Why did you decide to name your new album “To The Point”?

The name came from the initial ideas of what I wanted to do with the album; single CD, full tracks with nothing that wasn’t on there for a purpose. I wanted to keep it literally as ‘to the point’ as possible.

How similar or different is “To The Point” to your last album “This World”?

To The Point, I think, is massively different to This World. This World was a mammoth 2 CD, 27 track album that had a broader range of music on, with more chill out and slightly proggier trance material. I think This World was a bigger milestone to get over and I thought that I needed to prove a point a bit more in terms of what material I could make and put under the Activa name. I think with To The Point, there was nothing to really prove, more an opportunity to create an album that had music, which I really wanted to make. Tracks like My Way Out, which unfortunately, due to the current climate and style of music, most likely wouldn’t work as a single.

Can you give aspiring producers any tips or suggestions to creating nice thick bass lines and thumping kicks such as yours?

I actually did a video on creating basslines and how layering different sounds together creates a bigger and more expensive sound. As in the video, I think layering sounds is absolutely key, but not just layering one sound over another, actually mixing and eqing it properly which really only comes with practice.

What are some of the things in the scene that you are currently concerned about the most?

Oooo, a controversial question!! The thing that concerns me the most is the move of what I would see as more hip-hop and rap style pop artists like Usher, Rhianna and Timberland having tracks in the charts with dance tracks. Fair enough they’re cheesy dance tracks but I think that it’s not a good thing. The integrity of the music isn’t there. Some people say that it brings more people into the EDM scene and makes it easier for them to find people in the more underground areas, which I really don’t agree with. I think people like deadmau5, and Eric Prydz are doing a much better job of bringing people into the EDM scene while still keeping the integrity and quality within they’re music.

What changes or improvements do you feel can benefit the EDM community?

In all honesty I think that the scene will do whatever its going to do now and is so over saturated with every kind of music that it cant really be steered by any ‘pioneers’ any more. Meaning that even the leaders of the genres I don’t think will really be able to change the scene to benefit the scene. Everyone has differing opinions too, which makes ‘benefits’ to the scene only really a part of what people think. I know what I would like to see, but that’s not necessarily what anyone else would want. I think the scene could benefit a bit more from those who are a position to, trying to keep the scene supported from the grass roots rather than trying to control everything and dictating what goes on.

What do you feel about all of these new remixes of old classic tracks that have been surfacing?

It depends really. Some remixes have been done quite well, (in my opinion of course) but there is a certain album, which I wasn’t in agreement with at all. I felt it was just diluting the great songs that were on there to try and squeeze what little income was there and used to push the person doing the album. They sounded ok quality wise but I really don’t think they brought anything extra and really did seem like they were just pointless. Some remixes stay very true to the original and are more to be able to play the track and have it sound right against modern productions. Some tracks do sound really dated now!

When you work as an engineer for other artists, what does that entail and how involved do you get with the productions?

Again, it depends on the circumstances but usually I just work as a translator for people who have ideas and can write music and produce a basic, but lack the knowledge to give that really polished and expensive sound that new productions have. Sometimes I work on completely finished tracks that literally just need mixing down and mastering and other times I work alongside people who can write music and have ideas for all parts of the track but need help actually laying down the track and help with production and creating the sounds. Its funny that engineers and those using engineers have a bit of a bad name as they are paying for ‘help’ in effect, but its nothing new. Just look up the name Johnny Klimek.

I know your album just came out but have you begun working on any new tracks already or are you taking a break for a bit?

I am always working on music. I literally cannot stop. I have been working on other material even while I was working on To The Point, some of it ideas for possible album tracks that either didn’t come to anything or weren’t finished in time. I also work on remixes and reworks too. I have just done a remix for a new JK Walker track and there is a rework of a Nexus 3 track coming up on Discover.

What are some of the reasons why you chose the Simon Williams Remix of Telic as the competition winner?

I had quite simple ‘rules’ that I gave myself to follow which was catchiness and quality. Simon’s remix was the best quality remix that came through. It was catchy, well made and when it kicked in after the break, its impact was massive. It was a high quality remix and I think he was a thoroughly deserved winner.

It’s been a little over a year since you launched your Borderline label. How are things going with it?

Borderline is going really well. I have been really picky about the music I have been signing and because I am an artist too, I can relate well with everyone I am working with. I have explained how things are regarding new, small labels compared to bigger labels like Spinnin’ and the artists that have been on Borderline have worked with the bigger labels too and fully understand the issues I have to deal with. There are always hurdles to get over, mainly to do with promotion of the music and getting the labels name and ideas out there while trying to be slightly different. I have had a massive amount of feedback from people all saying that they love the material and its keeping the more traditional, quality sound going which is hard when everything is slowing and going a more housey route.

Do you plan on coming back to New York to perform or visit anytime soon?

I would absolutely love to get back to New York. I love the US in general and I have a soft spot for New York in particular, my visits to the city have been awesome and I have always had a really, really good time. Unfortunately there isn’t anything solid at the moment for me coming back, but there have been possibilities cropping up recently. I have found that the global economy has slowed a lot of things and with flights over the pond being quite expensive, its effected quite a lot. I would jump at the chance at coming back though.

Will you be touring to promote your new album? If so, what are some cities you hope to pay a visit to?

I have dates around the UK, which is my home base and where I have the biggest following (obviously) but there are dates in Sweden, Poland and other possibilities as far out as South America in the pipeline.

Are you working on any other projects that you would like to tell us about?

I always have projects that I’m working on and currently I am working on some more progressive/psy based trance music. Liquid Soul / Ace Ventura style. I think that style of trance is really doing more for me at the moment than slower, housier music is. I am working on this with a friend of mine called John Dopping who has been making a good name for himself recently and has remixed Side by Side, a recent release on Borderline. Fingers crossed it will see the light of day at some point, although we have no real plans just at the moment.

Do you have any comments for our readers?

I hope you like the album and the interview; hopefully this gives a little insight into the ideas behind the album and my work in general!

Thank you for your time!

Thanks for the interview!

 

 

http://www.activamusic.co.uk/

http://www.borderlinemusic.co.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/borderlinemusicuk

http://www.youtube.com/BorderlineMusicUK