A State Of Trance 600: 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!'

Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
Hi! Thank you, it's definitely a great feeling and I can't wait to play! To think it was less than a year ago I was at ASOT550 Den Bosch watching so many amazing DJs, and now to see my name on the line-up is just unbelievable.

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
Yes definitely - I've got lots of new originals and remixes I'll be playing out as well as some of my favourites. I'm looking forward to testing my newer material behind the decks, so it will be great to see what people's reactions are! It will be 138+ all the way!

What do you think of the whole trouse hype and the dance scene blowing in The United States? Is 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!' a statement for the more 'classic' sound of trance?
I think it's a statement to say that there are still good quality uplifting DJ/Producers around at the moment. Letting you know that (much to what many people believe) 138+ trance is not dying out. Obviously there are a lot of people producing and releasing trouse these days, possibly more than uplifting trance, and I know many people are taking it to heart and talking about how trouse is ruining the scene and things. I don't really believe that - I guess it's just another evolution in music that has happened many times in the past of different genres. I try not to get involved in the debate. However, as far as I'm concerned, if trouse brings more people in to the genre then it can only be a good thing in that sense. If they then get converted to liking the quicker and 'classic' trance sound as you put, then that's even better. People are free to listen to what they want.

What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. Will Atkinson - Unleashed
2. Planet Perfecto - Bullet In The Gun (Adam Ellis Remix)
3. Simon Patterson - Zero Contact With The Humans (Original Mix)

What can we expect from you in 2013?
Lots of new stuff! This year I'm really focusing on my original productions. Last year seemed to be all about the remixes, and only a few original tracks released. That was great to help build my name, but now I feel I need to push myself as a producer and concentrate on my own music more. Collaboration wise, I'm working with some great producers such as Jordan Suckley, Ben Nicky and Tomas Heredia - as well as a few more I've been speaking with. So it's looking very promising!



Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
It's my first ASOT party so I am very excited to finally play there and can't wait for this Saturday. I'm sure it will be an unforgettable night for everyone.

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
You can expect really energetic, banging and uplifting set. I have few new tracks and mash-ups that I want to premier that night. It will be the perfect time to finally show them to the world.

What do you think of the whole trouse hype and the dance scene blowing in The United States? Is 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!' a statement for the more 'classic' sound of trance?
I have nothing against other styles of music, I think in all genres you can find good tracks so trouse music doesn't bother me, I just don't listen to it that much. Of course I prefer the faster kind of trance so I really hope that "Who's Afraid Of 138?!" statement will spread all over the world bringing back the true trance sounds.

What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. Arctic Moon & Paul Webster - Valhalla (Original Mix)
2. The Killers – Miss Atomic Bomb (Arctic Moon Remix)
3. Simon Patterson & Jordan Suckley - Vanilla (Original Mix)

What can we expect from you in 2013?
New solo singles and collabs with Aly & Fila, Paul Webster, Bryan Kearney, Indecent Noise, and many more!




Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
Thank you! Feels great to be part of ASOT celebrations for the seventh time.

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
Well we actually finished our new artist album called "Quiet Storm" to be released in June and for sure will be playing many tracks from it, plus a lot of new exclusive tracks that we signed to our label Future Sound Of Egypt (FSOE).

What do you think of the whole trouse hype and the dance scene blowing in The United States? Is 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!' a statement for the more 'classic' sound of trance?
We judge any track on the musical composition and the energy it brings. Whatever it is called, we like good music. We love the classic sound of trance, as this is what made us get inspired and produce music.

What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. Fady & Mina - Ninja
2. Bjorn Akesson - Gunsmoke
3. Aly & Fila - First Sun

What can we expect from you in 2013?
Our new artist album called "Quiet Storm," and FSOE 300 celebrations all over the world and maybe an FSOE Vol. 3 compilation.




Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
Very good, thank you very much. And how are you??

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
Yes. Lots of new stuff - and maybe a little nudity if you're lucky.

What do you think of the whole trouse hype and the dance scene blowing in The United States? Is 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!' a statement for the more 'classic' sound of trance?
I don't think BPM's are really that important - it's about the quality of the music and the energy you can create with it. But saying that - it just so happens I like my dance music served hard and fast. With regards to the scene in the US - I don't really follow it or have any interest in it. It's more a pop scene than a dance scene. More hands in the air than dancing. I don't like the word Trouse - it's two "Rs" away from Trouser - and we all know what's beneath Trousers - Pants. When I say the "trouse" word out loud and really express the word - it makes me think of an amphibious lizard with dubious intentions. I wish they'd come up with new words instead of being lazy / blending others - but hey we live in a world where people make careers making mash ups- so what do you expect?



What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. Armin van Buuren - Communication (John Askew remix)
2. Peter Plaznik - The Swamp
3. Simon Patterson & Blazer - Contraband

What can we expect from you in 2013?
More of what you got in 2012.




Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
Great thank you! Apart from just coming back from the dentist.

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
A lot of new stuff and remixes, exclusive tracks that are being saved just for this broadcast. They will mainly be my releases for the rest of 2013.

What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. John O'Callaghan & Full Tilt feat Karen Kelly - Breathe
2. Will Atkinson - Watch Out (Part 2)
3. Jamie Walker - Boulevard





Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
I am absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to play at A State Of Trance in Den Bosch. I attended the event last year as a clubber so to perform there this year is a dream come true. It's something I've been aiming and working towards and I'm glad that it's going to happen.

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
I'm a person that likes to put a lot of effort and work into my sets and my preparations for this set have already begun and I'm currently working on collaborations with Sneijder and Arctic Moon that I will hopefully be showcasing for the first time on the night. I will have a number of new originals from myself and I will of course be working on some special edits and reworks specifically for the event. I will be making sure my set is remembered.

What do you think of the whole trouse hype and the dance scene blowing in The United States? Is 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!' a statement for the more 'classic' sound of trance?
Obviously people have seen the commercial success that that type of music has brought to people performing in the US and they want a part of it which is completely understandable coming from a business point of view. Personally it's not my type of music, all the best to people who want to play it but it's not for me. With regards to statements for the more classic sound of trance I don't agree with this either. I think one of the main problems within the scene right now is the amount of labelling, segregation and general hatred that seems to be everywhere. Everything is given a label or a name and people seem to have lost touch that the music is meant to be enjoyed. People need to focus on the music they do like instead of putting all their energy into stuff that they don't, it's ridiculous. The sooner all the labelling, the segregation and in-house fighting disappears the better. With regards to people being afraid of it I'm not sure I agree with it either, I think it's more the fact that they are not really being exposed to music of a higher tempo because if we are honest it's not exactly the in-thing at the moment but things have slightly begun to turn a little. I'm not sure how people can be afraid of something that they are generally not being exposed to. I don't know if it's just the way I feel about it but I come from a clubbing era when there were no real barriers, no definition by numbers, no real segregation. It was all about the music. Sure a lot of people have changed their sounds to fit in with current trends, you need to evolve as an artist and a person so this is completely understandable. I know the music that I love, I know the sound that I love and I've continued to push this as much as I can because it's what I have a passion for. I've taken a lot of inspiration from what I've learned on the dance floor and taken into my production and DJing. I consider myself extremely lucky to have experienced the likes of Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Tiësto, Mauro Picotto, Nu NRG amongst many others in the so-called 'golden era' and it's had a big impact on my life and my career.

What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. Bryan Kearney - The Nettle
2. John O'Callaghan & Ronski Speed - Sincerely JORS
3. Giuseppe Ottaviani - Life Gate

What can we expect from you in 2013?
A lot of energy and progression I hope. You will see me in Den Bosch.



Congrats on playing at ASOT 600. How are you feeling?
You caught me in the middle of travelling. I'm on the plane from Birmingham to Warsaw via Amsterdam, returning from the Godskitchen night. I'm pretty tired but happy at the same time as the gig went great. ASOT 600 is next in my calendar and I'm really looking forward to playing. I'm so excited to be part of this massive celebration!

What can we expect from your dj set at ASOT 600? Any new tracks or remixes?
Yes plenty of new material will be played for the first time. I'm currently finishing a special intro and a new single "Protos Heist" which I want to premier in Den Bosch. Also I have kept underground and of the radar, a lot of the new music I have signed to my label Mental Asylum Records especially for this night.

What do you think of the whole trouse hype and the dance scene blowing in The United States? Is 'Who's Afraid Of 138?!' a statement for the more 'classic' sound of trance?
I'll let it be. It's the music I don't listen to and I don't care about. After all a few years back Eminem was so wrong in saying "nobody listens to techno." Now in the States nobody listens to Eminem.
138 BPM is something that is still the definition of the classic feel. When you browse through trance oldies from 1997-2003 the majority of them are fast paced but it's not about bpm actually. It's about vibe and simplicity, there are plenty of slower amazing tracks out there that sound more trancy that current 140s like, some stuff from Airwave or John 00 Fleming that's been released recently.

What are your top three tracks of the moment?
1. Bowdidge & Taylor - Flashback
2. Commander Tom - Are Am Eye (John Askew Remix)
3. Indecent Noise & Eddie Bitar - Poltergeist

What can we expect from you in 2013?
Bigger and better things. I'm going to focus even more on my label and will record and release the "Mental Asylum Year 1 Compilation" in the coming months. Some tasty collaborations are in the pipeline. I can wait to spend time in the studio with names like John O'Callaghan, Sneijder, Neptune Project and Jordan Suckley later this year. My tourschedule is pretty hectic right now and I will be visiting Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Philippines, USA and lots of European countries in next few weeks.