This week, we caught up with Storyteller for an exclusive interview Our timing is particularly opportune because his Soundproof EP just hit our store as an exclusive pre-release from Toes in the Sand Recordings. I’ll give you more information on that in another post soon, but for now, I’ll let you dig into this interview…

Q: You joined the RV DJ roster in September of last year. Can you tell us a little about what you’ve been doing since then?

A: I have been doing a lot of things. I stay busy, especially with music. Getting DJ gigs is still hard, but there are some plans in the works for me to play a cool event in Finland, which would be my 4th gig there in about a two-year period. I also have plans in the works for a gig in Serbia. I’ve also been busy on the production front. I’ve ended an 18-month period of writer’s block with a bang. I finished five tracks in less than two months. Prospects for a couple of those tracks are good, though they aren’t signed yet. I also started on another interesting trancy tech house project with a friend, and that’s given me a much-needed fresh perspective on production.

Q: This week, Toes in the Sand Recordings gave us your Soundproof EP as an exclusive pre-release, and I was blown away by it. Did you have any particular inspiration for creating these tracks?

A: Well, it’s funny you should ask. “Proof” was actually written over two years ago as a remix originally meant for a new label. Due to private circumstances of the label owner, the label launch never actually happened. I recently contacted him to see if I could have the rights to the track. I’ve always been proud of “Proof,” and I wanted to see how it would do once it was released. I should mention that the remix was in no way similar to the original track. The label understood my problem, and the owner agreed without making any trouble whatsoever, which I’m really happy about. Next, I took it straight to Toes in the Sand, and they were more than happy to sign it. So to answer your question, the inspiration would have been the original track.

Then there is “Sound,” which I finished in November 2008. It was a project that I had laying around for quite some time. After I moved to a different house, I really felt like making music. There was no particular thing that inspired me…or maybe there was subconsciously…

Q: What’s the idea behind the title “Soundproof”?

A: I worked on a couple previous projects with Tasadi. He launched a label called Sedna Recordings and asked me if I would like to help him out by setting up a progressive/tech-house division. I loved the idea, and I respected Tasadi’s dedication to the music…so I had to think of a label name and grabbed a dictionary. After a couple of minutes I came across “Soundproof.” In the end I pulled back from the sub-label due to the limited amount of time I have. It did release an EP but that was not my work; Tasadi did that. Anyway, that’s were the name was born. Before this, I already had come up with the track title “Proof,” and I needed one for the second track. Calling it “Sound” was nice and easy and, for me, the mark of a new era. The quality of the music I have produced lately, starting with the “Soundproof EP,” has been high. I’m really happy where I am now, but I’m still aware of some aspects that need improvement.

Q: I can’t resist asking…Did any of our Thomas Penton Essential Series samples make their way into the Soundproof EP?

A: First of all I was honored to do the promo track on part three of this sample collection. Honestly, I can’t think of a sample that did not originate from the Essential Series. I’ve been a happy owner of part one and two for quite some time and I’m using it abundantly. I’m going to sound like a commercial here, but they’re really great – full of character, detail and punch. They just sound rich and work better than any sample pack I have come across thus far.

Q: You’ve really honed your skills and gained a reputation as a solid progressive producer. In what ways do you think your production style will evolve going forward?

A: Lately, I’ve been leaning a bit more toward minimal and techy music. I still think it’s quite recognizable, and it has certain elements that I consider to be my thing. It’s just a bit different. The new project I’ve started shows more of a techy influence. I think it’s important for me now to expand my array of styles, so I’m working on that.

Q: It seems there are fewer progressive releases these days – compared to say, 2004. Do you think the genre has fallen out of favor to some extent? How do you see the future shaping up for the progressive sound and community?

A: Tough question. First of all it would depend on what is considered progressive music. I agree that there is less “real” progressive music coming out. I think that progressive house is now slowly being replaced by slower paced trance. Thing is, I like both a lot. My personal preference, for the music I DJ with, lies in the deep, techy, progressive house and trance. There is a lot music out there that I enjoy, and I actually think that, since about 2006, the innovation in dance music started to pick up again as a new generation of producers are entering the music industry. I’m amazed by the vast amounts of quality music that’s being put out these days, and my intent is to enjoy that! The problem is that it takes some good searching before you find the real gems out there. Even though the older type of progressive house seemingly had its peak, it has definitely demanded its own spot in modern dance music. I think it will last albeit in slightly changed form as music evolves.

Q: If you could say one thing to every visitor to the Resonant Vibes website, no matter what nationality, age, gender, or level of appreciation for electronic music, what would it be?

A: I’d say look on the bright side of things in life, and have fun!

Eddie B

Tags: DJs, Electronic Music, Interviews, Storyteller