If you are thinking about the EDM industry the first conference that should come in your mind straight away is the Amsterdam Dance Event. It takes place in the picturesque city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and for five days all the major players in the most vibrant and quickly expanding industry meet and greed, exchange contact details and ideas, and they map out the future moves and plans for the progress of EDM. For 17th consecutive year the platform for Electronic Dance Music became the center point of reference for EDM professionals including artists, record labels, managers, promoters, fans and supporters,academics who study the dynamics of this industry and journalists who cover EDM with features, reviews and interviews. EDM culture becomes the theme of documentaries, films, and tv news. EDM is all over the place and ADE is the perfect guide to find your way around and make a leaving out of your own passion or hobby. Of course ADE is not only about the economics who see music as product and doesn't focus solely on securing and signing lucrative deals. ADE in its 17th edition covered the whole way of life that has been developed as the direct consequence of the growing influence and impact of EDM in the society.
On Friday 19th of October one of the highlights of ADE was the massive Armada Night organised from the most famous dance label in the world that happens to be from the Netherlands as well, Armada Music. With dj sets from Armin van Buuren, Tenishia, W&W, Sied van Riel, Max Graham, Aly & Fila, John O'Callaghan, Ashley Wallbridge & Tom Fall.
At the backstage area of this must attend event I met the exceptional British born but resident for 25 years in Canada, the dj, producer, label owner and radio host Max Graham. With many classic progressive trance records in his back catalogue and with a very successful label Re*Brand and radio show Cycles Radio in his hands is definitely one of the most influential figures in the EDM scene at the moment. After conducting a written interview it was such a big pleasure to meet him in person and conduct the interview that you can watch right here, right now. Max Graham in the first question tell us his opinion about ADE and if this was his first time ever at ADE. We ask him about other Armada Nights and ASOT events he performed so far. He answers about the unique elements that make Canada where he resides at the moment so special and he expresses his gratitude of leaving in Canada. He reveals that he is good in designing a very nice track but not on building so he always needs a good sound engineer with him to produce his tracks with latest one Protoculture from South Africa. He give us some hints about his forthcoming solo artist album that will be out in Spring 2013 and he explains how he was introduced to all the artists he collaborates in the album. We ask him about his future plans and the prospects of his Re*Brand imprint.
Of course we discuss about his radio show Cycles Radio and how important vehicle is a radio show for any professional dj to develop his career and expand his fanbase. He tell us about the way he likes to perform behind the decks and how much he likes to focus on what he is doing when he is djing. We ask him about his relationship with the online social media and how much he use them in daily basis. Last but not least because of Sasha's achievement to reach n1 position at Beatport chart we ask his opinion about the contribution of Sasha in EDM and how much he is influenced from the legend that is Sasha. I rate this interview as one of my best so far so please watch it and let us know what you think. If you want a great informative insight in the EDM world check this interview out.
Interview is filmed & edited by Dimitri Kechagias Radio/Dj/Music Journalist
Many thanks to Marije de Konink at Armada Music Press Office for organising the great interviews
Many thanks to Charlotte at Armada Music who helped me out to conduct the interviews.
Many thanks to Charlotte at Armada Music who helped me out to conduct the interviews.
Many thanks to Tjerk Coers at Armada Music for his great support in my radio shows
Many thanks to ALDA events for organising such a spectacular event.
Many thanks to Remko Gorter for the ADE press accreditation
Special thanks to Jeroen Polak at Black Hole recordings for his substantial support to be present at ADE.
Special thanks to Jeroen Polak at Black Hole recordings for his substantial support to be present at ADE.
Many thanks to Paul at 1mix radio for proofing the text of this interview & Stelios at Viva 95,3 fm in Greece
