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Interview with Graham Gold ( 14th of February 2008 23:30 GMT UTC )
1. How would You describe Your style in electronic dance music and who are Your influences ?
Graham Gold: Emphasis is very much on quality, whether its trance or house, but also I am not looking for super cool tracks that bore the CENSORED out of people. Influences, well as far as producers go, then the obvious I am afraid. Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, John O`Callaghan, but I also ask my son B.E.N. a lot when I am stuck in the studio - he is making a big name for himself!
2. Being an old timer in electronic music industry what You think is the big difference between the music industry today compared to ten years ago ?
Graham Gold: Thanks for that, you sure know how to make someone feel good!! There are a few, but rather the music industry as a whole, lets focus on the clubbing side. Firstly promoters are now solely only booking producers but who said they make great Dj's! Some do, but a lot don't! Its natural to start producing once you are a dj, but I am not convinced about it the other way round. I believe you are born to entertain, its not something you can learn - you either have it or you don't. Secondly, its all about digital now, whether playing cds or using Ableton/Traktor etc -10 years ago, you wouldn't be seen dead without your record box!! Thirdly, the scene is shrinking for sure. Which in one makes no sense-there are all the great new producers, new synths, new sounds, so the music is fresher than it ever was, is it because clubs are booking only producers who don't entertain this new generation of clubbers, is it because every scene has its glory years, and new things come around. OK, more people ARE getting into live bands for sure, the thrill of popping pills every weekend doesn't have the same appeal now for those who were clubbing 10 years ago, and for the new generation, there isn't that buzz that surrounded them 10-15 years ago.
3. Now as far as Your music grind what You been working on lately ?
Graham Gold: Just finished a remake of OHM's "Tribal Tone", just finished the follow up to Paul van Dyk and Armin van Buuren called "Glorfified2 and half way through a track with the rather hot and incredibly sexy Claudia Cazacu.
4. Are there any electronic dance music artists or Djs that You would like to collaborate with ?
Graham Gold: Yeah, loads! John O'Callaghan, Sean Tyas, Aly & Fila and B.E.N. too, but they are way more than advanced than me in the studio, so it probs won't happen, though Seany did say yes a little while ago.
5. What is the biggest thing You have learned from up and down period of the electronic music industry ?
Graham Gold: To always believe in yourself, nothing is personal (though the downs sure feel like they are) and don't sit on your arse being bitter and moaning. Only we are responsible for our destiny, so you have to work to make things happen.
6. What have been some of the things that have really gotten You back in the studio for Your latest releases ?
Graham Gold: On one thing really, before, with the radios how nand having the most listened to specialist show on London's Kiss 100 was enough. Though I produced before, it was always with an engineer, and lets cut the bollox, EVERYONE who works with an engineer isn't REALLy making the track, the engineer is!! They show you what you can do with a sound, a riff etc, you just say whether you like it or not, you aren't actually CREATING it! So I knew I had to be able to do this by myself, so bought a studio, and taught myself with help from people like John "00" Callaghan and Adam White.
7. So what is Your strategy when Your producing a track and what inspires You the most and what is Your creative process like when You are in the studio ?
Graham Gold: Well I generally start from being inspired by something that I would have played out at the weekend. You hear things that you didn't hear when just downloading for example. Then I make the grooves and loops I am going to use, come up with a lead which I then send to Ben and he just makes it better!! (that's what 5 years of piano lessons does for you, so now I am having piano lessons!!) then spend hour going through all my synths looking for and making the sounds and then the same time again writing the bass and looking for that right sound! That for me is the hardest bit! Then I reference tracks from Paul van Dyk, John O'Callaghan etc (everyone doe sit, its allowed!!) to see what I can learn from them, they do certain things! But you don't copy, you just do your own take on things.
8. Tell us about Your show 'Trancedayze' and who made it so far being Your guests ?
Graham Gold: Well it's been going for quite a while now across many stations around the world. I got the name from playing Summadayze in Australia, and I liked the double meaning and the spelling! I don't have guests ever, as there is way too much music I want to play every week, and the show is there to promote Graham Gold's take on trance.
9. Share some names with us too, who are some of the people You have worked with so far ?
Graham Gold: Oh God, gig wise, everyone! I was the first UK DJ/promoter to bring Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Flash Brothers, Mike Shiver, Bobina and Filo & Peri to the UK. Back in 1983 Carl Cox and I were both Friday night residents of this dodgy club in South London!! Oh, I haven't played with Sasha or John Digweed, but they are both mates!
10. Please say a few words to the TranceSound.net members, or anyone reading this exclusive interview, thanks.
Graham Gold: Thank you very much for reading this interview, I hope you like its honesty, and will embrace all the great things that loving trance has to offer. Whether its making new best friends you meet in a club or think about starting to produce or even DJ'ing. And remember, the scene cannot get stronger if it wasn't for the clubbers that live for the music and support the events, radio stations etc etc, so never stop doing that!
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Graham Gold official website
Graham Gold @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
TranceSound.net official website
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