Conor Holohan is an Irish Trance dj & producer
He has released on labels such as Subculture, Go Music , Black Hole recordings & more.
His latest track Physical Universe is out 9th of June on Subculture. We are glad that we have the opportunity to have an interview with him and find out about his new track and future endeavors. Enjoy reading his answers.
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.
Conor Holohan: - Playing Liberation at Fabric London
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- Releasing two tracks on the Go Music master class Eps
- Signing to SUBCULTURE
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Conor Holohan: I started because I was always into trance since a young age and I was always traveling to events to see my favourite DJs. I was always learning to play the decks at the after parties and getting tips off some friends. Saved up to buy my first set on Numark decks and then a few years later started to learn music production from Full Tilt studios and my good friends Shane Kinsella
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?
Conor Holohan: - John O'Callaghan
- Bryan Kearney
- Giuseppe Ottaviani
- Carl Cox
4-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your track Physical Universe on Subculture. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Conor Holohan: I started this track with my target label in mind Subculture. I was tailoring the sounds to what i believe would suit the label. I had 2 different version of this but one was a full tecky track and the other was Uplifting one couldn't decide on which to go ahead with of my friends thought the vocal would be cool on the breakdown so I added that and decided Uplifting was the way to go. Delighted I made that decision.
5-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Conor Holohan: Produced over a few weeks doing a few hours here and there between my full time job and family. The track is actually very simple not to many elements in the track just all the right sounds.
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.
Conor Holohan: Not really. It's a very simple track.
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?
Conor Holohan: I use both Abelton and Cubase and I'm very comfortable with both Daws. If that's the way the movement is going I better start to learn on more analogue because the only piece of equipment I use is a midi launch keyboard.
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?
Conor Holohan: The vocal for this track came from splice
9-Dimitris: If you really like to produce vocal tracks which vocalist/singer or lyricist on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Conor Holohan: Deirdre McLaughlin, Roxanne Emery
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?
Conor Holohan: Yes I love it
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?
Conor Holohan: Subculture, Go Music, Kearnage
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?
Conor Holohan: Not at the moment but when I start to get more established I might consider an artist album as I've loads of track I'd love to feature on it.
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?
Conor Holohan: I used both Facebook and Instagram the only promotion I do is when I've a track coming up for release or post a video or pick when I'm in the studio working on new material
14-Dimitris: Do you have any gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2023 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Conor Holohan: Playing for Sub Groove event's in Portlaoise Ireland - 17th June
15-Dimitris: Many DJs who are producers too they offer online masterclasses or teach to music production courses. If you are offering any of these services please tell us about it.
Conor Holohan: I don't offer any but I can recommend the Giuseppe Ottaviani Masterclass and Liam Willsons Teach me production portal. These both have brought on my productions so much.
16-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?
Conor Holohan: Trance
17-Dimitris: Is your music business your full time occupation and are you able to make a leaving out of your music business (DJ/producer/label owner/teaching or mastering tracks)? If not what other jobs are you doing in order to support your income?
Conor Holohan: Part time as I have a full time job and a small family
Thanks to Conor for his time to answer to this interview.
Thanks to Robbie at Subculture for arranging this interview.
Additional info:
https://twitter.com/SubcultureJOC