DJ Eco – Exclusive Interview With The Armada Star
Exclusive Interview With Prominent Trance Artist, Eco
Best Trance Interview With The Best Trance Artists
American, Marcello, or as he is known by his legions of fans, DJ ECO, has been one of trance’s most popular stars in recent years. Taking his love for all music and combining different elements of each, he has taken trance in a totally new direction and his debut artist album, M(you)sic (one of the best trance albums of the year) has critics and fans united in praise, celebrating amazing tracks like, ‘under paper skies‘ and ‘the light in your eyes went out‘.
Eco very kindly took time out of his busy schedule of performing, creating and innovating to answer some questions that TheBestTrance really wanted to know about this rising star. From how he got started, how his life is as a popular musician, influences and plans for the future. It also important to know that as well as being a great musician, Eco really is a great guy too and he answered all the questions with honesty and intelligence. Now, on with the interview.
Eco, The past 12 months have been pretty explosive for you, can you comment on your rise in the Electronic Music Industry and Community?
It’s really amazing the support I’ve been getting the past two years and it’s always an amazing thing that more and more people are listening to my stuff. I still view myself as the lesser-known type of niche artist, so it’s really cool for me to see my music spreading!
What would you say has been the defining moment in your music career so far?
I think the writing of my artist album has been and will be the defining moment. I have a lot of faith in it and I think it truly captures everything I’m trying to do as an artist, in an 80-minute CD format, unlike anyone of my productions has ever done.
Do you feel more pressure to produce top tracks with your rise in popularity and the new level of interest in your work?
There’s a big misconception that the bigger labels somehow force artists to make more commercial music. My personal opinion is that the choice is in the artist himself. I just keep doing what I’m doing and I write music that I truly like, and never something I think “the people might like”; it’s kind of selfish but more people are liking it, maybe for that very reason! Armada Music have been extremely supportive of my music, as weird and unorthodox as some of it is.
Back to the beginning, how did you go about starting to make music? Where you always musical as a child? When did you first think, ‘Hey, I’m pretty good at this’?
I played piano from when I was about 4 years old until age 18. Around age 15, I started using really basic production programs which eventually led me to FL Studio. After a couple singles, I dove into Reason, which I’ve been using ever since. I’ve only recently begun to think to myself “hey, maybe I’m pretty good at this” haha.
Where you always interested in trance and electronic music, or has your musical taste changed over the years?
My musical taste has changed an incredible amount. I used to love really dirty New York hip hop, and I went out and bought a bunch of vinyl records to play on my turntables. Eventually, I was drawn to trance, but I still enjoy good hip hop or jazzy urban music. I’ve been less interested in trance the past couple years, and more interested in rock and experimental live music. I channeled this love of other genres and bands and artists into my production of trance music.
What software / hardware equipment do you use to create these songs? Have you ever experimented with other equipment? What was your first music ‘set up’?
I only used Reason 4.0 to produce the album and most of my earlier songs. This summer I’m going to be experimenting a lot more with live instruments and incorporating them into trance and progressive music.
Do you have any advice for those who would like to follow in your footsteps?
Be yourself; don’t try and sound like me, don’t try and sound like anyone. Don’t copy your favorite DJ’s actions on stage. Go crazy; you can always take a song further and further, never be satisfied. Be humble; when you’re sharing a song with a friend or a label, never say in the email “this is my best one yet!”. Love art; explore other musical styles, literature, paintings. This will all make you a better musician. Knowing everything about compression and synthesizer effects and making a good bassline will not.
Can you talk us through being signed by one of the biggest trance record labels in the world, Armada Music. How did this come about? What has happened since? And has the way you’ve made music changed at all?
It was really quite simple. I played A State of Trance 450 in New York, and a month later Mr. Piron sat me down and proposed an artist album under the Armada umbrella. I couldn’t say no, and I’m glad I didn’t. They’ve been extremely supportive and it’s exciting to be part of their large family, even though I am probably the smallest guy working with them haha..
What’s it like to associated and have such connections with some of the biggest and most popular names in the industry and now, how does it feel to be considered as one of these top artists in the Electronic Music scene?
Armin van Buuren’s support over the past 4 years has been huuuuge, and a big key to my success thus far. There’s a lot of awesome talented artists still flying under the shadows of the underground but thanks to the support from the beginning from Armin and guys like Ferry, Markus, and Tiesto, more people are able to hear my music.
Can you describe your relationship with the Armada family? Is there any producers you are particularly close to?
Being that I’m not quite a world-touring DJ, I haven’t met most of the artists. I’m also based in New York, on the other side of the world from where their office and most of the artists live, so I’m kind of close with some of the artists that are immediately closer to my area, some Armada some not. I love Arnej’s work, and am working together on a lot of different levels with Breakfast/Casey Keyworth, who I think is a genius. There’s a lot of other producers coming out from the local area whose music I’m really enjoying as well: Andrew Bayer, Matt Lange, and the vocalist Kerry Leva, all from Boston.
A famous quote about you, which can be seen on your profile on armadamusic.com is, “I seriously don’t know how he does it. Everything this man is touching is turning into pure melodic gold.” Said by Armin van Buuren on his state of trance radio show. A compliment like that from one of the, if not the top DJ in trance music today has to give you great pleasure. Can you say how it feels to get such praise from such an iconic figure? Have you ever spoken to him about this statement?
I’m the type of person that downplays a lot of these types of things; it’s always nice to get words of appreciation from artists like Armin van Buuren. It’s always the reactions of the fans that I hold in the highest regards however. When someone posts something on my page like “I was drunk in my friend’s last night and your set came on satellite radio, best night of my life”, I get a huge smile on my face. I get a real kick out of people’s personal reaction to my music. At the end of the day, the dance music experience is a very personal thing.
Your latest single, the great ‘The light in your eyes went out’ has a fantastic music video directed by Evan Larimore. Do you get any say in what you’d like the music video to be about? How involved are you in this process?
Absolutely, I sent him a really long 4 page email about some concepts ideas. We took some out, added some in, and what he came up with was extremely pleasing to both me and the Armada label. The timeline and budget was small and I’m really happy with how that one came out!
You recently stated that you would be filming the music video for ‘Over Paper Skies’ very soon. What can you tell us about the music video? If you are being filmed, do you feel comfortable in front of the camera?
I’m not that comfortable in front of a camera haha.. It’s going to be fun though, we’re filming throughout New York City and the subject matter is pretty funny, so I think we’ll all have a good time, and hopefully I can ease up in front of the camera.
Obviously with your rise to fame, you are gaining more and more fans. How do you feel the fans respond to you in general? Has there been any moments with your supporters were you thought, ‘this is crazy’? Any unusual fan mail or requests?
I love reading fan comments on my page. I occasionally post weird videos or unusual non-trance song clips, and it’s always fun to see that my fans have a similar wide-ranging taste in music as I do. No unusual fan mail or requests quite yet. I’ve been asked to play a sweet 16 before, but that’s about it haha..
What is your favourite part about touring? What do you not like about touring? Any funny or interesting stories to tell from your time on the road?
I’m not the biggest fan of touring. Once you’re in the venue and the crowd’s there ready for you, it’s the greatest feeling. But it’s easy to find a lot of aspects of it that aren’t my cup of tea. It can be kind of lonely and even physically draining. Going forward I’m still more partial to being picky when it comes to choosing the right gigs, I’m not sure I’m cut out for a 2-3 clubs per weekend touring schedule, but that’s just me!
Can you tell us a little bit about DJ’ing and playing live? Have you always been comfortable in front of an audience? What was your first time like on stage performing for a major show?
I’ve been comfortable for a while. Way before I was known to the trance community, I’ve been playing in clubs around New York from a young age. I still get very nervous before a gig though. The most exciting show I played was ASOT 450, by far. I was shaking nervous before that one and my face was really pale before I went on.
Do you have a dream artist you’d like to collaborate with? And which artist would you most like to remix a track of yours?
I wish I could make a track with Sigur Ros. I wish I could make a track with Sigur Ros. I wish I could make a track with Sigur Ros. I wish I could make a track with Sigur Ros. I wish I could make a track with Sigur Ros. I wish I could make a track with Sigur Ros.
Out of all your successful tracks, such as ‘Light At The End’, ‘Tonight Is Forever’, ‘And We Flew Away’ to name a few, do you have a favourite track of yours and why is this so? What has been your favourite remix you’ve completed?
I think my favorite track is still “Tonight Is Forever”, with “Staring At The Sea” a close second. My favorite remix is the recent remix I did for Armin Van Buuren’s “Orbion”.
Do you have a favourite track from another artist at the moment?
Zbigniew Preisner’s “Lacrimosa” has been in my head lately. It’s no where near trance music, but it was in this incredible scene in a movie I just saw, and the scene (together with the music) gives me chills down my spine.
Who would you describe as you major influences?
My biggest influences aren’t really trance artists: bands like Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros, Led Zeppelin, Explosions In The Sky, The Mars Volta. As far as trance goes, some contemporaries whose music I’m enjoying at the moment are: Mat Zo, Arnej, Breakfast, Andrew Bayer, and JPL, to name a few.
Your debut artist album ‘M(you)sic’ is was released on June 27th, what can you tell us about this album? Will it continue in a similar style to your past tracks or are you trying to change and try something new? How tough is the entire process to completing an album in its entirety?
It’s a mixture of new and old style. People who love my previous work will love the album. People who maybe weren’t a huge fan of my previous releases might be converted by the album. The production of this album took me about a year, and every minute of it was so much fun, which I hope you can tell while you’re listening to it. Every release is a journey for me. We’ll see where this one takes me, because it’s a big one!
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Trance Artist – District Bass Interview
Interview With Fantastic Emerging Electronic Producer, District Bass
Josh Cooke aka District Bass is an up and coming 16 year old producer who in just a year, has produced top quality tracks in many different genres including Trance Music, Dubstep, Drum and Bass, Instrumental, UK Hardcore, Electro, Rock and Drumstep. So be sure to keep an eye out for this young English producer, as no matter what your preference, DB will have a song to suit you.
He has always loved music and is even going to college in september to study music technology. DistrictBass has massive plans for the future, including working on a home studio, making better music, gaining more fans and promotion and getting noticed by the biggest names in the industry.
Thanks for talking to The Best Trance, Josh. How did you go about starting to make music? Where you always musical as a child? When did you first think, ‘Hey, I’m pretty good at this’?
When I was younger I always wanted a drum kit, this never materialised so I moved on to begin learning to play the keyboard. When I hit my teens a friend of mine started to produce music on his computer. I became very interested and wanted to do it myself. I began to mess about on the keyboard making short melodies. I then purchased my first sample pack and software. After a while I started watching tutorials on the internet and started to produce my own tracks. At first I didn’t think that I was that good, slowly I became aware that I might be okay as friends encouraged me to make more.
Where you always interested in trance and electronic music, or has your musical taste changed over the years?
I have always been interested in more than one genre. I have made many tracks from other genre’s but have always felt that my ability to produce trance music and electronic music has always excelled. I think one of the reasons for me returning to trance is due to the fact that it is one of my favourite genres to listen to.
What hardware/software equipment do you use to create these songs? Have you experimented with other types of equipment before you settled with what you work with now?
I currently use Reason 4, Fruity loops and a range of sample packs and VST’S. The main VST’S I use are Nexus 2 and Vanguard. I also use a midi controller called M-audio axiom 49. I won’t say that I have settled with this equipment and software but I have not yet found anything else that stands out.
Your Soundcloud channel, ‘districtbass’ is very popular, having over 700 followers. Do you feel more pressure to produce top tracks with the level of interest in your work?
I don’t feel that it puts pressure on me at the moment, but I do feel that I go over what I am producing in more detail to make sure that it is as good as I can make it before releasing it.
Your latest song, a remix of ‘Rollin Stars – Don’t Ever Change’ is brilliant. How do you select songs for remixing?Are they just a favourite song you have at the time or is it something stylistically you look for in the make up of the song?
Actually this was my first remix I have produced so I don’t really know what I look for in a track that I am going to remix, but I would have to say that the original stood out to me.
What’s your process for remixing a track? How does it differ from creating an original song? What’s the hardest part to successfully remixing a track in your opinion?
I try to make remixes in the same way I make my original tracks. I start by preparing the main melody and improving it in any way I can. I then make any other melodies that I am going to use. Then I create a simple beat but develop it as the track progresses. Next I go on to developing the intro and the rest of the track.
Making a remix can be easier than creating an original because you already have a starting point. I think the hardest part to creating a successful remix is not to change the original to the extent that it is not recognisable.
What would be your favourite original song/remix that you have created?
It would have to be between my latest track “Rollin Stars – Don’t Ever Change Remix” or my original “Trance illusion”
What would you say is the most satisfying thing to complete, an original song or a remix?
I think that an original is a lot more satisfying because it is purely my own work. When my original tracks get plays and favourites it gives a great boost to my confidence.
Do you have any advice for those who would like to follow in your footsteps and begin to create popular music?
I would encourage anybody who wants to create their own music to develop their own style and sound. Stick with it and not be put off by any negative comments. Make sure that you are placing your tracks in front of the right audiences, to ensure positive feedback. Listen to constructive criticism and use it to your advantage.
Could you give three tips to producing the best music possible? What do you feel has elevated your music to ‘the next level’?
My first tip would be not to settle with your first idea when producing a track, everything can always be improved.
Make sure your track is complete and you have put in as much as possible before releasing it.
Try to get constructive feedback from those around you while you are producing a track to ensure that your track is at its best.
Having lots of positive feedback on my tracks has given me the encouragement to try and produce music on a higher level. As I gain more plays and followers on soundcloud, it boosts my confidence. I then feel I want to put a lot more effort into my music as it now has a higher level of interest.
Having better software, gaining more understanding and knowledge has helped me move onto the next level. It is still hard for me to believe that my tracks are so popular.
Do you have a dream artist you’d like to collaborate with? And which artist would you most like to remix a track of yours?
My dream artist to collaborate with would be Dj Splash, his music stands out to me because of his unique sounds and style. I would also like Dj Splash to remix one of my tracks to hear his take on my music.
Have you ever thought about DJ’ing?
I have always wanted to DJ as well as produce, but my main focus is producing music at the moment. I would like to try DJ’ing in the near future.
Who would you describe as your major influences?
There hasn’t been any major influences but I have been encouraged by people such as DJ Splash and David Guetta.
What are your plans for the future? You’ve stated that you are going to study ‘music technology’, have you started this course already? If so, what does it entail and do you enjoy it? If not, what made you choose this area and what do you hope you will get out of the course?
I haven’t yet started the music technology course, I’m due to start in September and I am really looking forward to this. I chose this course so that I could learn in more depth about the technical side of producing music and marketing my own music.
Hopefully I will gain more knowledge of new equipment, software, producing techniques and marketing.
My plans for the future are to keep improving my music, hopefully getting signed to a label and expanding my area of production.
Do you have a favourite songs from another artists at the minute?
Some of my favourite songs at the moment are: Linkin Park – Numb (Dubstep Remix), Mavado – Delilah (Diplo Remix), Gisbo feat Kellyyx – The Edge Of Glory and Trance – Listen To Your Heart (Remix)
Thanks a lot for doing this interview, Any final words or upcoming releases that the readers should be aware of?
Thanks for asking me to feature on your website and take part in this interview. Hopefully what I have said will encourage upcoming producers like myself to keep creating great music.
I am currently working on a new track which will be coming out soon. My track “Trance 4 Life” is featured on the new album “Best of Trance”, which is coming out on the 23rd of August 2011 in all online music stores.
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Reverb Nation
Artist Interview – Jan Martin Part 2
Part 2 of The Best Trance’s Exclusive Artist Interview with rising German trance producer Jan Martin. Jan has had numerous songs released through many labels, has featured on all the top trance radio shows and has recently been signed to noted label Enhanced Music, he discusses all this and more in this in depth interview.
Part one of this interview can be seen here.
How did you find out your remix of Chapado & Smaz’s ‘Between Heaven And Earth’ was going to be played on some of the biggest trance radio shows on the globe?
Every now and again I check the web for the latest news and events, especially if it has to do with me. The day (August 19th 2010), Armin played my remix of ‘Between Heaven And Earth’ on ‘A State Of Trance’, was the final day before an oral exam I had to do. As I found out what had happened that night, it was very hard for me to focus on that exam, but after two hours of sleep I somehow managed to achieve the best possible result.
BHAE (Jan Martin Remix), played by Armin van Buuren at ASOT 470 by Jan Martin
With all this success it wasn’t long until labels started taking notice, and several months ago you announced you had joined Enhanced Recordings. Can you tell us how that all came about? What’s that experience like? What has happened since? And has the way you’ve created music had to change or are you still creating music your own way?
Will Holland, the label owner of Enhanced Music, got in touch with me after he had listened to my remix on ‘A State Of Trance’ asking for any unreleased originals. An early version of ‘Lost Tonight’, my first single release on Enhanced, had already been finished in 2008. Since Will liked the character of the song, we decided that the track should get a fresher sound and feel, which led to the version released in the end.
In general I think that Enhanced is a great label both for proficient and talented artists coming through, just like me. I’m really confident of the labels concept and I feel pretty comfortable at the Britons.
It’s nice to have some sort of home for new releases to come through and I haven’t had to change anything yet, when it comes to my way of producing or its results, which is one of the most important things to me.
Your remixes have also found their way onto many compilation CD releases and special remix releases of tracks, such as your ‘Still’ – Aly & Fila remix and your radio remix of Hysterias! hit ‘Move On’. How good does it feel to have your work being bought?
Actually I don’t look on my music as a product that much. Otherwise I’d just end up being annoyed because of the dishonest people who are sharing my music illegally for free at hosting services or other sharing sites.
Instead I try just to enjoy the good things like fan comments, radio plays or if people really do buy the songs. So, to answer your question, it really means a lot to me, when my work is really bought, but to see that 75 percent of search results are illegal download pages still lets me down a bit.
Jan Martin – Lost Tonight (Passenger 75 Remix), played by tyDi at Global Soundsystem 73 by Jan Martin
Your single ‘Lost Tonight’ has been very popular, and has been remixed by the likes of Willem de Roo & Stunson and Passenger 75, how do you feel about your own work being remixed? And do you feel these remixes add something to your original work?
The remix by Flugschreiber is something special as well. I think all of the mixes of the release work very well together, as they all go into their own style without competing with each other. I’m always very excited when I listen to a remix of one of my tracks for the first time.
It’s also a great way of getting in touch with other artist’s music directly. Luckily almost every single remix in the past, has met with my approval, since they added a new perspective to the original.
Your new single ‘Save me now’ is a collaboration track with Hysteria! How do you find collaborations with other artists? How does it differ between completing a song by yourself?
To be honest ‘Save Me Now’ pretty much feels like a song I did by myself. I wrote the music, the lyrics, vocal melodies and did the production. Debbie Digital of Hysteria! did a fantastic vocal job, that’s for sure and I think her vocals gave the song a special character. Apart from that collaborations are always very exciting. You have to make sure though that both sides combine well without missing a characteristic feel, which is quite a challenge, but worth the effort.
Do you have a dream artist you’d like to collaborate with? And which artist would you most like to remix a track of yours?
I don’t feel like having something like a dream artist that I’d like to collaborate with. Collaborations with or remixes by legends like
Jan Martin – Luago (Original Mix) by Jan Martin
Who would you describe as you major influences?
When Chicane released ‘Saltwater’ in 1999, I was on a school trip to Denmark and the feeling this song provides still gives me the shivers today. Nowadays I’m influenced by everything I like.
The most beautiful songs to me are tracks that sound so fresh and mindless with no need to paint the town red. My personal favourite of last year was ‘White Angel’ by Schodt feat. Aida Fenhel remixed by Mango.
Have you ever played any of your songs live or do you have any plans to do so?
No. For now I’ve decided not to be active as a DJ or live act. I’ve always been a music producer without any live activities. I’m just not the party guy, who likes standing in the spotlight that much. I want to keep things the way they are right now, having the music separate as a nice little hobby.
Are there any upcoming releases or dates you’d like to promote now?
There are several new tracks still to come up this year. I did a remix for a vocal track of Hysteria!, which is going to be released at Shah Music soon. Also there is a collaboration EP planned together with my dear friend Flugschreiber, who is a part of Hysteria! as well. Apart from that you can expect new, original tracks as well as remixes for other known artists in the near future. For any news on that just check my website or Facebook fan page.
For more on Jan Martin visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JanMartinMusic
http://www.facebook.com/janmartinmusic?v=info#!/janmartinmusic
http://soundcloud.com/jan-martin/
http://www.jan-martin.info/en/news/
Exclusive Artist Interview – Jan Martin Part 1
The Best Trance’s Exclusive Artist Interview with rising German trance producer Jan Martin. Jan has had numerous songs released through labels, has featured on all the top trance radio shows and has recently been signed to noted label Enhanced Music, he discusses all this and more in this in depth interview. Part two will be available soon.
Jan, the past 12 months have been pretty explosive for you, can you comment on your rise in the Electronic Music Industry?
Hello everyone and thank you for having me here! Yes, the last couple of months have turned out bigger and better than anything I had known before. When it comes to the music I never would have expected that a year ago I’d be at this point and it’s very exciting. Still I know that this is all just fun.
What would you say has been the defining moment in your music career so far?
I think there were several milestones. The first release is always something special as you can surely imagine. That was my remix for ‘Shelter’ by Alex Fain feat. Smaz. But also being played by Armin van Buuren, as he was something like a hero to me, when I started following the EDM scene around ten years ago. It all felt like a dream coming true to me. Back in the days I used to listen to ‘A State Of Trance’ and now I take part in it for myself.
Do you feel more pressure to produce top tracks with your rise in popularity and the new level of interest in your work?
Actually no. Pressure is the wrong word. The only demands I try to meet are my own. I totally see the music as a hobby without any obligation or dependence on success. That hasn’t changed! And now that I get a bit more attention the only thing that has changed is my rising enthusiasm. When I think about that deeper, it’s quite the opposite of pressure.
Jan Martin – Luago (Original Mix) by Jan Martin
That’s a very interesting point. Back to the start Jan, where you always musical as a child? And where you always interested in trance and electronic music, or has your musical taste changed over the years?
I have always been into music in a very special way. As a child I got to play some instruments like the flute and the xylophone, while my grandfather used to play the piano, which definitely rubbed off on me. I also played in my first crappy rock and rap bands for fun back in those days.
My musical taste changed a lot over years. My first CD was the remix EP of Erasure covering ABBA, which I got when I was 7 years old, which coincidently turned out to be my first contact with electronic music. Later on I loved the early style of *NSYNC in the mid-nineties haha. After some German rap music and crossover exports like ‘Limp Bizkit’, I got electrified by trance music more and more. ‘Spring’ by RMB, ‘Saltwater’ by Chicane and the ‘L’Amour Toujours’ album by Gigi D’Agostino were some major inspirations for me to take the next step and start producing something on my own.
How did you go about starting to make music? What hardware/software equipment do you use to create these songs? When did you first think, ‘Hey, i’m pretty good at this’?
I’m afraid this moment will never come haha!
It was a long, hard road learning to produce music till this point and I guess it’ll never be over. I started with programs like Magix Music Maker to merge simple premade samples together within minutes. Later I switched to Fruity Loops to gather my first experience with MIDI’s, VST’s, Plugins and arrangement work, that was in 2003.
I started to uploading a few productions on a German online music community. I steadily made my creations public to receive feedback and made progress in that way. After some attempts at working with Logic I finally found my personal tool of joy in 2007, Ableton Live.
At this time, I built up a small home studio with Yamaha HS80m speakers, a Terratec Phase 88 sound module, a t.bone microphone for vocal recordings and a simple MIDI keyboard. Every synthetic sound is generated on the software side. Hardware synthesizers are just not worth the money to me, since software synths are becoming better and better.
The latest VST synthesizers I purchased were Rob Papens Predator and Sylenth1. It all runs on Windows and a cheap hardware mixer is used to gain the control room and headphone volume. You can see pictures of my studio setup on my website.
Do you have any advice for those who would like to follow in your footsteps?
It’s hard to answer this question without using a lot of empty phrases. But I really think that the most important things in music production are talent, originality and patience. If you want to produce good, unique songs and any of these components are missing, then it’s going to be difficult to achieve your goal. It’s clear when your just learning something that you’re not going to be able to move mountains from the very start and you have to be willing to take criticism, to learn and to work hard.
Jan Martin – Lost Tonight (Passenger 75 Remix), played by tyDi at Global Soundsystem 73 by Jan Martin
You seem to have an affinity for remixing tracks, any reason for this? What do you like most about remixing a song?
Well, I like both, producing an original song or remixing a track. An original song is something special, something personal. It’s your own song. A track of someone else on the other hand often comes with a catchy or specific element such as vocals or a melody, which you want to put a different complexion on. So both of them provide attraction in their own way.
How do you go about selecting a song to remix? Do you just pick a track you love to hear and think you can put your spin on it? Or is there something you look for in the style/creation of the song?
A fundamental critera for sure, is originality in any way. In the context of a remix you should be able to reference on something from the original. Personally I love to work with vocals. It thrills me to let the vocals shine in different chords for example. Additionally a remix should somewhat go to another style other than the style in which the original is created.
Some of your remixes, such as the hugely popular, ‘Between Heaven and Earth‘ – Nacho Chapado & Smaz feat Sue McLaren remix, have gained critical acclaim and plays from some of the biggest names in the industry. When you finished this track did you know it would be a hit?
Hell no! I was very glad at the point when the remix made its way onto the release, so everything beyond that felt like a special bonus to me.
This same remix appeared on Australia’s number 1 DJ tyDi’s famous Global SoundSystem Radio show, as well as being the premiere track on Armin van Buuren’s ASOT – episode 470, how does it feel to know that your creations are being enjoyed by the masses, as well as being played by quite literally, some of the most popular and admired DJ’s in the world?
Yes, it’s unbelievable. I mean I have always imagined how it would feel to reach that level. Releases, radio plays, chart rankings. I thought I’d freak out. But as it happens now, it just doesn’t feel that glamorous and dramatic. It’s exciting, of course, but things haven’t really changed that much yet at the minute, which is fine with me.
Part 2 of this interview can be seen here.
For more on Jan Martin visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JanMartinMusic
http://www.facebook.com/janmartinmusic
http://soundcloud.com/jan-martin/
http://www.jan-martin.info/en/news/
