Chris Element is a Canadian born Trance DJ & Producer who is one of the fastest growing acts in the Trance scene. Labelled by fans and peers all over the globe as one of the hardest working artists who pours his heart, soul & emotion into every project he works on. Signed to a number of prestigious labels which include FSOE, & Vandit to name a few, his music can be best described as memorable, emotional, energetic , tracks that can be played for years to come.
In 2021 Chris' work started to gain recognition globally when Paul Van Dyk signed & heavily supported his track "Live Again", which was played for nearly 2 years in a row at every one his gigs including Transmission, EDC, Nature One, Luminosity Beach Festival, Dreamstate, Exit Festival to name a few.
Holding residencies at 2 of the top voted clubs in Canada (as voted by Dj Mag) "Circus Afterhours & "New City Gas" as well as having played in clubs both locally and internationally, supporting all major Trance acts on a lineup, Chris Element is a name that you will be seeing all around the globe shortly.
Chris Element latest track Worth The Wait is out now on FSOE and we are glad he accepted the challenge to reply in our interview. Enjoy his answers that definitely worth the wait.
1-Dimitris: It would be nice to start by telling us your 3 most important achievements or goals fulfilled in your career so far that you very are proud of.
Chris Element: 3 of my most important achievements are Paul Van Dyk signing and supporting my track "Live Again" for 2 years at every gig he played. being supported by Sean Tyas, a name that I always wanted to get support from & a main reason why im in the Trance Scene. The first time I ever went to a trance event was for Tytanium Sessions 100 in Montreal. Having the pleasure to sign to his label and support him on lineups along the years is a major achievement to me.
The 3rd and final achievement would be signing to FSOE. When I started to produce about 10 years ago, I always set my mind to get on this label & with hard work, dedication & constantly giving my 110%, im really happy I can finally say that im now a label regular.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Chris Element: My main goal was always getting into music.
3-Can you note down the top 3 producers that have influenced your decision to get involved in the electronic dance music scene and you admire and respect them very much?
Chris Element: Sean Tyas, Aly & Fila, Tiesto
4-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your track Worth The Wait. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Chris Element: "WORTH THE WAIT" is a track that I worked really hard on finalizing. A track that went through many different versions to get it to where I was happy.
When a project takes as long as this one took me to finalize, signing to Aly & Fila 's label was definitely Worth the struggle & WORTH THE WAIT.
5-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Chris Element: 2 months
6-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular track or any specific technical challenges or obstacles that you had to overcome during its production.
Chris Element: The track went through many different versions before I was happy to send it off to FSOE. I'm a perfectionist & if something doesn't sound right, I listen to the track hundreds of times in order to diagnose what can be improved, etc.
Both a curse and a blessing being a perfectionist as it takes you longer than others to finish music, but your over the moon with the end result most times.
7- Dimitris: Which music composition software or hardware you prefer and why? What is your opinion of the latest movement to produce music with more analogue equipment and with less or without any digital software?
Chris Element: Ableton. The workflow is just miles ahead from the other daws iv used. I was on Cubase for over 5 years and upon switching over to Ableton, my workflow improved drastically.
Analogue equipment is amazing for getting you to sound unique, warm if processed correctly & allows you to create a bond with your equipment as you are taking the time to curve out your own sound/add processing.
I highly recommend getting analogue gear as you can do so much more than with a mouse.
8-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?
Chris Element: Both. Different music for the mood that your currently in. I released a vocal track last year with David Berkeley. He was a name that sang on some of my favorite vocal tracks with Sean Tyas & I was really happy that he was open to working with me.
9-Dimitris: If you really like to produce vocal tracks which vocalist/singer or lyricist on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Chris Element: I remixed a track with Sue McLaren.. would love to work on an original with her soon.
10-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?
Chris Element: Seeing my name on any artwork makes me really happy. Its a constant reminder that I'm on the right path and getting things right.
11-Dimitris: Can you pick your top 3 record labels including the one released the track that we discuss in this interview and give us a short comment about them?
Chris Element: FSOE: Very distinct sound. Energetic top quality Trance
Subculture: Legendary, clean production quality
Regenerate: Driving party music with memorable melodies.
12-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?
Chris Element: One of my goals is to create an album in the near future. Currently working on some concepts & ideas to achieve this. Stay tuned
13-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?
Chris Element: Its a full time job constantly promoting yourself on social media. I find my most success is on Facebook and instagram
14-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ performance?
Chris Element: Most funny: I played my recent release worth the wait and a girl threw her bra at me! Definitely wasn't expecting that, but what can I say. When girls hear my set, they must get hot!
15-Dimitris: Are you enjoying to visit music conferences and do you have any plans to attend any of them in 2023:
Chris Element: I hope to play Luminosity events in the near future.
16. Are you happy with the way that royalties system works particularly regarding streaming revenue? Do you believe that artists get what they deserve from streaming providers/DJs playing your tracks in gigs/radio and selling music in physical formats like CDs/Vinyl or digitally.
Chris Element: Music isn't how it used to be. Artists hardly make any money off of releases and the money comes from gigs. If your making music and signing to labels, your in it for the love & process of creating the art.
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.
Chris Element: Time is the most valuable thing you have. If you don't dedicate the time to learn your craft & give your 100% to be the best that you can be, your in the wrong trade!
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?
Chris Element: Currently working on originals, however if I had the opportunity for an official release it would be anything from Sean Tyas or Aly & Fila
19-Dimitris: Many artist right now attempt to come closer to their fan base and use the various services in order to offer exclusive content to their most dedicated followers. Do you have any plans to do the same by connecting even more with your most dedicated fans?
Chris Element: I love playing on Twitch for my fans. It allows me to play and share the music that is influencing me at the moment, as well as connecting with every viewer on the mic and in chat.
20-Dimitris: Can you describe your music as certain music genre such as trance, house, techno or your music exempts these categorizations? What is your opinion about hybrid styles and the artists who are attempting to mix influences from various genres in their tracks?
Chris Element: Uplifting Trance. Emotional, memorable memories that make you feel something.
I love hybrid styles, but there are few that are actually able to pull it off without sounding like 2 projects were glued together.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Chris Element: Want to thank everyone who has supported me on my journey. Without your constant positive energy & motivation, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Hope to see you all around the globe soon.
Much Love
Find Worth The Wait here https://www.beatport.com/release/worth-the-wait/4086457
Thanks to Chris for his time to answer the interview.
Thanks to Paul at FSOE for organizing this interview for our readers.
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