UNIVERSAL RELIGION EXCLUSIVE: Know Your Artists “LIQUID SOUL”

As a lead up to the Universal Religion 2012 Edition, we are going to be releasing exclusive interviews with your favorite artists. Some of them you may have seen before, some you shall have the joy of catching this April in Nepal ! This is simply a space to “Know Your Artist”, the person behind the music and the soul behind the sound.

You’ve danced with euphoria and wept with the joy and love you feel when this man is behind the console. Seeing his return to the Universal Religion stage in 2012, we look forward to another magical experience from Nicola Capobianco. Read on to know more …

Where and how did the musical journey begin, how old were you?

I guess I always felt the music deep inside me. In my young years I was very into heavy metal and my favourite band was Metallica. When I turned 14 years old (1993) I spent time with some friend and one showed me some “trance music“and i got totally infected by this. I even remember which song I heard first. It was Odyssey of Noise – Fire dancer, an amazing tune. From this moment I became a trance lover until today. 1 year later I started dj’ing and around 1996 I started my first productions. In 2001 I discovered the psy/prog trance and Liquid Soul was born.

How did Progressive Trance become your calling card, any early influences?

Trance is my pure passion and I am sure it will always be. My biggest influence in the 90`s came from Armin Van Buuren. In the year 2001 I discovered the psy side of trance and got influenced by Atmos and Astrix at first…

Can you tell your fans a little about Mikrokosmos Records, and the difference of Liquid Soul   along-side Sleek?

I run Mikrokosmos with my best friend Martin aka Human Element, but more like a little side hobby. We are always looking for talented newcomers and try to mix our releases with known and unknown artists. Sleek is a little side project for me to have the freedom to try some new things out. It’s more into the prog-house/techno direction.

The man behind bestselling albums such as ‘Love In Stereo’ and ‘Cocktails’, did you ever imagine this kind of fan following, adulation with super stardom?

Not at all. I mean I always dreamt of this, but was not my intention. I just wanted to make music and hoped to live from it one day. Now days I call myself a very happy person, that I can live my dream and discover the world through my music …

Enjoying your stint with Iboga Records?

Absolutely, I am blessed to have bosses like Emok & Banel.

You have a Beatport award and Best Dj winner at Ibiza’s prestigious Dj Awards ceremony in recent times, as a producer what is that one quality you like bringing to your tracks?

It’s hard to say, but what I found out is that I spend much more time in producing a track than most of the other artists, but maybe it’s because I am just very slow 😉 I always try to have a message and a concept for each track and spend a lot of time for details. But in the end I convert my emotions and feelings into my productions. I feel we have lost out a little on the essence of the “good feeling“musical experience. So the greatest thing is when I see people really feel, fly and smile when I play my songs.

Which country do you reside in and your favourite club or festival?

One of my favourite places at the moment is Israel. There is an amazing energy on the dance floors. Also I feel that the number of prog-trance lovers have increased in India and I feel a great vibe on the dance floor. The best festival of 2011 was defiantly OZORA 2011 in Hungary. It was just incredibly amazing to see how 30,000 people became one. I was the lucky one who played the last set of the festival and I was so deeply, emotionally touched that I will never forget those moments.

Any new singles/album or collaborations from Liquid Soul we can look forward to in 2012?

In a few days I will release my new double cd compilation “GROOVE ATTACK“ on Iboga Rec. with some Liquid Soul remixes and collaborations with Symbolic and Electric Universe.   Besides that I am working on an Astrix remix, a Son Kite remix and I work on my new album which I hope to finish it by the late summer 2012.

No stranger to the Universal Religion arena, how has your experience been so far?

I must say it was a very special festival. An amazing venue in the middle of nowhere with great & freaky crowd and an awesome landscape. I really looking forward to coming back for the 2012 edition 🙂

Describe your fondness for Digital Om?

Digital Om are fantastic to work with and they do a great job as my promoter in India &  Nepal.

Looking forward to playing at Universal Religion in Nepal this year, it’s looking massive?

Yes indeed, and it seems to grow from year to year.

How would you describe your Live & DJ sets?

Hypnotic, powerful, emotional and pure 😉

How do you juggle gigs along-with production time?

Well, that is infact one of my biggest problems. But today it became more easy to work on the road. I spend alot of time in airplanes and hotels and I use that time to collect ideas on my laptop which I process in my studio.

Any message to your huge number of fans in India & Nepal?

I want to thank all of you for the fantastic response you give me and I looking forward to rock with you again and again…

What do you have up your sleeves musically for this Universal Religion 2012 edition?

Alot of new music including a little preview of my upcoming album.

Check out more on Liquid Soul :

http://www.facebook.com/liquidsouliboga

http://soundcloud.com/liquid-soul

Check out information on Universal Religion at:

www.urnepal.com

http://www.facebook.com/universal.religion.nepal

Courtesy Priya Sen

UNIVERSAL RELIGION EXCLUSIVE: Know Your Artists “ANKYTRIXX a.k.a FIREFLY”

As a lead up to the Universal Religion 2012 Edition, we are going to be releasing exclusive interviews with your favorite artists. Some of them you may have seen before, some you shall have the joy of catching this April in Nepal ! This is simply a space to “Know Your Artist”, the person behind the music and the soul behind the sound.

With this week, we bring you the story of the man behind the power-packed sound of Ankytrixx. Spreading his energetic vibes from one dance floor to another, this year Universal Religion shall see the birth of his new psychedelic project on a festival stage for the first time: Firefly. Watch out for his set in April, and read on now to find out more  …

 

Tell us a little about your journey, who were the artists that shaped Ankytrixx in his early years?

I’ve been an avid dreamer ever since i was 3. From a cosmonaut to a Rockstar, Battle Knight to a scientist, I day-dreamed about playing all of these characters in real life. I grew up fighting the odds of a degree-driven family and in the process, I stuck to my ground and believed that Im going to chase my dreams no matter what! In that period of conflict, where i was torn deciding between my free will plans or attractive career option, Music kept me calm (till date it does). I started spending a lot of time listening & connecting with anything that had an electronic beats in it. Some early age clubbing at the right places made me listen to some great djs & tunes. All of this amalgamated into finally taking up DJ’ing professionally as a career after digs at medical school & fashion designing! The 90’s saw the best euphoric days of clubbing & the tunes produced were epic. Oakenfold, Josh Wink, Prodigy, Digweed, shaped my early musical education! The rest just followed….

What is the one DJ gear, you’d like to buy?

I already own one. Technics 1200s – the good old Turntables

Give us your top 5 tunes of all time.

1. Terra Tronics – Protoculture

2. Cosmatic – Cosma

3. Hypnotic Energy – Liquid Soul

4. Provider – Earnst & Ben

5. Summersault – Taste Experience

Your thoughts on going digital?

None at this moment.

Ankytrixx is a master blaster of Progressive, Tech and Psychedelic, what makes you cover such a vast spectrum of dance music?

It was the late nineties when Electronic Dance Music had entered India in a big way. That was the period which saw the biggest releases of all time. Every tune dug deep into you and remained inside forever! I happened to be lucky enough to get hit by such sounds at that time….it led me to major research & study. That’s where I extended my knowledge and passion about Progressive & Tech House & Trance (Euro-trance today). Life then took me to the Himalayas where I spend the last 11 years. The mountains gave birth and inspration for my psychedelic sounds which had been anyways brewing up there for many decades.

I love creating journeys, giving a listener a virtual dream while they dance, and to do that u need music from all over, from each and every genre. I’m a lover of music, not binding by its genre. If it sounds good & has a story…I’ll send it! From this year on, i am going to be playing EDM sounds under two different projects, with Ankytrixx being dedicated to house, tech and progressive, and FireFly dedicated to progressive psy and psychedelic. Universal Religion shall be the first festival where I am looking forward to bang it as Firefly!

Any plans to veer in to producing?

As of now…yes…Im continuing my work towards producing unforgettable nights every time I take up the console. And, when its ready, you’ll hear about the other productions too! Soon! 😉

How special is your association with Digital Om and Universal Religion?

Digital Om has been one of the prime and most credible labels this side of the globe. They have crafted a niche for themselves by promoting quality music & acts from India & beyond and doing it consistently. Digital Om hold a very special place in my heart 🙂

Universal Religion is my 3 day stay in the Paradise with the hundreds of amazing souls from all over the world, together, pounding the earth beneath our feet, marching away…to the highest level of music & the most spectacular line up of artists ever! Universal Religion means home to me. Its that time of the year when everyone from all over comes & fall in love with Nepal and its people.

What has been your proudest moments in the last year, as an artist?

John Digweed taking over with the golden words, “the floor looks perfect mate”!

Having been one of the busiest DJ’s in 2011, what’s your gig guide looking like in 2012?

It’s a roller coaster I am enjoying riding, with April and May seeing me jump between India and Nepal  for club gigs and Universal Religion, and then June onwards I hit Lebanon for Baobab Festival, then Tree of Life in Turkey, moving onto Club gigs in Berlin in July. Some mega surprises are lined up for the end of the year, special tours and shows: those shall be revealed slowly but surely 🙂

Is there a tune, that is a must drop for impact?

A new tech house tune which has an Ankytrixx edit on it… I’m callin it Bengal. Its doing the trick everywhere!

Your favorite club or festival?

My career has shaped up in India, hence I love the clubs here. Blue Frog is my favorite club since it has contributed towards my career by giving me packed memorable nights every time! Mountain Madness / Universal Religion / Experience Festival remain my favourite festivals.

Your favorite food?

Anything that Chef Anky belts out….if he aint cooking…then I like to dig Indian & Pakistani food.

What is your most preferred style statement when you are playing?

Well…as of now…its the multi colored watches! I know many who are on a mission to steal them 😛

Where do you see yourself as an artist, 10 years from now?

10 Years is a long time from now. Time is traveling fast but I just like to live in the moment. I love where I am at this moment and I hope to see the same view i have now, 10 years from now… 🙂

What can your followers expect from your set at Universal Religion 2012?

Kill-Bill Part 3.

Are you happy with the direction dance music has taken?

Totally! The Indian electronic dance movement has taken off! Everyone connected to Music whether they are djs or producers, promoters or a clubber are walking that extra mile to add to a wholesome experience of a satisfying musical treat every now & then! The Quality of gigs, artists, productions are supreme & can match anyy other major music destination. Im honoured to be living in this era of Prime Musical High…

Let’s say you were stuck on an island with Ajja, Atriohm, Diggers, Dave Seaman, Sanjay Dutta and Fearsome Engine for company, what would you do?

Pull my ***kin hair out considering its all men!

Check out more on Ankytrixx a.k.a Firefly :

http://www.facebook.com/Ankytrixx

http://soundcloud.com/ankytrixx

Check out information on Universal Religion at:

www.urnepal.com

http://www.facebook.com/universal.religion.nepal

Courtesy Priya Sen

UNIVERSAL RELIGION EXCLUSIVE: Know Your Artists “U RECKEN”

As a lead up to the Universal Religion 2012 Edition, we are going to be releasing exclusive interviews with your favorite artists. Some of them you may have seen before, some you shall have the joy of catching this April in Nepal ! This is simply a space to “Know Your Artist”, the person behind the music and the soul behind the sound.

This week we bring you one of the greatest imports for intelligent and raw dance-floor power from Israel, U Recken. Playing at Universal Religion, Nepal for the first time, Yaniv’s sound promises to give one of the most memorable and powerful sets of the festival. Read on to find out more …

What got you into Dj’ing, any early inspirations?

When it all started, it was way different then today. For getting one good track you had to sometime travel the whole day just to record a track on DAT. I was lucky to have good connected friends with good music so it was only natural to go on stage and play it.

Your sound is raw and powerful, can you tell us your inspiration behind some of your tracks, like Northern Lights and The Island?

Northern Lights was Written during the war In north of Israel few years ago when you could look outside and see the lights of the bombs. The Island is funny story. It’s a bit long but maybe worth it. One time I called a service for changing my Laptop screen, was completely broken, so they sent this hippie guy to fix it, but the “pro” technician came without a screwdriver. I drove with him to the shop and on the way he was playing this world music with African singing and the flutes. Immediately the inspiration came so I took the samples from him and later that night The Island was written. The dude was nice, he fixed the Screen for free 😉 seems like inspiration is coming from above.

Do you remember the first tune you ever produced?

I started recording when i was 14 years old, but my first trance tune was released on an Australian Label under the Title “Man on the Edge” impossible to find this track and not sure I have a copy myself

What news of your new releases—are we hearing some of that sound in Nepal?

The close circle know that I have a lot of new music and I am always playing it during gig. There’s a lot going on this year: Album, E.P.s, Tree of Life festival Compilation, its gonna be interesting so stay tuned.

When will we have the U Recken sound grace the dancefloors of Goa?

No idea-Ask Nishan 😉

The Psychedelic Trance scene has changed in the last decade, for the better or worse?

The scene is Growing every year and it’s simply a great thing. Music wise I like the old music better, back then it was the gift of the  few and the style was more story-telling which I love. The good thing is that today you can really get a high level of production, and basically everyone can express themselves easily.

The best place you ever played in …

S.O.S. festival Japan 2008,Right after Boom festival: the location, the hospitality, the artists and the crowd, great experience. I know Nepal is going to deliver as well 😉

What are the musical items you cannot live without? 

I am not attached to any material things what so ever…great to have but never get attached 😉

Tell us a little bit about the yellow stone ring on your right index finger!

Hhhhhh came by surprise this one. There are a lot of powerful things in this world that help us to make the most out of our selves. According to Indian astrology, each sign has a special stone that needs to be on a specific finger in order to amplify our good qualities. Mine is a yellow sapphire which I also got in India thanx to my dear friends Ankit and Sejal. This stone connects you to Jupiter, the star of wisdom and success, and makes you much more focused and determined to act.

Some thoughts on the association with Digital Om and your coming to play at Universal Religion in Nepal for the first time?

Digital OM does great work and they also helped a lot with our Tree of life festival so I’m really happy to be part of this growing family and see a long collaboration with them in the future as well.

How do you unwind when you’re not playing or at the studios, any favourite pastime?

I like cooking and watch a movie at the same time. There’s some other things but it’s not for writing.. 😉

What was the hardest thing for you to learn as a producer?

My music was never complicated with syntheses. Seriously there are much better brainiacs out there. Hardest and most enjoyable part is too keep it real and unique ..

What is the weirdest thing you have ever put in your mouth!!

Nothing, I’m Jewish And I don’t eat any weird things. Only good healthy organic food, speaking of food, Indian Kitchen ROCKSSSSSSSSS.

Your top tune that’s current?

Slipping into Darkness from the upcoming Album

Tell us a little bit about your journey with your baby, your very own festival, Tree of Life in Turkey?

Wow, what an experience that has been … First of all it is VERY demanding work that takes the majority of my days now. But the more you put yourself into something the more you get joy seeing the results. I must say that its even bigger joy then doing a great gig on stage, because here you are not a part of many artists on a line up… Here you create the WHOLE experience from scratch!!! And its nothing you should take lightly… So ladies and Gents, give LOVE to your nearest promoter, which is one hell of a hard job! We are preparing something really great here–you don’t want to miss it!!

Check out more on U Recken :

http://www.facebook.com/urecken

http://soundcloud.com/u-recken

Check out information on Universal Religion at:

www.urnepal.com

http://www.facebook.com/universal.religion.nepal

Courtesy Priya Sen

UNIVERSAL RELIGION EXCLUSIVE: Know Your Artists “SHIVA MOON”

As a lead up to the Universal Religion 2012 Edition, we are going to be releasing exclusive interviews with your favorite artists. Some of them you may have seen before, some you shall have the joy of catching this April in Nepal ! This is simply a space to “Know Your Artist”, the person behind the music and the soul behind the sound.

Here we have one of the top trance DJs hailing from the South of India, Shiva Moon. A well respected DJ and organizer of Go:Madras festival, read on to know more about his life journeys, musical influences and his dancefloor sound …….

How and when did the djing bug bite you, your earliest influences?

I have always been a huge music aficionado from the time i was a child. By the age of 6 i had already learned to set up my mum n dad’s super expensive multi room nakamichi sound system, and spent hot summer afternoons playing their extensive collection of tapes and records from the 60’s,70’s and 80’s. As i grew into my teens, i found myself spending most of my money on audio tapes for my collection, being a national level golfer growing up, music and my walkman was the only company i had when i travelled across the country to play tournaments.

The DJ’ing bug bit me in 97 to be precise, i was at university in Los Angeles then. Underground Electronic music was just becoming popular then, artists like Faithless, Paul Oakenfold, Chemical Bro’s, Basement Jaxx, Sasha and Digweed were huge influences on me, and most of my weekends were spent attending massive warehouse parties, clubs or underground parties in the mountains and desert around california and nevada. We went to huge multi stage parties with over 30,000 people some times, the most significant for me being Burning Man.

Where was your first gig, how did it go?

My first few gigs were mainly college parties and small eclectic outdoor gatherings at scenic venues like indian reservations, beaches, deserts and mountains around California. The most memorable being a party with DJ Dan, De la Soul, Heretic in Malibu right on the lawns of my college, this was before any of these guys were the legends they are today, it was purely non profit and all the proceeds went towards the legalization of hemp 🙂

My entry into professional DJ’ing happened only when i returned to India in 2001 and started playing at clubs across the country. This was tough from day one, as i had come from an environment that totally understood and accepted this music, to a society that was completely alien to it. Well things have changed a lot now, and electronic music is definitely BOOMING in India today. So definitely all the heartache and hard work by all the DJ’s and Musicians over the last decade is finally paying off and we can finally be proud of the subculture we have been able to create in India.

Do you like the dance music scene as it’s shaped up in this new decade?

Well i have mixed feelings about this. We have definitely managed to create a thriving industry that supports DJ’s, Artists, Venues, Decor teams and other industries allied to entertainment, but in this mad rush to grow huge i feel quality has suffered tremendously. Every third person now is either a DJ, a Promoter, an Artist, MC etc 80% of the events that happen in this  country happen at substandard venues, artists don’t get paid, promoters get greedy, the sound is messed up, the crowd that comes has no clue about the music. The positive side to this though, is that quality events, quality artists and dj’s, quality production have become the key to doing successful events, so eventually the pretenders are slowly weeded out of the market by the public themselves.

What made you take up SAE in Chennai? Has having a diploma for Audio Engineering stood you in good stead?

I always wanted to do a formal education in audio, since i hadn’t played a musical instrument growing up. In 2001 after finishing my bachelors, i had taken a one year hiatus. During which i spent a lot of time producing music on Reason and mixing tunes on Traktor. I didn’t understand most of the audio terminology then, and i felt the course would give me a solid foundation in whatever aspect of the music industry i found myself in, as a DJ, Producer, Recording Engg, Audio Engg, Mastering, Live Sound etc Also close friends Arjun Thomas (Singer), Ashwin (Jalebee) and Tarun (Boombay Central) were doing the course at the time, and we got to learn a lot from them about software etc Which finally prompted me into doing the course. Well now if i look back, doing SAE in 2001 is about as good as learning BASIC in computer science class in 1990. In the end knowledge has only a certain shelf life, wisdom is acquired through experience 🙂

It was definitely a great foundation, a great environment to learn and most of my friends from SAE are all established in their own right in the music industry today. So i guess we all took it pretty seriously 🙂 I’m equally comfortable doing live sound for a concert, needing to mix a track in a studio, do a quick and decent mastering if i have to, record a band, wax eloquent about the music industry only because my course gave me the basic fundamentals to handle all these depths, excelling in them is another ballgame all together and i hope that i do so in a few of them at least.

Your association with Digital Om and Universal Religion, share your thoughts on the festival in Nepal?

Well my association began with them last year. It was a really last minute thing and i really didn’t know what to expect as i hadn’t planned to be at the festival. Ankytrixx and Nishan insisted on me being part of it, and what can i say it was one of the best festivals i have been to in the subcontinent and definitely in the world as well, and the last day of the festival being my birthday was truly the cherry on top. The intimacy, the venue, the quality of the lineup, the smiles, the new friendships are all the makings of a great festival. I only wish them the best for 2012 and promise to bring the mayhem to the dance floor 🙂

Have you ever had a crazed fan with a funny request?

Yeah way too many. Lets not get into the gory details hahahah

 

What is your current Dj setup, any additional equipment that you like to fiddle with?

I play on CDJ 2000’s as well as a Macbook Pro with a NI sound card, sometimes i jam up with a Djembe or Darbhouka for Tech house gigs and a Midi controller.

Is production rearing it’s musical head at ya, any plans afoot?

Well in terms of sitting in the studio full time no not really. I had a great setup at home till a few years back and was forced to move. In 2008 i did release my first track on Dacru Recs (Belgium), which is available on beatport. Since then life and work has been really chaotic and i haven’t been able to find the time to seriously focus on an album or an EP. I am in the process of building a new studio at home to be able to create a few tracks whenever i’m musically inspired, but i’m not the type that looks to release tracks every month, make label deadlines, fit in a particular style. My main priorities are live sound for events, organizing music events and travelling on gigs, i get a bit claustrophobic if i’m only in the studio lol So expect some great music in 2012, but don’t expect too much of it 🙂

A favorite gig night that you can recall, which was off the hook?

Well there have been way too many of these! All three editions of the GO:MADras festival are my favourites as they were planned, executed and finally performed at by me and the response i got from the people for my music and for my efforts in putting together the festival successfully were extremely inspiring and satisfying.

Which is your first love as your musical repertoire is vast, that you really get happy playing?

My first love is and always will be Psy Trance, but i really dig Drum n Bass, Breaks, Techno and Progressive sounds as well. I love playing all of these genres, every music has its time and place. The best way to describe it is that certain stuff sounds really good indoor like minimal sounds, techno etc cos they use the walls of the club to amplify the sub sonic frequencies and create that wonderful room resonance, and certain sounds are meant for the outdoors to surf through the wind and travel for miles like a shamans drum. They use nature to enhance the sound,so its just about how you use the sound and when. Its like a horse, do you want him to rip across the field in a gallop or walk through the turf club in a controlled canter. Both have their time and place 🙂

Tell us briefly your role in MMD Records and Airsnare, where is that standing currently?

Well my association with MMD Recs began a few years back when i was running my label Rudraksh Recs, i got to know Lyle aka DJ Archive (Label Manager MMD) and found that we were both really into the same sounds and had new labels that weren’t afraid to put powerful cutting edge sounds into an otherwise cheesy market. A mutual respect developed and i was asked to join MMD as their label rep for India, i’m really proud to say that these guys have gone places in the last few years and are putting out some quality night full on sound in terms of releases. I personally  prefer to play a more goa styled 148 – 150 BPM night set these days, but you’ll find my morning sets laced with secret goodies from the MMD and the South African stable.

You are known as a successful party promoter in India, how’s that going? 

Really ?? Well besides playing i like organising events, the main one being my annual festival by the beach called The Go:Madras Festival. I used to do a lot more smaller events earlier, now i just like to focus on my festival and spend the year working on it. Though i still help with programming at a few bars and clubs, as well as executing events for sponsors etc

Who are the artists/ producers that have caught your attention in the current scene?

Constantly changing, constantly evolving and totally based on if i like a track or not. I find most artists tend to repeat their same trademark synths, kicks, hooks etc, so i’m really just looking for that one gem of a track where everything is perfect from start to finish. I love looking for completely new, offbeat, unknown upcoming artists, than playing the same top ten rigmarole. I wouldn’t like to name any one person, as i play many genres.

Your party poison?

Whisky

What do you do to chill out?

Cook, swim, eat, ride bikes, read. You figure that out 🙂

What’s your Universal Religion 2012 set plan, or are you keeping it a secret?

I have no set planned till i know what time i’m playing 🙂

What can we expect from the Moon in this year, what’s going to keep you busy?

Setup my new studio plus school, gigs, a few tracks, travel and working towards a great Go:Madras festival at the end of the year 🙂

Looking forward to Universal Religion 2012 edition, Nepal?

HELL YEAHHHH!!!

Check out more of Shivamoon at

http://www.facebook.com/shivamoondj

Check out information on Universal Religion at:

www.urnepal.com

http://www.facebook.com/universal.religion.nepal

Courtesy Priya Sen

UNIVERSAL RELIGION EXCLUSIVE: Know Your Artists “ZEN MECHANICS”

As a lead up to the Universal Religion 2012 Edition, we are going to be releasing exclusive interviews with your favorite artists. Some of them you may have seen before, some you shall have the joy of catching this April in Nepal ! This is simply a space to “Know Your Artist”, the person behind the music and the soul behind the sound.

So, to start with, we have Zen Mechanics, hailing from the Netherlands. Zen Mechanics was launched in 2002 by the multi-talented Dutchman Wouter Thomassen … read on to know more about this dance floor magician …….

You are a one of a kind Dutch import and Zen like in the world of Psychedelic & Progressive Trance, tell us your real name?

Wouter Thomassen..and thanks!

How did you take up Djing, your earliest influences?

As a kid I was very much into the music my parents and older brother used to play around the house…bands like Kraftwerk, Joy Division, New Order, and Krautrock stuff like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze etc. I guess that’s where my obsession with epic futuristic music stems from. Then later on around ’94 I heard Future Sound of London’s Lifeforms album and that was like an epiphany for me. Pretty soon I immersed myself in electronic music, got some decks and started throwing parties

with my mates where we were spinning stuff ranging from Ambient, Detroit Techno to early Goa Trance. Later on I got turned on by the underground Trance scene that started blossoming in Amsterdam during the mid-nineties and I’ve been heavily involved in that ever since. I started producing pretty late though..around 2003.

You are with top class labels Iboga, Flow, Neurobiotic & Nano how’s that going?

Very well, they’re all mates and releasing on such prolific labels has definitely pushed my ‘career’ forward.

What’s the difference of the two projects Citizen & Transmissions that you oversee as an artist, can you elaborate?

I released a couple of Progressive tracks as Citizen & Spanner on Flow records, but it’s not something I’m doing currently. Transmissions in Bloom is my Ambient project. I’ve always been making Ambient on the side, though I haven’t been able to focus on that as much as I’d like to. Working on new Zen Mechanics stuff and traveling around doing gigs has been my main thing for the last couple of years. However I’m trying to get an Ambient album out there as soon as possible.

Having traveled the world over which is your favorite festival or club? 

Boom, Ozora and Rainbow Serpent are my favourite festivals…very keen to play both Boom and Ozora again this year! I’m more of an outdoor party person and not really into clubs, though I was honoured to play at Yellow club in Tokyo, a legendary venue in the history of Techno and also the famous Paradiso ‘temple’ in Amsterdam.

Your association with Digital Om, how did that happen? 

They made me an offer I can’t refuse: a gig in Nepal + touring India! The India tour was rad, well organized, met lots of beautiful people and also the Digital Om are a very shanti crew.

Your thoughts on playing at Universal Religion 2012 in Nepal?  

Can’t wait to play my music in such a majestic place! Also I love the fact that it’s gonna be the highest place on earth I’m ever gonna perform.

Any new releases, production wise coming up this year? 

Yep working on a new Zen Mechanics album + a new project Zentura (with Ace Ventura)…We’ve done a bunch of tracks already and will start releasing a few of them soon. Also I did remixes for Son Kite, Avalon, Liquid Hook, Fearsome Engine, Vertical Mode etc and a bunch of collaborations, most of which will be released within the next couple of months. Also I started a label (SourceCode) with my mate Erik (from Liftshift) and some other veterans from the Dutch scene. We’ve just finished compiling our first CD, which turned out to be a total blaster and we plan on releasing around May.

When you reflect back on your musical career, what’s the best thing you’ve done?

Performing in a buddhist temple in Tokyo to a crowd of people who weren’t allowed to speak, smoke or drink…just dancing. That was a unique experience for sure. Also Luminate festival in New Zealand and Vortex in South Africa were very special and rootsy.

What do you do to unwind, any favorite cuisine?  

The usual I guess…hanging out with my love, music, nature walks, beach, movies, epic books. I’m a sushiholic.

Your thoughts on your travels in India and Nepal, in brief? 

India is one of the most exotic, far-out countries on the planet and it was quite an experience! Traveling Nepal has always been on top of my bucket list, so can’t wait!

How do you make music, what’s your ideal process? 

There’s no ideal process really…I start with a kick and bassline combo, jam with some loops and sounds till I start zoning out…about 2/3 days later I get out of it and there’s a track…then the most boring part starts: mixing and finalising the damn thing…this can take weeks. The ideal process is where I do the whole thing under 3 days, before I get bored with the project and wanna move on.

What format are you using as a Dj..ever played on vinyls?

Yeah I’ve played vinyl for years, switched to CD’s later on, but last year I switched to Traktor for DJ-ing. Way more convenient. I still spin vinyl at home though, I have a massive collection.

Is there a particular element that you like to imbibe in your tracks?

Chi

What message would you like to give to upcoming producers/djs, who aspire to be like you?

Remember what Psychedelic Trance is truly all about and put some soul and personality in your music..I wanna hear what an artist has to say, not just big flashy production, random movie quotes or how many neat audio tricks you can pull of in a track.

What does the cultural and music world of Universal Religion invoke in you?

Not sure I get the question…Anyways I’m not too keen on religion… maybe change it to Universal Love heheh

Where can your fans find you in 2012 as an artist?  

Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel and some of the summer festies around Europe like Ozora, Boom, Glade, Antaris, Tree of Life etc. It seems to get more epic each year!

Check out more on Zen Mechanics :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zen-Mechanics/316528892799

http://soundcloud.com/zenmechanics

Check out information on Universal Religion at:

www.urnepal.com

http://www.facebook.com/universal.religion.nepal

Courtesy Priya Sen

Know Your Artists – Introduction

Universal Religion is love, and love is the universal religion. Every year in Nepal we build an environment which brings together beautiful, like-minded individuals, music devotees, creative artists and dance lovers from around the world!

We at Universal Religion aim to bring together top class DJs, producers and artists to create a thrilling and exciting journey in the world’s most spiritual and divine location—the Himalayan mountains. In this space, we are going to get you up, close and personal with these magicians of the decks. Get to know the person behind the music and the soul behind the sound. This section will feature regular interviews with your favorite artists, both Indian and international. While some of them will be playing in the festival this year, others have been associated with Universal Religion for several editions. Come, read about their musical journeys, get to know wild stories, and discover quirky traits which you would never know otherwise.

With the festival growing in the love and support we have received from our attendees and musicians, our aim this time is to make this our most special and exciting edition yet! With 2012 being a massive year of energy shift and momentum, the psychedelic community is coming together to celebrate this wave of positivity and change around the world. We hope these small insights into your favorite artists will get you to love them more and understand their musical style better!!

We hope you enjoy reading these stories of your favorite artists.