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INTERVIEW: Interview with Sied Van Riel about his Rielism compilation





Interview with Sied van Riel about his latest mix compilation: Rielism out now on Black Hole recordings


Trance is not what it used to be. The genre of EDM most known for the fast bpm, the euphoric melodies and driving basslines has changed a lot and now incorporates many different sounds and influences like electro, house, techno and progressive. One of the finest examples of a dj that integrates in his dj sets that variety and diversity of what is widely termed as trance music is the the upcoming and drop dead gorgeous dutch superstar dj Sied van Riel. For example his latest mixed compilation Rielism that is out now on Black Hole recordings includes all the shapes and colors of trance without sticking on a certain style sounding more like a pleasant journey in his dream world that flows and grows in you. If you have the chance to listen and dance a long with this compilation is impossible not to feel at the end of it totally lifted and rejuvenated. Realism includes all the large current trance super hits plus some exclusives too that makes this a must have compilation that deserves to continue with more episodes in the future. What is more Sied will perform at the trance addict stage at Tomorrowland 2011 in Belgium and I suspect that this event is going to be one of his big highlights for this summer so this is the best time to request an interview from him. I’m glad that despite his busy schedule he manage to answer with the hope to allow us some space to enter his “Riel” world. Enjoy his ‘rielistic’ answers….


Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias “Flux Bpm On The Move” http://www.fluxbpmonthemove.blogspot.com


Dimitri: First of all we would like to know when was your first big break in djing and then in production. Do you still remember the gig and the track that put you in the map and people start discussing your name?


Sied: My first big break was touring with Tiesto for ISOS 5. I had just released my first track "fearless" and 3 months later I was warming up for Tijs during a 3 day tour in Turkey. Shocking and an unbelievable experience to say the least.Something I will never forget.



Dimitri: Can you list for us the 5 most important djs, producers or composers that have influenced your sound, your dj mixing techniques and maybe have offered you piece of advice or helping hand for your career?

Sied: There are a lot of guys who have given me advice or who I admire for their achievements, personality and determination. I try not to imitate others production wise or dj-ing wise… I'm trying to do my own thing which can be very different from time to time I hear.
The 5 people who have had a major impact on my career so far..
Tiesto, Armin, Sander van Doorn, Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz.
Each for their own reasons, but they have all given me good advice and I enjoy what they do a lot.

Dimitri: Do you have professional training as a composer or are you totally self taught? Do you believe that is important to have music production education in order to produce music or is it possible to learn it via other means like you tube video tutorials?

Sied: I never had any training what so ever. I do think it helps when you have some knowledge of playing instruments like a keyboard or some knowledge of the technical side, but most producers I know have no experience what so ever. With the right mind set and determination you can go very far… as long as you know how to get there.

 
Dimitri: Is it possible to describe your current studio set? What is your favorite music composition software and hardware that you recommend to other producers as well?

Sied: I've always used Cubase SX 5 un till last year. Sander van Doorn told me to check out logic 9. So eventually I switched to that but I still use SX5 often next to it. I was looking for a better sound, a new thing and I think Logic gave me that.
I love the Native Instruments Massive and Razor. They produce some sick sounds.
It's not a secret that I've always been a big Access Virus fan. I have raped the TI and TI2 over the past few years. Besides this I use Spectrasonics stuff a lot and some smaller plugins.

 
Dimitri: It would be great to explain the way that you produce a track. Do you start always from the start of it or you work first in the break and then with the rest of the parts?

Sied: Most of the time I begin with percussion,baselines and grooves. From there I'll get inspired and often change it completely once I get the "ok let's do this " feeling. Then I'll go where my brains takes me basically. I can produce really fast.. or really slow. I need to get that "snap " moment. If I don't get that I know I'm not there yet and what I'm working neither.

Dimitri: You did some fantastic instrumental and vocal tracks as well. Which are the criteria to choose the vocalist that you will work with? Please choose your favorite vocalist that you worked so far and if you have a wishlist with vocalists that you would love to work with them in the near future?

Sied: Thanks.. !
So far I've always produced the track first and then started looking for vocals.
I already know what I want when I start working on a track that would need a top line. I enjoyed remixing Jennifer Rene twice. I also enjoyed remixing Emma Hewitt & Cosmic Gate .. or Offer Nissim and Maya. It's hard to choose a fav so I won't do it. But it's not a secret that I would love to work with Emma Hewitt. We've been talking about it for a long time now ! Nicole McKenna did a great job on Stealing Time and I've just finished a track with Betsie Larkin for her album and 1 with Jaren which is going to be my new single on Spinnin' Records.

 
Dimitri: Many music journalists every now and then declare the death of trance music because of the domination of the epic prog house sound. What is your opinion about that and do you think that trance as a style is alive and kicking and will offer more exciting music in the future?

 
Sied: Trance is alive and more then ever before if you ask me. That it's not all over the commercial charts is something else. But you can hear that more and more non trance related acts use melodies, harmonies, longer and or epic breakdowns etc in their tracks.I think it's a good thing. I do not limit myself to 1 genre. Not as a dj not as a producer. The future is looking bright. I enjoy it when I'm able to play a wide variety of styles in my sets or produce what I feel like and not having to come up wit an alias to release it under. There's to much good music out there these days. + People evolve but so does music… Trance / EDM is so much more nowadays. Whether it's house, trance, progtrance, vocals, tech etc. I love it all.

Dimitri: You work with Black Hole recordings for a brilliant mixed compilation project called Rielism. Who had the idea to organize this project and now that the compilation is out do you feel 100% satisfied with it?

Sied: I was in Miami last year with my manager Dimitri and the guys from Black Hole Recordings.
It was there where we first spoke about a possible mix compilation. Since then I started thinking about what I wanted to do. We discussed it for a while and then in November we agreed to set something up. At this point I also knew I wanted to do something new. Rielism was born. I've tried to make it a different cd using new names, different names and music styles all combined together. A bit different then what people would expect when I play live. A cd is not like a club event or a festival. A cd is listened to at home or in the car or at a pre party somewhere. I want Rielism to be enjoyed by people at any time of the day or in whatever mood they are. Plus I wanted it to show people that I stand for more then trance. As I've said before.. there is so much great music out there. I am 100% satisfied with it for sure. I'm really excited about this one.. the reactions so far have been awesome. I got a message from Armin yesterday congratulating me and he told me the tracklist looked amazing. Great to hear that from him !

 
Dimitri: Did you mixed it as a live event or is it mixed with the aid of computer technology and software?

Sied: I've mixed it with ableton over the course of a week or something. This way I was able to really get both cd's to the point where I wanted them to be. Mixing it live would have maybe restricted me from using certain tracks or mixing them in at certain moments because the key they where produced in didn't match the previous track. Now I was able to use any track at any given time and edit it all to perfection in my mind.

Dimitri: What is your opinion about the laptop djs and do you feel that mixing with a laptop deducts any pleasure from the art of dj mixing in contrast with vinyl or CDJ mixing?

Sied: Every dj has their own style or preference. I do not use a laptop live but that's my thing. I prefer to bpm match and play around with the cd players and mixer when I'm in a dj booth.

Dimitri: Rielism includes tracks ranging from 127 BPM to 136 BPM. I wonder if you have a favorite trance subgenre that you like most to play and if you believe that way of building a set from slower to faster tunes is the best possible and why?

Sied: Well it's like I said before I enjoy so many styles or sub genres. Rielism was the perfect way for me to show that to the world.
I do not think building up is always a good thing.. it depends on your settime, the crowds.. Are you warming up for a big dj or are you a headliner etc. But on a cd you can do whatever you want. I choose to build it up gradually instead of having just 1 bpm trough out 2 cds. It's a bit of story telling I suppose.

sied 2
Dimitri: It would be great to choose from each CD of Rielism your Top 5 tracks and give us a short comment about each of them?

Sied: I'll pick a few haha.
Allure ft Henrik B - Mariestad. the drive and sound of this track is huge.
BT ft Jes - The light in things tydi remix. Awesome remix great drive, vibe and vocal.
Thomas Decolita & Spark 7 - ID 22 … the melody in this track gives my shivers in the breakdown.
Espen Lorentzen ft Simon Latham - The light inside … great progressive track and very well produced.
Lange - harmony will kick you in the ass … what a track ! energetic and awesome
M.E.M. - Ilumination … great sound and works really well on floors as well
Allure - I am … Allure is Tiesto and this track is sick. The bass and drive ..
Daniel Kandi & Phillip Alpha - Don't fix it… amazing breakdown great sound…
Julius Beat & Eddy Karmona - real life (khomha remix) crazy baseline and epic lead sound .. works like a charm for me
Juventa - Dionysia (skytech remix) I'm a big fan of skytech and again they proved me why

Dimitri: Do you know already if Rielism is going to be an ongoing project with more episodes in the future or if its going to be just this release.

Sied: There will be more Rielisms in the future for sure


Dimitri: One of my favorite questions to all the djs is that one about self-reflection and self-criticism. Out of 10 with what score do you rate the various elements of your dj performances and why?

Sied: a) your mixing skills: 7,5 always room to learn more and improve I think. Each track is made different and has different elements so you always have to be alert.
b) your ability to choose the right track for the right occasion: people say that's my specialty.. no idea.. 7.5
c) your friendly attitude towards the fans that are coming to shake your hand when you perform and after that? A 9 for sure.. I'm always up for that. I think it's important to make time free to do that even tho I prefer to do it after my set and not during. When I play I want to stay focused.
 


Dimitri: You had the chance to perform to some of the largest clubs and events in many countries all over the world. Is possible to recall your best and worst experience as a dj? In which country you met your best crowd and in which people don't feel the music at all?

 Sied: It's always so hard when they make me choose haha.
I love Buenos Aires, Montreal, Poland, Australia, Asia.. UK, India, Czech,Cyprus. and so much more.
Each country has it's own vibe… You have to understand that before you play. Montreal parties on a level that's insane.
So does Buenos Aires…. People react different to music anywhere you go. In holland they will not scream or go all out but still have a great night and enjoy the music to the max. In other countries you can't even walk an audience without getting chased etc. I love the contrasts I experience.
I never really had a bad gig .. sure not every event is sold out or not every crowd goes all out like others may do, but I think when you understand that it's not always like that you will still have a great night. If you give the people what they come for you get satisfaction in return.
I see a bad gig as missing a flight and not being able to do it… never had that so far.. knock on wood.

 

Dimitri: You will perform on the Trance Addict stage at Tomorrowland 2011 in Belgium. What is your opinion about this particular event and what is your feelings about the line up of the Trance Addict stage?


Sied: I've played Tomorrowland once before.. it was a back 2 back with Leon Bolier on the Vandit Stage.
We where on very early in the afternoon but the minute we went on stage the place packed up and we both had an awesome time.
We flew in from the uk having no sleep but man did we get energy from the crowd !
I'm very excited to play there again and this time at the Tranceaddict stage. The line up looks amazing so I am very very positive we will have a great night in Boom !!!! Can't wait.
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Dimitri: Is it possible to reveal to us your future releases and tell us a short comment about them? Do you have any releases planned with Black Hole or are you going to work only with Spinnin at the present.


Sied: I've got a new vocal tune coming up on Spinnin' . Jaren took care of the vocals and I'm really excited about this one. It's a bit more up tempo like Stealing Time but a totally different track. Besides this one I just finished a collaboration with Betsie Larkin which will be released on her album via Black Hole Recordings in June. Progressive Trance with a lot of baselines and depth.

 

Dimitri: Do you use passionately the social networks like facebook, twitter and you tube? Do you see your presence as vital on them in order to become more known and get more bookings?


Sied: It's a good way to stay in touch with people who follow what I do or show what it is you're doing. I don't think communicating through twitter, Facebook and or youtube results in more gigs. I still believe you get those by releasing good music and do your best when you play.


Dimitri: Nowadays is very common every dj to have his own radio show that is syndicated in many web radio stations around the world. What is your opinion about dj radio shows and the contribution of web radio stations in the progress of the EDM scene? Of course tell us some things about your own radio show as well.

Sied: I started my radioshow Rielism 3 years ago. I didn't had a lot of gigs back then so this was the perfect way for me to show people where I stood for. A radioshow is different then a live set tho, but I love doing it. Rielism is a bi-weekly show of 1 hour with voice over commentary and I always try to mix in new or exclusive tracks with tracks that are already out there.

 

Dimitri: Finally, please tell us your message to the people who will read this and particularly your advice to all the young djs and producers that aspire to become well known and get into the music bizz.


Sied: Well if they have reached the end of this long interview I wanna thank them for their time haha.
It was great doing this !
For all new ones … do your own thing and do not copy others.
Knowledge is everything so if you have a hard time producing find out why and work on it !
Respect your fellow djs and producers and enjoy every single minute of what you're doing.
 
Many thanks to Sied for replying in this great interview and looking forward to see him rocking the Trance Addict stage at Tomorrowland 2011.        
 
Additional info:
www.tomorrowland.be or
 www.facebook.com/tomorrowland.be
Many thanks to Jeroen at Black Hole offices for organizing this interview and to Mark at Black Hole for his fantastic support too.

Additional info:
rielism

The full tracklisting of Sied Van Riel – Realism mixed compilation:

Disc 1
01. Re-Zone & Zmey - One Love, One Life, One Fate (Dean Newton Remix)
02. Zack Roth - Silver Of Blue
03. Vinson - Circular Progression
04. Chris Domingo & Derek James - Call Waiting
05. Danny Chen - Oceanside
06. BT featuring JES - The Light In Things (tyDi Remix)
07. Julius Beat & Eddy Karmona - Real Life (KhoMha Remix)
08. Simmons & Blanc - Sweet Sour
09. Allure featuring Henrik B - Mariestad
10. Save The Robot - Red City
11. Sied van Riel & Claudia Cazacu - Lights Off
12. Setrise & Matthew Nagle - Nailed It
13. Lange presents LNG - Harmony Will Kick You In The Ass (Lange Mix)
14. Akira Kayosa & Michael Dow present Alderney - Unbreakable
Disc 2
01. Espen Lorentzen featuring Simon Latham - The Light Inside (Dub Mix)
02. Sied van Riel - Telephone Junkies.
03. Ruby & Tony - Randers
04. Spark7 & Thomas DeColita - ID 22
05. Simmons & Blanc featuring Chloe Langley - State Of Emergency
06. Allure - I Am
07. Ronski Speed pres. Sun Decade featuring Emma Lock - U Got Me (Club Mix)
08. Daniel Kandi & Philip Alpha - Don’t Fix It
09. Arty featuring Tania Zygar - The Wall
10. Juventa - Dionysia (Skytech Remix)
11. Richard Durand - Airwell
12. Jorge Nava & Tucandeo featuring Frieda Harnesk - Somewhere I Belong (Eric Shaw’s Big Room Dub)
13. Webster vs. Baker - Chainsaw (Fred Baker Mix)
14. MEM - Illumination
15. Sied van Riel featuring Nicole McKenna - Stealing Time
Sied van Riel’s “Rielism” is now available in all shops and on all known portals.