Davey Asprey’s ascent to the upper echelons of the trance scene has been no accident. Having DJed tirelessly in the UK underground scene over the last decade, he has slowly built his gig CV up and down the country, developing a great reputation for his diverse range of styles and sets. Perfectly at ease with both warm-up duties or the peak-time frenzy, he inevitably drew the attention of the major clubbing brands, earning himself place on the line-ups of many of them.
However, it is with his ever-growing production portfolio that he has found worldwide attention in recent years, reaching new heights in 2016 with his smash hit “The Rapture”, released on FSOE. Enjoying A-list support and a place in Beatport’s top ten sellers of the year, the foundations were laid for a massive twelve months ahead.
Indeed, Davey’s follow up release on Armada, “Fallout” has proven to be one of the defining tracks of 2017. Voted as No.5 in the ASOT end of year countdown and Armin van Buuren's personal No.1 of the year, enshrining his reputation as one of the hottest properties in Trance. With superb performance at ASOT 850 he kicked off 2018 along with an increasing catalogue of studio goodies released mainly on ASOT recordings, 2018 was on the most memorable for Davey’s fans to date!
Dimitris: Can you mention your biggest music career achievements in 2018?
Davey Asprey: This year has been full of great career achievements for me. A few are Armada wanting to continue our exclusive recording deal for another 12 months. Making my ASOT850 debut, USA debut at Dreamstate, Slovakia debut for EDMania, Being asked back to play at ASOT900 next year, signing to SMG for my bookings and joining NextGen Artists Management as a director and to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of up-and-coming DJs and producers.... but the best is still yet to come.
Dimitris: Can you rate 2018 for you as a year with 1 being very bad until 10 that is perfect year!
Davey Asprey: 9 excellent year, As mentioned earlier, just a culmination of a lot of years of graft and keeping myself focused on my own goals and staying positive. I've made a lot of good contacts this year and have so many great things planned for 2019, not just for myself, but for my Artists also.
1) Best 3 Tracks from other artists in 2018, please give us a short comment for each track:
Davey Asprey: Nifra & Anske - Powerball ... as the name states, just absolute raw power when this drops! always goes down well.
Rub!k - Breathe Deep ... such a well produced track. the pace and power goes off, and the breakdown is just epic
Dark Matter - Future Sight ... the raw emotion on this track just blows me away. Jack nailed this one.
2) Your 3 Best of 2018 personal productions, give us more background info about them:
Davey Asprey: This year has been amazing in terms of feedback from the fans. The biggest crowd pleasers have been 'Kaiju' which ended up as a Service for Dreamers on A State of Trance,
'Alone in the Winderness' which won tune of the week, then also landed Future Favourite
and then my remix of Venetica 'Patterns of the Soul' which too won tune of the week, then also landed Future Favourite!! Insane!
3) Best Artist in 2018(DJ & producer) please explain why you pick him/her up:
Davey Asprey: This is a tough one.... just based solely on how many productions of theirs i've supported this year, i'd have to go with 'Beatsole'. Loving his sound currently!
4) Best Remix in 2018, please explain why you liked it so much:
Davey Asprey: 4 Strings - Take Me Away (Dave Neven Remix)... still gives me chills and always takes the roof off whenever i play it out.
5) Best Remix that you have produced in 2018, please tell us why you believe is your best work?
Davey Asprey: 'Patterns of the Soul' which won tune of the week, then also landed Future Favourite!! Insane!
6) Best Remixer for 2018, please tell us why you choose him/her:
Davey Asprey: I'd have to go with my SMG colleague Dave Neven has been a consistent producer for many years. His remix of 4 Strings 'Take me Away' has been in my sets non-stop this year, as well as his Bootleg of Adam Beyer & Bart Skils 'Your Mind'!
7) Best New Talent in 2018 (DJ or producer), please explain the reasons why you choose him/her :
Davey Asprey: Millennial aka Nico has a great sound and is such a nice guy. 19 years old and he's ready to blow up the Trance scene!
8) Best artwork/cover for a single/ album or compilation released in 2018, please justify your opinion why this and not another one:
Davey Asprey: Gareth Emery feat. Evan Henzi - Call to Arms ... The artwork is a battle-cry and to rally people to speak out against all forms of abuse whether it be mental or physical.
9) Best lyrics in an electronic music track in 2018 (it can be your production or from other artists) Please explain why you like these lyrics so much!
Davey Asprey: Gareth Emery feat. Evan Henzi - Call to Arms ... the message behind this track is something that really moves me and is a story about strength, hope, and emotion. The lyrics are to inspire listeners to be brave and let their voices be heard. Evans story is truly moving.
10) Best vocalist/singer featured on electronic music track in 2018, please tell why you appreciate this singer/vocalist and why:
Davey Asprey: Evan Henzi. His voice is so unique and the talent within this guy... expect huge things in 2019!
11) Best electronic music label for 2018, please justify why you choose this label and what was so special in 2018 about it:
Davey Asprey: Armada Music has been my home for the past 12 months and I cannot ask for a better team behind me to help push my sound and who are always great with feedback to help me improve as an artist. Here's to another 12!
12) Best Twitter/Facebook/Instagram message you may have received about your music or your DJ performance in 2018:
Davey Asprey: This past year I have received several that have really moved me. One in particular was from a young guy who was on the verge of suicide and that my music had helped him overcome this dark period in his life. It was just after the passing of Avicii, which hit me harder than I expected. I sent out a post with my personal email on so that anybody could email me and have somebody to talk to. We all need somebody to talk to from time to time as mental health is something that is very close to me and if I can help just one person, if we could all just help one person… the positive impact would be profound and would remove this stigma surrounding Mental Health Issues.
13) Best Club event or Festival that you have performed there or you would love one day to perform there, please explain the reasons that influenced your choice of the event & festival:
Davey Asprey: Making my debut at A State of Trance 850 was absolutely mind-blowing. The production of the event, the fans, everything. I cannot wait to return for ASOT900 next February!
14) Your Best personal DJ Gig for 2018 (if you are active as DJ) and why you believe is the finest:
Davey Asprey: I can't actually pick one. Each gig always holds a special place in my heart as they are all unique experiences for me as an artist and as a person.
15) Best DJ set from other fellow DJ in 2018 and why you believe his/her set was so fantastic?:
Davey Asprey: Markus Schulz OTC at ADE 2018! Just a masterclass in building the night and having the crowd literally under his control! Unbelievable to see.
16) Best Radio station in 2018, please explain why this radio station is your favourite:
Davey Asprey: I would have to go with my current home, Afterhours.fm. Great working experience with Dan and his team. Long may they continue!
17) Best new sound or sample that has been introduced in any electronic music track in 2018 and you wish to have invented it or you may even have introduced it for the first time?
Davey Asprey: I would have to go with the 'Donk' by Ben Nicky haha. Crazy stuff to be bringing back to the mainstage!
18) Best piece of advice you got in relation to your career in 2018 and has helped you to progress even further:
Davey Asprey: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient. Take your time.
Dimitris: In 2018 there was a big movement for revival of classic tracks and retro events have boomed with music policy of solely classic tracks. What is your opinion about events or stages only with classics and can you choose for us your absolute 3 favourite classics?
Davey Asprey: Orbital - Halcyon On and On
Underworld - Born Slippy (Nuxx)
New Order - Blue Monday
Dimitris: Can you mention briefly your plans for your future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations, DJ gigs for 2019!
Davey Asprey: My current release schedule with Armada takes me well into the 2nd quarter of 2019. Recently undertaken several collabs and remix projects.... so it's looking very busy production wise.
Gigs are also coming in thick and fast, which i'm grateful for. Who knows... maybe in 12-18 months I can turn 'Pro'.
Dimitris: Finally, what is your biggest wish for 2019 and give us your wishes for our readers?
Davey Asprey: My biggest wish and hope for 2019 is for my family to remain healthy. Everything else is just a bonus for me :)
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