Trance addicted artist from Italy.
I have released tracks on the major record labels. I tried to create my own sound, I don't like to define myself with just one genre musical "label".
I prefer to be more general. I love making music, not a particular genre but what inspires me at that moment.
So over the years I have moved from progressive to uplifting, often touching on the more classic trance and I don't want to stop experimenting!
Love technology, cooking (especially pizza and cakes) and everything related to music production.
MCU fan!
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.
Peter Santos: I have achieved many goals that I am proud of, some set in advance, others totally unexpected.
Certainly one was being able to get noticed by the big names with the music I released, and this happened with "Deja Vu" (released on Discover Records) which obtained many positive acclaim as well as multiple supports from Aly & Fila, until it achieved a them rmx of my next track "Under the same sky" (released on Go Music).
Another great personal satisfaction was to first win a great competition to remix various tracks by System F (Ferry Corsten) and then be released on an album with my rmx of "Lost in motion", and subsequently collaborate with Ferry Corsten himself for the creation of the track "Free" output on Flashover Recordings.
Last but not least was certainly the possibility of having my "Into this galaxy" (released on Go Music) selected in 'In Search of Sunrise 16', a compilation that I have been listening to and loving ever since I started approaching the world of productions.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Peter Santos: From the age of 7 I was enchanted listening to songs on the radio or soundtracks at the cinema.
I had already understood that in music the possibilities are infinite and the only limit is our imagination, so I wanted to start studying piano.
When I learned the basics I discovered that more or less complex musical tracks could be created using the computer and I started to experiment and learn the first notions of production.
In the meantime I started DJing for some small clubs in my area up to large nightclubs in the surrounding area.
After about ten years, however, I preferred to concentrate only on production and temporarily put the livesets aside.
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?
Peter Santos: Certainly a great producer to whom I owe a lot of my beginnings in progressive music was Eric Prydz, I have always considered him one of the most brilliant artists ever.
Another producer who I respect a lot even though we have different styles is Giuseppe Ottaviani, I really appreciate the dedication with which he produces, and in equal measure the patience with which he managed his incredible label Go Music.
The midnight, a fantastic duo that I have followed since its debut. I love their synthwave style of production, they manage to be modern but at the same time recall many emotions of the past. I often draw inspiration from their tracks for my melodies.
4-Dimitris: Can you tell us the top 3 tracks from the past that have influenced your sound the most and why?
Peter Santos: Temple One - Ocean paradise (original mix): this track inspired my transition from classic trance to uplifting and still manages to give me the right energy to produce. His arpeggiated main riff is something extremely powerful and magical at the same time, Joe Garret (Temple One) was able to manage the break in an exceptional way and I always draw inspiration from him for pads and atmospheres.
Home - Resonance: This is what I call the quintessential synthwave genre. A masterpiece created by Randy Goffe (Home) at the age of just 16! Evocative, full of inspirational references. A track that I often listen to, to rebalance more aggressive ideas with more melodic and emotional arrangements.
Johan Vilborg - Blossom: I really love this track. It reminds me of moments of total carefreeness, summer...
The chord progression is simple but every time I listen to it, it allows me to recreate variations in my mind which I then use in my more progressive-trance melodies.
5-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your latest release The Equity of Chaos on FSOE. Please tell us how this(these in case of EP) track(s) came about and what was the idea behind it(them).
Peter Santos: My latest release, currently in the top trance of Beatport is "The equity of chaos" released on FSOE.
I worked on this track following the style of the previous ones that I had already released on FSOE in the past years, but every time there are evolutions, improvements. I like to combine very energetic intros with more melodic and melancholic pauses, but this time I wanted to try to shorten the track more to make it less verbose.
A little anecdote about this track: the title was intended as a tribute to a famous phrase from Heath Ledger's Joker said during a scene in the presence of Two-Face. As you all know, I'm Italian and I thought of the title following the Italian script, I only realized later that the Italian line said "The chaos is equal" and the English one was "The chaos is fair"!
6-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Peter Santos: The production of a single track can sometimes take a few hours, other times it can go on for months. It really depends on the mood of the moment, the time available and the inspiration.
"The equity of chaos" took about a month of work. The main idea was already well defined from the beginning, but I also wanted to dedicate myself particularly to everything else to have an arrangement that was as complete as possible.
I rarely make very complex tracks, I prefer simplicity and immediacy to very complex riffs to remember.
I always take care of every phase of the project alone, from mixing to mastering and the "spark" that triggers the main idea never lights up in the exact same way for all the tracks.
In this case I started from a pad which then inspired the main melody, for the pluck round in the intro-intro I deliberately remained on more progressive-trance tones, for everything else the arrangement is uplifting with a more overall drafting smaller than usual.
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?
Peter Santos: I have been using Logic Pro for more than 15 years now and I prefer it to many other DAWs because it is very intuitive, essential and has a truly fantastic audio engine. In my studio I have a good balance between hardware and software and I love drawing inspiration from both worlds.
Without resorting to particular exaggerations, I think that 'having and using little is better than not having and needing it'. This is to say that you don't need to fill your computer with all the existing VSTs or Plug-ins or saturate your studio with synthesizers, samplers and more... Having the right balance is essential and helps you stay more focused on your track rather than moving on hours setting up all the equipment.
Having said this, I think that the supremacy of hardware was very evident about ten years ago, but now giant strides are being made with software and apart from a few situations where hardware still wins, the rest is now all ITB.
8-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?
Peter Santos: I don't have a particular preference. I usually produce by first realizing the main idea which acts as the fulcrum of the entire track, if then during the processing phases I feel that alone it does not support the entire structure of the track, to make it more complete I add a vocal. Sometimes, as in the case of "The equity of chaos" I prefer a middle ground using vocal parts created with Kontakt.
9-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?
Peter Santos: FSOE: Certainly one of the most present labels in the current trance music scene (and beyond). I've always followed Aly & Fila a lot and when I noticed that my track "Deja vu" had their attention I knew the time had come to release it on their label. Their rmx of my "Under the same sky" then strengthened my belief and that's why I continue to release on their wonderful label. I think it's an excellent label also for emerging and talented producers, moreover their sublabels born a few years ago are receiving enormous positive consensus so Aly & Fila and their crew are certainly doing an excellent job!
Anjunabeats: Ever since I started listening to music my interest in this label has always been high. I follow their styles a lot and have always wanted to release on their label.
It's an idea that I've had for some time and that I feel is mine but it still takes time, things can be done well or it's not worth doing!
It's a really solid label and it's incredible how present it is on the entire global electronic music scene. It embraces a myriad of different styles, touching on trance, progressive, deep, and many others. I hope that Jono, Tony and Paavo continue like this, their work and enthusiasm are a great inspiration and example for many.
Go Music: Giuseppe Ottaviani's famous label.
In this label I feel at home, Giuseppe has managed to create a real family and with his masterclass and the community this sense of union has brought together many other very talented producers who have managed to improve themselves by creating truly remarkable tracks.
Now the label is on stand-by due to Giuseppe's ever-increasing commitments but I hope that one day he will be able to publish again!
10-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?
Peter Santos: Promoting yourself as an artist is essential, it consolidates your existing audience and helps you get introduced to new people.
In my opinion it shouldn't constitute 100% of an artist's commitments but it still has its great importance. I think that the most valid social networks today for promoting yourself and your work are Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), also winking at Tik Tok in some cases.
11-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
Peter Santos: Ucast, Kamelon, CLAVIR - Escape: I already followed Ucast in the trance scene and he always had a great style. This track is much deeper than her usual track and I appreciate it more for this reason.
Alex Sonata & TheRio - Night drive: simple, immediate, catchy.
Do you need anything else to have an excellent product? The duo in question is doing great things on Anjuna, and this track is proof of that.
Andrew Bayer, Alison May - Tidal wave (In my next life mix): a masterpiece. I prefer this version because it is more energetic and rhythmic than the original.
12-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.
Peter Santos: There are no artists who are always prolific. Inspiration comes by itself, it can be encouraged by certain moods or situations but nothing more.
If you are facing a period in which the right notes don't come out on their own, you can try to let yourself go to some classical melody or soundtracks but never force it or when you listen to your work again after some time you won't be really satisfied with it.
13-Dimitris: Many producers and DJs offer online masterclasses or teach to music production & DJing courses. Do you believe is essential to take part in any of these courses to develop your skills? Are you are offering any of these services? or other related services like ghost-producing or mastering? please tell us about these activities
Peter Santos: Masterclasses have always existed, but the pandemic period has certainly encouraged many more expert producers to organize actual recorded production sessions (see for example Giuseppe Ottaviani with his masterclass) or live sessions.
I am not in the least against these ways of using information in the production field, even at a professional level.
I have never organized masterclasses of any kind but I have been offering mixing and mastering services for several years.
14-Dimitris: How much do you care if your fans or followers like your productions? Do you struggle with the audience reception of your tracks and is this thought adds extra pressure on you and discourage you too?
Peter Santos: I would say no. I believe up until now I have been very lucky: being able to make music that I like, that excites me and that makes me want to have more of it, to never really be satisfied with it.
Connected to this luck I had another: what I create and what I like also receives excellent feedback from listeners so it means that we are often on the same wavelength.
Always being yourself artistically and still being appreciated by the fans, what could be better?
15-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 artists who are attempting to mix influences from various genres in their tracks?
Peter Santos: I don't like being categorized. I have embraced several musical genres so far in my career and I like to be identified as an artist who does what he likes.
I believe this places me outside of musical genre categorizations
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Peter Santos: I thank Flux Bpm for having me for this interview and to the readers for reading. I hope to meet you all sooner or later in some wonderful corner of the world!
Thanks so much to Peter for this superb interview.
Thanks so much to Paul Thomas for organizing this interview.
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