Ronski Speed is about to release his album Second World on Euphonic records and we are glad he accepted the challenge to answer some questions about his past, present and future. Enjoy his interview, but before check these interesting facts about DJ & producer Ronski Speed.
DJ-sets in over 80 countries on all 5 continents (Pacha, Love Parade, Nature One, Zouk, Mayday, Ministry Of Sound, Gatecrasher, Formula 1, ...)
Productions with Lucy Saunders, Emma Hewitt, JES, Aruna, Ana Criado, Susana, Above & Beyond, Renee Stahl & Justine Suissa (Oceanlab)...
Remixes for: Armin van Buuren, Bryan Adams, Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz & Andy Moor, Kyau & Albert, Mori Kante, Aly & Fila, Tritonal, ATB & Heather Nova...
With new full artist album “Second World” out in August 2013
Over 20 times "Tune Of The Week" on ASOT with Armin van Buuren & "Record Of The Week” at TATW with Above & Beyond, plays: countless....
Releases on: Euphonic, AnjunaBeats, Armada, Black Hole, Spinnin, Vandit...
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist, Radio, DJ
Dimitri: Firstly, it would be great to go back in time and let us know if you are from a family that has any connection with arts and particularly music? Was your family supportive in your decision to get into the competitive and ruthless world of the EDM industry?
Ronski Speed: Actually my father was DJ too, but not really into EDM and my Mum can sing in a choir. Yes they were supportive.
Dimitri: Is it possible to pick the Top 5 artists/DJ’s that have inspired and influence your music productions and DJ style?
Ronski Speed: It should be acts like Chicane, Paul Van Dyk, BT, Ferry Corsten and Paul Oakenfold.
Dimitri: Have you attended any music school or workshop to learn how to produce EDM, or you are 100% self-taught?
Ronski Speed: 100% self taught. I actually started together with Sonorous producing Music, so we learnt a bit from each other. Later on we split up and he is more into Rock Music now.
Dimitri: You are closely associated with Euphonic records and Kyau & Albert. Is it possible to tell us how you met up with them and how they decided to take you on board on their label? Was there one of your tracks that attracted their attention, and how did you feel when they asked you to sign your track on their label?
Ronski Speed: When Kyau & Albert started Euphonic in 1997 they were searching for producers. So then we go to know each other and started to produce Tracks. First I did only productions and compositions for other acts like Sonorous and Mirco De Govia, which were pretty successful. In 2003 I started to go my own way - it all happened slowly and naturally and it felt quiet good as there was positive feedback to the tunes. Basically, it was me that brought Euphonic to a Trancy way, as Kyau & Albert were more a kind of Pop Duo. The success of Trance Music showed the right direction for the label finally.
Ronski Speed: The main theme is good and quality music. I collected so many tracks for the album, then later on I tried to find a direction and a combination of old and new.
Dimitri: How long did it take you to produce the album and did you work on it full time with a 9-5 schedule, or did you produce tracks whenever you had an inspiration?
Ronski Speed: I actually worked on it from time to time. The tracks showed the progress of the last 4 years. In between I was travelling, remixing, producing etc. The inspiration comes from anywhere. I especially like to collaborate with talented people and singers.
Dimitri: Is it possible to explain the process of producing any track? Which elements come first and from where you get the ideas for those unforgettable and highly memorable melodies?
Ronski Speed: The first step for me is the idea; the main melody of harmonies, the Main vocals or something. If the idea is really good, I do the beats and lead melodies etc. I.M.O. it just makes sense to work on an idea if it is 100% good and worthwhile - creating a whole track.
Dimitri: Can you elaborate a bit more on the process of recording the tracks with the various singers? Do you usually first create the vocals, and then you decide the kind of music that can fit, or do you send them the backing track and they write lyrics and vocals for it?
Ronski Speed: I write the instrumentals and send them over. After receiving some demos from singers I will decide to take it or not, or I may change it. I may change lyrics, cut vocals, improve the hook line etc. It is pretty different from track to track.
Dimitri: The album includes some co-productions with other artists. How do you proceed with those collaborations - by sending files back and forth or by meeting each other in the same studio?
Ronski Speed: Sometimes meeting sometime sending files back and forth.
Dimitri: Which track from the album was completed really quickly and easily and which track took you longer to finish and why?
Ronski Speed: Quickly, damn not really any of them. Too often I’m very slow until I reach a good result. “Sanity” went pretty well. “Sanity dub” took ages, as well “Euphonia” and “Something Real”.
Dimitri: Can you take us on small virtual tour and tell us the equipment (software/hardware) you used to produce the album?
Ronski Speed: I actually banned a lot of hardware from my studio. I still have some stuff like Access Virus and the Korg Prophecy, but most of the stuff is Software right now. Synths like Sylenth1, FM8, V-Station, Nexus etc. I have also added some Plug-Ins like the WAVEs Bundle.
Dimitri: Do you consider ‘Second World’ as a strictly trance album or does it aim to showcase the various sides of your producing talent with a variety of music styles? In your opinion, is there still any real substance in the divide between trance, house, electro or techno?
Ronski Speed: It shows 100% progressive trance with some old-school and new-school elements like break beats.
Dimitri: It would be great to give a short comment about each track on the album
Ronski Speed:
01 Rise Again ft. Lucy Saunders
We composed the song and my favourite singer “Lucy Saunders” found the time to sing it. Can’t get any better. Yana Chernysheva wrote the piano part. Check out her videos.
02 Lasting Light (2013 Mix) ft. Emma Hewitt
Most talented singer in EDM scene at the moment - was a pleasure to work and perform together with Emma.
03 Pink Skye & Syntrobic ft. Renee Stahl
My L.A. connection - John and Renee are simply amazing guys and we did a classic trance song together.
04 Afterglow (Will Holland Edit) with Ana Criado
Ana is always a great inspiration when it comes to vocals. I have already worked with her over many years.
05 Not Easy with Tony Awake ft. Gracie Ho
Tony is a super talented new face from Belarus and Gracie has that amazing voice. It brings the summer in.
06 Substitute For Love ft. Aneym
Like on my first album, I needed to continue working with Anja. She’s got the voice.
07 Something Real with LTN ft. Renee Stahl
Original was sung and produced by Renne and Rich. They were so nice to let it be add to my album. Louis and I had so much fun working with these great vocals.
08 One With You with Syntrobic ft. Elizabeth Egan
Another LA connection. John is such a talented writer we had to make 2 tracks for our albums.
09 Sanity Dub
I did that lovely melody on a Sunday afternoon. Then it took me a long time to finish it but worth the time!
10 Don't Lose Your Way ft. K.I.R.A.
Katja is a lovely talented singer from Russia. Hope we will hear much more of her voice.
11 Glueck with Cressida
I love Matze and his leads. Was a great pleasure to combine it to some cool beats.
12 Run To The Sunlight ft. Stine Grove
Stine has such an amazing voice. It was such a pleasure to work on this track together.
13 Sanity ft. Melissa Loretta
The Vocal Version of Sanity dub has such nice vocals. Simply loving Melissa.
14 Proton 12 (Ronski Speed & Cressida Mix)
I reworked my track from 2003 which I composed for our project Sonorous. It blew away all expectations.
15 A Sign with Ana Criado
Had to add this emotional track with Ana.
16 Ambrosia with Mirco De Govia
My good old friend found some time to go to the studio with me and deliver some old-school De Govia - Charme.
17 Did You Disappear with Purple Stories ft. Sue McLaren
My polish friends and I loved the summery vibes of Sue’s voice. Perfect fit.
18 Fiero
A standard Trance song
19 Euphonia (Ronski Speed Mix) with Kyau & Albert
Finally, after so many years we found the time to work on a theme together. Finally my version of the track.
Dimitri: Are there tracks that you considered being part of the album but at the end you decide that they didn’t fit the overall sound and feel?
Ronski Speed: Sure, a few tracks went out.
Dimitri: Is there a special person in your life that has the chance to hear the tracks first and give you an honest opinion that you value very much?
Ronski Speed: My label mates.
Dimitri: ‘Rise Again’ is the current single. Which remix from the three do you prefer and why?
Ronski Speed: I love the energy of the Omnia remix. He took the melodies from the original and made it 100% dance floor compatible.
Dimitri: EDM style is currently taking USA by storm. Were you influenced with this album by that fact, and do you get more bookings for the USA as a result of the EDM growth in USA?
Ronski Speed: No.
Dimitri: You have performed in various clubs & festivals all over the globe in 2013 so far. Is it possible to give us your Top 3 your performances this year, and maybe an event that you are looking forward to perform at in the near future?
Ronski Speed: Oh that’s really so hard. I loved my ASOT Madrid performance. The energy of Avalon in Hollywood few weeks ago was amazing, and not to forget our very own euphonic nights in Dresden. We did one in January and the next one is planned for October.
Dimitri: Last question; there is a lot of campaigning at the moment from DJ’s to persuade fans to vote for them on the DJ Mag top 100 DJ’s pool. Why should people vote for you?
Ronski Speed: They should not vote me. I was 6 years in the DJ-Mag Top 100. I see no difference in being in the list or not. The list comes and 1 week later it is forgotten. Sorry people, don’t waste too much of your time on it. Like Gareth Emery wrote; it is so much nicer to see you at my gigs and having a good time and that counts more the 1 million votes.
Dimitri: Many thanks for finding the time to reply to this interview and good luck with your album.
Ronski Speed TOP 10 August 2013
01 Ronski Speed ft. Lucy Saunders - Rise Again [Euphonic]
02 Ronski Speed w.Syntrobic ft. R.Stahl - Pink Skye (Toby Hedges Remix [Anjuna]
03 Juventa - Move Into Light [Enhanced]]
04 Juventa - The Strip[Enhanced]
05 DNS Project - Terra / Confront EP [Armada]
06 Delirium - Chrysalis Heart (Stereojackers vs. Mark Loverush Remix)
07 Tilt vs Paul Van Dyk - Rendezvous [Zack Roth Remix] [Lost Language]
08 Dreamy - Amanda [Alter Ego]
09 Ilan Bluestone & Jerome Ismea - Under My Skin[AnjunaBeats]
10 Skytech - Clear Vision [Coldharbour]
Many thanks to Susann at Euphonic records for her support to help organise this interview.
Many thanks to Paul at 1mix Radio for proofing and publishing this interview
Please check this interview published on 1mix radio web site click here
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Euphonic Sessions with Ronski Speed is streamed every third Tuesday each month at 22:00hrs GMT on the Trance stream on 1Mix Radio.
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