Nate Raubenheimer, known globally by his stage name Protoculture, is a South African DJ and music producer who has been a dynamic and influential figure in the electronic dance music scene. With a career spanning over two decades, he has become renowned for his unique blend of trance and progressive sounds, captivating audiences worldwide.
Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Nate's journey into music began at a young age. He showed an early affinity for electronic music, and by the early 2000s, he was already making waves with his debut as Protoculture, and he quickly gained recognition for his innovative approach to psy trance music, blending it with various elements from across the electronic dance music spectrum.
Protoculture's music is characterized by its emotive melodies, intricate harmonies, and driving basslines, all of which come together to create a truly immersive listening experience. He has a unique ability to connect with his audience, whether through his energetic live performances or through his meticulously crafted studio releases.
Over the years, Nate has released numerous singles, EPs, and albums that have received critical acclaim and have been featured in the playlists of some of the biggest names in trance music including Armin van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corten and more. His tracks are a staple on renowned labels like Armada Music, and he has collaborated with a range of artists, contributing to the evolution of the trance genre.
In addition to his production work, Protoculture is a sought-after performer. He has graced the stages of some of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and A State of Trance events, delivering unforgettable experiences to trance enthusiasts globally.
Nate's dedication to his craft and his ability to constantly evolve his sound while staying true to his roots make him a respected figure in the electronic music community. Whether in the studio or on stage, Protoculture continues to push the boundaries of trance music, inspiring both fans and fellow artists alike.
Protoculture has just started his own record label Marula Music and we more than excited to have an exclusive interview with him about the magnificent first track Starfield. Enjoy his very informative 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.
Protoculture: I've always done this as a means of enjoyment rather than goals I wanted to tick off in a career. That said, some of the higlights for me would be working with and remixing for some of my heroes such as BT. Producing for Bryan Adams was a notable acomplishment in my career, and some of the amazing festivals I've played such as Glastonbury Music Festival and Fuji Rock I would consider achivements.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Protoculture: I was always taken with music production. I'd been tinkering with that since I was 12 using old sequencers and trackers under MS Dos after I got my first computer. The DJing was just a natural progression from that as the music became more serious.
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?
Protoculture: BT, Orbital and The Crystal Method.
4-Dimitris: Can you tell us the top 3 tracks from the past that have influenced your sound the most and why?
Protoculture: Binary Finary's 1998, Hybrids Finished Symphony and Future Sound of London's Papau New Guinea. They all embody elements I hold dear in my music... blissful, emotional melodies and so forth.
5-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your track Satrfield on your own newly established label Marula Music. Please tell us how Starfield came about and what was the idea behind it.
Protoculture: Starfield was really the culmination of a direction I've been wanting to take for ages. I started on a more progressive path with my last album on Armada but have been wanting to incorporate more undergound psychedlic flavours from my past productions as a psytrance artist into this style. It's the perfect middle ground for me between progressive house and trance.
6-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Protoculture: A day or two if I remember correctly... I always try to get tracks out as quickly as possible so I don't get caught up in the technical stuff and stifle my creativity.
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.
Protoculture: Not really, I think this is a natural progression and a direction I've been heading in for some time.
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?
Protoculture: I'm actually pretty happy with the result. As a producer, I always think I can go back and change some element of the mix or production, but I find it's best to keep your focus in front of you and move forward rather than backwards. In terms of remixes... I actually haven't given it much though.
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?
Protoculture: I moved to Bitwig two years ago and it has totally changed the way I work. It's one of the most inspiring music tools I have ever come across. I'm indifferent to the analog/digital debate. I love hardware and have owned tons of gear over the years. That said, I don't use any right now and am purely sofware based, but I have been enjoying working with the use of controllers such as NI's Maschine, which I have set up to drive Bitwig instead of the native software.
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?
Protoculture: The artwork is just a reflection of my taste. I don't put too much emphasis on it to be honest, but obviously it needs to be something I find attractive and that suits my style. Best artwork? I miss the days of vinyl... 70's rock albums like Brain Salad Surgery that featured art from HR Geiger, Yessongs albums etc. The inner sleeve of Prodigy's Jilted Generation is another one that springs to mind.
11-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?
Protoculture: Marula musis is my own new imprint which I started to give myself a space to release my own music free of anyone elses interference. Always love a lot of stuff that comes out of Anjuna Deep. On the flip side, I'm enjoying a lot of the stuff from John 00 Flemmings JOOF label too.
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?
Protoculture: Nope. I'm focusing on singles for the new label right now.
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?
Protoculture: As little as possible. It's a nescessary evil but I don't revel in spending time on socials. I don't use twitter or tik tok at all and I've drawn the line at updating Facebook and Insta only. I do have a commmunity on Youtube though that I have built over the last few years doing production tutorials.
14-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?
Protoculture: I had one... it was fun for a while but I just don't have time at the moment to maintain it. I'm more focused on getting music done right now and perhaps getting more video content out at some point. I may go back to doing something at some point, but I doubt it would be something as regular as I used to do.
15-Dimitris: Do you have any gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2024 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Protoculture: I've got Belgium, Tokyo and Brazil lined up, albeit for my Shadow Chronicles alias. We're working on stuff for Protoculture still.
16-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ or LIVE PA performance?
Protoculture: I tripped and fell of a stage in Cape Town once. I hurt myself quite a bit so it was serious I guess but also hilarious at the same time.
17-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!
Protoculture: Not really. Dance music is in a bit of a weird place for me at personally at the moment. I don't really resonate with any of the main floor trance stuff or psy stuff either. I love the progressive stuff at the momet but I wish there was more in the middle.
18-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
Protoculture: Kasablanca - Crucible (Incredible tune!),
Illusions - Christoph and Artche (still playing this all the time!)
and Jamie Stevens - Transference (Chable Remix) (I just get so lost in this one...)
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.
Protoculture: Not at all. Its a travesty how artists are treated with respect to royalties. Sadly, that is the reality and as an artist you have to find other avenues to crack it at the end of the day.
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.
Protoculture: Just stay true to yourself, pratice and try to enjoy yourself along the way.
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?
Protoculture: I'd love to remix Orbital's Halcyon on and on.
22-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?
Protoculture: Everybody does to an extent. You do have to try find a balance between letting that affect you though and not giving a shit.
23-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?
Protoculture: I've been full time for over twenyty years... recently though I've been split between thsi and other pursuits.
24-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?
Protoculture: I honestly don't care... people should do what they want to do at a festival.
25-Dimitris: Do you prefer small clubs or huge festivals to perform? in which festivals or clubs you aspire to play in the future?
Protoculture: Neither... both have their merits.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Protoculture: Thanks for the support!
Thanks so much to Nate for his stunning answers and we wish him all the best with his label Marula Music.
Thanks so much to Onno for organizing this interview. The best artist and label manager out there for sure.
Find Starfield here: https://marula.ampsuite.com/releases/links?id=1
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