19 years old Polish real progressive house producer and music lover signed to Echelon Records, Darkpload Records, Progline Records (Bonzai) supported by Markus Schulz, Roger Shah, M.I.K.E., Tempo Giusto, Giuseppe Ottaviani and many more.
Name: Alex Rusin:
Location: Cracow, Poland
Dimitri: Can you mention your biggest achievements in your music career in 2014 and your personal life if it is something that you wish to share with our readers?
Alex Rusin: If it comes to the biggest achievements in 2014 the first thing which comes to my mind is being featured on Saturate Audio Immersed compilation. I was trying to get a release on this label for more than a year (I sent 4 demos) and I think I'm lucky to be a part of one of the best labels on 'true' progressive & trance scene. It gives real chance to shine on the 'underground' music scene and it's really rare that label releases physical copies of the recording. I feel that I became a part of the history :) What's more, when I started my career I could only imagine being on compilation with such a big names like Gai Barone, Basil O'Glue etc.
Also I have second big success - I got over from a huge writer's block, and after being tired of nowadays trance I found my new way in music - progressive/deep house with the early trance influences. I'm really excited about the stuff I'm working on now and can't wait to show it to the public! So, 2014 wasn't that bad, but 2015 is going to be huge.
Dimitri: 2014 was packed with releases from so many different styles, which Electronic Music style you believe is the absolute Electronic Music Style Of 2014 in the mainstream indifferent if you like it or not. Why you believe this style became so successful in 2014?
Alex Rusin: I think 'Radio/pop' Deep House was huge this year. Everybody was tired of all this so-called 'big room/mainstage' stuff, so the natural thing was to slow down and introduce some melodies into music. After all you can't listen tunes with the same bass, kick and structure over and over. I think it's not Deep House, we can't call it just simple Deep House, because the difference between Dusky and Robin Schulz is so enourmous that you can't just put it into one genre. However, I'm so content that music slows down and is more melodic - it's a sign that prog house and prog trance scene can be on top again like 10 years ago!
1) Best Track:
Alex Rusin:Chaim - Blue Shadow - there were a lot of awesome tunes this year, but the choice was easy for me. This track is something more than just a tune, it gives me goosebumps and helped me to get over from writer's block. Simply awesome!
2) Best Artist (Dj & producer):
Alex Rusin: Eric Prydz - I love every tune he does and every set he plays. Big inspiration!
3) Best Remix:
Alex Rusin: GusGus - Crossfade (Maceo Plex Remix)- though choice, because there were many awesome remixes, but this one stuck in my head from the beginning. Simply riff, nice groove and the dark atmosphere!
4) Best Remixer:
Alex Rusin: Cid Inc. - this guy delivered many remixes this year and I love everyone. He can't do a bad tune! His stuff is my big inspiration.
5) Best New Talent (Dj or producer):
Alex Rusin: Cid Inc. - maybe he's not really new, but he deserves for something bigger.
6) Best Electronic Music Album:
Alex Rusin: Kiasmos - Kiasmos - I think it's an instant classic. This is an album I always come back to and it is one of the most beautiful compositions in recent Electronic Music.
7) Best Electronic Music Compilation:
Alex Rusin: Balance 026 mixed by Hernan Cattaneo - when a legend is working on a legendary compilation it can't be a bad recording. This is pure awesomeness.
8) Best artwork/cover of an Album or Compilation:
Alex Rusin: Saturate Audio Immersed - I really like the design of this cover, really nice colours and it fits the stuff on the CD.
9) Best Lyrics in an Electronic Music track:
Alex Rusin: Guy Mantzur & Sahar Z - Small Heart Attack - just hard to say why, but ...
10) Best Vocalist/Singer featured on Electronic Music track:
Alex Rusin: Amber Long - every track which features her vocal is so dark and atmospheric - not too cheesy, but it creates the right feeling in the tune
11) Best Electronic Music Label:
Alex Rusin: Anjunadeep - really easy thing - the amount of outstanding releases was really big this year
12) Best Electronic Music Video:
Alex Rusin: Above & Beyond - Sticky Fingers - hard choice, but I really like how the video tells the story of the whole song
13) Best online Funny video related to Dance Music:
Alex Rusin: David Guetta on Tommorowland - I was laughing for some time when I saw all the videos with Guetta from Tomorrowland
14) Best Online Social media network:
Alex Rusin:Twitter - I like it more than Facebook because it is not so addicting
15) Best Twitter or Facebook message you received from a fan or friend or you have read on someone else’s account:
Alex Rusin: I got strange message from the woman from the USA earlier this year and was really suprised: "You have the same names as my significant other.its quiet fascinating that you both like music."
16) Best personal selfie of the year, where, when and under which circumstances you took it?
Alex Rusin: I'm not into selfies, so can't choose any.
17) Best music composition software:
Alex Rusin:Ableton Live 9.1 - Ableton is my DAW from the beginning and I don't want to change it for anything. Very fast workflow and amazing possibilites for editing.
18) Best Event or Open Air Festival:
Alex Rusin: Audioriver - really nice festival without crappy commercial music with cheap tickets
19) Best Dj set of the year from other fellow Dj:
Alex Rusin: Guy J set in January 2014 in Cracow - I knew that Guy J's music is awesome, but after that night I love it more than anytime!
20) Best Radio show:
Alex Rusin: Cycles Radio with Max Graham - easy choice, big inspiration for myself, I tune in into every show he does.
21) Best Radio station:
Alex Rusin:di.fm
22) Best Online Record shop that you purchase your music:
Alex Rusin: beatport.com - really nice charts, Top 10 lists and easy access to music
23) Best Website that you visit frequently:
Alex Rusin: soundcloud.com - I can find here many exclusive previews and sets, so I have it opened everytime
24) Best Smart phone/Mobile phone device:
Alex Rusin: Sony Xperia Z1 Compact - I don't like big screens, so this is only choice for me!
25) Best Dj equipment (software or hardware):
Alex Rusin: Ableton Live 9.1 - you can do magic with this and Akai APC 40 when playing live
26) Best new sound or sample that has been used in Electronic Music this year perhaps introduced first by you?
Alex Rusin: I'm not so famous, so I don't think anybody uses my techniques :)
27) Best tip that you learnt this year for your Djing techniques or music composition:
Alex Rusin: using Tape Delay on every sound, it riches the sound and make it sound warmer
28) Best piece of advice you got in relation to your career in 2014:
Alex Rusin: Don't worry about supports. Do it for yourself.
29) Best hobby or activity that you spent a lot of time in 2014:
Alex Rusin: Running & calisthenics and of course music.
30) Best holiday destination for 2014 that you manage to visit this year either to relax or to perform in a club or festival:
Alex Rusin: Odessa, Ukraine - I went there for my holiday and I came back so inspired that I made two new tunes. Amazing place! Greetings to Michael Holbrook(he's from Odessa)!
31) Best Book of the year preferably related to Electronic Music:
Alex Rusin: Guide to mixing by Nick Thomas - amazing read for every beginner!
32) Best Movie of the year preferably related to Electronic Music that may inspire you to compose a track:
Alex Rusin: Leave The World Behind - really nice story showing that not everything is so nice in the EDM world
33) Best track used on video game or TV/online advert in 2014:
Alex Rusin: I don't know the name of the track, but I really like the piano on the BMW i8 ads.
34) Best piece of News you learnt this year related to Electronic Music Culture:
Alex Rusin: I don't really know - probably something on wunderground. I like their sarcastic news :)
Dimitri: Finally, 2015 is ahead of us would you like to tell your plans with your future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations, Dj gigs.
Alex Rusin: To be honest I have big plans for 2015. I want to work on my live perfomances and I really want to get my first gig. Also I'm working on a new EP and it needs some final touches, so I think it'll be released in early 2015. Also I'm going to turn my head into remixes again because I miss working on others stuff. However, new deep/prog house tunes and some exclusive sets will be on my way in next 12 months! Hope you like it and you can support my stuff.
Dimitri: Thanks very much for answering this interview
Additional info:
