Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias "Flux Bpm On the Move" for 1mix radio and Dance Radio Global web sites
Dimitri: Are you going to remember 2010 as a good and positive year for the progress of electronic dance music or as one of the worst? For instance, have you found many good tracks, new ideas, new talented producers and newborn labels that have excite you and make you feel more addicted with your favorite music?
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Definitely an interesting year. A bit too much of squeaky sounds, but a great progress concerning the „new“ Techhouse. Which sounds much more percussive and disco-influenced. Also a great year for new and young talents. Have an eye on guys like Idriss Chebak and Michael Brun.
Dimitri: Is it possible to list for us your personal accomplishments music wise that you achieved during 2010 and maybe you consider this year as one of your best helping you to go a step forward in your career?
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: With our 2010-single-releases „My Belief“, „So Alive“ and „Like That Sound“ we had several #1s in many countries. We also had a more than full tour-schedule, and we raised the number of the radiostations broadcasting our weekly show „Do The Hip!“ up to more than 60. All in a great year for Syke’n’Sugarstarr.
Dimitri: THE A to Z of the Best of the Year 2010. Please list for us your best of 2010 please always with a small comment to explain the reason why you choose the particular answer.
a) Best Full Release of the year(that means that you think that the original and the remix package was the most appropriate for it)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Dennis Ferrer / Hey Hey– as this tune has it all. It’s deep, soulful, percussive and it achieved an I-can-play-it-everywhere-and-all-the-time-status
b) Your personal Full release of the year (if you had any releases of course and give us the kind of feedback you get for it)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: The latest: „Like That Sound“ (Syke’n’Sugarstarr & Jay Sebag). As it’s also deep, soulful, percussive and it has also an I-can-play-it-everywhere-and-all-the-time-status... ;-) Not to forget the remix-package fort his release that is currently doing some serious damage in the clubs. Never received such an outstanding feedback from the Bignames before.
c) Best Single track of the year(only original versions)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Swedish House Mafia – „One“ . Just one version that rocked the floors all over world.Is there any remix of it available...? ;-)
d) Your personal Best Single track of the year(if you had any releases of course and give us the kind of feedback you get for it)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: „My Belief“ (Syke’n’Sugarstarr & DBN ft. Cosmo Klein) reached #1 in the German Dance-Charts for many weeks as well as signed to labels in several territories.
e) Best Remix of the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Joan Reyes – Shakedown (Bass Kleph Remix). It’s simple but very effective
f) Best Remix on personal production that you released this year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Raul Rincon – Stronger (Syke’n’Sugarstarr). The oriental touch makes it such special
g) Best Producer of the year in your style that you play or any other that you may like
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Playing everything from DJ Chus... so into his production
h) Best New Talent/Big hope for the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Idriss Chebak. As he’s extremely talented. Will surely makes his way during the next time
i) Best Remixer of the year on personal or others peoples tracks
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : David Penn... the same with DJ Chus...
j) Best Established Label of the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Stereo Production – Percussion, Percussion, Percussion....ACE
k) Best Newborn in 2010 label of the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Hot Fingers – love that groovy sound, and every track they release is a winner
l) Best promotional tool of the year(ie labelworx/fatdrop/releasecenter or others that you may use)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Fatdrop – our partner for Do The Hip! as well
m) Best dance album and mixed compilation of the year in the style of music that you work with…
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: To be honest – I haven’t heard any new dance album. Still into the Snap! Album from 1990...lol
Compilation: for sure our own Syke’n’Sugarstarr „The Works 2006-2011“. The new Best-Of Album incl. „No Love Lost“, „Danz“, „So Alive“, etc.
n) Best social network of the year that has been amazing for the promotion of your work
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : What most of the DJs will answer: Facebook... Is there anything else? ;-)
o) Best new software or hardware that you introduced in this year and you recommended it to others.
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Still Ableton Live and all the new controllers such as AKAI APC40 or Novation’s series
p) Best and worst dj experience that happened to you in 2010
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Best: All those lovely people we met when touring the world
Worst: Can’t remember anything negative.... it was a great year all in
q) Best country that you performed this year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Brazil.
r) Best club or open air festival that you attended or you even performed this year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Top Hill Club (Montenegro)
s) Best hobby or other activity for 2010(game/movie/book/going to gym to keep fit or any other hobby )
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Fifa 2011 on PS3...nothing else... ;-)
t) Best radio show of the year and Best radio station that you always check out(fm or online)preferably that plays the kind of your music
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Actually I have no time to spend listening to other shows...so focussed on our own... ;-)
u) Best online or ordinary record shop that you use to get your music of the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Beatport
v) Best electronic dance music video of the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Swedish House Mafia – One... But still like to watch the „carrotistic“ video of our own „So Alive“. Some people say it’s hilarious... ;-)
So Alive video link:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH8p6JH_Yhk
w) Best CD player or any other equipment that you use for djing
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Pioneer DJM2000 & CDJ2000
x) Best vocalist in a dance track of the year
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Shawnee Taylor for „Where Your Are“ by Harry Romero & Junior Sanchez
y) Best magazine or web site that you always check out for music related stuff(releases and technical equipment)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Future Music / Music Radar
z) Best fan of your music of the year or best crowd in your performance(perhaps you don’t know the name but you can describe when you met or why you consider this person as your best fan of the year)
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : Mario Schneider. A german supporter for years. Now owner of Germany’s best Club „Theatro“ and our part-time booking agent.
Dimitri: Can you please let us know your plans for 2011 that your fans should look out for from you?
Syke’n’Sugarstarr : We already have three new S’n’S singles in the pipeline to be blown out in the first half of 2011. Big plans also for our Do The Hip! brand. Big tourings and Shows coming up.
Dimitri: On the other side are the worst things of the year. Is it possible to tell us the track or album that you believe is the worst of the year and why?
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Definetely the Black Eyed Peas’ „Time Of My Life“. I don’t know why they put out a cover of this cheese song? There’s no need for such a great combo of a band to release stuff like this... They can surely do without... It’s just about moneymaking.... dis dis dis
Dimitri: Please give us your wishes for 2011 and your small piece of advice for anyone that reads this interview and love to get into music production or djing.
Syke’n’Sugarstarr: Just wishing that the audiences in clubs and infront of the radios listen more intensively to so called complex sounding and lovely composed music. Not only to superficial or obtusely stuff ...
Additional info:
Web: http://www.syke-n-sugarstarr.com/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/sykensugarstarr
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sykensugarstarr
Youtube: www.youtube.com/sykeandsugarstarr
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/sykensugarstarr
Podcasts: http://housemusicpodcasts.co.uk/category/sykensugarstarr
iPhone-App: http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/sykensugarstarr/id391669346?mt=8
Many thanks to Mimi from Syke ‘n’ Sugarstarr office for her support to organize this mini interview. I hope soon will come back with an extended one.
Check this video as well : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KleD1nEwBg8
