Berlin-based, Dennis Sheperd is widely recognised as one of the rising stars of global trance music. The 28 year old DJ / producer, has seen his productions consistently supported by some of the biggest names in electronic music, including; Tiësto, Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Markus Schulz and Ferry Corsten to name a few. Trance star, Gareth Emery recently described Dennis Sheperd as “definitely a hot name to watch".
As a DJ, Dennis Sheperd is seriously in demand. His mixing skills and innate ability to connect with clubbers, has seen him tearing up dancefloors in over 20 countries so far. He’s spun his unique blend of progressive trance at clubs and festivals in such diverse locations as Germany, Ibiza, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, USA, Canada, UK, Finland, Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and many more.
Dennis has graced the decks alongside every big name in trance. His ‘future superstar‘ status has been confirmed by recent gigs such as, ASOT 550 in Den Bosch (Nertherlands), ASOT 600 in Sofia (Bulgaria – where he performed to over 6000 fans), Nature One mainstage in Kastellaun (Germany) and Mayday mainstage in Dortmund (Germany - where he performed to over 10,000 fans). Christmas 2013 will see him spread his trance message across Australia on a much anticipated tour, playing the country’s biggest clubs, including Home in Sydney.
2014 is set to be a huge year for Dennis Sheperd, as he launches his own record label, ‘A Tribute To Life‘, the name for which trance fans know and love him worldwide. He will release his highly anticipated second album on the label, alongside new single releases on other eminent labels, such as, Black Hole, How Trance Works (a collaboration with Ana Criado and Cold Blue; the official follow up to the global smash, ‘Fallen Angel‘) High Contrast Recordings (a collaboration with Rank 1) and Sola Recordings (a collaboration with Headstrong).
2014 will also see the launch of the first Dennis Sheperd radio show / podcast‚ also called, ‘A Tribute To Life‘. The show will include interactive features, exclusive new tracks and remixes and the best trance from around the world. It will broadcast on the first Monday of every month on the respected channel, Digitally Imported Trance.
We requested an interview with Dennis Sheperd to talk about his new record label, his new personal releases and of course his opinion about many interesting happening in the Electronic Dance Music World.
I'm glad he accepted the challenge and here you can read it, enjoy the lovely with the warm smile Dennis Sheperd.
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio Dj/Music Journalist
Dimitri: Firstly it would be great to let us know when you took the decision to get into djing and producing electronic dance music. Did both happened simultaneously or you start first the one and then the other came as necessity?
Dennis Sheperd: I started producing music in 2004. In 2006 I released my first productions. In 2007 I started my Dennis Sheperd project and I had a few quite successful releases until 2009, when the first booking request from Moscow came in. First I couldn’t imagine to be a DJ at all but I gave it a chance. After a great gig in Moscow, I definitely felt in love with DJ’ing too. It’s two completely different things but both are just amazing. But whether one or another of them is necessary. You can easily become a ghost producer and you can also become a DJ that gets his productions done, or only performs. I prefer doing both things on my own.
Dimitri: Did you had the chance to attend any music school or course on how to produce electronic dance music or are you 100% self taught?
Dennis Sheperd: I am 100% self taught. It took a lot of time (a few years producing every day for a few hours) but it was worth it!
Dimitri: Can you please choose the 5 most important djs/producers that you believe have influenced your style and you admire them dearly?
Dennis Sheperd: DJ’s: Markus Schulz, Tiesto
Producers: Kyau & Albert, Jerome Isma-Ae, Arty, Cosmic Gate, Rank 1
Dimitri: Which track was your first release, on which label and how did you manage to contact the label and release it?
Dennis Sheperd: My first Dennis Sheperd release was ‘Dennis Sheperd – Pressure’ in 2007. I got in contact with MPFS Records through my friend Cressida. He was working closely with them back then. My first ever release was a remix I did for ‘Align Left & Mque – Love Is all Around (Skye Shapard Remix)’. It was released on ZYX and the chance came through an online portal called Uptrax.
Dimitri: From that first release you came a long way with wide variety of releases under your belt on many top labels and of course beatport trance chart number 1’s. Do you believe that the number 1 position at the sales of beatport trance chart have helped your career and did record labels asked you to produce similar tracks in order to be equally successful?
Dennis Sheperd: I have been very fortunate that none of the labels I worked with asked me to produce a similar track than another successful of mine. I think that is very important in order to keep creativity high. Also I think a number 1 at Beatport only reflects a good record, but a good record is a good record, so success didn’t come BECAUSE of the number 1 at Beatport but because I produced a good record. Hope that makes sense.
Dimitri: Please from your releases so far choose your absolute Top 5 Dennis Sheperd tracks and give us a short comment about maybe the production or reaction you got from your fans.
Dennis Sheperd: Quite easy:
01. Dennis Sheperd – Edge Of The World (Almost every Dennis Sheperd fan requests this track at live gigs)
02. Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue feat. Ana Criado – Fallen Angel (Dennis Sheperd Club Mix) (big tune, in the breakdown the whole crowd has its arms in the air and sings along!)
03. Dennis Sheperd feat. Molly Bancroft – Silence (Unreleased Club Mix) (I simply love this track and enjoy to play it out a lot. Pity I never released that Unreleased Club Mix, it’s the best mix of that song I think!)
04. Dennis Sheperd & Talla 2XLC – Two Worlds (sometimes I am surprised on how good this record works on the dancefloor and on how many people know this track)
05. Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue – Freefalling (definitely a favorite amongst the hardcore Dennis Sheperd fans! Without a doubt one of the best written songs I have released so far)
Dimitri: You released your own album on High Contrast called Tribute To Life that is the name of your podcast and of course the name of your brand new record label as well. First of all tell us why you call it A Tribute To Life and why you decide to join Black Hole recordings labels as well?
Dennis Sheperd: A Tribute To Life has a deep meaning to me. To cut the story short, it means that I am happy about how I was able to live my life until now and that I want to give something back to life and the people in form of music. Black Hole does the distribution of my label, but basically my label is independent and not a sub-label. I have worked with Arny from Black Hole before an I think he is a reliable, professional and very experienced partner.
Dimitri: Is there a special motto that you have in your mind for your label and what kind of tracks are you searching to release on it?
Dennis Sheperd: The record labels stands for freedom of creativity. I will not only release similar stuff. It will be stuff that has a bit of more commercial approach but still underground enough. It’s a thin line that I will try to find. Basically all records that I sign have to be playable in my sets!
Dimitri: Do you accept demos from new, young and hopeful artists? What kind of advice you can give to any producers that would love to get a release on your label?
Dennis Sheperd: Yes, I accept demos from everyone. Music matters, not popularity! Advice: Work your ass off and your dreams may fulfil some day.
Dimitri: The first release on the label is the stunning vocal progressive anthem Bring You Home featuring Chloe Langley. Why did you choose to co-operate with Chloe and can you tell us the backstage story of the production of this track?
Dennis Sheperd: I chose Chloe as a singer for the first release as we have successfully worked together on ‘Not Too Late’ and ‘Freefalloing’ and because I am absolutely convinced about her vocal talent. The track has been composed together with Tobias Schuh (p.k.a. Cold Blue) who sometimes helps me a little bit with melodies. I then approached Anthony Galatis and Marks Frisch to let them write vocals for the track. They also wrote ‘Concrete Angel’ by Gareth Emery. They did a fantastic job and I instantly had Chloe as a vocalist in mind.
Dimitri: Can you let us know if you have ready the next releases on your label and if possible to give us a short comment about them?
Dennis Sheperd: Yes, the next lined up release on my label is my collab with Sylvia Tosun. We just did a video shoot in Connecticut last week. It was a great experience, also to get to know Sylvia and the team around her better. Great, hard working guys! I enjoy the working relationship with them a lot! The track itself is something unique and outstanding. It might become the biggest track of mine this year. More info soon!
Dimitri: I notice that you are interested very much for the social media and particularly on YouTube you are always uploading music videos for your tracks. Why do you believe music videos are so important and are you happy about the video of Bring You Home?
Dennis Sheperd: I am very happy about the music video of ‘Bring You Home’. I love to give my releases a bit more of a lifetime through music videos. Usually people forget about tracks quite soon. I try to work against that. I also want to show my love for music through music videos and people should get to know me better through the videos too. I love doing that!
Dimitri: What is more we notice that you upload regularly the diary of your gigs with latest one your epic set in Sofia? Why you believe that is important to be present as dj on YouTube with videos like this one?
Dennis Sheperd: Fans or potential listeners shall get to know me better and see my love for music. This is why I decided to do Gig Diaris and Music Videos. Quite simple!
Dimitri: Can you choose your two best gigs so far? Where are your forthcoming gigs and in which place you aspire to play in the near future?
Dennis Sheperd: I always differentiate between festival and club gigs. But it is really hard to choose, as I had quite a few outstanding gigs so far. So I will just mention a few more if that’s ok!
Club gigs: Sofia – 8 Hours Set (17.05.14), Tel Aviv (22.06.12), Portland (20.04.13), Melbourne (03.05.14)
Festival gigs: Mayday - Dortmund (30.04.11), ASOT 600 - Sofia (08.03.13)
I would love to play in Buenos Aires, Tokyo, New York & South Africa. At least South Africa will happen end of August in Johannesburg. I am very happy about that!
Dimitri: Summer music festivals like Tomorrowland & Nature One are become very successful and it seems that the big crowds from all over the world adore them. What is your opinion about summer festivals in general and the music is played on the mainstage?
Dennis Sheperd: It’s nice party music that is played on those mainstages. I could see myself enjoying it while being a guest on those festivals. When it comes to personal taste, I would rather not listen to this music at home, but tastes and opinions are different.
Dimitri: You are living in Berlin well known from the legendary Love Parade. Would you like Love Parade to start again or something else similar to Love Parade?
Dennis Sheperd: Street Parade still exists. It is similar to Love Parade but much smaller. I would love it if Love Parade came back back. But I doubt it due to the unfortunate accidents that happened in Duisburg during the last every Love Parade (by the way: I was there as a guest too and happily I arrived an hour earlier!).
Dimitri: Dj mag Top 100 voting is officially open. What is your opinion about that list and do you feel that it matters at the end of the day for the career of any dj?
Dennis Sheperd: It matters for sure. IF you are in it, you have a lot more opportunities to play around the world. That’S for sure. If it’s needed? Not really, but it can give you a boost. I particularly do not advertise for the voting this year as I do not see a chance of myself entering the Top 100 anyway. So why should I annoy my fans and followers?
Dimitri: You are producing regularly your fantastic podcast A Tribute To Life. Why you decided to start it in the first place and are you happy with its success? Do you recommend younger djs to start their own podcast as well?
Dennis Sheperd: The podcast gave me all the creative freedom I wanted for the radioshow. My ideas didn’t have to be approved by someone else. I was able to decide on my own. It is a lot of work, at least a whole working day per month, if not two. But it’S worth it. The feedback is good and people enjoy it. That’s all that matters!
Dimitri: Tell us about your aspirations, what kind of goals do you have in your mind and do you believe that you can achieve them?
Dennis Sheperd: I would love to reach more people with my music without having to change the music that I love to produce. That’s basically everything I want to achieve for the future. But that also includes a lot (f.e. bigger gigs, more sales, more likes, more popularity at all respectively giving more people a bigger value for their life's through music).
Dimitri: Please give us the message to the people who will read this interview.
Dennis Sheperd: Hope you enjoyed reading this interview. I tried to answer every question as precise as possible and hope it’s not a bit too much text. You can get to know me better on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I always try to post things from a more personal point of view there and giving you a little insight into my private life!
Thanks so much to Dennis Sheperd for his time to reply on this interview. We wish him all the best for his new record label.
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