Tempo Giusto doesn’t need much introduction in the electronic music scene. Among releases on the industry’s biggest labels, Tempo Giusto’s unique sound has mostly been recognised and supported through his pioneering works released on his own label Echelon Records. Described a “true magician” and “the king of triplets” by some critics and artists, Tempo Giusto is without a doubt an innovator of his genre and one of the future driving forces in the club music scene.
Dodger. Gemini. Scalar. Tick Tock. The chart topping singles are numerous and 2013 will become even more exciting – Tempo Giusto is releasing his 2nd album “From The Core”. Featuring a horde of fresh unheard works and collaborations with some of today’s coolest producers, From The Core is bound to turn heads all around the world in radios and dance floors. Some may have already heard previews of the upcoming singles on Tempo Giusto’s live sets but those who have not are in for a surprise. From The Core sounds like nothing else before and cuts through the sound-alike mass like a 15 blade. The lure of the album is in its crude musicality and its vital force of creation which can be felt by everyone without distinctions.
With his trademark sound and his wildly energetic and captivating live shows Tempo Giusto has become a favourite of the public. Having performed in countries like The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden, Russia, Slovenia, Roumania and Finland, Tempo Giusto has entertained thousands of dance music lovers and will entertain many more in the future. Keep an eye for this comet as the album singles start hitting the playlists, one by one.
The release of his 2nd album From The Core on his own label Echelon records seems to be the perfect opportunity to request an interview from him. I’m so glad he found the time to reply on it with so much detail in it! I’m sure that many of your questions about hit are answered within this interview.
Interview is 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 come 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?
Tempo Giusto: My father was a talented pianist and I remember when I used to sit next to the piano as a child when he played compositions like Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin. I have two brothers and a sister, and we all took lessons to learn to play some instrument. I personally took piano lessons from age 8 to 14. And yes, my family has always been very supportive throughout my musical career. In fact I work quite closely with both of my brothers as the other one is co-founder of my record label Echelon Records and the other one I mix and master music for.
Dimitri: Is it possible to pick up the Top 5 artists/djs that have inspired and influence your music productions and dj style as well?
Tempo Giusto: Have to name six here - Ferry Corsten, Marcus Schossow, Sander Van Doorn, Ummet Ozcan, Ima'gin and Jace Headland. Ferry Corsten has many tracks with dramatic and epic themes, and the tracks still have a solid drive to them. One of my personal favourites: "Once". Marcus Schossow has a unique style and can deliver both beautiful and dark, clubby tunes with big themes. One of my recent favourites: "Hurry Up". Sander Van Doorn used to be an innovator of the tech trance scene, I still play some of his older tracks like "Roundabout". Ummet Ozcan has deliver massive tracks recently and his works "Reboot" and "The Box" are among the best I've heard in the past few years. Ima'gin is my oldest brother and my partner on Echelon Records, and we have done many tracks together like "Gemini". I run all my material through him - he gives great advice and suggestions that are priceless, and has certainly affected many of my works. And Jace Headland who is a long-time friend. He has given me helpful tips on DJing and how I might be able to squeeze that tiny bit more of a track.
Dimitri: Can you pick up for us the Top 3 all time classic tracks that had a huge emotional impact on you and influence your decision to get in the world of djing and producing?
Tempo Giusto: Really hard to pick just three but the following have certainly affected me greatly:
1) Sunny Lax - Reborn (Nitrous Oxide Remix)
2) Simon Patterson - Bulldozer (Original Mix)
3) Pulser - Sunseeker (Instrumental Mix)
Dimitri: Have you attended any music school or workshop to learn how to produce EDM or you are 100% self-taught?
Tempo Giusto: I started producing as a hobby in the age of 11 and got more serious about it in the age of 20. My families recommend me to go to a music school so I moved to London and studied audio production and recording arts, and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor's Degree. I wouldn't say it particularly helped me with producing EDM but gave me more knowledge on mixing and mastering.
Dimitri: When was your first major release and for which label? How did you felt when you notice your name on the credits?
Tempo Giusto: "Agent Orange" which I released through my own label Echelon Records. I felt absolutely great after it got spinned by many top DJs as I had sent it to like a million labels and they all turned it down. It also charted well in stores and was selected to "Must Hear Trance Tracks" list in Beatport.
Dimitri: You mention on your bio that several of your tracks got the support of big djs like Tiesto, Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond and many more. Do you think that is very important for the success of your career and the success of a particular single to have the support of those djs and why?
Tempo Giusto: It is always important to have support from the top names as they have large following and people value their opinions so it is simply good for publicity and promotion. It is not vital for a track to stand out and chart in stores but it does of course help.
Dimitri: You had the chance to release your tracks on the most major trance record labels. How did you manage to attract their attention or did they ask you to release your track with them?
Tempo Giusto: I suppose by just doing my own thing and working hard as that is how an artist can stand out. Some have asked remixes for their artists and some original mixes, and I've of course sent tracks to them for listening.
Dimitri: In late 2010 you release your album Premiering In Theaters and in September 2013 you are about to release your second album called From The Core. Can you mention the main similarities and differences between these two albums?
Tempo Giusto: They have 14 tracks and I aimed to have a "plot" for both. Neither album has one certain genre but are rather a mixture of everything I love - melodic, progressive and tech trance, and driving big room techno. Naturally the tracks are different and my sound has probably changed from 2010, but I suppose the main differences are that From The Core is more "packed" and straight forwarded. It is also slower in tempo but I think it sounds just as driving and energetic as Premiering In Theaters. I think I've also evolved as a producer and musician so I think From The Core sounds more polished and smooth, while also sounding really punchy and big.
Dimitri: Is it possible to tell us if there is a certain motto that runs through the whole album and connects the various tracks? Maybe a common theme or an idea that glues them together like pieces of puzzle that at the end give you the whole picture?
Tempo Giusto: The name describes the theme of the album quite perfectly. Many people complain about great producers moving from trance to house and more commercial genres. From The Core has none of that; it is simply in the core of trance and its subgenres.
Dimitri: How long it took you to produce it and did you work on it in full time basis with 9-5 schedule or did you produce tracks whenever you had an inspiration to do it?
Tempo Giusto: It took me about six months to fully wrap it up, I made many of the tracks in the Summer and Autumn 2012. I didn't work full time on it, just whenever I got an inspiration and the right feeling.
Dimitri: Is it possible to explain the process of producing any Tempo Giusto track? Which elements are coming first and what next and which sounds are the typical “Tempo Giusto”?
Tempo Giusto: I usually think what kind of a feeling I want to go for and then begin with the drums. Then the bassline, main themes and arrangement, and then just thousands of little edits. The feeling determines what the outcome usually is - more melodic or techy material. I guess my typical sounds are driving hihats, quite dry and strong snares and/or claps, big bass lines and plenty of space and reverb. I've also heard from my listeners that I have lots of little details and variations in my tracks that most others don't do.
Dimitri: Which track from the album was completed really quickly and easily and which track took you longer to finish it and why?
Tempo Giusto: To be honest I don't fully remember but I think the fastest was in a week or so. I think for example Demigod was done in some two weeks, give or take a few days. The longest was probably Crunk as it is a collaboration with Mike Koglin and we don't live in the same country.
Dimitri: Can you take us on small virtual tour and tell us the equipment (software/hardware) that you use to produce the album? Can you tell us if is the same you used for the production of the previous album as well?
Tempo Giusto: I use both a pair of Genelec 8040A speakers and Sennheiser HD850 headphones. I use a bunch of virtual instruments like Sylenth, Predator, Massive and Kontakt for melodies, and Ableton Live overall. For mastering I usually use Logic Pro and some of its built-in effect plugins like Multipressor. There are other plugins I use as well especially for mastering but it all depends on the track. I probably used some same plugins as with my first album but have gotten loads of new sound banks since then.
Dimitri: Is From The Core strictly trance album for the clubs or the listeners will discover your talent in various music styles? In your opinion is there still any real substance on the divide between trance, house, electro or techno or everything is mixed up together eclectically?
Tempo Giusto: I've mixed various styles together so although I would classify the package a trance album, there are a few tracks that are right on the boundary of it. I've always liked to experiment and go for new things so From The Core has both melodic and clubby works, and I've tried to mix them up so that the album stays interesting continuously. Yes, the styles still differ although they're quite mixed up. For example to me some progressive house sounds like tech trance.
Dimitri: It would be great to give your short comment about each track of the album
1. Tempo Giusto feat. Justin Cameo - Embrace The Life (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: This is the only proper vocal track in the album - I first came up with the melody which already alone works quite great. Then tried the vocals and thought they bring a bit more to the track. Eventually this turned out quite a touching track with a message about moving on from the past, which I'm sure many of us can relate to.
2. Tempo Giusto - Daliesque (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: I wanted to go for a deeper, progressive track, but with a strong lead section. I think Daliesque became quite artistic and dreamy but still maintains nice energy throughout the entire track.
3. Tempo Giusto - Cabo Rico (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: Really summery and brings back good memories. That's what I wanted Cabo Rico to be - a journey back to those summery feelings you had while dancing with friends, watching a sunset and so on.
4. Tempo Giusto & Mike Koglin - Crunk (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: We went for a clubby track with a more minimalistic feeling. It has a proper breakdown with big trance sound but we kept the ending more techy to have a good, undergroundish club drive.
5. Tempo Giusto - Gritted (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: Went purely for more old school tech trance sound. Nice driving bass and plucky theme, that's what it was all about. Add Tempo's effect "modernize" and you get Gritted!
6. Tempo Giusto - Demigod (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: Pure club material with an epic theme. I wanted to keep this track really clubby continuously so had a really techy first and third part, and the second has a more complex lead theme with big pads and synths. Demigod is one of my personal favourites of the album and possibly one of my best tracks ever.
7. Tempo Giusto - Pensées des Morts (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: I wanted to have another track with a big, trancier lead theme to it so this is the result. It has quite an emotional break down and lots of energy. I had a track called "Paysage de Reve" in my first album so this is kind of a follow up to that.
8. Tempo Giusto & Jace Headland - Coral Bay (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: I had worked on this track before but never finished it. Then Jace came over one day, we had a listen to it and decided to work on it together. We actually had three big themes for it and hard time to choose what we go with but in the end decided to stick with the warmest and most summery one.
9. Tempo Giusto - All Gone But Hope (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: I've always been a big fan of triplets and guitars, and it had been a while since I had heard a really good melodic trancer. So All Gone But Hope started from there and I think it's one of the most emotional tunes of the album.
10. Tempo Giusto - Bandit (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: This is possibly the oldest track in the album and has that certain kind of tech trance sound to it with quite a complex main lead theme. It also features kind of a funky bass line that is a bit similar to a track I had in my first album called "Jekku".
11. Tempo Giusto & Ima'gin - Europia (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: After working on "Gemini", we wanted to go for something more melodic with a proper drive. Europia is quite a cool tune with a big lead theme and supporting elements. The parts with the piano and bass change are one of the most emotional in the album.
12. Tempo Giusto - Blacksmith (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: Maybe the most experimental and "advanced" work in the album, Blacksmith is pure tech trance with experimental lead section. It features lots of small details and tricky changes, plus a shorter melodic breakdown. This track has worked perfectly in clubs so it's something you must play out loud to really understand what it's about.
13. Tempo Giusto - Ultraist (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: In a way the most modern sounding track of the album - it has a nice, deeper drive and a very cool lead theme towards the end plus my trademark, a plucky sound with a triplet theme. This track has lots of energy but sounds quite dreamy at the same time.
14. Tempo Giusto - Chemical Agent (Original Mix)
Tempo Giusto: A lot of people asked me to create something similar to "Dodger" so this was the result - wanted to go for even rawer and more aggressive sound, and make the break down more danceable. This is maybe the darkest track in the album but the beautiful breakdown brings nice contrast to it.
Dimitri: The album includes some co-productions with other producers and singer too. Can you explain us the process of recordings these collaborations? Did you actually meet or everything was finished by distance.
Tempo Giusto: I lived in London when we started working on "Crunk" with Mike Koglin and finished the track through online swaps. I did the other work in person with Ima'gin and Jace Headland as we live in the same city. And well, Justin Cameo is an alias I've used for rap and r'n'b music so that was the easiest collaboration, haha ;)
Dimitri: Are there tracks that didn’t manage at the end to include them on the album and why?
Tempo Giusto: There are some newer tracks that have a more experimental sound and as an artist you always think you might be able to improve something. But at some point you just have to stop and say "this is it" because otherwise it will turn out into a never-ending project.
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?
Tempo Giusto: Probably answered this one earlier but I always ask Ima'gin's opinion on things. I guess overall the people closest to me can affect my style and outcome a little.
Dimitri: Mark Sherry’s remix of Blacksmith is top 10 at Beatport trance chart. Did you had the feeling that can become such a big smash hit and why you choose Mark Sherry to do that particular remix?
Tempo Giusto: I never expect any tracks to do well in charts or receive huge support as then everything comes as a bonus and pleasant surprise. But yes, I think it had many "ingredients" to become a popular track. I was quite strict on what I wanted in the sense that I told him to keep the track really techy and more minimal, more underground. I chose Mark Sherry because I think we both enjoy each other's work and he is simply a professional: he agrees to remix a track on a certain schedule and no matter what he does I know the quality is good. It is certainly playable and delivered on time.
Dimitri: You are also owner of the very strong label Echelon records. When did you decide to set up the record label and do you feel happy about its success?
Tempo Giusto: We decided to set it up when no labels were interested in "Agent Orange" as we thought the track was great but just too different and experimental for others. And of course I am happy about the success. We have reached a certain reputation in the scene where many top names have told us that they always love to check our promos because they are different and stand out.
Dimitri: Do you receive many demos for the label? Do you have time to check them all out and send a personal message to the producer why you like or not the track?
Tempo Giusto: We receive some 50 tracks a week and we check them all out. We reply to everyone but no, we don't always say the exact reasons on why we did not like a track. It would simply take too much time and sometimes you would need to be really specific. In most cases the reason is that a) the quality is not up to the market's standards or b) the style or the themes do not strike us 100%.
Dimitri: What kind of tracks are you looking for to sign and can you pin point some of the forthcoming releases that we should have an eye on?
Tempo Giusto: We usually seek for clubbier, big room tracks, and our favourites are usually tech trance as that often hits the club crowd very well. Hence we have released quite many Grant Lewis tracks for example, he always has a great drive to his tunes. However, we also love tracks with proper themes to them and one of our exclusive artists, Genesis, delivers great melodic tunes. You can keep an eye for both of these guys - Grant is releasing "Knock It Off" with us soon and Genesis another great melodic trancer called "Nostromo". We will also release a really nice tech trancer by Detox called "Fleurs".
Dimitri: You performed in various clubs & festivals all around the globe in 2013 so far. Is it possible to give us your Top 3 of your performances this year and maybe the event that you are looking forward to perform in the near future?
Tempo Giusto: My gig in Turku in The Monkey in May was a superb one - people were just really excited during my whole set. Monday Bar Summer Cruise was great as it usually is, people are always very into the dance scene and simply enjoy good music. I also had a great time in Vaasa in Sky Club - it was a bit smaller but people danced the whole night and that is what it is all about!
Dimitri: One of my favourite questions to all the djs is that one about self-reflection and self-criticism. Out of 10 with what score do you rate the various elements of your dj performances and why?
a) Your mixing skills:
Tempo Giusto: Maybe 8 or 9, depends on what one considers mixing. I don't do many mistakes, keep the mixing quite tight and try to add interesting effects to keep the sets more alive. I don't alter the tracks too much as I think everything I play sounds great already.
b) Your ability to choose the right track for the right occasion:
Tempo Giusto: 8 or 9 as well. I usually have some sort of a track list prepared for my gigs and then change it when seeing how the crowd responds. I always know when I'm playing and if I'm warming up or playing as the main act, and that often determines what kinds of tracks I choose to begin with.
b)Your friendly attitude towards the fans that are coming to shake your hand when you perform and after that?
Tempo Giusto: 10. I appreciate all my fans very much as they come to my gigs and dance full on to my sets, buy my tracks, give me feedback on my productions and all that. I'm quite modest and like to chat with everyone so I always try to make time to speak with all who come to talk to me etc.
Dimitri: When & Why you decide to start your Global Sound Drift radio show and which episode you will remember forever and why?
Tempo Giusto: I just saw an opportunity to have a show on a well known radio station and thought it would be good promotion. It is a good way to get your name out there and keep things active. Possibly episode 016 as that is when my show became a 2-hour one and that episode got like 500 replies on the forum which is a LOT.
Dimitri: Are you active and passionate user of Facebook/twitter and other social networks? Do you spend a lot of time to interact with your fans and do you see this as vital or as a waste of your time?
Tempo Giusto: Sure, I use them daily and I am quite interactive, I always post on things I think are worth posting about. I don't spam so my updates are often somewhat "newsworthy", at least so I hope, haha. I think social media offers great ways to keep your followers up to date on things and pretty much everyone uses Facebook or Twitter so in a way I think they are essential these days.
Dimitri: Why you believe that quality trance music fans should buy your album From The Core?
Tempo Giusto: I think From The Core is a great mix of all kinds of trance, and stays true to the style. I think it is simultaneously really energetic and clubby but also quite emotional and beautiful. The whole album has received a lot of support in the industry; it has received numerous "Track of the Week" and "Must Hear Trance Track" nominations, so I think there is something for everyone.
Many thanks to Tempo Giusto for his time to reply on this interview
Many thanks to Paul Aldridge at 1mix radio for proofing and publishing
Additional info:
