Those who think the electronic dance scene has lost it innovation, definitely haven’t heard of the brand new Spark & Shade team-up. Uniting the minds of Maxem and Noadja, their melodic sound spreads like a warm glow, adding fuel to fire with their productions, remixes and monthly ‘Audio Treatment’ Podcast. Their energy combined, Spark & Shade have set course to musical bliss, all from the darker shades of progressive house to the light and airy melodic trance. If you haven’t felt its impact yet, be ready.
Dutch producers and DJ’s Gert van ‘t Wout and Matthijs Duijm both have their share of experience, exploring the endless borders of dance music. Gert, better known as Maxem and one half of the successful Dulac & Dubois project, has rocked stages as far as Brazil and Dubai, looking back on no less than 14 years of experience. With releases on Armada Music and Magic Island, it’s clear that the Dutchman does something right. His sounds caught the ears of Matthijs, who’s shaken the trance scene with his Noadja moniker for seven years already, moving crowds from Amsterdam to Finland and Ibiza. His very own Above All Records is now home to their latest adventure, with musical synergy as their ultimate weapon: Spark & Shade.
The first piece of audio to hit the radio waves is the hotly anticipated Spark & Shade remix of Stefan Viljoen’s ‘Divinity’, a strong, melody-driven production that perfectly shows just how diverse these guys can get. Audio Treatment, the monthly S & S outlet, will show you exactly how open their minds are, making it all too exciting to keep an eye on these two. Spark & Shade is the one name of two talents to remember. check their beatport page here
Dimitris: Can you mention your biggest music career achievements in 2018?
Spark & Shade: Playing abroad again was real fun! Great to play in Moldavia and share our music there. We also played our new track Aurora there and the response was really cool to see.
Dimitris: Can you rate 2018 for you as a year with 1 being very bad until 10 that is perfect year!
Spark & Shade: 8 very good year, It was a good year with several releases, a gig abroad besides some other gigs and also very important: we have worked on a lot material that you are going to hear in 2019!
1) Best Artist in 2018(DJ & producer) please explain why you pick him/her up:
Spark & Shade: Roman Messer had a great year. Besides his own tunes are very good, we also supported a lot of tracks from his Suanda label.
2) Best Remix that you have produced in 2018, please tell us why you believe is your best work?
Spark & Shade: Euphoric Nation & David Thulin feat. Marisha Mae - Sparks Fly (Spark & Shade Remix)
check on beatport click here
3) Best Remixer for 2018, please tell us why you choose him/her:
Spark & Shade: Vigel and Luke Bond are currently doing some great remixes where he adds a great energy to the Originals.
4) Best New Talent in 2018 (DJ or producer), please explain the reasons why you choose him/her :
Spark & Shade: Difficult until when you can call people "talent"or "established" but Enzo and Rub!k released some good tracks and also Ruslan Radriges is one we always check his new tunes.
5) Best electronic music album in 2018? Please explain your decision why you think is the best album?(b) Do you believe that albums are still relevant or you prefer singles:
Spark & Shade:Can't name the best one to be honest, but yes, albums are definitely relevant! It would be good that people take more time to listen and enjoy those stories where the producers have more time and freedom to tell what they want. Not everything is about a short break and as quick as possible to some hard hitting drop.
6) Best electronic music compilation in 2018, please explain what exactly you liked about this compilation(the elements you appreciate):
Spark & Shade: Currently listening the new Pure Trance compilation and so far it catches the Trance vibe really good. Off the beaten track and they take you into a journey.
Dimitris: Do you have a radio show or vlog? Have you produced any YouTube tutorials for fellow artists to learn from you? If yes please tell us here the details and choose the best episode from your radio show/vlog/YouTube tutorial for 2018.
Spark & Shade: Yes, every 2 weeks we have a new Audio Treatment that is broadcasted at Trance Energy Radio and afterwards is available at our Soundcloud and website.
7) Best music related website that you visit frequently, please explain what you exactly appreciate in this web site and you may recommended to your fans as well:
Spark & Shade:Must be Beatport! Though I like to read about everything in the Trance scene not much sites are really up to date, so we make sure to be up-to-date with the latest tunes!
Dimitris: In 2018 the electronic music talent AVICII died and this has alerted several artists to become more health conscious. Are there any lessons to learn as an artist out from this sad event?
Spark & Shade:We are not in the position (yet) that we feel a lot of pressure on us, but eventually everybody started making music because of his or her passion. Most important is to make choices that keeps your passion going and sometimes be good to yourself by saying No to other people. Keep your fire burning!
Dimitris: Can you mention briefly your plans for your future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations, DJ gigs for 2019!
Spark & Shade:An album might be a bit far, but we do have enough coming up for an album... Most important for us is to release a lot of new music in 2019, that would be a good base to move on and see what 2019 will bring as it comes to collabs and gigs.
Many thanks to Spark & Shade for their answers. Thanks to Justin at High Contrast/Be Yourself music for organising this interview.
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