LUCIEN is an Epic trance artist and DJ based in Toronto, Canada. With influences mainly Darren Porter and Aly & Fila amongst many others he had released recently on Trancegression Recordings his awesome single The Universe. We invited him to answer our questions and we got back some juicy answers that you can read right here.
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Dimitris: When did you start your involvement with electronic dance music and which music style you are more affiliated with and why?
LUCIEN: I have been releasing tracks for the past 3 years after being a fan of the trance genre for many years and having a music background in classical piano
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?
LUCIEN: I did a course on Logic Pro X to supplement my own learnings
Dimitris: In which label was your first ever release and how did you manage to attract the attention of the label?
LUCIEN: My first label was Full On 140 Records out of Chicago. They are great guys who appreciate trance with old school feels.
Dimitris: Please 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.
LUCIEN: I have had four releases so far. My best melody I would consider to be 'The Universe' which I released on April 15 of this year.
Dimitris: Let's focus on your latest release. Please tell us from where did you got the inspiration for the track and what kind of music influences is including?
LUCIEN: The Universe is about my belief in the limitless possibilities of the cosmos and its beauty. It is meant to take the listener on an epic journey into the galaxy.
Dimitris: 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?
LUCIEN: It's usually a two or three month process.
Dimitris: Which was the biggest challenge that you faced during the production of this superb track?
LUCIEN: It can be a challenge to attract labels these days if you are not yet a known name, so that took some time.
Dimitris: Can you describe to us the steps that you went through the production of this track and of any other track?
LUCIEN: For me the most important piece is the melody. It's the essence of any good track, and I really focus on making mine memorable and 'humable'.
Dimitris: 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?
LUCIEN: Some fixes were made
Dimitris: Is this track an original composition or is it based on a template from another track produced from you or another producer?
LUCIEN: Original
Dimitris: Is the quality of this track higher than your previous one? If yes in what ways this track sounds better than your previous one?
LUCIEN: My melodies I believe are getting better and better over time
Dimitris: 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?
LUCIEN: I usually sent it to a few close friends in the trance community to get their reaction.
Dimitris: 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?
LUCIEN: Initial work in Logic Pro X with Omnisphere, Spire and Sylenth as well as a number of native Logic plugins.
Dimitris: Do you master the track yourself or the mastering is task for the record label? Do you understand mastering as being essential?
LUCIEN: Mastering is always done by a specialist
Dimitris: 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?
LUCIEN: That would be amazing. I have a classic trance vinyl collection and hopefully vinyl will stage a comeback for tracks these days also.
Dimitris: Do you have any future releases planned and when will be released?
LUCIEN: Yes, more coming in 2019
Dimitris: Can you let us know your favourite Top 5 tracks at this moment!
LUCIEN: 1-Mark Sherry & Christina Novelli - Lighting Fires 2-Emerge & Jennifer Rene - Landslide 3-Talla 2XLC - Till Tomorrow 4-Green Court - Follow Me (DJ JamX & DeLeon Remix) (classic pick) 5-LUCIEN - The Universe ;-)
Dimitris: Do you have any DJ gigs lately?
LUCIEN: I have been focused mainly on releases and am now looking to do more shows
Dimitris: Do you have any more DJ gigs planned for the next few months?
LUCIEN: I am playing at a trance festival on Toronto Island this summer and am working on further gigs.
Dimitris: 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.
LUCIEN: Not yet, but probably in the future
Dimitris: Best piece of advice you got in relation to your career so far and best tip you learnt recently to make your tracks better.
LUCIEN: Stick to your beliefs
Dimitris: Please give us here 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.
LUCIEN: Learn about harmonics
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?
LUCIEN: I respected him for his broad spectrum appeal
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 events or stages only with classics and can you choose for us your absolute 3 favourite classics?
LUCIEN: I think its a great idea to have a classic trance room as part of an event.
Dimitris: Please give us your messages for our readers?
LUCIEN: I want to send a shout out to all my great fans, the comments I have received on The Universe have been amazing and inspiring.
Many thanks to LUCIEN for his great answers. We wish him all the best in his future projects.
Additional info:
Instagram: lucien.dj
