As Coldharbour Recordings finds another label milestone on the horizon, two of our most exciting talents collaborative on a rip-roaring anthem, set to be a big spinner during the Miami Music Week period. Step forward Nifra and Anske, striking the right numbers with Powerball.
Individually, both artists have continued to spread their wings in the past twelve months, both in the studio and on the road. Respective anthems Never Forget and Xplorer were well appraised by Global DJ Broadcast followers last summer, and their visions dovetail impressively with this collaborative effort.
Already receiving the nod from Markus Schulz among others, Powerball packs plenty of punch, with a melody many will be chanting along to after a few listens. It sets up both Nifra and Anske for another big year.
Powerball is so powerful that could not resist to request an interview with Anske about this single and his career in general and we are glad he accepted the challenge after the video interview we did in Leeds.
Dimitri: When did you start your involvement with electronic dance music and which music style you are more affiliated with and why?
Anske: My journey into music started more than 10 years ago - around the time trance was considered to be in its 'golden age'. And up to this day forward, I am still going strong with trance (although I like to implement quite a bit from other genres into my productions to introduce new elements).
Dimitri: Did you had the opportunity to attend any kind of music production course or are u completely self taught? Do you consider that is essential for any artist to complete any production course?
Anske: I had no musical background whatsoever up until I went to University and finished my degree in Digital Music. It was a great life experience and I have met a lot of people within the industry. However, I do not consider this an absolute necessity to be a professional music producer. It is not an excuse not to make music - everything comes from your own determination, hard work and passion.
Dimitri: In which label was your first ever release and how did you manage to attract the attention of the label?
Anske: If I am not mistaken, my first 'professional' release was signed to ReOrder's Silent Shore Records. I might have had a few older ones, it is a bit hard to recall it now, haha.
Dimitri: Can you choose for us your Top 5 tracks that you have produced and you consider them as being highly important for the progress of your career indifferent if they were commercially successful.
Anske: It would have to be these (no specific order):
1. Epika
2. Xplorer
3. Vilnius
4. Paul Thomas & Alex Di Stefano - Shining (Anske Remix)
5. Markus Schulz ft. Mia Koo - Summer Dream (Anske Remix)
Dimitri: Let's focus on your latest release Powellball produced with Nifra. Please tell us from where did you got the inspiration for the track?
Anske: Me and Nicole (Nifra) have been good friends for quite some time now. And we always wanted to create something together. We thought our styles blend in superbly. And from that point, the energetic crowd-pleaser "Powerball" was born.
Dimitri: How long it took you to produce it and was an easy or difficult process?If you have faced any difficulties please tell us about them and how did you resolved them?
Anske: It took quite some time for us to finalise it. We went over a couple of versions before we signed it off. The biggest challenge was working on two different platforms - I use PC and Nifra uses MAC for productions. So we thought the best solution would be working with audio stem files.
Dimitri: Which was the biggest challenge that you faced during the production of this superb track?
Anske: Making sure it keeps the right level of energy throughout the whole track. It has to reflect the title!
Dimitri: Can you describe to us the steps that you went through the production of this track and of any other track?
Anske: We bounced the project and all files back and forth until we were happy about the result. We wanted to make sure we shared the same vision and combines the best of us.
Dimitri: When the track finished did the label accepted it as it was produced or did the label recommend you to do some changes or fix certain things?
Anske: We had to undergo a few changes but it 's quite a common practice within the industry.
Dimitri: Is this track an original composition or is it based on a template from another track produced from you or another producer?
Anske: It's an original track. But I guess you can sense some signature sound from both mine and Nifra's previous works.
Dimitri: Is the quality of this track higher than your previous one? If yes in what ways this track sounds better than your previous one?
Anske: It has a slight difference in sound characteristics. But this is because two music producers from two different background are on the same record!
Dimitri: Do you have any friends or relatives that you send them the track before sending it to a label or if you are DJ did you test it in your gigs? If yes did you have to do any alterations as a result of the crowd reaction?
Anske: Not too often. I might send it to a couple of close friends but might depend. If you have a chance, it is always great to test out the record on the road.
Dimitri: Please describe to us the studio that you have produced the track? What is your favourite hardware and software set up? Do you have in mind any new gear that you wish to get in order to raise the quality of your production?
Anske: My setup is quite basic. I have a custom PC, ADAM speakers, some analog goodies. Oh, and the ARC 2 acoustic system, which I think is a studio must.
Dimitri: Do you master the track yourself or the mastering is task for the record label? Do you understand mastering as being essential?
Anske: Usually I do not master my own works (unless I want to test them on the road), but for this record we did the mastering on our own. For my own singles, I let the record label take care of the mastering.
Dimitri: There is a growing trend of vinyl coming back for good. Would you like to see this track released on vinyl or any other of your future tracks? Do you prefer digital files or vinyl?
Anske: I love vinyl! I have just installed my own setup at home. It is really amazing to have some of your favorite music in a physical form - gives more value to it and make it special. However, printing current tunes onto a vinyl would cost a fortune.
Dimitri: Are you thinking to follow up the original with remixes?
Anske: Some remixes might come after the release.
Dimitri: Do you have any future releases planned and when will be released?
Anske: I have quite a bit planned this year. Loads of exciting records to be out on Coldharbour this year.
Dimitri: Can you mention your Top 3 best DJ gigs so far and the reasons that made them so special?
Anske: 1. Washington, DJ (Eden Lounge) - just the fact it was my first professional gig and it happened in USA! That made it really special and memorable.
2. Luminosity Beach Festival 2017 - was awesome fun playing and hanging out with all of my producer friends and people I admire.
3. Luminosity Trance Gathering 2018 - one of the most recent, fun and intimate gigs I played.
Dimitri: Do you have any more DJ gigs planned for the next few months?
Anske: To be announced...
Dimitri: Do you produce a radio show/podcast as well? Please tell us here all the details about it. If you don't have one please tell us why you don't think is important for your career.
Anske: I might be relaunching a new radio show concept later on this year.
Dimitri: Best piece of advice you got in relation to your career so far and best tip you learnt recently to make your tracks better.
Anske: Always trust your gut feeling. If you feel there's something wrong - then you're probably right.
Dimitri: Let's finish with your tips or more elaborated advice for any new artists who may read this interview and wish to get involved with the electronic music industry.
Anske: The best tip that comes into my head right now - make sure you are doing the type of music you do for yourself first. Follow your own path, whatever it may be.
Many thanks to Anske for answering this interview and Tim at Coldharbour for his continued support!
Additional info:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/anske