Ever living to the rhythm of the beat, Aly & Fila find themselves in the eye of the storm. The Egyptian flag-bearers of the global trance scene spent the past decade building an impressive career as successful DJ's, producers and label-owners. Following their beloved debut album 'Rising Sun', is its long-awaited successor, 'Quiet Storm'. For Aly & Fila, there's no waiting for the storm to pass. They're right in the middle.
To Aly Amr Fathalah and Fadi Wassef Naguib, music is everything. Their distinct sound has become a standard for the uplifting trance scene. Though often imitated, the significant breaks and melodies of Aly & Fila have never been bettered. Anyone that has witnessed an Aly & Fila DJ set knows the reason they're currently No.19 in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag Top 100. Their 'Future Sound of Egypt' record label has become a breeding ground for rising talent and a home to their very own productions. Responsible for classics such as 'We Control The Sunrise', 'Lost Language', 'Eye of Horus' and 'Coming Home', they've played a leading role in keeping the trance scene alive and kicking. And now, after 3 years of challenging studio work, song-writing and finding that unique spark, Aly & Fila proudly present 'Quiet Storm'.
The release of Quiet Storm is the perfect occasion to conduct an interview with this very successful duo, and discuss with them about the making of this great album that for many is the trance/EDM album of 2013. I’m glad that despite heavy touring they found the time to reply to my questions. I’m sure that you will very much enjoy their answers, particularly their comments about each track from the album. Press play and while you enjoy ‘Quiet Storm’ read their answers. It will put that listening experience in a totally new perspective.
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist, radio & DJ
Dimitri: Hi guys, it is such a big pleasure to have an interview with you. It’s great to see your latest album Quiet Storm having great success and generate so much interest in the trance community. First question should be what this particular title means and if it signifies something specific for you.
Aly & Fila: Thanks for having us, actually the name of the album is one of the tracks on the album that’s one reason why we chose it and also because as you listen to the album it is like a storm brewing quietly then all of a sudden it the storm hits
Dimitri: Was finishing the album a difficult or easy ride because you’re touring the world really intensively, and we often wonder how you find time to produce new music?
Aly & Fila: It was three years in the making, so even though we toured all the time we were able to find time to work on the album, you have to make time
Dimitri: How long did it take you to produce the album and were there any obstacles that you faced during the production process which discouraged you for a while from carrying on and finishing it?
Aly & Fila: Three years it took, never a discouraging moment, we are always looking to learn and improve
Dimitri: The album is star packed with superb collaborations. How did you manage these collaborations? Did you send files back and forth through internet or did you actually meet in the studio?
Aly & Fila: We are very lucky we live in a age where computers etc are such a forefront of communication, we are able to send files instantly from anywhere in the world to other musicians
Dimitri: Do you have an amusing funny story you will always remember which happened during the production of the album, which when someone mentions it you will always think about?
Aly & Fila: Was never a funny moment as we were deep in work, but was always a relaxed happy vibe
Dimitri: It would be great if you could give us a small comment about each track on the album.
Aly & Fila:
1 Laily (Intro) (feat. Karim Youssef)
2 Running Out Of Time (feat. Chris Jones)
Chris Jones Vocals are mesmerizing
3 Mysteries Unfold (feat. Sue McLaren)
Feeling the Emotion
4 Speed Of Sound (feat. Tricia McTeague)
Really takes you on a nice journey
5 Fireisland (feat. Solarstone)
Loved making this track with the legendary Solarstone
6 End Of The Road (feat. Jaren)
We would love the road to continue
7 Daydreaming (vs Arctic Moon)
Exactly as it says, sit here and close your eyes and listen and daydream
8 Mother Nature (feat. Rafif)
This track is very deep track
9 First Sun
Takes you on an emotional trance feeling, our favourite track possibly on the album
10 Your Heart Is Mine (vs John O'Callaghan feat. Eli)
Loved doing this Collaboration with John O’Callaghan
11 Quiet Storm (feat. Sue McLaren)
The Album is like a Quiet Storm – is brewing early on, then the storm is unleashed
12 City Of Angels
If there was a city of Angels we are sure they would listen to Trance – Trance is a very Angelic sound
13 Brilliant People (with Giuseppe Ottaviani)
We made this track with Giuseppe Ottaviani – when we were deciding on a name we searched online for relations between Egypt and Italy and the first description we saw was about ‘Brilliant People’ so that’s how the name was found for the track
14 Without You (feat. Susana)
Was great to have Susana in the studio with us to record this track, she has a great voice
15 Tula
Very emotional track, works really well on the dance floor
16 Where To Now (Outro) (feat. Sue McLaren)
We really pleased to have this as the Outro for the album, and we have started using it as last track in our sets recently
Dimitri: Is it easy to pick from all these tracks your absolute favourite - the one that you can listen to on repeat?
Aly & Fila: We really love them all, but we think our favourite is ‘First Sun’ , it reminds us a lot also of our earlier release ‘Lost Language’ it takes you on an emotional journey of trance
Dimitri: Your album includes many different styles and certainly is not the one to listen just in a club environment. Was your goal to produce an album that can fit any situation like listening at home, in your car or while your jogging?
Aly & Fila: That is 100% correct, we wanted this album to show that we have matured as artists, and yes the album can be listened to anywhere
Dimitri: Commentators love to announce the death of trance, but as it seems the uplifting trance genre has come back strong. Do you believe there is a growing interest on 138-140 BPM style once again, and which track in that category is your favourite at the moment and why?
Aly & Fila: Trance will not die, all over the world there are so many Trance Family groups online, and it has really shown the togetherness of the trance community, and how trance brings people together, it’s amazing to see. Uplifting has had a great year; there are many that we love so its unfair to choose just one
Dimitri: Your label FSOE continues to grow with incredible releases. Are you happy with its development and have you signed any new exciting tracks that we should wait for their release with anticipation?
Aly & Fila: Thank you for the kind words. We are very happy with the progress the Label is making, we are releasing every 2 weeks now, so there are plenty of new tracks to come in 2013
Dimitri: A vital instrument in your success is your beloved radio show. Are you happy about how the show is going at the moment, and which particular episode you will remember forever and why?
Aly & Fila: We feel that in the last 12 months the Radio show has grown a lot, the interaction online during the show broadcast is really great, and also the Radio show is on more Radio Stations around the world
Dimitri: There is massive interest for the celebration of the 300 episodes of your radio show. Please tell us about the special event that you are organising to commemorate this achievement.
Aly & Fila: We will host 5 Events worldwide to celebrate 300 episodes of Future Sound of Egypt. We will host in Sharm El Sheik, in Mexico City, in Amsterdam, in Buenos Aires and finishing off in Prague
Dimitri: Egypt has a lot of issues at the moment with protests and people demanding more freedom in their lives. Are you influenced by that situation and do you feel that the people of Egypt will manage to get over these problems?
Aly & Fila: Egypt is a strong nation, but we don’t like to talk about political issues, we let our music do the talking
Dimitri: Which club/country or festival was the best so far for you in 2013, and is there anywhere that you are looking forward to play?
Aly & Fila: We are actually on route to Tomorrowland as we answer these questions – what a great event that is; ASOT 600 in Kuala Lumpur was very special. We are looking forward to FSOE 300 celebrations of course and the summer festivals in general, Ibiza also
Dimitri: You are deeply connected with Armada Music and its very able team. What is your opinion about the label and why do you love being in their family?
Aly & Fila: We have worked closely for years, our label Future Sound of Egypt became a sub label of Armada music at the start of 2010. The Label is a powerhouse in Dance Music, we are very proud to be a part of the Armada Family
Dimitri: Big thanks for your time
Aly & Fila: Thanks for having us
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| Aly & Fila - Quite Storm, the album is out now! |
Buy at itunes click here
Buy at Beatport click here
Buy at Armada Shop click here
Many thanks to Marije de Konink, International PR & Promotion and Carmen van der Werf at Armada Offices for their support to organize this interview
Many thanks to Tjerk Coers at Armada Music for his great support with excellent music to review and play.
Many thanks to Paul Aldridge at 1mix radio for proofing and publishing this interview.
The interview is published on 1mix radio web site click here
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