Rhythmism.comQ&A with ATB @ Electric Zoo 2010
by rhythmism
Tuesday, Aug 24th 2010, 05:03 PM
In the relatively fickle world of dance music, where trends seem to change with the season, there are only a handful of artists that can boast over a decade's worth of success. And even with this success, there are even fewer who can lay this claim with the confidence that they have remained true to themselves, their music and their fans. Germany's trance king ATB is surely one of these artists. He has represented the true spirit of dance music through 8 studio albums, multiple mix CDs and a constant tour schedule while staying as close to his legions of adoring fans as humanly possible. His breakout single "9pm (Till I Come)" remains one of the seminal trance classics of all time, and yet he has not allowed himself to be pigeonheld into this specific recognizable style within the trance genre. His studio output balances ATB the artist with ATB the DJ. As his latest mix can attest, ATB the DJ is as worldy as ever and always ready for a great night out. Sunset Beach DJ Sessions sees him embark on a new artistic journey along the compilation trail. Part 1 showcases an exquisite selection of brand new club tracks, blended into a superlative ATB DJ set. Part 2, meanwhile, introduces ATB in beach lounge mode, serving up a fantastic mix of contemporary tunes and timeless classics.
The consummate professional, ATB is known to desire and maintain a close bond with his fans which has not gone unnoticed. In 2009 He was voted #11 in the DJ Mag Top 100 Poll and is poised to go even higher in this years edition. He has spent a lot of time in the country this summer, holding down a well recieved four week mini residency at Las Vegas' club Rain's Perfecto Night. His U.S tour will come to a close when he plays another set at New York's Electric Zoo Festival. This year he will be playing on the Main Stage on Saturday, September 4th. In anticipation of the festival we caught up with ATB to talk about his latest mix compilation, Electric Zoo and the tragic events of this year's Love Parade.
ATB will be performing at the Electric Zoo - Main Stage on Saturday, September 4th. Click here to attend his set!
You have just released a new DJ mix called Sunset Beach DJ Session. Each of the two discs features a different side to ATB. First, we hear a more “in the club” sound but on the second disc we hear a more chilled out side of your music; perfect for summer nights on the beach. What are some of the destinations that inspired you to make this mix?
During the last months I have traveled around the globe a lot and, of course, got one or another impression from the places I have seen during these travels. But there is no specific destination that the whole compilation depends on. It’s more a combination of all impressions I gathered during the last months. I think everybody who listens to the CD and keeps in mind the background of a DJ Session on a beach during sunset will have the perfect picture in their own mind.
In addition to your mix CDs, you have released 8 full length artist albums in almost as many years. Do you consider a DJ mix to be a “break” from production or does just as much time and effort go into putting together a proper mix as does with an artist album?
Well, producing an album and making a mix compilation are two totally different things. Both are very important for me, because I want to show the people every side of ATB. On one hand there are the albums with ATB the producer, where I solely present my own music and ideas, and on the other hand is ATB the DJ with the compilations, where I give the people an exclusive insight into the music they can expect at one of my DJ gigs.
Trance has been one of dance music most popular genre’s for a while and is currently thriving in popularity around the world. How has the genre changed since its early days?
The quality of the productions has significantly improved, especially the overall sound quality. This is due to the modern ways of production available these days. Digital sound tools have had a huge influence in the whole production process, making it easier to explore and try out new things that were just impossible to do years ago. Also the tracks are slowing down a bit in their tempo. 10 years ago tracks were produced and played at around 140 BPM, and today it’s approximately around 130 BPM. But there is a much larger creative variety in trance today than there was 10 years ago. Many trance tracks get influenced by other styles, like House, Electro and even possible Rock or Hip Hop. This makes the sound of today very variable and much more interesting.
What is it about trance music that makes it have such a universal appeal? What is it about the genre that also makes it so polarizing?
For me it’s the unique combination of melodies and beats, which makes this sound so sweeping, and I’m sure it’s the same for many other people. It’s not just about having a grooving beat or an emotional melody. I take great effort in combining those two elements for maximum result, so that the people can party away with a groovy beat and on the other hand connect with the deep emotions in the melodies.
In some very sad news, the tragic events at this year’s Love Parade in Germany have been well documented. What were your immediate thoughts upon learning of the events that were unfolding? Do you think that the organizers were correct in letting the show continue even with knowledge of what had happened?
What has happened in Duisburg on the 24th of July is more than a tragedy. 21 people lost their lives due to false decisions of the organizers. There were many discussions in Germany during the last two weeks, whether it was the right decision to let the show continue or not. But what could the organizers do in this situation rather than keep the show going? If they had stopped the event, then thousands of people would have started to leave the venue instantly, and this was likely to cause a second, bigger tragedy than what had already happened.
How did the DJs and performers react when told the show will still go on?
Most of them, as well as me, didn’t want to perform at the show anymore after they had been informed about what had happened. The stage managers on-site showed total understanding for our decision and nobody made any approaches to try and persuade us to perform and our decision was respected by everybody.
Do you think that there is a future for Love Parade in Germany? If not, what do you think the event’s legacy will be?
This is really difficult to say, but I think the last word about it isn’t spoken yet. It would be a shame if such a wonderful event as the Love Parade, which is a synonym for finest electronic music and thousands of people celebrating peacefully won’t take place anymore, only because the people involved in the making of this years’ event didn’t pay attention to the task at hand and made all mistakes possible. Maybe one day someone will step up and take the challenge, but it surely must be someone with a lot of experience in the matter and not just anybody.
Let’s get back to talking about music. You will be returning to New York in September for another set at the Electric Zoo festival. You were one of the DJs who played last year at the festivals inaugural edition. What were your thoughts on the festival last year? How does it compare to other festivals in other cities?
Playing at the Electric Zoo festival last year was a real honor and one of the best gigs last year. To play open air in the middle of such a wonderful city like New York is really something special and a totally amazing experience. There is no other city in the world comparable with the beautiful feelings and skyline of New York. It’s really unique.
In addition to Electric Zoo you are also heading to Las Vegas for a weekly mini residency at Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Vegas event at Rain Nightclub in August. How did this opportunity come about? What is it about Las Vegas and Rain Nightclub that appeals to you?
I have played at Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto night once or twice already, and so I know the Rain club. To be honest I was really surprised when my management got a call from the n9ne group where they asked if I would like to make a summer residence at the Perfecto night. Of course I didn’t have to think about it very long and gladly accepted the offer. I think of all cities around the globe, Las Vegas is the one with the highest quality of entertainment, and I am very proud to be a part of this entertainment world during my four weeks at the Rain.
With a constant tour schedule and such a prolific output of studio work, how do you manage to keep everything fresh and exciting after all these years? What tricks do you have so that you don’t get too burnt out on the road or in the studio?
It all depends on the right mixture between working in the studio and being on tour. But also the combination of both is what keeps everything fresh, interesting and inspiring. When I’m on tour, I get a lot of emotional feedback from the audience I play for, and I take that emotions back with me to the studio. Then when I produce new tracks, they are the creative result of that feedback mixed with my own ideas, emotions and feelings. Then taking those new tracks with me on tour lets me experience the feedback from the people, so the circle is complete.
But you can be assured that I also take great value in making sure that I have enough free time for my family and friends. You know, I’m not really a workaholic. ;)
Saturday & Sunday, September 4-5, 2010
Made Event presents
ELECTRIC ZOO
New York Electronic Music Festival
Randall’s Island Park
Open Air Festival
11am-11pm Each Day, All Ages
Two Day Passes & Single Day Tickets Available
www.atb-music.com
www.MadeEvent.com
www.ElectricZooFestival.com
The consummate professional, ATB is known to desire and maintain a close bond with his fans which has not gone unnoticed. In 2009 He was voted #11 in the DJ Mag Top 100 Poll and is poised to go even higher in this years edition. He has spent a lot of time in the country this summer, holding down a well recieved four week mini residency at Las Vegas' club Rain's Perfecto Night. His U.S tour will come to a close when he plays another set at New York's Electric Zoo Festival. This year he will be playing on the Main Stage on Saturday, September 4th. In anticipation of the festival we caught up with ATB to talk about his latest mix compilation, Electric Zoo and the tragic events of this year's Love Parade.
ATB will be performing at the Electric Zoo - Main Stage on Saturday, September 4th. Click here to attend his set!
You have just released a new DJ mix called Sunset Beach DJ Session. Each of the two discs features a different side to ATB. First, we hear a more “in the club” sound but on the second disc we hear a more chilled out side of your music; perfect for summer nights on the beach. What are some of the destinations that inspired you to make this mix?
During the last months I have traveled around the globe a lot and, of course, got one or another impression from the places I have seen during these travels. But there is no specific destination that the whole compilation depends on. It’s more a combination of all impressions I gathered during the last months. I think everybody who listens to the CD and keeps in mind the background of a DJ Session on a beach during sunset will have the perfect picture in their own mind.
In addition to your mix CDs, you have released 8 full length artist albums in almost as many years. Do you consider a DJ mix to be a “break” from production or does just as much time and effort go into putting together a proper mix as does with an artist album?
Well, producing an album and making a mix compilation are two totally different things. Both are very important for me, because I want to show the people every side of ATB. On one hand there are the albums with ATB the producer, where I solely present my own music and ideas, and on the other hand is ATB the DJ with the compilations, where I give the people an exclusive insight into the music they can expect at one of my DJ gigs.
Trance has been one of dance music most popular genre’s for a while and is currently thriving in popularity around the world. How has the genre changed since its early days?
The quality of the productions has significantly improved, especially the overall sound quality. This is due to the modern ways of production available these days. Digital sound tools have had a huge influence in the whole production process, making it easier to explore and try out new things that were just impossible to do years ago. Also the tracks are slowing down a bit in their tempo. 10 years ago tracks were produced and played at around 140 BPM, and today it’s approximately around 130 BPM. But there is a much larger creative variety in trance today than there was 10 years ago. Many trance tracks get influenced by other styles, like House, Electro and even possible Rock or Hip Hop. This makes the sound of today very variable and much more interesting.
What is it about trance music that makes it have such a universal appeal? What is it about the genre that also makes it so polarizing?
For me it’s the unique combination of melodies and beats, which makes this sound so sweeping, and I’m sure it’s the same for many other people. It’s not just about having a grooving beat or an emotional melody. I take great effort in combining those two elements for maximum result, so that the people can party away with a groovy beat and on the other hand connect with the deep emotions in the melodies.
In some very sad news, the tragic events at this year’s Love Parade in Germany have been well documented. What were your immediate thoughts upon learning of the events that were unfolding? Do you think that the organizers were correct in letting the show continue even with knowledge of what had happened?
What has happened in Duisburg on the 24th of July is more than a tragedy. 21 people lost their lives due to false decisions of the organizers. There were many discussions in Germany during the last two weeks, whether it was the right decision to let the show continue or not. But what could the organizers do in this situation rather than keep the show going? If they had stopped the event, then thousands of people would have started to leave the venue instantly, and this was likely to cause a second, bigger tragedy than what had already happened.
How did the DJs and performers react when told the show will still go on?
Most of them, as well as me, didn’t want to perform at the show anymore after they had been informed about what had happened. The stage managers on-site showed total understanding for our decision and nobody made any approaches to try and persuade us to perform and our decision was respected by everybody.
Do you think that there is a future for Love Parade in Germany? If not, what do you think the event’s legacy will be?
This is really difficult to say, but I think the last word about it isn’t spoken yet. It would be a shame if such a wonderful event as the Love Parade, which is a synonym for finest electronic music and thousands of people celebrating peacefully won’t take place anymore, only because the people involved in the making of this years’ event didn’t pay attention to the task at hand and made all mistakes possible. Maybe one day someone will step up and take the challenge, but it surely must be someone with a lot of experience in the matter and not just anybody.
Let’s get back to talking about music. You will be returning to New York in September for another set at the Electric Zoo festival. You were one of the DJs who played last year at the festivals inaugural edition. What were your thoughts on the festival last year? How does it compare to other festivals in other cities?
Playing at the Electric Zoo festival last year was a real honor and one of the best gigs last year. To play open air in the middle of such a wonderful city like New York is really something special and a totally amazing experience. There is no other city in the world comparable with the beautiful feelings and skyline of New York. It’s really unique.
In addition to Electric Zoo you are also heading to Las Vegas for a weekly mini residency at Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Vegas event at Rain Nightclub in August. How did this opportunity come about? What is it about Las Vegas and Rain Nightclub that appeals to you?
I have played at Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto night once or twice already, and so I know the Rain club. To be honest I was really surprised when my management got a call from the n9ne group where they asked if I would like to make a summer residence at the Perfecto night. Of course I didn’t have to think about it very long and gladly accepted the offer. I think of all cities around the globe, Las Vegas is the one with the highest quality of entertainment, and I am very proud to be a part of this entertainment world during my four weeks at the Rain.
With a constant tour schedule and such a prolific output of studio work, how do you manage to keep everything fresh and exciting after all these years? What tricks do you have so that you don’t get too burnt out on the road or in the studio?
It all depends on the right mixture between working in the studio and being on tour. But also the combination of both is what keeps everything fresh, interesting and inspiring. When I’m on tour, I get a lot of emotional feedback from the audience I play for, and I take that emotions back with me to the studio. Then when I produce new tracks, they are the creative result of that feedback mixed with my own ideas, emotions and feelings. Then taking those new tracks with me on tour lets me experience the feedback from the people, so the circle is complete.
But you can be assured that I also take great value in making sure that I have enough free time for my family and friends. You know, I’m not really a workaholic. ;)
Saturday & Sunday, September 4-5, 2010
Made Event presents
ELECTRIC ZOO
New York Electronic Music Festival
Randall’s Island Park
Open Air Festival
11am-11pm Each Day, All Ages
Two Day Passes & Single Day Tickets Available
www.atb-music.com
www.MadeEvent.com
www.ElectricZooFestival.com
