Hi, first of all I'd like to thank you on behalf of all the members of UK Trance Alliance for taking your time to do this interview, really appreciate your effort.
1) What inspired you to start producing, explain a little about how you came up with your style of production.
At first I was inspired by the old Ferry Corsten (mainly System F) sounds and style. Ferry gave me a feeling that I can make it! Then I tried to create my own sounds and came up with this uplifting trance style, but in a more unique way. Then I remember I first heard Global DJ Broadcast! I was fascinated by these sounds he played so I decided to take my trancey style and combine it with these deep sounds. And the tracks I have now are the results.
2) Our members are curious, how did you come up with the name Hydroid, and does it have any significant meaning to it ?
Actually , the credit goes to a good friend of mine who gave me that name. We looked for something special then he found some sort of water plant called Hydroid. Sound original and catchy so I took it.
3) Likewise, you have some pretty unique titles to your productions (eg. Incurved, Pacifica, Blue Tubes). Do they mean anything special ?
These unique names are used for a purpose! I want my tracks to catch the eyes of people who are looking for some new vinyls. Also, I think its good to be unique, original and creative even in the names. Some of the names I came up with don't have a meaning its just what I had in mind when I did it! Some of them do have a meaning, its just what I have in mind in the moment I finish the track.
4) What sort of software/hardware do you have in your studio which you use for producing ?
I'm only using Logic Audio Platinum with some VSTi , and of course a pair of studio monitors (ESI Near 05).
5) We all know about your recent releases, which are very popular within the forum. What was the first ever tune that you produced ? And did it/will it get a release ?
The first one??? Oh man I got tons of them so I can't remember how it called but I remember made it with Fast Tracker and it sounds like…..you know…s**t! hehe
6) Producing a quality tune after tune can't be easy, it must take up a lot of effort, patience, and time. How long do you normally take to produce a tune, until you are completely 100% satisfied with it ?
At first it took very long time because I wasn't that skilled. It took like 3 weeks or even 2 months. Today it can take even few hours. Most of my tunes were made just in couple of hours because I am used to the sequencer and very skilled because I've been producing for almost three years, so you tend to do things very fast! But, (and that's a big but!) I'm very very patient and put a lot of effort on my tracks! I'm so focused that when someone is coming to my room, I'm just so mad because my focus is very important! By the way, here's something : I make tracks in say, 6 hours. Someone else might take one month, but that says nothing. Doesn't mean that I'm better. I'm just more inspired, focused, but its says nothing! The most important thing in music is to take you're time. Don't ever ever ever rush. It will do nothing. It can only harm. When you're 100% satisfied then you can finish it.
7) So what can we expect from you in the coming months, and in the future ? Are you working on new productions, or working with another artist on a new remix ?
I'm working on so many things! First I got my artist album which will be released on Selective Recordings. Second I got many remixes I'm working on. I can't tell exactly because you know labels require me to be discreet about this, but you'll hear them all soon! But what I can say is I'm finishing a remix for Peter Dafnous – Sweet Deception (TRR) , also finished a remix for Luminary – My world (Lost Language) and Tyler Michaud feat. Shawn Mitiska – Daydream and got some remixes for of the hottest tunes on 2005 (sorry I can't say yet!!!) Also I got some future collaborations with John O'Callaghan, Santiago Nino , Carl B , Peter McCowan and some others soon.
8) I'm sure you have had your fair share of parties and events. Which event in particular, stands out in your memory as your favourite ?
I was in The Netherlands few months ago at the famous party called Mysteryland (by ID&T), anyway , that's one of my dreams : to go to the big events with the big names.
9) Do you have any plans in the future, to produce a in different style under a different alias ?
Oh yeah! I have another alias named Phnx! Its an uplifting trance project but a unique one! Got one track under this alias and working on a B-side for the vinyl!
10) We all know about your talent as a producer, but do you also DJ ? And if you do, what would be your dream place to play at ?
I've been DJing for not too long , mainly radio sets! But yeah one day I want to play in a big party like Trance Energy , Mysteryland or something that big! But its all just dreams! Don't know if I'll manage to be with big names, only thing I got is to try.
11) What were the songs you listened, that got you into the electronic dance music (EDM) scene ?
I think it was System F – Out Of The Blue.
12) What were your favourite tunes from 2004, and do you have an all-time favourite ?
Oh I got many tunes I like so I can't tell you exactly but some of them are :
Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent) (Leama & Moor Remix)
Mark Otten – Tranquility (Markus Schulz Coldharbour mix)
Vadim Zhukov – Exit
Envio – Time To Say Goodbye
Haak – Bass Shuttle
F Massif – Somebody (Ferry Corsten Remix)
That's just the beginning, I like a lot of tunes!
13) Which other trance/progressive DJ/producers do you rate highly, and who would you say, are your biggest influences ?
At the moment my favorite producer is Santiago Nino, which I think will be one of the biggest names around in the next few years! Also Alucard (Peter McCowan) is awesome! Simply awesome producer! Also we got this new talents Terje Bakke, Mike Foyle which gonna be huge names!
14) If you had a chance to have a collaboration with any producer out there on a new production, who would it be ?
I think it will be Ferry Corsten cause he's the one who made me love this kind of music and also he's so experienced!!!!! I have so much to learn!
15) There is a distinct similarity of production styles between yourself and Alucard (Peter McCowan). Are you friends with him, and do you see the both of you working together in the future ?
Yeah we are friends! And yeah we gonna collaborate very soon, look out for it.
16) There have been arguments that the trance music scene is officially dead. What are your thoughts on this ?
I don't agree! I don't think trance (or any other musical genre) can be "dead". These days are bad for the trance cause producers are just recycling their stuff and other producers stuff to get the same fame they got one or two years ago! But that's not the way! Producers should be creative and then the trance scene will grow and be a leading style! It’s a fact that trance is boring today and that's just because this all recycling issue and the second reason is because labels keep signing all that recycled stuff!
17) Other than trance and electronic dance music, do you listen to any other genres of music ?
I love Chill out , Break beat even sometimes classical and jazz! I can hear anything if its good!
18) Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of the trance music scene ?
Soccer, friends, parties! Just the usuall stuff! But mostly music!
19) Here at UKTA, we have some upcoming producers too. Do you have any advice and tips for them ?
Like Armin said before : "Music Comes From The Heart". That's the best tip a producer can get! You just do what you feel!
20) And lastly, do you have any to say to the your fans and members at UK Trance Alliance ?
First of all, I'm really proud I got people like you guys that like my music. It's so important to me. Thank you guys! You own! You're the reason people like me keep producing! Also if anyone wants to talk with me you can always send a mail to : Ultrawave3@walla.com
If you want to to talk with me on the MSN just send a mail I'll add you!
I'd like to say a big thank you to 1st Release that support me all the way, Avi Senior & Netaly Ssasover.
For any remix work by Hydroid pls contact : avi@1strelease.com
I'll visit in UKTA often and help as much as I can! Thanks guys!
Thank you for taking your time to do this interview, and good luck! We're sure you are on the path leading to great things!
1st Release
Selective Recordings
If you would like to see an interview with an artist from your label/organisation appear on UK Trance Alliance, please contact us through fly@uktrancealliance.com
That is great