Name: Arrakeen
Location: Singapore
Intro questions:
Dimitri: Can you tell us how 2012 has been for the development of your career as a DJ and/or Producer?
Arrakeen: I’ve gotta say it’s been coming along pretty alright so far! As a producer, I’m beginning to receive the exposure resulting from the hard work I’ve been putting in to find and create my own signature sound… I had an early year remix project in February with Camouflage and was approached by several other labels for remix projects I had to unfortunately turn down due to time constraints and balancing Producing and work life… It wasn’t completely stagnant of course; so on the up side, I do have 2 truly great releases coming out early 2013 on the always awesome Camouflage, so I do hope my fans will lend their support and stay tuned! These are really gonna be something… I’m really excited for the upcoming year!
Dimitri: If you look back at 2012, are there any moments in your musical career that you wish you had done differently in order to get a better outcome?
Arrakeen: Well as a ‘dj & producer of passion’ juggling music and a day-job to make ends meet like the most of us, I do wish I could have had more time to spend on my music instead of work life. With the exposure hopefully to be gained by some of the upcoming releases that I managed to squeeze out through a busy schedule, I’m hoping soon my ultimate dream will realize itself and full-time DJ-ing and Producing can support my life and commitments!! Only hard work can make that happen so with that in mind, 2013, watch out, here I come!
Best of 2012 according to Arrakeen
1) Best Track:
Ah now this is a tough one! While I must admit I’ve been a slacking a little on keeping up with new tunes and might have missed a bunch, I must say one track that really caught my attention and inspired me to write a (soon-to-be-released) master-piece as well would be Welcome Home by Suncatcher. Now that’s truly the type of Trance that inspires and just makes one can’t help but tear... Emotional to the max which is, to me, what Trance should really be about. Igniting emotions and uplifting spirits. It’s complex and harmonic chord structure, along with that ultra fat and wide flute and String breakdown just takes one’s breath away… Coupled with Trance Arpeggios and Ultra-Wide SuperSaws?!? And Piano?! C’mon, how else is Trance defined??!? Truly amazing track!!! One of those tracks that you never tire of hearing again and again…
2) Best Artist (DJ & producer):
Another tough question but If I must pick one, well I’d have to say Alex M.O.R.P.H.. He was and still a legend, with his release of “Prime Mover” early this year showing off his versatility and knack towards ‘bending the genre’. I was really impressed by most of tracks on the release, not to mention the later uplifting “Reach Out For The Stars Mix” of Eternal Flame… I must say, for 2012, Alex M.O.R.P.H. took the cake for me.
3) Best Remix:
This one is simple… Another track I have on repeat… Jorn Van Deynhoven’s remix of Full Tilt - Letting Go… Simply amazing! He took an already beautiful uplifting vocal masterpiece and added a ton of euphoria to it, taking the track way over the top! A beautiful remix indeed! Fat bassline, Wide Saws and a catchy lead… 10/10 for me!
4) Best Remixer:
I’ve always been a huge fan of Shogun and every remix he does just absolutely nails it! Not to mention his own productions as well… His remix of Emma Hewit’s “Miss You Paradise” early this year was just breathtaking, along with “I Don't Believe in Miracles” by Dark Matters... He just has a way of taking vocal tracks to a really great place!
5) Best New Talent (DJ or producer):
Can I say me?! Haha! But in all seriousness, I think Andrew Rayel has this title in his pocket. Quality productions although not all are to my taste, they still are of great quality and substance. Great breakout artist!
6) Best EDM Album:
Alex M.O.R.P.H. – Prime Mover. All good stuff!
7) Best EDM Compilation:
Unfortunately, I don’t listen to many compilation albums… Rather hear live sets. But if I must pick one, I’d pick my very own Transcension032, mixed by yours truly in August this year and available on my website www.arrakeenmusic.com.
8) Best artwork/cover of an album or compilation:
Again, I think the album cover of Alex M.O.R.P.H.’s Prime Mover is just fantastic! Original instead of the usual flashy dance floor pictures or fancy graphics and lighting effects or landscapes… Prime Mover’s cover is just bithcin’… (oops… can I say that?)
9) Best lyrics on an EDM track:
Hate to be like a broken record, but I’d have to say the lyrics of Full Tilt featuring Katrina Noorbergen – Letting Go has some of the best lyrics of this year. Something we can all identify with and relate to. Very meaningful and deep. I absolutely love it!
10) Best Vocalist/Singer featured on an EDM track:
Emma Lock. Sexy, haunting, eargasmic … ‘nuff said…
11) Best EDM Label:
Camouflage, a sub-label of Subtraxx Recordings and all under the happy family Bonzai tree! For always supporting me and guiding me with my direction, sound and providing awesome motivation and great communication… Thanks Ville Lope & Dirkie Coetzee! Awesome people to know and work with and I hope to continue working with them to come out with great releases for us both! 2013 will be a great year for Camouflage! Keep your eyes on ‘em!
12) Best Music Video:
Not really into watching Music Videos unfortunately…
13) Best Online Social media network:
Facebook! Everyone’s on it and if you’re not, you’re missing out! SoundCloud comes in a close second… not entirely a social media network but has elements of social media but with the focus more on sounds. Definitely a great tool for the musician!
14) Best music composition software:
Ableton Live is my Sequencer of choice and trust me, I’ve tried them all!
15) Best Radio show:
Old and cliché, but I must say, Armin’s A State of Trance…
16) Best Online Record shop for purchasing music:
Beatport.com! You can’t go wrong! Haha! There you go, it rhymes too!
17) Best Website that you regularly visit:
Facebook and Soundcloud. Do those count?
18) Best smart phone/mobile phone App or device:
Samsung Galaxy S3!!! I’m an Apple fan no more… This baby does everything and BETTER!
Best mobile app for Android would be ES File Explorer. You can access your file system, FTP, DropBox and LAN all from one App! Very well designed too!
19) Best DJ equipment (software and/or hardware, Mixer, Deck etc):
Nothing new to report here, my trusty Pioneer DJM 600 has lasted me over 10 years and is still going strong….
20) Best piece of News this year relating to Electronic Dance Music:
Armin snagging back Top place in DJMag polls putting Trance back as the #1 Dance Genre!!! Phew!!!
21) Best piece of advice you received in relation to your career:
Pursue your dreams and passions... Don’t be discouraged by others, swayed by other life commitments, and don’t ever lose sight of the dream!!! Never say “Can’t”… To quote an ‘infamous’ Hollywood actor: “Can’t is the cancer of Happen.” Haha!
22) Any single event which inspired you to compose a track.
My latest single, soon to be released in Q1 2013 titled “Missing You” well, was inspired exactly as its name says! Wrote this track for a good friend who went out of town for her birthday. Well, this one was written for her and already it’s getting quite some attention even while it’s still in production (remixing) stage so do keep your eyes (well ears more like it) lookin’ and listening out for it!
23) Best tip that you learnt this year for your DJ’ing or music composition
It’s all in the mix! Mix well and mastering is nothing much more than plain ‘ol limiting to bring the levels up!
Outro question:
Dimitri: 2013 lies ahead of us. Would you like to tell us your future plans in relation to releases, tracks, albums, collaborations or DJ gigs?
Arrakeen: Well all I can say is stay tuned and please do lend you support... I can be found on Facebook among many other mediums like SoundCloud as well so do feel free to drop me a “hi” and like my artist page @ www.facebook.com/arrakeenmusic!
I have some big plans for 2013 so I do hope and in fact COUNT on your support and with it I promise I won’t disappoint!
More updates on my Facebook page! No Facebook? There’s always SoundCloud (www.soundcloud.com/arrakeen) or you can visit my WebSite at www.arrakeenmusic.com for updates and to download every single DJ Mix / Compilation / Live Set I have ever done in my life! Oh and not to forget… Follow me on twitter too! www.twitter.com/arrakeenmusic !
Arrakeen: Take care, thanks for reading and have a great 2013!!! P.L.U.R. to you all! Cheers!
Thanks very much to Arrakeen for finding the time to respond to this interview in a such lovely and detailed way
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/Dj/Music Journalist
Thanks very much to Ville Lope, label manager of Subtraxx for his support to organize interviews with his artists
Thanks very much to Paul at 1mix for proofing this interview
Additional info:
www.arrakeenmusic.com
www.facebook.com/arrakeenmusic
www.soundcloud.com/arrakeen
www.twitter.com/arrakeenmusic
www.subtraxx.com
http://facebook.com/subtraxx
http://www.twitter.com/subtraxx