Davey Asprey's rise to the upper echelons of the Trance scene has been the result of years of hard work and dedication. With almost two decades of DJing experience, starting out on the UK underground scene, he has honed his skills and developed a diverse range of styles that have earned him a great reputation. His ability to effortlessly handle both warm-up duties and peak-time sets has caught the attention of the major clubbing brands.
In addition to his impressive DJing credentials, Davey's ever-growing production portfolio has also earned him worldwide attention. His smash hit 'Fallout,' released on A State Of Trance, has been hailed as a "modern-day Trance classic" and has solidified his reputation as one of the hottest properties in Trance. In 2023, he continues to release critically acclaimed tracks and has cemented his position as one of the leading artists in the genre.
Davey has also collaborated with fellow producer Artento Divini, and their debut collaboration 'A.D.D.A.' was a runaway hit that was championed by Armin van Buuren and other peers in the industry. The duo launched their A.D.D.A. project in 2022, performing at several high-profile festival shows to rave reviews.
As we look to the future, it's clear that Davey's talent and hard work will continue to pay dividends. He remains one of the most sought-after talents in the Trance scene and is poised for even greater success in the years to come.
Davey Asprey returns to Damaged, the top label by Jordan Suckley with some devastating tech trance called Edgerunners! The track is so good that we invited Davey to talk about this great release and his future plans.
1-Dimitris: 2023 just started but it will be cool to let us know how was 2022 for your career. Let us know about achievements or goals achieved that you are proud of.
Davey: 2022 was a "finding my feet" kind of year. Fresh out of the pandemic in the UK and having a few international gigs start to come through has been great to see. Lots of experimenting musically, and this will show during my release schedule for 2023 onwards.
2-Dimitris: Do you have already some concrete plans for 2023 and if you are allowed to announce them to our readers please tell us what you are preparing for us in the coming months regarding releases and performances in gigs/festivals.
2023 will see an increase in releases outside the 138 sound that i've become known for, and a focus on more techy, rave sounds. I have a solid amount of solo gigs as well as several festival shows booked under the A.D.D.A. alias (Artento Divini & Davey Asprey). Really happy with how 2023 is shaping up.
3-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your tech-trance banger Edgerunners on Damaged. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Davey: I've been toying with the idea of releasing something "fresh", that's not associated with the typical 'Davey Asprey' sound for a few years, but it had taken a back seat during the pandemic and my release schedule slowed down as the music I like to release is designed to be enjoyed on the dance floor.
The name came from the Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime on Netflix. If you haven't watched it, give it a go. It's well worth the investment.
I'd spent a lot of time during 2020/2021 in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, finding myself inspired by the world design and soundtrack. The name just fit with the theme of the track and it has spawned several other ideas which will be released during 2023 and 2024.
4-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Davey: Edgerunners started out in Spring 2022, and it was made specifically for Jordan Suckley's Damaged Records label. He dropped a demo version during his Lumi set, but the final master wasn't delivered till December 2022 due to a few tweaks and additions he wanted me to incorporate prior to release. So all in all... 9-10 months from conception to delivered maste.
5-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular track or any specific production challenges.
Davey: It was a really enjoyable process doing something totally different from what I'd released previously. The feedback has been really positive, and you can expect several follow-ups during 2023.
6-Dimitris: Do you prefer instrumental dance tracks or you adore vocals? Please explain to us your position and if in your latest production you have vocals tell us how did you choose the specific singer and if it was great to work with her/him?
Davey: It really does depend on my mood. I'm all about the beat and melody, vocals if done right, can take the track to another level. Like Orbital - Halcyon & On & On. one of my all time favorite tracks and the vocals just take you to another dimension
7-Dimitris: If you really like to produce vocal tracks which vocalist/singer or lyricist on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Davey: I'm currently in the process of working with several vocalists on a few different styles of Trance, Techno and Future Rave style beats. Some to be released this year, others for 2024. In the future, I'd love to work with Sian of Kosheen :)
8-Dimitris: Do you believe that artwork on your latest track is good and do you believe that artwork can attract listeners or record buyers? Can you mention the best artwork of a track ever released?
Davey: For Edgerunners, yes, Jord and I worked closely developing the artwork and I think it really compliments the release and fits with the theme.
9-Dimitris: In which label your latest release will be? Tell us your opinion about that particular label and your connection with them.
Davey: It will be a split between Damaged, ASOT/WAO138 and a few other labels I'm not able to announce just yet! :)
Jord and I have been friends for many years, as we both started out DJing the same clubs back in the early 00s, so working with him and his label was a no-brainer for me. The sound released on Damaged will be totally different to what you have heard from me on ASOT/WAO138, Subculture, Coldharbour
etc. :)
10-Dimitris: Do you have your own record label? if yes tell us when did you set it up, the reasons behind this decision and your top 3 releases on the label so far plus 2 or 3 releases that we should look after from your label.
Davey: I don't, yet. It has been something I have thought about for several years, but my life is hectic enough as it currently stands without adding any additional layers to it. Hopefully within a year or two I'll be in a position to be able to push forward with music as a full time job, but until that time, my own label ideas will have to stay shelved.
11-Dimitris: Are you planning to complete an album or mix compilation soon? if yes please give us all the details about regarding tracks and how will look and sound like?
Davey: An album has been discussed. Doubtful if it will be 2023, but 2024/2025 would be more realistic. Details on the sound etc. will have to wait for now! :)
12-Dimitris:How much time do you spend promoting yourself in your social media and you see this as essential tool for self promotion and getting bookings too? Which social media is the one that seems to work better for you?
Davey: It's become very essentially these days to have a professional looking social media presence, something I'm still working on and have been working on since around 2017. I have good reach with Instagram and Facebook.
13-Dimitris: Do you have your own radio show/podcast/twitch stream or Vlog(video blog)? If yes please give us a comment about it and how long it take you to prepare for it and if you are always excited to produce it?
Davey: I had a regular radio show called Fallout Radio. Looking at a re-brand and streaming during 2023.
14-Dimitris: From the gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2023 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Davey: So far that is announced, ASOT in London! Bringing my family to the show.
15-Dimitris: Are you enjoying to visit music conferences and do you have any plans to attend any of them in 2023:
Davey: Hoping to be at ADE 2023.
16-Dimitris: Do you have an agent that organize your performances and gigs or are you taking care of them? If you do have one agency please tell us what is so special and you work with them.
Davey: Yes, for bookings I am with Total Vision talent (formerly SMG). Working with TVT allows me to focus on music and my life outside the industry and not have the worry about scheduling time to source and negotiate bookings :)
17-Dimitris: Please note for all the new talents that read this interview to get some inspiration from you any technical tips in relation to your DJing or music productions. Also any piece of personal or music business' advice that has helped you to progress even further and is worth telling to the new upcoming talents.
Davey: Focus on being yourself and finding something that works for you and gives you the tools to stand out amongst the crowd. Most importantly, never give up.
18-Dimitris: Is there a club classic that you would like to remix or rework in 2023? Do you attempt often to do your own bootlegs of classics?
Davey: Already working on it and cannot say too much! :)
Bootlegs, I've done a few and been lucky enough that some have been picked up for official release. I have a few that I keep for myself and a select circle of DJs.
19-Dimitris: Vinyl sales are rising and there is strong demand for vinyl releases? What is the reason behind that trend and do you see it as a positive development?
Davey: For me, I'll never give up on owning physical media. I have hundred of records and still buy singles and albums if they have a vinyl release.
20-Dimitris: Many artist right now attempt to come closer to their fan base and use the meta verse in order to offer exclusive content to their most dedicated followers. Do you have any plans to do the same and what is your opinion about this plan to grow on metaverse?
Davey: The Metaverse is not something i'm very familiar with at this time. I'll have to do some research and I'll get back to you!
21-Dimitris: Do you believe that music genres or styles are still relevant today? What is your opinion about hybrids and artists attempting to mix influences from various genres in their tracks?
Davey: I'm all for it. Armin said it best "Don't be a prisoner of your own style!"
22-Dimitris: Finally tell us if you are able to make a leaving out of your music business (DJ/producer/label owner/teaching or mastering tracks) and if not what other jobs are you doing in order to make a decent leaving?
Davey: I work within the Logistics Industry by day, which is an industry I am very passionate about and I'm fortunate enough that it allows me to travel around the UK, EU and Middle East several times a year.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Davey: As always, thank you so much for your continued support. It means the absolute world to me!
Thanks so much to Davey for finding the precious time to reply in this long and juicy interview.
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