Dubai among others, which has been your favourite international gig?

Definitely Dubai. Dubai is an amazing city with amazing people and its drug free. Yet the vibe was one that I can honestly say has been up there with the best clubs and parties in SA.

Having had the opportunity to play alongside some of the worlds finest, who are the legends you most respect?

Paul Oakenfold played a big part in the way Trance music has evolved so he’s definitely one of the dj’s I will always honor. Then a close second is Armin van Buuren. A lot of people won’t know this but Armin’s not only is a world class dj but unlike all the other top international DJ’s Armin is always giving something back to the scene, whether it be promoting his up n coming producers and dj’s to holding free parties that cater for 5000- 10 000 people. He’s truly an amazing dj and person as well.

What suggestions do you have to eradicate or subdue the club/ industry politics to further develop and enhance recognition for South Africa’s dance industry.

It has to start with club owners and promoters, because a majority of the issues are actually between the club owners and promoters themselves, but what they don’t realise is that they are hurting the Dj’s and the club industry as a whole.

Thanks Richard, best wishes for the album!

Mr Spencer- Sean Tyas and DJ Gizmo Interview

In anticipation of what has been termed “Thee Dance Event of 2007” we got the boys behind the big night that is TURBULENCE to give us a peek inside their Hard-Trance- wired brains!

How did Trance Music find you?

SeanTyas: A friend went to UK in the 90s and brought back a slew of Trance CDs. At the same time, in NYC, Paul van Dyk began his bi-monthly residency at the now-defunct Twilo. These two things coinciding really allowed me to hear something that I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to hear for a looong time coming.

Gizmo: I’ve always had a strong connection to Trance Music; it plays with your emotion unlike any other genre of music! There’s just something about how it makes a person feel. How you can totally lose yourself in the sounds.

Sean, your began your Journey remixing popular music tracks- worlds away from where you are now… would you ever divulge that side of the industry again?

SeanTyas:This was really more because of association with an ex-partner of mine, Seth Lawrence, who at the time, was A&R for Tommy Boy Silver in New York, a VERY commercial dance label at the time. And would I return to that side of the music? Depends on what the project is. Back then I did whatever I could, just for the experience. Now if it’s going to be a commercial project, it had better be one that I really believe in, not, for example, Daniel Bedingfield, ugh…

Haha! So how has growing up in New York influenced your music and What prompted your move to Europe?

SeanTyas: If any effect at all, I would guess it has slowed down the development & learning process a bit for me. A tiny percentage of people in the US knew what trance was, living so far from the epicenter of trance music. Around the same time, the rave scene on the East Coast of America was basically dying off completely. Exposure to it was really limited until I found some websites like Tranceaddict and Trance.nu.

I had a job offer from German DJ Beam, in Cologne, Germany. Basically I went there to work a ton of hours in his studio. After almost a year, I had a better offer from the Swiss studio team, Moonman Productions. It didn’t take me very long to jump that border.

How would you describe your individual style of Trance- the ‘Sean Tyas Sound’?

SeanTyas: Fun, powerful, uplifting, yet dirty!

You won the Sander van Doorn – Punk’d Remix Competition and were ‘on the Trance radar for a matter of months before making the DJ Magazine Top 200’- Do you feel your rise was that quick?

SeanTyas: I was actually shocked about that. I definitely feel like this all happened turbo-fast. And it took adjusting in a few ways- mostly time-management! I was told over 250 people entered the competition and basically thought, “oh well, no chance on that one” but did it anyway, I was already playing it in my sets and I really liked how it worked. A couple weeks later I got the notification email, that I won the contest- read it 3x just to be sure I wasn’t misreading!

Gizmo, You won the first ever Technics Dj Mix Club Dj School Competition in 1998, did this set the tone for your career ahead?

Gizmo: It helped me in getting started in terms of meeting the right people! I joined the course out of interest and wanting to find out more about the industry. At that time I had just turned 17 so I was pretty lost! I got my first residency about a week after graduating so it definitely played a big part in my career!

Your DJ’ing career has since seen you involved with much of the Hard House and Trance Albums in the Country- what are your perceptions about this genre of house in South Africa?

Unfortunately there is not a very big market for Trance in S.A. at this stage. A couple of years ago the “Rave” scene was massive. At this stage House and Electro is pretty much considered to be the most popular genres amongst the crowds and promoters! Local record companies are not willing to make Trance or Hard Dance albums anymore, purely because they don’t sell as well as commercialised albums! It’s sad because if you look at the rest of the world the Trance and Hard Dance scene is absolutely massive!

Tell us a bit about Double A- you’re collaboration with Grim Brother Andre Frauenstein, how did that come about?

Gizmo: Andre and I have been talking about collaborating since we met! We play some Hard Trance and Hardstyle sets together as “Double A” from time to time. The plan was to start producing together but unfortunately we just have not had time for that as yet. We will get there though!

Some people feel Trance music sounds are being ‘repeated’, what is your opinion?

SeanTyas: Some ARE being repeated. No big deal. Funny how no one complains half as much about the fact that almost every electro bassline is the same basic sound! Or in rock music, people aren’t complaining that the guitar is still being used, or the same Roland Stomp boxes. Trance just has more self-righteous critics than other styles.

Gizmo: I think that a lot of producers stick to “their sound” so that people can relate to their music a lot more. I actually cant believe how many many different genres of Trance there are! Producers are experiencing with different sounds all the time so there is always something new available! I suppose it’s more of a personal preference at the end of the day.

Who are the DJ’s and producers you respect in the industry?

SeanTyas: Askew, O’Callaghan, Bronzwaer, Armin, Downey, Kearney.

Gizmo: Internationally, at the moment, Sean here and Armin van Buuren. Locally, Speedy and Dizzy; they’ve both had a very big influence in my career!

What is your favourite Trance track of all time?

SeanTyas: Binary Finary – 1999 (Gouryella mix)

Gizmo: System F – Out of the Blue and Sasha & Maria – Be As One is a very close 2^nd place!

If you were to use any Popular Artist for lead vocals on one of your tracks, who would it be?

SeanTyas: Good question, maybe Charlotte Church.

What has been your best international playing experience?

SeanTyas: So far, playing for ‘A State of Trance 300’ in Den Bosch, Holland. I had expected to play for a crowd of 4-5k people, but so many people came, Armin had to get on the radio and tell no one else to come! A thousand people were even turned down at the front gates because it was overcrowded- and it was an outdoor venue! The best thing of all was all the different nationalities of clubbers that flew in JUST FOR THIS PARTY! Italians, French, Germans, British, Polish, Dutch and of course, Americans… It was really awesome to see how global trance is!

Do you still dance yourself or are you a member of the ‘Head Nodding Society’?

SeanTyas: Hahahahaha! -Or we would call it the Wallflower society! No way, I would still, to this day, rather be raging out on a dancefloor than DJing!

Lastly, Where to from here?

SeanTyas: No point in planning, let’s see what happens as the year progresses! A lot of cool things to come this summer!

Gizmo: As a Dj I have achieved most of the goals I set myself, so I am quite happy to be where I am. I’d like to get the “Trance All-Star Productions” name out there as much as possible. After Turbulence on the 2^nd of June we will be looking at doing another event later this year- which I’m already working on. I’d really like to get more involved and try make a difference in the Trance scene and give up and coming Dj’s as much support and exposure as possible.