Encompassing bound-less experience and energy from across Europe, Italian Melodic Techno trio FOLUAL have been working around the clock this year and are now ready to unleash their signature analogue sound onto the global stage. Comprising of scene veterans Luca Antolini, Alessandro Bianchi and Luca Folco, 2019 will see a steady stream of music from this exciting new outfit, all destined for their own new label Apogee Recordings via Black Hole Distribution. From London to Milan, Bologna to Barcelona, there will certainly be no escaping FOLUAL’s presence and music in 2019.
We are extremely glad that Folual have accepted our challenge and we have arranged this top notch interview. FOLUAL in 2019 will get really big so have your ears open for their own brand of cool techno.
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist and Radio DJ
Dimitris: When did you start your involvement with electronic dance music and which music style you are more affiliated with and why?
FOLUAL: We are 3 artists (Luca Folco, Luca Antolini, Allesandro Bianchi) with over 25 years of combined industry experience, last year we decided to start this project together and from January 2019 we have begun to release our Techno / Melodic productions that have been 12 months in the making.
Dimitris: 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?
FOLUAL: We have had so much experience with other types of music over the years, such as Hardtrance / Trance / Progressive, every day we try to progress. Studying is certainly good for anyone, but we think also that certain things you just have inside, there’s no escaping raw taelent – you can’t really teach that.
Dimitris: In which label was your first ever release and how did you manage to attract the attention of the label?
FOLUAL: Over the years we have all had numerous releases on stacks of labels of all shapes and sizes. To begin with all our FOLUAL material will be going out on our own label Apogee Recordings, distributed by Black Hole. For us it is the year zero ... although individually previously we have worked with big labels like Armada, Saifam, Grotesque, Black Hole ect ect
Dimitris: Can you pick for us your Top 5 tracks that you have produced and you consider them as being highly important for the progress of your career.
FOLUAL: It's far too early to attribute importance to 5 productions and in any case it would not be easy to answer, because everything we do we like. We are sitting on around 15-20 tracks that are now surfacing bi-weekly on all the usual platforms. You tell us ;-)
Dimitris: How long does it take you to produce a track? Is it an easy or difficult process?
FOLUAL: Certainly every production requires lots of attention, concentration and decisions until we feel that it is exactly the way we wanted it ... this is the goal for us.
Dimitris: Which is the biggest challenge that you face during the production process?
FOLUAL: Finding the sounds, giving a sound to the mix, give harmony and melody that does not tire, try not to be trivial.
Dimitris: Can you describe to us the steps that you go through in the production of your tracks?
FOLUAL: We look for a kick and a bass, then we get rhythmic. We then look for an idea that we all like and a strong melody that goes with the project. It’s a very natural process really.
Dimitris: Have you had any problems getting your tracks signed?
FOLUAL: This is the advantage of having your own label. We can spend more time concentrating on finishing quality music.
Dimitris: Do you ever use templates to finish tracks more quickly?
FOLUAL: We try to do original things all the time, it can happen that it sounds a little like something else – but that’s the beauty of music isn’t it?
Dimitris: Can you describe to us the studio that you produce your music? 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?
FOLUAL: We usually work on 2-3 daw FL, Bitwig, Cubase and then finish the work on Logic, which remains the basic DAW ... We have some external machines like the Virus, Arturia, Roland etc.
Dimitris: Do you master the music yourself or is the mastering a task for specialists in mastering? Do you understand mastering as being essential?
FOLUAL: We master everything ourselves in-house. It’s something that we like having total control over.
Dimitris: There is a growing trend of vinyl coming back for good. Would you like to see your tracks released on vinyl or any other of your future tracks? Do you prefer digital files or vinyl?
FOLUAL: Of course we would love to see FOLUAL on vinyl, we are used to digital that is always faithful, but coming from the oldskool vinyl always has its charm for us all.
Dimitris: Do you have any remixes coming from other artists in your tracks?
FOLUAL: At the moment we will only be releasing our own productions on Apogee recordings, but expect to see some big name remixers further down the line. Watch this space!
Dimitris: Do you have any future releases planned and when will be released?
FOLUAL: As mentioned above, you can expect two fresh releases per month on Apogee for the rest of this year..enjoy!
Dimitris: Can you note down your favourite Top 5 tracks at this moment?
FOLUAL: There are just too many that we like, to name only 5 would mean to reject others. We did share Spooky – Little Bullet and Nathan Fake – Outhouse on our fan page recently as throwback classics though.
Dimitris: If you are DJs except of producers please tell us here your Top 3 best DJ gigs so far and the reasons that made them so special?
FOLUAL: I think there are too many for us all to mention individuals, we have all played in many parts of the world. Now as FOLUAL the story has just begun and we are looking forward to seeing where the music will takre us this time around.
Dimitris: Do you produce a radio show/podcast or are you in the process of starting one?
FOLUAL: We have literally just come out of a meeting with RadioSync and are launching our very own podcast in March which will be called the ApogeeCast. We are syndicating this on a big global scale and are looking forward to showcasing some of our favourite music each week, alongside a few exclusives from the studio of course. Watch this space!
Dimitris: Best piece of advice you ever got in relation to your career so far, and best tip you learnt recently to make your tracks better.
FOLUAL: There is always something new to learn, we never get there, and we need to remember to remain humble forever.
Dimitris: Can you share with us your tips or more elaborated advice to any new artists who may read this interview and wish to get involved with the electronic music industry.
FOLUAL: Stay true to yourself and what you like doing, the res twill follow – as cliché’ as that sounds.
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?
FOLUAL: It's a terrible and sad episode, you should never cancel your life for business and popularity, you need to stop and sometimes understand that life is also made of other things, we have learned these things at our expense too previously .... We do not hide our sympathy for Avicii nad his friends and family. Truly awful.
Dimitris: If you travel very often to perform in various countries, is it possible to share with us your best travel tips in order to survive happily the long travelling hours?
FOLUAL: Read, enjoy it as much as possible and live every moment in the here and now! You must be aware of what you always do, our mind can be our worst enemy in these situations, it creates tensions, worries …we think it's always important to remember that we are lucky to have these opportunities to travel and share our music.
Dimitris: There is a big movement for revival of classic tracks and as a result of this retro events have boomed with music policy of solely classic tracks. What is your opinion about the classics revival?
FOLUAL: Everything goes away and ... then comes back, a circle of life if you will, beautiful things are never forgotten. A bit of classic never hurts, but it’s important to keep pushing the music forward also.
Dimitris: Finally do you have any specific message for our readers?
FOLUAL: We wish everyone the best, we advise you to not live your life on a smartphone or tablet ... look around you. 'there are beautiful things everywhere if you look for them ... and if you love music it will always be a true companion in life.
Thanks very much to FOLUAL for taking some precious time to answer this interview in a such an intresting way.
Thanks very much to FOLUAL for taking some precious time to answer this interview in a such an intresting way.
Additional info:
Instagram: apogeerecordings