Home Interviews INTERVIEW: Meet the upcoming trance duo Shato & Paul Rockseek
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INTERVIEW: Meet the upcoming trance duo Shato & Paul Rockseek


 
Half Slovak half Czech trance DJ & producer duo first meets during the cooperation on the Vltava EP. First common production comes in the „Orange Comrades“ EP with amazing vocals by American singer Freedom Bremner (who has also sung track „At Least We Tried“ for Moby’s album „18“) and live guitar by Norbi Kovacs. A remix on this EP was made by well known producers Cressida & Reminder.

The „Orange Comrades“ EP released on Tool Trance (Switzerland) reached amazing top position in the Beatport Trance TOP100 sellers chart and the EP “Best of Days” released almost at the same time brought them support in Ferry Corsten’s radio show Countdown and Sean Tyas Titanium Sessions as track of the week.

First big “starlike” moment comes with the support of EP “Crypoint” by world DJ #01 Armin van Buuren in his radioshow A State of Trance, Markus Schulz’s Global DJ Broadcast, Richard Durand’s radioshow In Search of Sunrise and Super8 & Tab’s radioshow Anjunabeats Worldwide. The Crypoint EP was released including smashing remix by German producer duo Stoneface & Terminal and quickly became the #01 of Beatport Trance Top100 sellers.

SHato & Paul Rockseek's mashup "We Won't Find" was airplayed in Arty's guestmix in Judge Jules radioshow on BBC Radio 1.

Next big success in the short history of SHato & Paul Rockseek is their brilliant track Wonderfooled that became a trance anthem for many well known djs and was adored from the global trance community. The first release included a smashing remix from the German brothers Duderstadt. Now the story continues with a fantastic remix package that is about to hit the Beatport download store and includes beautiful new interpretations from Maor Levi, Euphonic artist and A&R man for Tool Trance Cressida and the current top Dutch tech trance upcoming star Radion6. It was definitely the best moment to catch up with them and have a nice interview and ask hopefully questions that you, the fans of them, wanted to ask. If you are not yet fan of them be warned that when you will start following faithfully their music output you are going to become devoted followers very soon. Enjoy this great interview.

Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist, Radio/Club DJ.


Dimitri: Firstly let us know if you remember when was your first contact with electronic music and how did you meet each other and became dj team.

SHato: I remember my first contact with electronic music very well – I was 13 and a friend of mine brought a classic old cassette player to me. There was a tape inside so we played it - I will always remember the sound of Astral Projection’s Dancing Galaxy album which I immediately fell in love with. Then I found also other artists like ATB, Scooter and that was it. I have become addicted. The SHato & Paul Rockseek history is kinda unusual, because we met while playing Counter Strike online with our friends.

Paul: Yes it’s funny - we’ve been giving headshots all around and few games after that we were talking on Skype. I was talking about a guitar idea I wanted to work with and SHato said we can try a collab. Few weeks later instrumental „Orange Comrades“ was born. After this EP we decided to work together as we’re now. Honestly I don’t remember my first contact with electronic music, but since I was like 12-13 I really enjoyed listening to pop and disco, then I found some remixes on the internet and when I was 15 I found Paul van Dyk, who has influenced me a lot and finally brought me into trance and EDM.

Dimitri: If you look back early in your teenage age is there a favorite track that have influenced you both to get into djing and producing?

SHato: Long time ago but it’s ATB – Ecstasy, the vocals are amazing - it’s deep, emotional and I really have a strong relation to this track.

Paul: For me it’s definitely Paul van Dyk – Nothing But You which I’ve heard and I thought that this must be music from heaven. And because of the lyrics, I wasn’t able to find the title for another half a year.

Dimitri: You are currently represented as artists instead of  actual photos with  a comic avatar. Could you explain why you decided to do that?

Paul: SHato is a person of many talents. It’s nice, very realistic and when people see us live they can recognize us pretty well! I believe it’s a good thing for our promo and for the brand; it’s very unusual in opposite of cheesy posing with headphones and stuff.

SHato: I don’t think there is a specific reason why, it just happened. I’ve been always into drawing, so I had the idea of transforming us into this comic’s pic. It’s really catchy and funny at the same time; I’m glad people like it.

Dimitri: Let’s go back to the music -Are there any important djs or producers that you admired back then and had major influence in your dj techniques and your style of your productions and worked as a kind of role model for you?

SHato: I grew up mostly on ATB’s stuff, I just love his sound and ideas. But we’re definitely not trying to copy anything from anyone; we are being ourselves in mixing as in producing. ATB is for me the real role model as a person and as the guy who literally „introduced“me intro the trance sounds.

Paul: Exactly as SHato said, we are trying to be original. But of course there is always somebody, some role model who brings you the distant memories when you hear his music. For me it‘s Paul van Dyk. Since the first moment I‘ve heard Nothing But You, For an Angel, We Are Alive, I knew this is the kind of music I want to be part of and that he‘s somebody who is going to accompany me everywhere and everytime. He is a real artist with a big heart and unbelievable tunes.

Dimitri:  When and in which event or club was your big break as a dj? Do you remember how did you felt the first time that you had to perform in front of a large audience?

SHato: I have a confession to make – I was not a DJ until I met Paul last year . But my premiere was in a town called Zatec in Czech Republic, it was a small club full of nice and friendly people, with a great atmosphere and I have really enjoyed it. Funny was the people really came to see us even though they were not so much in trance, so I was pretty happy about it. And the feeling, pheww... amazing! Can’t wait to get to some really big festivals in the future!

Paul: My really big break was the appearance in Roxy club Prague in 2008. I wasn’t DJing even a year and I got this amazing opportunity – it was something absolutely different for me, performing for such a big crowd in the big club and it gave me really a lot of motivation. You just can’t describe the feeling; it’s inside you ... the fulfilling of the idea that you do right what you think you were born to do. I think everybody experiences it in a different way.

Dimitri: Is it possible to give us a description of your style as a dj and is this the same style that you try to convey in your productions as well?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: We basically do not like „pigeonholing“that this is progressive trance, which is electro, which is progressive house. It’s all music, you just need to hear and feel it to make a quick decision whether it’s good or not. We always try to mix the set so it seems the tracks were made to naturally fit into each. To create some kind of story beyond that we are telling to the crowd on the radio or from the stage. There is no exact description, just check out our sets and you’ll see. As well our production is based on originality, on the specific SHato & Paul Rockseek sound that can be recognized very well. But if you ask us about the recent „hot“sound, it’s definitely the superstar Arty rocking the world at the moment.

Dimitri: When was your first production and for which record label?

SHato & Paul Rockseek : As SHato & Paul Rockseek, it was Orange Comrades EP in 2010. It was our first single on Tool Records where we are now exclusively signed. And separately it was SHato’s tune „Pictures“on Electrgroove Records in 2007 and Paul’s collab with Voy-tech and Wire called „Hopefully“released 2008 on Zero Online Records.

Dimitri: You collaborated for many of your tracks with other talented artists. For example with Voytech for the Crypoint EP which hit up the Beatport chart to #1. I wonder if you can let us know how did you decide to work with him and what you remember most from your collaboration with him?

Paul: Well Voy-tech is a friend of mine for about 5 years and he is very talented (was the youngest performing DJ in Czech republic when he was 14), has a lot of interesting ideas and since we were all together in Olomouc partying for a weekend, we decided to make a tune in the free time. Mostly I remember a lot of alcohol and then a very funny video showing me styling my hair and looking into the mirror, Voy-tech carrying the camera and SHato working on the tune alone. And I was shouting from the bathroom that it’s “fucking amazing” so it seems like this is the real way our tunes are ususally created!

SHato: Voy-tech is a crazy guy and we’ve had a lot of fun that weekend so maybe that’s the reason why such a good ideas came in. These are the times you can never forget. And we were so happy about the Stoneface & Terminal remix, guys have made an amazing work and when the track Crypoint was going to the #01 on Beatport, we were literally blown away. You know these kind of things always give you such a lot of motivation and good feelings, because it’s all written in there – the time with friends, the amazing experiences, the fun. We just really do live for the music!

Dimitri: You worked as well with another artists like Norbi Kovacs (Guitar) and the famous American soulsinger Freedom Bremner for the single Orange Comrades. Is it possible to tell us how was that collaboration and if you can think the absolute highlight moment of that collaboration?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: At first we spoke to Norbi, he came with the guitar idea so we started working with it and a really nice instrumental tune came out. It seemed like there was something missing, so we got in touch with Freedom and he recorded the amazing vocals. After we signed it at Tool Records, Cressida & Reminder produced a smashing remix which made it to Beatport Trance #13 rank, so this was our first really big success. And absolute highlight... well every single tune we create has it’s story behind and this time we believe it were the online videoconferences with Freedom to the USA, talking about what we expect and stuff. This was kinda new for us and it was a pretty good experience.

Dimitri: The success story continued for you with your single Wonderfooled, released on the most happening record label at the moment Tool Records. You gained massive support for example by world #1 DJ Armin van Buuren in A State of Trance radio show. The Duderstadt remix  was  the Record of the Week in ABOVE & BEYOND's radioshow Trance Around The World. Markus Schulz was playing your single in a high rotation on his radio show Global DJ Broadcast. Can you let us know how from where did you get the inspiration for such fantastic musical ideas and the addictive melody on it?



SHato & Paul Rockseek: Hehe, right! Everyone’s getting Wonderfooled at the moment and we are so happy about it! The support has been really massive so far - all the big names, also big feedback from our fans and people listening to trance, what can we say? It’s great! We just want to keep the continuity of this success with our following releases. We have a lot of stuff finished and upcoming so there is really a lot to look forward to. The Duderstadt bros did a great job on the remix and we were very happy that they accepted the remix offer. SHato came with the whole vocal idea, we‘ve set up a meeting and produced the „wonderfool“ sound and the harmony. The biggest inspirations mostly appear very randomly, that’s the power of music – you never know what’s gonna come and how is it gonna sound. Plus maybe a little bit of alcohol?

Dimitri: You released all those successful singles and remixes. I wonder if you have a really favorite of them that you can pick up and let us know the reason why you choose this?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: It’s a simple decision. Despite that we have a connection with all of our tunes, it’s Wonderfooled. It’s definitelly our best idea with very improved sound, got a huge support and it’s our highest ranked original production on beatport, so it seems we have found the right direction to go. It’s also our first tune with a beautiful video clip edited by TranceOnJeroen (Thanx!).


Dimitri:  Very soon on Tool Trance the brand new remixes for Wonderfooled will be released. When this release is planned? 

SHato & Paul Rockseek: The release  is on 12.09.2011 - our „Wonderfooled – The Remixes“ EP will  includes smashing remixes by Maor Levi, Cressida and Radion6.

  SHato & Paul Rockseek - Wonderfooled Remix EP (Maor Levi Main Mix) by tooltrance
SHato & Paul Rockseek - Wonderfooled Remix EP (Radion 6 Remix) by tooltrance


Dimitri: Can you let us let us know what we can expect from SHato & Rockseek as next releases. Are there any new productions or remixes that we should look out for?
SHato & Paul Rockseek: Soon you can expect our remixes for a new Cressida & Steve Brian single, and a great remix of big hit „Streets of NY“ by Radion6.

There is also a new bootleg we are working on right now, one really big EP (which we unfortunately can’t talk about yet) and some more remixes for really big names in the business.

In about one month we should be shooting out very first official videoclip for the mentioned „secret“ EP. As you can see, we are pretty busy at the moment but it will be definitely worth it, so stay updated on our fanpage: www.facebook.com/shatoandpaulrockseek or
for more news. Keep your ears and eyes open for it!

Dimitri:  The international dance community and particularly the trance scene is shocked with the sad news of DJ Energy death during the Street Parade weekend. What are your feelings about this incident and his contribution in the club scene. Please also give us a short comment about your remix on his latest and last ever single that is including your remix currently offered as free download from the label Tool Trance?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: We couldn’t believe when we heard the terrible news about DJ Energy’s death. We have finished the remix for him about 2 weeks before... We didn’t know him personally, but it is a big loss when a legend like this passes away in this young age. He had definitely lots of fans loving his mixed compilations which we are familiar with. Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and all his fans. May he Rave In Peace...

We decided to change our sound a bit when remixing „Once In A Lifetime“ - to add more dark and rough bass and try to make a more tech sounding track. We really liked the break idea, so we decided to build the main part of the remix in this pumping melodic form.

Both – the remix and the original mix are provided free for download by Tool Records as the last dedication for DJ Energy at http://soundcloud.com/tooltrance ... so never forget, because something happens just "Once In A Lifetime".

Dimitri: Can we expect a mix compilation from SHato & Paul Rockseek in the future? If yes do you believe that mixed compilations are the best vehicle to become a dj well known all over the world and is there a secret behind the success of a mixed compilation? What is more important, the track selection or the style of mixing?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: We believe that it’s possible in the future, let’s wait how fast the things will go. But we don’t think it’s something that makes you go to another level – the original artist production is always the best way up. Both track selection and mixing style are very important in the sets / compilations - you wouldn’t enjoy “shit mixed” track list hearing ruined your favorite tunes and you also wouldn’t enjoy beautifully mixed selection of crappy tracks. For us it’s definitely 50/50, select the best of the best tunes and mix our ass off - sorry!

Dimitri: As many other djs and producers you have your own  radio show called “Wonderfool Sounds”. When and why you decided to start this radio show? Do you think is vital for every dj to have a regular dj show?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: The Wonderfool Sounds radio show has started about 5 months ago, its broadcasted worldwide and available to download on our website, YouTube and iTunes. There are so many reasons to make a radio show... it’s a great promo. A radio show / set define every DJ. People listening to your show get to know you, get to know your typical sound, your mixes, they can expect how are you gonna perform in the club and the way how you “tell the story”. We’re not sure it’s vital for everyone, cause then there wouldn’t be anything else on the internet, but of course it depends on every single DJ, whether he wants to work on it regularly despite it can be a disappointment.

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?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: a) you’re mixing skills: 12 b) Your ability to choose the right track for the right occasion: 15 c) Your friendly attitude towards the fans that are coming to shake your hand when you perform and after that? 17

No, seriously!  These questions are tricky, but it’s not our competence to answer them. We can only think about how was the performance, but the final decision does not lie on our judgment. We make music and perform with our hearts, it‘s the „job“ we were born to do and we are trying to do it the best way we can. The reward is the fan feedback – if fans like our new tunes, set or a gig, then we’re happy and it’s all good!

Dimitri: Your are an active user of the social networks like facebook, twitter and you tube. Do you feel that any EDM artist should embrace all these social networks and you do you feel that have any serious and vital influence in the progress of your career?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: The boom of social networks has been really huge. Nowadays you can’t imagine a successful artist without a facebook, twitter or a youtube profile – these networks have become essential to our lives. It’s the best possibility to communicate with fans, share your ideas, new music, videos and other stuff. This is the true power of internet – you publish a new demo and in few moments, people all around the globe are listening to it. This is something that really helps artists to grow faster and get a valuable feedback about what they do. Also it’s much easier to get in touch with other producers, talk about new ideas and sound. We’ll surely stay connected with our fans in the future.

Dimitri: Please tell us what other things you both enjoy doing except touring the globe and producing energetic smash hits for the clubs?

SHato: I like trains! (ASDF Movie)... Just kidding. I really enjoy hanging out with friends, programming, flash animation, drawing and also listening to music.... YEAH, I'm a real nerd !

Paul: I’m into sports, so I often go to gym, I love to ski, swim and stuff. I also really like to cook because then there’s nobody you can complain about the taste right? I really enjoy to sit with friends, have a beer or two, just relax. I also love our Skype conferences; it’s always a big fun. And of course listening to music 24/7/365.

Dimitri: As a last question I would like to ask if their a secret that you would like to confess to our readers?

SHato & Paul Rockseek: There is a secret we have never ever told – we want to be the first Czech/Slovak producers in DJ Mag Top 100. So now it’s not a secret! We’ll try our best and work hard to reach this, so hopefully one day the big dream will come true. We can’t tell much about our upcoming tune, BUT we can tell it’s a remake of one really old hit and we believe it’s going to be pretty big. Thanks for the interview!
 

I would like to say big  thank you to Jens at Tool records offices for helping me so much to organize this interview and have it ready for your eyes only!


SHato & Paul Rockseek radio Show Wonderfool Sounds on iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/sk/podcast/wonderfool-sounds/id427163068