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?
Steve Kaetzel: I will definitely remember 2010 as a killer year for dance music. We’ve seen some fantastic new tracks coming from producers all over the world including Moonbeam, tyDi, Eric Prydz, First State, Deadmau5, and Cosmic Gate to name a few. As the year went by, I was amazed by the sheer number of tracks coming out that really pushed the boundraries of what’s possible in dance music, and as a result, the genre has certainly been elevated to an even greater art form than anyone could have ever imagined. It makes me excited to see where everything goes in the coming years.
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?
Steve Kaetzel: I’ve been really lucky to be working closely with Black Hole Recordings this past year to see the release of a lot of my productions including a collaboration with vocalist Brianna Holan, two original EPs, and a slew of remixes to the likes of Moonbeam and Zoo Brazil. I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback
from fans, and I’m really looking forward to getting on the road and meeting up with those who have
shown me so much love and support over the past year.
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)
Steve Kaetzel: Zoo Brazil - There Is Hope feat. Rasmus Kellerman — Absolutely love every mix on this release. Each brings it’s own unique flavor to Rasmus’characteristics vocals and gives the DJ a chance to play the track in a variety of situations.
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)
Steve Kaetzel: Steve Kaetzel - Floe/Aurora — Been getting some really good feedback fromfans and DJs about this one. Support from Richard Durand, Matt Darey, Miss Nine, and many more.
c. Best Single track of the year (only original versions)
Steve Kaetzel: First State - My Sanctuary (Extended Mix) — This track is a great example of how First State is continuing to push the boundaries of dance music, creating beautiful melodies with classic instruments like piano and strings in tandem with superbly produced electronic elements. I only have to listen to this track once to be reminded why I got into dance music in the first place.
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)
Steve Kaetzel: Steve Kaetzel - So Alone feat. Brianna Holan (Extended Mix) — This track was probably my favorite to work on this year. It was a lot of fun working with Brianna, and I finally got a chance to sing some backup harmonies!
e. Best Remix of the year
Steve Kaetzel: Rosa Lux - Ven Igen (Rune RK's Uendelige Historie Mix) — This track has so many good things going for it, I don’t even know where to start. All I can say is that my hat’s off to Mr. RK for a totally original remix and Rosa for those silky, sensual vocals.
f. Best Remix on personal production that you released this year
Steve Kaetzel: Steve Kaetzel - Floe (Chris Domingo Remix) — Chris did a great job with this one adding his own deep progressive flavor. I really like how he was able to incorporate the chords and melodies with warm synths and juicy percussion in a way that only Chris can.
g. Best Producer of the year in your style that you play or any other that you may like
Steve Kaetzel: Cosmic Gate — These guys continue to amaze me every time they come out with a new release. From “Barra” to “Fire Wire,” they’ve been able to do some incredible things for dance music, and I’m always to excited to see what they’ll come up with next.
h. Best New Talent/Big hope for the year
Steve Kaetzel: Audien — Turning just 19 this year, Audien has done some amazing things already with stunning releases on Enhanced, Armada, and Songbird. Watch out for him as he’s heading for the top in a big way.
i. Best Remixer of the year on personal or others peoples tracks
Steve Kaetzel: Arty — Time and time again, Arty consistently turns out the club smashers. I know I can always count on him for those bigger than life beats and basslines.
j. Best Established Label of the year
Steve Kaetzel: Black Hole Recordings
k. Best Newborn in 2010 label of the year: n/a
l. Best promotional tool of the year(ie labelworx/fatdrop/releasecenter orothers that you may use)
Steve Kaetzel: VIP Ultima — I’ve been getting a lot of promos from this service, and it’s definitely my favorite for previewing new tracks and offering feedback.
m. Best dance album and mixed compilation of the year in the style of music that you work with…
Steve Kaetzel: First State - Changing Lanes — With tracks like “Reverie” and “Cape Point,”
this album is Sander van Dien at his finest.
n. Best social network of the year that has been amazing for the promotion of your work
Steve Kaetzel: Facebook — Facebook has made it so easy to connect with fans, and I suspect it’s only going to get better with time. Not too long ago, it seemed like having a Myspace band page was a prerequisite for any serious musician, but the tides have definitely turned in favor of the cleaner interface and greater networking power that Facebook provides.
o. Best new software or hardware that you introduced in this year and you recommended it to others.
Steve Kaetzel: Logic Pro 9 — Although Logic 9 came out in 2009, I didn’t upgrade until 2010, and man, what an improvement they made. With the addition of flex time, Logic can now do all the time stretching things that Ableton can and then some.
p. Best and worst dj experience that happened to you in 2010: n/a
q. Best country that you performed this year:n/a
r. Best club or open air festival that you attended or you even performed this year n/a
s. Best hobby or other activity for 2010(game/movie/book/going to gym tokeep fit or any other hobby )
Steve Kaetzel: P90X baby!
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
Steve Kaetzel: Matt Darey - Nocturnal — I love Matt’s style as he plays the best in all genres and always keeps it fresh for each new episode.
u. Best online or ordinary record shop that you use to get your music of the year
Steve Kaetzel: Beatport — Year after year, Beatport has remained the standard for dance music download sites, and I don’t see this changing anytime soon. The tools they provide are bar none the best out there.
v. Best electronic dance music video of the year n/a
w. Best CD player or any other equipment that you use for djing
Steve Kaetzel: Albeton Live and the APC40 — Albeton allows the DJ to do so many more things than traditional CD players, truly creating a more live performance. From on-the-fly edits, mashups, and looping to total control over the plethora of effects Ableton offers, I couldn’t see myself doing it any other way. Plus the APC40’s integration with Ableton makes it easy to access all the tools available.
x. Best vocalist in a dance track of the year
Steve Kaetzel: Molly — I’ve loved everything she’s done from “Not Alone” with Gianluca Motta to her latest “Holding On,” and I can’t wait to hear what she has in store for us this year.
y. Best magazine or web site that you always check out for music related stuff (releases and technical equipment)
Steve Kaetzel: Sound On Sound — Sound On Sound has definitely been my favorite website for production related stuff this year. I know when I read one of their articles that it’s gonna be top notch advice on subjects that would interest any producer from beginner to veteran.
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)
Steve Kaetzel: Best crowd was definitely at this bumping halloween party I played here in Seattle with The Icarus Kid. The energy was off the charts as we traded off all through the night. I’ll never forget how much fun it was to have the whole place full of people decked out in crazy costumes, all going nuts to our tracks!
Steve Kaetzel: I’ve got a lot of new originals, remixes, and collaborations in the works which should be coming out very soon. Also, I’m gearing up for touring this summer, so be sure to stay tuned for details.
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? n/a
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.
Steve Kaetzel: Learn the fundamentals. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your music. Learn everything you can about music theory, audio production, mixing, etc., and you’ll give yourself the necessary skills to stand out in the oversaturated market that is EDM. As Quincy Jones put it, “Good luck usually follows the collision of opportunity and preparation.” You never know when opportunity is going to present itself, so spend the time now learning and making mistakes so that you can pounce on the big gigs with confidence.
Additional info about Steve Kaetzel
Official Website - http://www.stevekaetzel.com/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/stevekaetzel
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/stevekaetzel
SoundCloud - http://www.soundcloud.com/stevekaetzel
Emerald City Podcast - http://stevekaetzel.blogspot.com/
