Enhanced Music and Will Holland return with the sixth instalment of the critically acclaimed compilation series, ‘Digitally Enhanced’. From "The label that delivers tune, after tune" (Mixmag), the 2013 edition features more than 30 tracks from across the Enhanced family, including over 25 unreleased exclusives.
Celebrated as the label for unearthing the stars of tomorrow, whilst championing those of today, the album once again ranges from the deeper side of progressive house through to uplifting euphoria, as Will Holland seamlessly mixes together the melodic landscape of Enhanced, providing two CDs that will be a staple on sound systems this summer.
Mix One pairs the likes of label favourites Estiva, Juventa and Daniel Kandi with exciting new Enhanced signings Johan Vilborg, Nic Toms and Thomas Hayes, as the mix progresses from modern progressive trance through to big room cuts. Other massive exclusives come from Jaco, Jjoo, Karanda, LTN and Adam Szabo, and of course an appearance from Enhanced commanders Tritonal.
Mix Two opens with piano laden progressive from Matt Fax, Juventa and Speed Limits, building to main room trance from Ost & Meyer and 7 Skies. Aruna and Eco make their label debuts before a heady climax involving favourites Suncatcher, Falcon, Temple One and Daniel Kandi, all artists who typify the adored uplifting end of the Enhanced musical spectrum.
The release of that compilation seems the perfect occasion to request an interview with Will Holland and go behind the scenes of the making of this top compilation. Will is great person to interview and his answers make compelling reading and give a lot of much needed information. Press Play on Digitally Enhanced Vol.6 and read the answers.
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist / Radio / DJ
Dimitri: First of all I would like to say how happy I am to have this interview with you about your latest mix compilation Digitally Enhanced Vol.6, because it’s the first chance we have had to interview you. I believe it will be extremely helpful to go back in time and ask about why you decided to get into EDM, and particularly trance music. Was there an event or an evergreen classic trance track that was the driving force which encouraged you to get an interest in trance music?
Will: Firstly, thank you for taking the time to interview me – very happy to be here to do so! Well, around the time I finished school I started going to a big nightclub event called Passion, which was pretty close to where my parents lived. Each week I would see the likes of Armin, Tiesto, PVD and everyone else who was involved in the trance scene. Although I had bought some decks a few years before and had been into trance specifically for a couple of years, it was seeing those guys week in, week out that really cemented my love for this music.
Dimitri: Is it possible to list for us the Top 5 DJ’s or EDM producers that have been a significant influence on your style of your production and your DJ technique, and give us a short comment about each?
Will: Armin van Buuren – I used to download his very early radio shows then search for the music to import on vinyl; he seemed to play stuff nobody else did and the music really spoke to me. When he made his UK debut I was there and I just knew there was something special about him. I even remember talking to him and saying he would be No. 1 one day. He is as down to earth and friendly now as he was then. He’s been a massive supporter of Enhanced, and I owe him a lot for that.
Above & Beyond – At Enhanced we also owe them an awful lot for the support on their radio shows over the years – it’s been amazing, but more than that I loved their productions from the very beginning, and still do now.
Paul van Dyk – The UK was crazy for this guy when I first got into it, and still is now!
JFK / Scott Bond and other residents at Passion and Gatecrasher – OK I’m cheating here by grouping them, but they need to be mentioned. They were the residents at the clubs I used to go to the most as a teenager, and they truly influenced me to understand how to play a set, given the time of night and who was playing either side of you… Seems to be something that a lot of people no longer understand. I recently played an event where I was starting at about 11pm, and the guy before me was banging out 140bpm stuff! Scott Bond’s first two BBC Essential Mixes remain my favourite ever, and he was a huge influence on my early DJ’ing style.
Dimitri: When, why and under which circumstances did you decide to start the massive record label Enhanced? Did you expect it to be as successful, and can you pinpoint your most important releases on the label; tracks that attracted huge attention, and helped the label become synonymous with quality trance music?
Will: I was about 23, and producing and DJ’ing. I had just signed one track to a label (Monster Tunes), and had at the same time sent over some demos from friends of mine. A few got signed and then I continued to do a bit of A&R for them. We then discussed starting my own label with them, and that is where the Enhanced Recordings and Enhanced Progressive names came about. I was purely doing them as ‘serious hobby’, and just doing the A&R and promotion side of things – I was in my final year at University so couldn’t handle too much along with trying to make my own music and the DJ’ing I was already doing. I continued to do this whilst working for Gatecrasher and running their events when I graduated. In 2008 I bought the label from Monster because I felt it could achieve more and would be best if I had full control – and that is where ‘Enhanced Music’ started. I continued to spend every second of my spare time around running the events, DJ’ing and producing, and trying to build Enhanced into my vision. Three years ago, I took the plunge and went full time and it was the best thing I ever did. Now I’ve moved the operation to London where we have offices and a good team of staff on the label. It’s crazy really; when I started I never, ever thought this could happen, given the fall out from vinyl sales dropping off the cliff, and all the stores closing. I put it down to a lot of luck, and a lot of hard work. Whatever it was, I’m very thankful!
In terms of what releases did it for us, well I think it’s actually more down to the artists than particular releases. We’ve discovered some massive talent along the way – Arty, Estiva, Audien etc., and taken on and built huge names such as Tritonal, Daniel Kandi and many others. I think that has always been something that’s set us apart, is the ability to identify and build talent, whilst sticking to a particular sound and core principles. You’re only as good as your last record.
Dimitri: It’s about time to release the 6th volume of your ‘Digitally Enhanced’ compilation series which for many fans, works as a preview for the forthcoming tracks that will soon be released as singles with additional remixes. How long did it take you to complete, and was hard to find the tracks for it?
Will: It takes about 6 months in total. We speak to all our artists and tell them to get cracking on new exclusive music for the release. We then go back and forth perfecting them until they’re right, and then I have the task of trying to make the mixes work and flow, whilst representing the ‘Enhanced’ sound. It’s normally around 60 odd tracks, which are cut down to the final tracks across the two CD’s. It’s a long process but a good one!
Dimitri: Can you choose for us your highlights of this compilation, and tell us in which way you believe those tracks signal the identity of this compilation, and help it to differentiate from previous volumes?
Will: It’s hard for me to pick out individual tracks because as I said the mixes are put together to flow and give an overall impression and feeling of the Enhanced sound. If you wanted to pick out a few individual tracks to give you a snap shot of the comp then Juventa & Erica Curran’s ‘Move Into Light’, Vilborg & Szabo’s ‘Two To One’, Daniel Kandi’s remix of JayB and Estiva’s ‘Dinodrums’ would be a good start!
Dimitri: We notice that trance is not what it used to be in the past. Trance music incorporates elements of electro, tech and epic Swedish prog house sounds. Do you have a personal favourite sub style of trance, and do you see a particular sub style becoming more prominent and successful this year - if you consider the feedback you get and sales??
Will: I’d actually say this new wave of prog house contains trance elements, not the other way around – imo it’s not what prog house actually is or should be, but the genre seems to have become this new identity. Trance has always had many subgenres and people seem to gloss over that today, thinking that has only ever been the uplifting stuff. At Enhanced we have the various sub labels to cater to the spectrum of trance we like – from the deep progressive to the uplifting, and everything in between. Variety is good, it’s healthy and it’s what keeps trance exciting and alive - and long may that continue. We will continue to release music that excites and inspires others – we’ve always done that.
Dimitri: Did you mix this compilation digitally and if so, what software did you use? How many takes did you need to record the final mixes? Did you do any special edits or exclusive mash ups?
Will: Ableton. CD one was V16 and CD two V18! It’s a long process trying to get it right – I’m as picky about DJ mixes as I am about the music that makes it onto them!
Dimitri: We notice that there are no personal tracks in this compilation. Is this because you didn’t have time to produce one, or are you thinking you might release an artist album soon?
Will: Yeah my production is on hold at the moment. My focus is the label and our artists. I will definitely produce again, and I have plans to do so.
Dimitri: Are you going to support the release of this compilation with an album tour? If so, can you mention some of the forthcoming events?
Will: Yes, we’re doing a few events and the next couple are the huge ‘Enhanced’ events at Ministry Of Sound with Tritonal, Super8 & Tab, Estiva, Juventa and I, and in the same week it’s back to my old hometown of Leeds for my ‘Digital Society’ residency – but this time with a special event at Lotherton Hall. We’re pushing the branded Enhanced events more, and we have further events in Ibiza and Ireland this next month.
Dimitri: Enhanced Music represents not only your own labels, but also the labels of Lange, Tritonal, Daniel Kandi and the UK super trance club Digital Society. Would you like to give us a short comment about your collaboration with those artists and their labels? Is there more space for Enhanced Music to take on board other record labels?
Will: We’re happy with the labels we have at the moment – any more would, in my opinion, reduce our quality and spread things too thin. We wanted to add labels to help us release the music we like without confusing the identity of the existing labels. As well as this, we had artists who were sending us demos from friends so we started labels with them – much like what happened to me all those years ago. Our latest edition to the family is Colorize, which has been doing really well since its launch, and caters for real prog house and deep progressive trance.
Dimitri: You have your own radio show; ‘Enhanced Sessions’, which has had considerable success and has now been taken over by Tritonal. When was the first ever episode of your radio show, and can you recall your favourite episode and why? Also, can you tell us why Tritonal have taken over?
Will: I started Enhanced Sessions around the same time as the label, and it was to promote the music we were releasing. A couple of years ago it went from being a two hour, once a month show to one hour and weekly on DI.fm. It really did become a great tool for promoting the music and we have a great listener base as well as podcast subscribership. Tritonal recently joined me as directors at Enhanced, and I view them as the leading artists and label heads, so it made sense for them to take over the show and me focusing on running the label. I’m still involved in the music and content every week and do the odd show from time to time. My favourite show would have to be the 200th which aired last month; 24 hours and presented by Tritonal and myself, and featuring mixes from us alongside so many of our fantastic Enhanced artists – we trended on Twitter and it was so much fun to do!
Dimitri: Many thanks for the interview; please give us your message to the people who will read this and aspire to get a release on one of your fantastic record labels.
Will: And thanks for interviewing me! We’re always looking for new talent and so the door is always open to you. You should only ever want to release your best music, and aim for every record to better your last. Make sure your demo is as good as it can be – first impressions matter!
Would also just like to say thanks for the amazing support and feedback on Digitally Enhanced Volume Six so far, and if you haven’t yet checked it out, make sure you do – I promise you won’t be disappointed… Music Sounds better when it’s enhanced! ;)
Thanks to Lauren Worthington at Theory-X for supporting the organisation of this interview
Thanks to Paul at 1mix Radio for the proofing and publishing
The interview is published on 1mix radio web site click here to check it out
Tracklist for Digitally Enhanced Vol.6
Mix One
1. Johan Vilborg - Expressions (Original Mix)
2. Estiva & Johan Vilborg - Mondays (Original Mix)
3. Juventa feat. Erica Curran - Move Into Light (Original Mix)
4. Nic Toms - Velvet (Original Mix)
5. AWD - In Time (Original Mix)
6. Vitodito & Daga - What We Did (Original Mix)
7. Timur Shafiev - Take Everything (Original Mix)
8. Jan Martin feat. Hysteria! - There's You (LTN Remix)
9. Thomas Hayes - Release (Original Mix)
10. Alex Larichev - Smile Me (Original Mix)
11. Adam Szabo & Johan Vilborg - Two To One (Original Mix)
12. Jaco - Dam Square (Original Mix)
13. Jjoo - Bittersweet (Original Mix)
14. Karanda - Kingpin (Original Mix)
15. Estiva - Teddybeat (Original Mix)
16. Daniel Kandi & Jack Rowan - Arigatou (Original Mix)
17. Tritonal feat. Underdown - Bullet That Saved Me (Festival Mix)
18. Estiva - Dinodrums (Original Mix)
Mix Two
1. Matt Fax - Barr (Digitally Enhanced Intro Mix))
2. Juventa -- The Strip (Original Mix)
3. Speed Limits - Offshore (Original Mix)
4. Mehrad feat. Kelly Siew - Lonely (Sebastian Weikum Remix)
5. Ost & Meyer - Gandhi (Original Mix)
6. Aruna - Reason To Believe (Steve Kaetzel Original Mix)
7. 7 Skies - Vice (Original Mix)
8. Store N Forward - Schnitzel (Original Mix)
9. Eco & Carly Burns - Hurt (Extended Vocal Mix)
10. Cardinal feat. Arielle Maren - Stronger (Original Mix)
11. Max Braiman & Dan Stone - Submerge (Original Mix)
12. Temple One - Illusions (Original Mix)
13. Steve Brian pres. Agulo ft. David Berkeley - Blood And The Wine (Suncatcher Remix)
14. JayB - Pegasus (Daniel Kandi Remix)
15. Suncatcher & Falcon - Hashtable (Original Mix)
You can purchase Digitally Enhanced vol.6
Beatport click here
Itunes click here
Physical CD copies click here
Additional info: