Active Limbic System, is an exciting trance duo, formed by George Tripas and Michalis Patakas.
They produce an uplifting, tech-trance and psy-trance blend, which has nailed them signings on labels like FSOE, Regenerate, Nocturnal Knights Music, ITWT, Perfecto Fluoro, Monster Tunes, Mental Asylum Records, Outburst Records , Discover Dark and more.
They've also gained support by big names of the scene, with Paul Van Dyk , Paul Oakenfold,Sean Tyas, Solarstone, Indecent Noise, Mark Sherry, Christopher Lawrence among others.
They're laying down their own path on the trance map, with the peak of high quality trance music as their destination. Will you follow them to the, or are you going to stay lost?
Active Lymbic System strike back on Regenerate, the label headed by Sean Tyas with the stunning hard uplifter Venus. It sounds the perfect opportunity to talk with them and discover how the beautiful Venus came about.
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.
Active Lymbic System: We are in the trance scene almost 13 years so the 3 most important achievements are 1)Playing last year the warm up b2b set among with our pal Chris Oblivion, for the legend Paul Van Dyk, at a massive gig hosted by FSI Events. 2)Last year again, playing the warm up b2b set with Chris Oblivion, for Giuseppe Ottaviani (twice) and Liquid Soul, hosted again from FSI Events. check here 3)Signing this year, our new upcoming one called Venus, at a legend of the trance scene, as Sean Tyas is and his label Regenerate Records.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Active Lymbic System: As we mentioned to our last years interview to you, Active Limbic System is a duo, its me George Tripas and my pal and brother lets say, Michalis Patakas. Our meeting was a karma and so it continues with the same flame and passion as before 13 years when we started it.
3-Dimitris: 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?
Active Lymbic System: For me its Paul Van Dyk, LSG (Oliver Lieb) and Paragliders. For Michalis is Astral Projection, Man With No Name and Etnica...
4-Dimitris: Can you tell us the top 3 tracks from the past that have influenced your sound the most and why?
Active Lymbic System: 1)Astral Projection - Mahadeva 2)The euphoric ones Anjunabeats, Enhanced, Vandit and such labels were releasing on early 00s and names like Paul Van Dyk, Daniel Kandi, Sunny Lax, Dan Stone of that period 3)The Muses Rapt - Spiritual Healing
5-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about Venus released on Regenerate. Please tell us how Venus came about and what was the idea behind it.
Active Lymbic System: Our new one called Venus which is coming out on July 7th from Sean Tyas, Regenerate Records, is a track which has been working for a year now. It passes many changes and steps so it can be perfect for release.
6-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Active Lymbic System: As I mentioned to the preview question we worked on it for a year now. The first step is the melody cause trance needs a catchy melody to be cool for the fans. Then the lead and the low end of the track.
7-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.
Active Lymbic System: The difficulty was with the melody and the lead which wasnt so catchy and has changed several times before it reaches todays formation.
8-Dimitris: If you would have the opportunity to change something in your track and maybe to do a new remix what elements are you unhappy with and you are going to change? Is there any artist that you feel would be fantastic to remix this track and why?
Active Lymbic System: Since this track is coming out on Sean Tyas label, we would love to see a remix from him, it should be ideal.
9- 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?
Active Lymbic System: We use Propellerhead's Reason, the 10th version of it which gives you the opportunity to add vsts cause the 5th version we were using before didn't have this credit.
10-Dimitris: Do you prefer vocal or instrumental tracks? If there are vocals on the track we discuss about tell us about the singer you work with?
Active Lymbic System: We haven't released any vocal track and its in our plans we can make one in the near future.
11-Dimitris: Are there any vocalists/singers on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Active Lymbic System: Def JES, Emma Hewitt , Victoriya but there are so many out there which we might commit grievance towards them of not mentioning.
12-Dimitris: Please choose the most powerful lyrics ever included in a dance track and why these lyrics have touched you so deeply and have a special meaning for you?
Active Lymbic System: I (George) will choose the lyrics of last years number one vocal trance for me which is Sneijders ''Need You Here'' cause it talks about the loss of a loving person. Its really harmful losing someone you love.
13-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?
Active Lymbic System: The artwork is MASSIVE....the designer couldnt imprint it better than he did...and of course the artwork is really important for us cause it def can attract listeners. We are already receiving messages from fans that they are looking forward to listen to it cause of the artwork.
14-Dimitris: Can you pick your favorite top 3 record labels including the one released the track that we discuss in this interview and give us a short comment about why these labels are important to you and the music scene too?
Active Lymbic System: The 3 top labels are FSOE , Regenerate and Borderline. FSOE and Aly & FIla who are behind it are 2 legends of the trance scene who's label has huge impact to the scene and we were really honored releasing last year our collaboration with our pal Niko Zografos to them. Sean Tyas is another legend of the scene, having more than 20 years in it and his label Regenerate has a huge impact to the scene too, releasing massive uplifting ones and we were really happy when he approved our new upcoming one. Borderline is the label which we were really happy that came back in the scene last year cause behind it is another legend of trance, as Rob Stevenson aka Activa is and we were really enthusiastic when Activa asked from us last year to re-release ''Xibalba'' (came out 11 years ago) with a fresh mixing and mastering.
15-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?
Active Lymbic System: Nowadays social media is the best way to promote your music. It is good that we are a duo and I am responsible for it and we believe the best one is Instagram.
16-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?
Active Lymbic System: We used to have a radio show but we stopped it cause of luck of time. When we find some free time about every 2-3 months, we are making a podcast which has a 2-3 hours duration, selecting the best according to our taste from the past months and this one we call it Moments With Trance and you can find it to our official soundcloud page.
17-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ or LIVE PA performance?
Active Lymbic System: The most funny incident took place some years back when I (George) put the last track of my set and I got down to the stage dancing with the fans.
18-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
Active Lymbic System:
1)Will Rees & Asteroid - Exhilarate (Extended Mix)[Afterdark] massive melody and energy on this one....
2)Peetu S - Mental Component (Extended Mix)[Outburst] one of the most underrated artists out there and for the lovers of tech trance this tune is so filthy and techy that you gonna love for sure....
3)Leben... I Feel You (Aly & Fila Remix)[Sleepingroom Musik] really massive uplifting remix to a classic one by Aly & FIla...
19-Dimitris: If you expect to have a steady income from your music productions are you satisfied 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.
Active Lymbic System: Unfortunately the income from our releases is very low I must say its nothing compare with the time we spend for a track to be completed. That's why we are doing it as a hobby and its better that way otherwise is really stressful depending your income on music.
20-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.
Active Lymbic System: We would just say to believe to themselves and to work hard to achieve their goals if you work hard with respect to others then your dreams will come true one day, so hard work, patience and respect.
21-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?
Active Lymbic System: We were thinking of remixing this huge classic one, Fictivision & C-Quence - Symbols, if we find any free time in the future, we might work on it.
22-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?
Active Lymbic System: As we mentioned before music is for us just a hobby and not our main job. George is working for the Greek air force and Michalis is a civil engineer
23-Dimitris: Do you believe that audience should be banned from constantly taking photos or videos during DJ sets or are you happy with these activities?
Active Lymbic System: We grow up on the golden age of 90s in music and its a little bit weird for us but life goes on and we have to pass it without any negative thoughts or actions although the fans are loosing the magic moment of it while they spend time taking videos or photos all the time.
24-Dimitris: Do you prefer small clubs or huge festivals to perform? in which festivals or clubs you aspire to play in the future?
Active Lymbic System: Both are awesome since you are feeling the fans vibes....we would def aspire to play at Luminosity in the future.
25-Finally summer is around the corner choose for us your favourite holiday destination and share with us your most unforgettable holiday experience(good/bad)
Active Lymbic System: George is spending his holiday vacation with his family at Karistos South Evia which has amazing beaches and you can also combine sea and mountain adventures. Michalis doesnt have a particular place for his holidays it depends on his mood and the company he will go with.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Active Lymbic System: A huge thanks to Dimitris and his blog for supporting our music and giving us the opportunity through this interview to come closer to our fans and we would like to thank also all the trance fans and not only who are supporting our sound buying it and we assure them that we shall continue releasing massive trance and making feel happy and full of energy while listening to it cause trance is the way to smile.
Thanks so much to Active Lymbic System for their answers
Find Venus here: https://regen.complete.me/149https://www.facebook.com/ActiveLimbicSystemofficial/
https://twitter.com/ActiveLimbicSys
https://soundcloud.com/active-limbic-system
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https://www.mixcloud.com/ActiveLimbicSystem/