Amsterdam Dance Event is the place to be if you are involved one way or another with the electronic dance music industry and culture. Five incredible days packed with fantastic conferences covering the most important topics, with well known speakers and five stunning nights with excellent events covering every single genre of EDM.
On Thursday 17th of October the event that was Sold out early and is a must to attend on many ADE delegates list, was the tenth year anniversary party for the best Global Dance Label; Armada Night. The label’s biggest stars were in attendance including Armin van Buuren & Cosmic Gate who performed in the main room, while in the second room DJ’s like Max Graham & Ruben de Ronde rocked it with their brilliant mind-blowing sets. We caught up with Max Graham and conducted the interview which follows regarding the Armada Night at ADE and much more.
On Thursday 17th of October the event that was Sold out early and is a must to attend on many ADE delegates list, was the tenth year anniversary party for the best Global Dance Label; Armada Night. The label’s biggest stars were in attendance including Armin van Buuren & Cosmic Gate who performed in the main room, while in the second room DJ’s like Max Graham & Ruben de Ronde rocked it with their brilliant mind-blowing sets. We caught up with Max Graham and conducted the interview which follows regarding the Armada Night at ADE and much more.
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist & Dj/Radio
Dimitri : What is your opinion about the Amsterdam Dance Event and its contribution to the growth of the EDM scene & industry?
Max Graham: Seems like a well run event, nice to see everyone in the city. I have not attended the seminars so I can’t comment beyond that.
Dimitri: Do you have any special memories or experience that happened during ADE this year or the previous editions of ADE that you would like to share with us?
Max Graham: Both years I’ve been and it’s really just great to be in the same place as all your peers. The Armada dinner with all the artists was really a good chance to catch up and exchange ideas.
Dimitri: Last year you performed at Armada Night in the main room and at this year’s Armada Night event during ADE you performed in the second more intimate floor. Would you like to tell us about the difference between the two performances and which you enjoyed most?
Max Graham: I don’t like to play favourites and make things compete against each other. Both gigs were a lot of fun and I enjoy playing both small and large rooms. The Intimate events are always great to catch up with fans and play a little more underground vs a main room where you play more big room tracks. I enjoyed both a lot though.
Dimitri: This year Armada Music celebrates its 10 years of success. Why do you believe this record label is so successful, and who had the idea to start Re*brand with Armada Music.
Max Graham: I started Rebrand in 2005 and brought it to Armada in 2008 so they could help it grow. Maykel is a hard worker, the team they have is all pushing to grow so it’s easy to see why they are successful.
Dimitri: During those years did other companies try to persuade you to move your label to them? If yes why did you choose to stay with Armada Music?
Max Graham: I did have some choice before I chose Armada but it made the most sense due to the connection with ASOT and the team there believing in what i do and the sound i want to release.
Dimitri: Your latest releases on Re*brand are two great EP’s including remixes from other artists. Would you like to give us a short comment about each remix?
Max Graham:
Diamonds (Wezz Devall Remix)
Wez really brought a funky cool sound to this one, we loved it.
Where You Are (John O'Callaghan Remix)
John is a legend and he contacted me as he loved the riff, he asked to make a version that suited him and I was honoured. The vibe is different on this and I love it.
Sun In The Winter (KhoMha Remix)
This one I’ve been playing for two years, KhoMha loved the vocal and agreed to do the mix just for us to play, it became so popular we just had to release it. He uses the vocal really well.
Still There's You (Juventa Private Mix)
Juventa helped with the original production and did his own version for himself to play, it was a great addition to the pack as a new way to showcase Jeza’s voice.
Dimitri: One of the latest releases that got great comments and reactions was your collaboration with Protoculture for the remix of the massive ‘Gabriel & Dresden feat. Neil Ormandy - Tomorrow Comes’ anthem. Can you tell us about the production process of this remix?
Max Graham: Protoculture and I work step by step, there’s actually a great breakdown of exactly what we did here - http://www.maxgraham.com/tomorrow-comes-the-breakdown-of-a-collab/
Dimitri: Re*brand supports many new talent from around the globe. Is it possible to give us a short comment about each one of them?
Max Graham:
Solid Stone: Love soft deep bass sound with emotional melodies.
Johan Malmgren: Hi tech bass, great chords and incredible detail in the production.
Steve Haines: Steve makes dance floor bombs, full of energy and driving sounds.
Dimitri: Your weekly Cycles Radio show has been a big success and many fans tune every week to listen the exclusive tracks that you select with much care for every episode. Can you reveal for us how long it takes you to select the tracks and produce the radio show?
Max Graham: It takes a full day on Monday of listening to all the new releases and promos. I edit each track to fit my style then mix the show tuesday mornings before it airs. I’ve even changed an episode due to an amazing track arriving in my inbox and uploaded it to DI.fm with only 10 minutes to spare before the show but this is rare. It’s usually done by Tuesday morning.
Dimitri: Which Cycles Radio episode is your favourite until now which you remember most?
Max Graham: I don’t think finest exists as everyone has different things they like but 067 is a personal favourite as it’s the first time I bought some techno to the show and people loved it. I’ve always loved and played techno live but kept it off the show as it was primarily a trance audience but they’ve grown with me and we’ve gained new fans so it’s even more diverse now.
Dimitri: Do you advise other DJs who may read this interview to start their own radio show soon and why?
Max Graham: It’s a great way to let people know what to expect at your shows as our style inevitably changes over time.
Dimitri: Is it possible to reveal to us the forthcoming releases on Re*Brand that we should wait to purchase with anticipation?
Max Graham: New music coming from Johan Malmgren, Solid Stone, Protoculture and myself. Cycles 5 will have some exclusives :)
Dimitri: Are there any release plans for the brand new Cycles vol.5 compilation? If yes do you still accept submissions for new tracks? What kind of tracks are you searching for in this new volume in particular?
Max Graham: Yes Jan 15th on Armada/Rebrand. I’m always accepting submissions for both Rebrand and the CD I have in the works at any given time. Genre is not important really. http://maxgraham.com/contact/ is the place to go.
Dimitri: Let’s finish off with the explosion of EDM music in the USA. Do you see it as a positive development for your personal career and for the whole EDM music scene in general?
Max Graham: Anytime more people are brought into the world of dance music it’s a positive effect for everyone in the industry so yes, as far as the whole scene I couldn’t say. I just do my thing :)
Many thanks to Max Graham for his time to reply on this interview and we hope to see him again at ADE 2014
Next dj gigs for Max Graham
11/07 - Budapest
11/15 - Toronto (Open to Close)
11/16 - Seattle
11/29 - NYC (Open to Close)
12/06 - Leeds (3 hr Set)
12/07 - Beldgrade
12/20 - Sofia
Many thanks to Sammy van Marrelo at Armada Music press office for her support to organise this interview
Many thanks to Tjerk Coers at Armada Music for his great support with awesome music for Flux Bpm Radio Shows
Many thanks to Paul at 1mix radio for publishing this interview as well click here
Additional info:
www.armadamusic.com
www.facebook.com/armadamusic
www.twitter.com/armada
www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl
NEW WEBSITE - http://maxgraham.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maxgraham
Facebook: https://facebook.com/djmaxgraham
Tour Dates: http://bit.ly/MaxGrahamOnTour
YouTube: http://youtube.com/maxgraham
iTunes: http://bit.ly/maxgrahamitunes
Instagram: http://instagram.com/maxgraham
Spotify: http://bit.ly/maxgrahamspotify
Tumblr: http://djmaxgraham.tumblr.com
Cycles Radio: https://cyclesradio.com
