David Compán Santiago aka Fisical Project was born on May 22, 1996 and grew up in Órgiva-Granada (Spain). He started his career in 2010 after participating in a DJ's competition, where he discovered his passion for electronic music. One day, he casually installed FlStudio and started producing-finishing his first song in 2013. After his first experience with the production, he continued to learn in a self taught manner, and was also guided by tutorials, which would make him progress on a yearly basis and allow him to progress towards the most prestigious record labels on the trance scene.
From 2017, he began to sign agreements on renowned record labels such as Black Hole Recordings, Enhanced Music and Vandit Records, where he managed to receive great support from artists such as Aly & Fila, Armin van Buuren, Dash Berlin, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Jordan Suckley, Mark Sherry, Mike Push, Paul van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Roger Shah or Sied Van Riel, among others.
After several years on the scene, Fisical Project has had the opportunity to be part of compilations such as Perfecto Fluoro vol 5, Rielism vol 4, perform guest mixes for artists like Paul van Dyk and remixing "Lumina" from Giuseppe Ottaviani.
1-Dimitris: 2023 just started but it will be cool to let us know how was 2022 for your career. Let us know about achievements or goals achieved that you are proud of.
Fisical Project: To be honest I think I've always been very strict with myself, and sometimes I forget to love myself a little bit more. My perception until today was not as good as it should have been, although after analyzing just now all the music I have released I should be very happy.
I know I'm very strict with what I do and sometimes that can be a pretty bad thing for yourself, so in the last few years I've been able to work on that a bit more.
Now that I look at everything I've done with different eyes I can say that if you told me a few years ago that I was going to consolidate on Giuseppe Ottaviani's label or that I was going to work with singers like Sue McLaren, Cari or do a remix to Natalie Gioia's voice I wouldn't have believed it.
But being somewhat critical I always expect more from myself, because I was not entirely comfortable with my own sound or style, sometimes I felt that I had no style and I painted what I felt like at that moment, which is not bad but it doesn't fill me 100%.
2-Dimitris: Do you have already some concrete plans for 2023 and if you are allowed to announce them to our readers please tell us what you are preparing for us in the coming months regarding releases and performances in gigs/festivals.
Fisical Project: Concretizing the previous question and at the same time this one. After making my remix to Giuseppe Ottaviani's Lumina two years ago I relaxed a lot, but also during that time I've been experimenting until I got to my current sound. Maybe this new song "Invicta" reflects that change. Personally it is a transitional track to my new sound. But I'm very proud of it of course.
My plan for this year is to consolidate myself, and finish several projects that I think are very interesting and that are going to be at a great level. Sincerely I don't know when these releases will be released as they are still in process, but I can already tell you that they are very anxious and I think they will bring something different to the scene.
I think you can also notice in my networks that I'm back with a lot of energy and motivation, everything is linked to what I'm doing.
3-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your track Invicta out 24th of March on Vandit. Please tell us how this track came about and what was the idea behind it.
Fisical Project: The truth is that "Invicta" as I mentioned before has been an experiment to get to the sound and style that I hope to unveil soon. It is evident that it is very influenced by artists like Giuseppe Ottaviani but also by that classic trance sound and at the same time by those new interesting sounds that have appeared in the scene like the current "melodic techno" and progressive. I think I've opened up a lot in the last year to listen to a lot of different music and that's helping me to experiment. So I hope to keep it up as I'm enjoying it a lot, before I used to use the same sounds, now I try to listen to all the libraries and try to be creative.
In reference to the name of the song, it's a dedication to Oporto, the city where I lived one of the best years of my life, and which has given me so much.
4-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Fisical Project: Honestly I did it quite a long time ago, I think I finished it just a year ago, but I remember it was quite fast, about 20 hours. But it all came about because of the main melody, I tried to do something in tune with my remix to Lumina actually. I wanted to try to transmit that energy that I had achieved with that track.
5-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular track or any specific production challenges.
Fisical Project: In general I have had the difficulty to find my style and sound, and although it is true that this track is not 100% reflected yet, it helped me to finally find the style I'm looking for a few months ago.
6- 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?
Fisical Project: I started using Fl Studio, since then we have had a love and hate relationship, you know sometimes it all goes to s... haha.
But I've learned a lot by seeing how other producers work in other programs.
The truth is that I haven't had the opportunity to produce with analog gear, but I would love to be able to feel that with my own hands I can get what I want, it would definitely be fun. But it is true that nowadays many of those synthesizers or effects have analog options, which I use to give more color to the sounds.
7-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?
Fisical Project: I love music with or without vocals, sometimes a voice enhances your theme, and sometimes it's just the melody or the rhythm that tells the story. Now that I've had the opportunity to do several vocals you don't know how much I've enjoyed it! In this case it's instrumental, but for the future I will continue to release songs with singers also guys, there are already several projects on the way!
8-Dimitris: If you really like to produce vocal tracks which vocalist/singer or lyricist on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Fisical Project:I would say Jennifer Rene... it's possible that Caleb Golston and I are already working on something....
9-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?
Fisical Project: I have studied tourism and marketing, so I can tell you that it is very, very important, every detail is important. I remember studying oenology, any detail is important, and not least the presentation or bottling in this example. In the end the way of presenting the product is very important but also the way of presenting it, maybe it has been my strong point so far, I hope my sound is up to it too!
The artworks of Black Hole Recordings look amazing to me, I hope to debut on the main label soon!
10-Dimitris: In which label your latest release will be? Tell us your opinion about that particular label and your connection with them.
Fisical Project: My next release will be on legendary dj Paul van Dyk's label, Vandit Records. The truth is that since I signed with them in 2019 they have treated me very well and it's great that they are still interested in my music. I think they are doing a big renovation on the label and it's great, I feel like they are going back to the top again!
11-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?
Fisical Project: I think that if it hadn't been for social networks it would have been very difficult to start this path. I don't know how much time I dedicate to it, this goes in spurts, and motivation, when I am going to release music I am very active, I love to listen to my followers and talk to them, I sincerely thank you for all the support received and above all for treating me as an equal, is what I value most and what makes me feel the same as I have always been a lover of this music!
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.
Fisical Project: I think my best advice to all those people would be to enjoy what they do, not to focus on sounding good but on what they want to transmit, and from there they will improve a lot, I'm sure. When we start producing we tend to focus only on sounding good and forget that the music has to tell you something. On the other hand is that they take all the time in the world, that there is no rush, that they enjoy the journey. That they do it for passion and not for making money.
13-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.
Fisical Project: I've been offering online production services for several years now, and it's something I really enjoy doing, especially because you discover a lot of hidden talent. The truth is that I have been lucky to be able to do sessions with very involved people and that today they have even signed in record labels like Armada, Vandit, sub labels of Black Hole and Monster Tunes. so I can't be more proud of them. But for me it's important to emphasize that even if I show how I produce or how I get to get my sound, if they don't put everything into practice and keep working hard it's impossible to learn in several sessions, the important thing is perseverance, but I have a lot of fun giving online sessions. If anyone is interested I will be in my social networks to talk quietly how it works.
14-Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Fisical Project: I want to thank everyone at Flux for the support during all these years, to all those people who have always supported me, to all of them who will do it in the future, I hope you found it interesting, a hug!
Thanks so much to Fisical Project for his brilliant interview and we wish him all the best for the future.
Fisical Project is returning to VANDIT Records to inject the royal blue imprint with a dose of his distinctive, hot as hell and sweet as chocolate studio sound. INVICTA - an untamed and unconquered production served by the young talent David Compán Santiago.
Dimitri Kechagias review: [review top="1"] [item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item] [item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item] [item value="10"] Melody [/item] [item value="10"] Synths [/item] [item value="10"]Breakdown[/item] [item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item] [item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item] [item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item] [item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item] [item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item] [item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item] [item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item] [item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item] [item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item] [item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item] [item value="10"]Fisical Project - Invicta [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Fisical Project is a very talented upcoming producer with great releases on top record labels. His latest anthem on VANDIT entitled Invicta is a powerful super energetic anthemic hybrid of psy tech trance sharp basslines, thumping kicks, punchy percussion and superb breakdown packed with summery Ibiza vibe style melodies. The anthemic upliftic synths will raise the hair from your neck straight away. The climax goes the psy tech trance direction with focus on the bassline until the uplifting hands in the air section comes in to glow and shine for the final anthemic part! When the track is approved by the boss Paul van Dyk you are rest assured that you get quality anthem! #PureGold Love IT [/content]
Whilst Cari is known for her vocal work not many know that she also is developing herself as a producer and in this track she shows us her take on the music, together with upcoming talents Fisical Project and Caleb Golston. They combine their forces to create Like It Was Yesterday; A piece of music filled with emotion, soaring vocals and a catchy synth hook you won't forget easily.
Dimitri Kechagias review: [review top="1"] [item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item] [item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item] [item value="10"] Melody [/item] [item value="10"] Synths [/item] [item value="10"]Breakdown[/item] [item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item] [item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item] [item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item] [item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item] [item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item] [item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item] [item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item] [item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item] [item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item] [item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item] [item value="10"]Cari & Fisical Project & Caleb Golston - Like It Was Yesterday [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Three great talents combine their powers to deliver the next GO Music release. Cari & Fisical Project & Caleb Golston give us an exceptional vocal trance beauty called Like It Was Yesterday. The track stands out with its powerful energetic demanding bouncy basslines, thumping pounding drums, energizing beats and stunning euphoric synths merged beautifully with piano chords and epic strings to highlight Cari incredible talent with her sweet melancholic and truly blissful voice. The lyrics will become easily part of your every day life and you will singalong while the uplifting sounds carry you under their protective wings. Classy from start to finish not to be missed. #PureGold Love IT[/content]
Fisical Project is a young Spanish Producer born in Granada. He found that electronic music was a true way of expressing his most deep feelings, and it was in 2010 when he begun to discover that his true passion resided in Trance music.
In 2013 he started crafting his own sounds and as he progressed, becoming more proficient and confident which led him to enter one of Armada's renowned music contests.
The hard work was paying off as he achieved a top 40 spot which gave him strength and determination to keep producing and developing his craft as a Trance artist.
Although he had released a limited amount of tracks on smaller labels, it wasn't until 26th of May 2014 when he found his feet, releasing a track called "Rising Star", together with the help of San Lopez.
During the years the young boy from Granada has been trying different sounds and getting support from famous international DJ's such as Paul van Dyk, Alex Morph, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Sied Van Riel, Mike Push, Jordan Suckley, DJ Feel, Mark Sherry, Roger Shah, John Askew, Heavens Gate, Roman Messer, Johan Ekman, Manuel Le Saux, signed on Black Hole, Suanda Music, Discover Digital, Alter Ego & many more! His breakthrough had yet to come, until he signed his collaboration with The Avains called "El Collabro" with Rielism, the record label of Sied Van Riel. As Rielism is a sublabel of Black HoleRecordings, this presented the opportunity for the track to be included in the well known Rielism Vol 4 Compilation.
Other successful ventures Fisical Project was involved in included # 3 in Kiss Fm Ukraine with "Temptation" a collaboration with Oldfix. He also achieved a staggering 7.5 rating in a prestigious Dj Mag Review "Total Destruction". The #Top 186 position in the Trance Podium 2017 ranking and #Top167 position in 2018. Last but not least his track was named as #FutureSound in the radio show of Aly and Fila #FSOE531
Dimitris: Can you mention your biggest music career achievements in 2018?
Fisical Project: I think it has been an incredible year. The fact of having released 18 tracks, I think it says it all. It was a year in which I started getting a play in FSOE becoming Future Sounds of the week with "Cherry Bomb" thanks to the great work of Luke Warner and Latex Zebra that made an incredible remix. I must also say that other great djs like Paul van Dyk have supported several of my works, which I can be very proud of. In addition to having climbed positions in the Trance Podium ranking
Dimitris: Can you rate 2018 for you as a year with 1 being very bad until 10 that is perfect year!
Fisical Project: 7 good year. I think it's been a great year, but you have to be self-critical, I can improve much more. I want it to be the turning point this year, and set an example for the future. Since more than quantity, the important thing is the quality that I should start to take out.
1) Best 3 Tracks from other artists in 2018, please give us a short comment for each track:
Fisical Project:
01. Paul van Dyk ft. Plumb - Music Rescues Me: Without a doubt I think that for me this is the best theme of this year, it is incredible what makes me feel this song. Because this song tells my life, it's my life, I do not know what would have happened to me if I didn't found this music. That's why this song means a lot to me.
02. Cold Blue - Rush: Without a doubt this is the kind of music I like to listen to, listening to the music of Cold Blue is like going back to the 2000s and feeling the energy that trance has always transmitted, an inspiration for me.
03. Craig Connelly - Trouble In Paradise: I think this is another of the songs that defines me the most, those sounds and melodies are what make me get the energy of this music.
2) Your 3 Best of 2018 personal productions, give us more background info about them:
Fisical Project: 01. Fisical Project & Ryan K - Escape The Abuse
02. Fisical Project & Ryan K - Memento
03. The Avains & Fisical Project - Interconnected
3) Best Artist in 2018 & Best New Talent in 2018:
Fisical Project: I think that for me the best producer and new talent of this year has undoubtedly been Rysto. I love how he produces, as in so little time he has managed to get that perfect sound he has, and those ideas so I am a faithful fan of him since he made a remix to "Ineffable."I think next year will be incredible for Rysto.
4) Best Remix in 2018, please explain why you liked it so much:
Fisical Project:Effervesce II (Omar Sherif Extended Remix)
Sometimes It is complicated to get a remix which is very good, and more when it comes from a song that we all know. This remix with no doubt continues to maintain that essence of the original, and I love to hear it.
5) Best electronic music album in 2018? Please explain your decision why you think is the best album?(b) Do you believe that albums are still relevant or you prefer singles:
Fisical Project: For me, without a doubt, the best album of this year was released by Paul Van Dyk, "Music Rescues Me". I think it's an album that transmits that essence that we sometimes miss.
(b) Actually an album is always better than a single, it makes you travel and express your feelings even more.
6) Best electronic music label for 2018, please justify why you choose this label and what was so special in 2018 about it:
Fisical Project: Personally I think there are many labels that are doing very well and among them I want to highlight the form and treatment they have had with me at Abora Recordings and Alter Ego Recordings which is an exemplary label.
7) Best electronic music video for 2018, please explain why you like this video so much:
Fisical Project: Project & Ryan K - Memento, I think this video is incredible, I still can't believe that the author devoted so much time to making this incredible work of art
8) Best Twitter/Facebook/Instagram message you may have received about your music or your DJ performance in 2018:
Fisical Project:I think there have been many positive messages that I have received this year, both in person and on social networks, and I can not pick up any of them. I never expected this so I am very grateful to all those people who have dedicated some of their time to write a positive word about me, thanks from the heart.
9) Best music composition software in 2018, please explain why you appreciate it so much:
Fisical Project: I think that FL is really good if you know how to use it, but I only use it for now and it is what I most easily did at the time. It is a great software, it has greatly improved its interface, and its facility to produce
10) Your Best personal DJ Gig for 2018 (if you are active as DJ) and why you believe is the finest:
Fisical Project: I think it was amazing to be able to finally make what I like most, I was playing at Sunrise Trance Meeting 2018
11) Best technical tips that you learnt in 2018 in relation to your DJing or music productions:
Fisical Project: I think I have greatly improved my ideas, and also in the equalisation.
Many thanks to Fisical Project for his answers! We wish him all the best in 2019
Fisical Project & Ryan K return to ART Recordings! 'Until I Find You' is better than it has any right to be and to date has been doing some serious damage on the trance circuit. Superb peak time material!
It is great pleasure that Fisical Project from Granada, Spain has accepted the challenge to talk about this release on our interview that you can read right here & right now. Dimitri: When did you start your involvement with electronic dance music and which music style you are more affiliated with and why?
Fisical Project: Everything began in 2010; In my town they have always done a djs contest, and my mother wanted me to participate. The truth is that I had never heard about electronic music. Even though I did not know anything, I try to do what I could, after that started to find djs on internet, and started to listen DJ Tiesto.
When I discovered electronic music, I started to feel that it was the energy I needed, since during those years of my life, I was totally alone, fighting against abuse and bullying at school.
For me trance always will be my style, was the music that I discover and helped me to stay here. But I really like to listen all kind of music, It helps you to learn more.
Dimitri: Did you had the opportunity to attend any kind of music production course or are u completely self taught? Do you consider that is essential for any artist to complete any production course?
Fisical Project: This a good question, cause of I started to create my music alone, and trying to improve always my sound, I watched many tutorials on YouTube, like the Adam Ellis ones, but my main point was asking for feedback, my friend Borja aka Dim3nsion helped me a lot when I started to make music. I think It is not essential, you can learn easily nowadays there are a lot of tutorials, but always will be more easy to learn with a course, of course.
Dimitri: In which label was your first ever release and how did you manage to attract the attention of the label?
Fisical Project: The truth is that before signing on TFB, which by the way, now they change its name to Ultima Audio, I signed on other labels before, but I do not consider these tracks as real songs. That's why I always I say TFB was my first records label.
If I remember correctly, a friend talked with them, because it is a record label from my country and they liked the track.
Dimitri: Please pick for us your Top 5 tracks that you have produced and you consider them as being highly important for the progress of your career indifferent if they were commercially successful.
Fisical Project: This could be a bit complicated for me, but these are the songs that for me have the most feeling:
1. Fisical Project & Ryan K - Escape The Abuse (Original Mix)
2. The Avains & Fisical Project - El Collabro (Original Mix)
3. Fisical Project - Sierra Nevada (Original Mix)
4. Fisical Project & Ryan K - Until I Find You (Original Mix)
Dimitri: Let's focus on your track Until I Find You by Fisical Project & Ryan K on ART Recordings. Please tell us from where did you got the inspiration for the track?
Fisical Project: I think the title says it all: "Until I find You" , I was inspired by the happiness that my couple transmits to me. Thanks to her, I think I have improved a lot this year, She is a big part of my motivation.
Dimitri: How long it took you to produce it and was an easy or difficult process?If you have faced any difficulties please tell us about them and how did you resolved them?
Fisical Project: I think that approximately, Ryan and I took less than a month to do it, the truth is that it was a track in which, we had no problems with the mixdown.
Dimitri: Which was the biggest challenge that you faced during the production of this superb track?
Fisical Project: I think it was, having to export all the sounds to wav to work it better. It is very complicated to work with a laptop when it is a not good one.
Dimitri: Can you describe to us the steps that you went through the production of this track and of any other track?
Fisical Project: We usually start working with the main idea of the song, once you have the main melody, it is very easy to start working on the breakdown and the drop, and afterwards, it is simply to work the mix. You can also start with the introduction of the song, but it's easier and more motivating when you have the main melody.
Dimitri: When the track finished did the label accepted it as it was produced or did the label recommend you to do some changes or fix certain things?
Fisical Project: This time ART Recordings liked a lot, and we did not change nothing.
Dimitri: Is this track an original composition or is it based on a template from another track produced from you or another producer?
Fisical Project: It is 100% our work, we do not like to copy and paste like maybe other artist do, or to use ghost producer (I am the ghost producer). I always want to make new stuff, try to find new sounds, and innovate to do not make boring tracks. To say the truth I am always focus in make new sounds, and try to add other sound by others kinds of music. Nowadays we need innovate the music we like to stay here.
Dimitri: Is the quality of this track higher than your previous one? If yes in what ways this track sounds better than your previous one?
Fisical Project: I usually say this is my "best track", when you work hard every day, you improve a lot your sound, and the feeling is great, always you can improve your ideas skills, and your sound quality. I think this one sound much better, if you compare with the music I did last year.
Dimitri: Do you have any friends or relatives that you send them the track before sending it to a label or if you are DJ did you test it in your gigs? If yes did you have to do any alterations as a result of the crowd reaction?
Fisical Project: Yes of course, I have some friends that help me a lot with their feedback, like Eugenio Tokarev, Aldo Henrycho, Walter Armas and Raul Mad, they all are great friends and talents. I will have the opportunity in a few days to test it live!
Dimitri: Please describe to us the studio that you have produced the track? What is your favourite hardware and software set up? Do you have in mind any new gear that you wish to get in order to raise the quality of your production?
Fisical Project: Well my studio is just a laptop (Acer Aspire E 15, i7) and a good headphones (Audio Technica MX50). I don't need more at the moment, but I would like to have a better laptop to work without wavs.
Dimitri: Do you master the track yourself or the mastering is task for the record label? Do you understand mastering as being essential?
Fisical Project: This time my friend Duncan Newell did the mastering, he is very professional working the right labels and compression, but sometimes I do my own mastering yes, but I am not as good as him.
Dimitri: There is a growing trend of vinyl coming back for good. Would you like to see this track released on vinyl or any other of your future tracks? Do you prefer digital files or vinyl?
Fisical Project: If you are a music lover you always want to have your music in the best quality, and of course will be great to have a track in vinyl.
Dimitri: Do you have any future releases planned and when will be released?
Fisical Project: In September I will release new tracks on Extrema, Redux and Tangled Audio. This year I will release 17 tracks, and many tracks in coming with Nathia Kate.
Dimitri: When your long awaited DJ debut will be?
Fisical Project: My DJ debut going to be next 20-22 of July In "Sunrise Trance Meeting" here in Spain.
Dimitri: Do you produce a radio show/podcast as well? Please tell us here all the details about it. If you don't have one please tell us why you don't think is important for your career.
Fisical Project: When I started to produce I had two shows, but with the time I left they, not many time. But I hope soon start a new radio show.
Dimitri: Best piece of advice you got in relation to your career so far and best tip you learnt recently to make your tracks better.
Fisical Project:
Paul van Dyk: " Do what you like, and love what you do"
Eugenio Tokarev: "Your next track is your better one"
Dimitri: Please give us your tips or more elaborated advice for any new artists who may read this interview and wish to get involved with the electronic music industry.
Fisical Project: Do not just listen to a type of music, learn from it. Compare your music with that of other artists. Be hard with your feedback. And do what you like, innovate your sound.
Many thanks to Fisical Project for this interview and we wish him all the best in his future career.
