After a 3-year break from the music industry, Pinkque makes a triumphant return with her much-anticipated debut album set for release in 2024. Having burst onto the scene in 2014 with a remix of ‘One’ by Manuel Le Suax, Pinkque quickly established herself as a force in the trance world. Her original track 'Reborn' soared to the Top 100 Trance Charts on Beatport for four consecutive weeks in December 2014. Notable releases like 'Hereafter' (2015) hitting #27 on Beatport's trance charts and being voted #1 on Ferry Corsten's Corstens Countdown showcased Pinkque's rising prominence. Her 2016 original 'The Aggressor' earned the coveted title of 'The Future Sound' on Aly & Fila's Future Sound Of Egypt radio show. Stepping into 2018, Pinkque collaborated with Melbourne producer Jinus on 'Mission Control,' signed on MaRLo's label Reaching Altitude and supported by Armin Van Buuren on A State Of Trance Radio Show (#835). Her remix for MaRLo's 'Always Be Around' garnered widespread acclaim, featured on ASOT and played by Armin Van Buuren and MaRLo at some of the most iconic festivals in the world such as Tomorrowland and Untold Festivals. She has sold out many solo shows in Argentina and Pinkque's musical journey continues to captivate audiences, and her return promises a new chapter of musical exploration.
Pinkque is back with 'Ghost of You' taken from her upcoming album 'Beautiful Struggle' on Reason II Rise Music
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.
Pinkque: It would definitely be selling out all my shows in Argentina as the headliner, for a small artist like myself the support I have received over there since 2015 has been immense. Also, remixing for MaRLo was a huge goal of mine.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Pinkque: I started DJing in 2011 when I used to go clubbing when I was younger, I was captivated by how the DJs could really make or break a night with their choice in music and their overall vibe. I remember seeing a local female DJ in my home city (Melbourne) and being so in awe by how she had the dancefloor at the palm of her hands, it was then I turned to my friends and said "That'll be me up there one day". I was 16 at the time (yes, naughty to go to clubs underage haha) so when I turned 21 I bought some DJs and a mixer and started teaching myself every day and 6-8 hours on the weekends. It wasn't long until I realised I needed to start producing if I truely wanted to progress in the industry so I started dabbling in music productions and on and off chance meeting I was booked to play in Prague in 2013 and crossed paths with Darren Porter, it was then I packed up my suitcase and travelled from Australia to Germany where he was residing at the time to learn more in-depth about music production.
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?
Pinkque: We are talking way back into my early teens when but it would of definitely have been Tiesto (back in the day) and Armin Van Buuren. I also loved Milk INC haha, i think they were classed as commercial euro dance at the time? But I loved them! Nowadays it's definitely Darren Porter and MaRLo who I admire and respect very much.
4-Dimitris: Can you tell us the top 3 tracks from the past that have influenced your sound the most and why?
Pinkque: Look any track that came from Darren Porter is a huge influence. And I also really love MaRLo's style, two very different sounds. But I also love cinematic/film score music, picking just 3 top tracks that have influenced my sound is very difficult as I get inspired and influenced by any genre I listen too, if I hear something I really like I want to find my own way of incorporating it into trance music.
5-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your track Ghost of You on Reason II Rise coming out from her forthcoming album Beautiful Struggle. Please tell us how the track and album came about and what was the idea behind them.
Pinkque: My latest release 'Ghost of You' taken from my upcoming album I wanted it to be very dark, eerie and beautifully haunting. It's at the beginning of my album right after the intro so I wanted to carry the dark vibes from the intro into the first trance track. I guess 'Ghost of You' can be interpreted either by continuously being haunted by someone or something from the past or the realisation you have become a mere echo of yourself. My album is about my struggles with depression all through my teenage years and 20's and how when I started working on myself, seeking help and attending therapy my ideas and sound of the album started to change direction into a more hopeful, lighter and uplifting feel towards the end. It's an entire journey through my struggles spoken through music.
6-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce the album and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Pinkque: The entire album took 6 years to produce on and off, due to my depression there were periods of times where I had immense writers block, didn't want to do music and to get away from my own thoughts and feelings I would sleep a lot so I didn't have to think nor feel. In order for me to get that final push of the album across the line I flew over to the UK to work very closely along side Darren Porter who helped me complete the album. A lot of them still raw projects and it was amazing to see Darren grasp my ideas and help bring them more to life. I was in the UK for 1 month and we were able to cross it over the line, but overall the entire album was on and off for 6 years in the making.
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.
Pinkque: 15 tracks with all these ideas over the years is a lot to get through for one person, especially with a mind like mine sometimes, and I fully acknowledge that I did struggle with getting my head around some techniques that Darren was able to take over, show me and implement. I sometimes felt like I was going around and around in circles not getting anywhere. Working with Darren was a huge saviour, his knowledge is so extensive and I couldn't have done this without him.
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?
Pinkque: Funnily enough, only a few weeks ago I scrapped track 13 of the album as I hated it and was just not feeling it and made a hustle to ask singer/singwriter That Girl if she would be interested in doing a collaboration together for the album, to my absolute delight she was in and after discussions on the overall feel and lyrical direction for the song she went away and came back and blew me away. It is probably my most favourite track on the album.
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?
Pinkque: I used cubase for 9 years. Now after working with Darren in the UK for the month I have switched to logic. My opinion? Just do you, whatever makes you happy.
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?
Pinkque: It really depends on the overall vibes. Sometimes vocals can ruin a good track, and sometimes tracks would sound better with vocals. I guess it really depends how the track makes you feel personally. My favourite artist that I worked with for a track on the album is That Girl, she listened to my story, she listened to how I felt, she listened to music (not trance) I sent her and explained what I liked about it and she went away and came back and absolutely nailed it on the head. She's very talented and I would love to work with her a million times over.
11-Dimitris: Are there any vocalists/singers on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Pinkque: Like I said, I'd definitely love to work with That Girl, she just gets me. I love Plumb, but I don't think i'd ever have the opportunity to work with her, but I like to find artists out of the EDM scene - there is SO much talent out there.
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?
Pinkque: Oh gosh, this is so hard there are so many good ones the really have a special meaning! I would probably have to say Above & Beyond - On A Good Day (Daniel Kandi Remix), this song personally to me is so powerful and it gives me strength to keep going and one more that I have been very touched by the lyrics is from Craig Connelly Ft Jessica Lawrence - How Can I. They both really tug at my heart.
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?
Pinkque: Artwork I think is crucial and I do believe artwork can attract listeners and/or record buyers. The best artwork ever released? Oh dear. HAHA, I think Armin Van Buuren's 'Balance' album/marketing was on point. Great artwork, so simple but very on key.
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?
Pinkque: I've been out of the scene for quite a few years so there have been new labels that have come around, but Top 3 for me would probably be Reason II Rise Music, Reaching Altitude and WAO138?!
Not being biased because I now work for Reason II Rise Music but the vision Darren Porter has on wanting to change how things are in the industry regarding labels I really took a liking to, fostering and really nurturing artists to help them grow is something I'm quite passionate about. Reaching Altitude and WOA138?! are where I mostly purchase tracks from. However I am quite a fan of State Control Records for the music they are releasing as well.
15-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.
Pinkque: No I don't have my own but I currently work for Reason II Rise Music as an Artist Liason Representative & Creative Content & Marketing Manager, and I treat this label as if it was my own. My top 3 releases from the label would probably be Darren Porter - Timelapse / Ronski Speed & BiXX Ft That Girl - There Is Purpose and MaCiD - Nautilus. We have so so many great tracks coming out and everything very diverse as we have just expanded our sound and introduced to the public Reason II Rise: Realms - which focuses on all other EDM genres and subgenres. There's a track coming out from new comer Ersin AVCI called Journey which I am obsessed with and also a track from Turker Ozsoy called Friends which I love.
16-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?
Pinkque: Yes, my album 'Beautiful Struggle' is coming out on the 22nd March 2024. It's a mixture between all different trance genres with cinematic/orchestral interludes throughout to break up the direction of the album and changes the mood and vibe. The beginning is very dark and it gradually gets more lighter and uplifting to the end.
17-Dimitris: Can you pick up your all time favorite album or compilation and tell us why you adore it so much?
Pinkque: my favourite dance music album is probably Above & Beyond - Group Therapy. It's just a phenomenal album, who doesn't love it.
18-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?
Pinkque: I try to promote as much as I can within the means of my abilities. I try to post at least once a day where I can. Social Media is extremely essential, not only do you know how to produce or DJ you have to be a social media guru, video editing guru, promotional material guru haha everything under the sun, unless of course you have someome who does all that for you. But in this day and age yes, the best one that works for me at this stage is Instagram.
19-Do you post videos on tiktok? If yes please reference for us your favourite? What is your opinion about the power of tiktok to promote music releases?Is there any tiktok video created by fans of you with your music worth mentioning?
Pinkque: Yes, I've just gotten into the swing of things with TikTok, I think tiktok is the most important social media platform now to promote on.
20-Dimitris: Do you have any gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2024 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Pinkque: I may have, currently working on it at the moment.
21-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ or LIVE PA performance?
Pinkque: I have two. One of them I was busting to go to the toilet so I put a track on a knew would give me just enough time to make it back and as I ran back I misjudged the stage, smacked my skin on the side of the stage as I jumped to get back up and face planted behind the decks, with all the adrenaline it didn't hurt but the next day the bruise was brutal haha. And in Argentina during my 6 hour open to close set my USB decided to freeze up, luckily I had a back-up spare with the exact same tracks on there and the show went on without any more hiccups.
22-Dimitris: Are you happy about the quality of the tracks released in your preferred music genres? Please justify your answer with your opinion about it!
Pinkque: I like a broad range of edm genres so I'm lucky I can pick and choose quite easily.
23-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
Pinkque: Everything I have been listening too for the last couple of months has been my album, ensuring everything is OK, so I don't really have any current top 3 tracks right now as I'm not 100% sure what's out. I do love everything from Reason II Rise Music though as those are what I listen to when I'm doing release assets for artists.
24-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.
Pinkque: No, I don't believe artists get what they deserve. It's been like that for many years - however I do feel things are slowly changing dependent on which label you sign with but now it's the streaming platforms that are a bit of a problem.
25-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.
Pinkque: The best advice I got given was from MaRLo, I always carry his words to this day and pass it on to anyone I see who is struggling which is basically “Just do you”. He told me that it’s sometimes hard to see perspective and get very caught up in things that in the big scheme of things don’t matter as much as it may feel it does. Don’t worry about what other people are doing, don’t worry what other people are saying or thinking - just focus on yourself and do what you love and that it will give you a lot more freedom to do what you like to do. One day you’ll look up, look around and realise that you’re moving forward and closer to your goals. It took me a long time to understand truely where he was coming from but it feels so much better to be in this mind set and having that dark cloud removed. So, I’d also like to give a little shout to Marlo and say thank you. But for something that comes from me is to stay humble and remember all the hands that helped you and pushed you in your career, to always be thankful and not to forget about those people, that is so important to stay grounded and to not let negativity trump all the positivity. Also more importantly, if you are struggling within the industry, please reach out to somebody, please speak out. That really goes for anybody, artist or not.
26-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
Pinkque: I think it's great to learn from other producers Or DJs if you are committed to learning the craft - Darren Porter mentored me 10 years ago at the beginning of my career and I came back to work with him in 2023 to cross my album over the line. I think there is no shame in working closely with other producers.
27-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?
Pinkque: I'd love to remix Delerium - Silence for sure. But classics are a hard one because you can either make it something amazing again or butcher it, it's a fine line.
28-Dimitris: Please choose the best and worst remix of club classic and tell us why you like or dislike them.
Pinkque: The best one I've heard is Darren Porters remix of Take Me Away hands down, he brought it back to life.
29-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?
Pinkque: I used to struggle with this a lot - bad comments always trumped the support and positivity - this was due to my mental state at the time and not thinking I was good enough and when people would drill things into you over a period of time you start to believe it. Now, I've learned just to ignore it, I have grown much thicker skin.
30-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?
Pinkque: I have a broad range of music in my catalogue, mostly uplifting trance but I have some that are progressive, techy and uplifting of course.
31-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?
Pinkque: Music is not my full time occupation and definitely is not more main source of income. I work as a hotel manager and have been in the hospitality industry for 20 years.
32-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?
Pinkque: It would be nice to go back to the days where everyone was just present in the night, when I used to go clubbing the memories would live in our heads. But times have changed, do I think people should be banned for it? No. Nowadays it gives artists opportunities to take peoples videos and share them for content that may otherwise never would have been captured.
33-Dimitris: Do you prefer small clubs or huge festivals to perform? in which festivals or clubs you aspire to play in the future?
Pinkque: I've mainly only performed in smaller clubs, the biggest stage I've been on was at Mandarine Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina which I think the capacity was 2000 people - I couldn't hardly see anything with the lights in your face and it kind of just felt like you were playing to yourself, it was definitely a different vibe. I would absolutely like to experience playing at a festival like Transmission or Luminosity one day.
34-Please choose for us your favourite holiday destination and share with us your most unforgettable holiday experience(good/bad)
Pinkque: My favourite holiday destination would be Croatia. It is just stunning.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Pinkque: Thank you all for taking the time to read, a big thanks to Dimitis at Flux Bpm for having me and I hope to see you somewhere on the dancefloor somewhere soon.
Thanks to Pinkque for the detailed answers.
Thanks to Tim at Reason II Rise for organising this interview.
It is great to check her interview on Reason II Rise web site too
Find Ghost Of You Here
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