1. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about you as a person. Also please tell us how did you come up with the idea of using 'Mr Sam' as your artist name ?
Mr Sam: Well, my name is Samuel Paquet aka Mr Sam, 33 years, 1.95cm, 92 kg, dark hair and green eyes.. (*_-). I am French and live between France and Belgium. I have been using Mr Sam because I was and still a big fan of Mr Bean. His humor and him are both universal. He made the whole world laughing without using any words, only with his face and comic situation. He is a genius. Nothing else than this. Sometimes, people think that it is posh to be called Mister.. something but in my case it was more on the funny side and for strange reason some think the opposite.. Strange world hey !! Come, meet me up and let's have a drink and have a laugh about it ! J
2. About Your productions and remixes side, tell us about your latest remix and information of your production history, how do you feel you have evolved during these years, from the very beginning until now ?
Mr Sam: Well, my latest remix is one for Deadmau5 track called "Clockwork". I finished it this week. I make it more techy and big room. I had fun doing it and can't wait to play it over. I have a long list of productions and remixes (check www.discogs.com). As far as I remember I always wanted to produce or remix other tracks. It came with time. The first ever productions I did was a remix. It was for "Circuit Boy – The Door" on SFP Records Miami. I discovered the record when I was DJ in a club called NOVA. I gave the title to the record shop where I was working and we decided to take the license of it. I said I will do a remix.. everyone look at me.. and goes "yeah?". I said why not, I have a great idea to remix it and I will. I did my first ever remix and it was pressed on the vinyl. I was so proud I do remember it like it was yesterday. Buying so many records for years and now see my own music on vinyl.. I was mad…:-). I got inspired by Giorgio Moroder and wrote a similar sounds like bassline for the remix.. sounded massive. Got massive support from the Djs and got even more gigs and the few remixes demands came.. I did remix tones of classics and massive tracks, artists such as Delerium, Sinead O’Connor, Age of Love, Todd Terry, Y Traxx.. only to name but a few.. The story continues..
3. We are all aware of France being well known for their unique and original electronic style and since you have been born in France, how does the French culture influence your music ?
Mr Sam: Well, I grew up with Acid, newbeat and Detroit house music. I have a collection of +/- 35.000 vinyls. For the first 5-6 years I only listened to very deep kind of house music, really underground. After this I listened to all kind and bought tones of records I missed and I also look for new wave etc.. I have a nice collection I must admit. Except few legends like Laurent Garnier, Daft Punk etc.. I was more influenced by house music coming from the US. But it's true that at this time house music was massive in France. This famous "French touch". I have it but in more electronic style. I'm making techy and trancy and also housy record in a different ways. I have my own style. I worked a lot to make it the way it is. I love France for the culture, artistic life we have over here and the history, we have a lot to visit and learn. But well France isn't everything. Every country is fantastic and having is own history.. during all my travels I love learning things about everything related to the country I'm visiting. The world is expiring me.
4. There has been some rumors about you releasing a new album, if so can you give us further details about it, as in name, people You have worked with, or any other useful information ?
Mr Sam: Well, no smoke without fire. It's true. I'm working on a new solo artist album as we speak. I'm now around 18 tracks. I made all kind of music. Many will be surprised by it. It's not a Dance album only. An album is a long player so you have more freedom to express yourself and experienced new sounds too. I did a lot of collaborations. No internet ones. I traveled a lot and work in studio with all producers, musicians & singers. The results is there. Better meeting face to face and spend some time in studio. I wanted to travel for many reasons. When you do, you only have a certain amount of time to work and I like pressure. It helps you being spontaneous.. like a painter can be. For me a track is all about the mood of a day or night. I hate doing a track on a few days. At the end doesn't sounds good. The main idea should be done very fast. That's how the best record are done. Programming, mixing etc.. can take time for sure but not the artistic and idea input. You will see in time whit who I did collaborated.. there is many surprises.. "Mr Sam vs Human Resource - Dominator" is the first single from the album.. I have another one now in the pipeline which is being remixed as we speak. Sander van Doorn, Judge Jules, Eddie Halliwell are playing it to death.. More very soon !
5. Please tell us about your systems that you use for your production ? Are you keen to hardware or software and also what elements you find the most important to your production ?
Mr Sam: Well, I have a very simple vision of the studio work. Whatever hardware of software, mac or PC etc.. only ideas counts. Ideas do music not machines. It's true that I like hardware too, old synths or simply nice new ones.. I'm about to buy a Moog. Got a few viruses, waldorf etc.. Virus are my favorites. Audio & software are easier to be honest and have a good sounds. Depends on how you are mixing your record.
6. After all these years you have made so many club hits, played by several other top notch Djs too, but out of Your own productions and remixes, are there any releases that you have found to be extremely special to you ?
Mr Sam: I'm always looking all over places to find the best records.. Well a lot of records means a lot to me. There is so much talented producers around. I haven't been infected by the « Minimal virus » even if there are some records I like a lot. I'm not typical trance dj, never was. However for me a record needs a strong melody to capture the people’s attention and touch them right in the heart. I can't deny that I love very good Epic records (those hand up in the air ones). Give me goose bumps all over. To mention only one it be difficult. I like the rock records in their dance remixes like Mr Brightside from the killers remixed by Jacques Lucont, it's one of my favorite..
7. When I am thinking of Your own radio show, the best Trance, made in France (not to mention I love the merge of these words)... what can You tell us about 'Made in Trance' ?
Mr Sam: I started this show about 3 years ago and still growing up. Made in trance is a weekly show on a real French radio called contact (www.mycontact.fr) which has 400.000 listeners a day. But you can listen to it online too !! They allow me to do what I want. The show is really deep and offers the listeners tones of new tracks every week. I usually mix the first hour more deeply.. with very atmospheric records, slowly.. around 128 bpm. Second hours is always a bit more uptempo.. with being hard at all. It's a radioshow and not a Club dj set. However I play many mashups and exclusives tracks. By now you can download the show every week on Podcast (brand new !!) Podcast Link - http://www.mycontact.fr/contact-made-in-trance-par-mr-sam/podcast/10.html - Tracklisting is always in it.. for any other info, feel free to get in touch wit me: sam@mrsam.tv
8. I know for a fact that You are acting as an A&R too, since You have founded your own label called 'Appia Music', please tell us about the goals you have within 'Appia Music' ?
Mr Sam: I'm very glad we started Appia Music. I had this in mind for a long time and go for it when the time has come. I have a great relationship with Black Hole. We are like friends. We have an understanding and know each others really well. Appia Music is my label and I am deciding about everything. Artists, artwork, remixes etc.. They give me carte blanche. It's a pure collaboration between us. They are trusting me 101%. Yes I see this as a natural progression. I'm happy to have my own label, Mix Album (OPUS – By the way Secundo has just been released), my solo artist album and also my Mojado project too. It's time for me now to reach another level and expand my activities too. Appia Music has been created to be the home of innovative and modern music producers as well as releasing by now all Mr Sam's music. It will be more easier for the people to get my music as they will know that all Mr Sam's music will be released on Appia Music only.
9.Coming back to Your productions side, please tell us about the new release made along Human Resource called 'Dominator', how long it took you to create this track and did you have any supportive cooperation with other producers with it and what about the international support You have received so far ?
Mr Sam: First release was "Mr Sam vs Human Resource – Dominator". It's one of my all time favorite RAVE record and I wanted to give it justice while producing a brand new version of it. It's not a remix but more a brand new production. People understood it. I have massive support from the biggest Djs of the world on this one straight as soon as we started the promo. It's now one of the biggest techno track of the year so far.. Can I ask more for the start of the label ? The second one will be one of my new single too, coming from my forthcoming solo artist album. After that, I will start producing some others artists I already signed.. but shtt you will see asap.. J It's funny because by now some people call me the Dominator..!! J How they know it ?
10. I reckon and I realize there are several countries that you have been playing during these years, but all this time... how did you find it different from France ?
Mr Sam: As I said earlier, France is great but every country is ! I have great memories everywhere, from Sweden to Egypt, from France to Japan or Lebanon to Malta. I love traveling.. this my life.
11. What do You think it takes for an EDM artist to be successful nowadays ?
Mr sam: Very hard to say. I should say he or she must believe in it at 101% first and do all possible for it. Dedicating your entire life and time on it. This is the common point of all big artists. Work pays. I am sure about it. Working with the good people is very important too. Being highly creative and simply loving what you do. Some have more chances than others.. it's like life in general. Some's born small and some tall, other blondes, other dark hairs. The most important thing is to bring something new on the table and not being swamped with many others.. and avoid being a copycat.. it's wasting time.. and not well seen, simply be yourself and make your own style.. and all will be better. At the end, everyone is having his future in his hands ! Good luck to everyone.
12. Based on Your latest discography and the whole amount of contacts You have, who are some of the EDM artists worldwide, that you look up to ?
Mr Sam: There is so much talented artist lately so it's very hard to only pick up one. I like Sander van Doorn as now established one for the efficiency of all is records which is rare nowadays. On the melodic side I like Andy Duguid a lot. It's very well produced and there is always a story inside of his music. By the way, we made a collaboration together on my forthcoming solo album.
13. What can You tell us about one of Your latest tracks called 'Lyteo' ?
Mr Sam: "Lyteo" has been released in 2006. This track was the eponym track of my debut solo artist album ‘Lyteo’ on Black Hole Recordings. This track my first big track as artist. Everywhere I go, people are always asking for it. This record means a lot to me. I even saw people holding flags with "Mr Sam Lyteo Boy" written all over !! Good souvenir.
14. How did You find working with the finest vocalist out there Kirsty Hawkshaw, again for one of Your latest tracks called 'Split' ?
Mr Sam: As far as I remember I gave her a call. Easy as this. I wanted to work with her for a long time and waited until I had the good track to send over. "Split" was the good one. Really moody and downtempo. We are now like sister and brother.
15. What can You tell me, about 'OPUS Secundo' released as a full mix at the Black Hole Recordings that I have been told lately You run it closely with Your own label, Appia Music ?
Mr Sam: "OPUS" is a very different mix album series compares to what you can find on the market at the moment. "OPUS" is based on the idea to create an unique and exclusive selection of musical genres with an original point of view. Most of the tracks have been especially produced for the album and aren't released yet which makes OPUS a unique mix album on the market. For this second volume, I wanted focused on the visual aspect of music. For this reason, it's called « A Movie For the Ears ». It's an album full of captivating melodies, hypnotizing vocals and addicting sensations. My contribution to this album also features 3 brand new singles, results of collaborations with Solarstone, Andy Duguid and clAud9 (coming from my Mr Sam forthcoming solo album).
16. How was it working with Rich, we all know him as Solarstone and also Andy Duguid for Your track 'Hold My Breath' ? What makes You guys, thinking of a name like this ?
Mr Sam: Andy and myself, we made the original music together. When the track was finished. I had the idea to ask Rich from Solarstone to collaborate on it, not as composer but as singer. Rich is a very good singer and song writer. I always wanted to make a collaboration with Rich of Solarstone and that was the good track to do it. Rich gave the name of this track.. He's breathing all the record… sounds massive. Apart from my own mix on OPUS Secundo, Andy has done one too.. very cool remix, loving it. Rich is also doing his own mix.. it's a new way of making records. Each of us make his own mix of it, his own vision. It's nothing else than an honour to have done this collaboration with Andy & Rich.
17. Please tell us about your opinion of the current EDM, what kind of plans you have for the future for your productions ?
Mr Sam: Well, despite all I'm hearing at the moment, I still think there is a lot of quality records out on the market. It's true that the market also now swamped by average records too.. why ? simply because before when a label (runed by one of few A&R's) decided to sign a record, they had to press it on vinyl or CD, doing promotion (sending vinyls by the post takes time and cost money), distribute the records etc.. Was a lot of work and cost them a lot of money too so they thought a bit more than twice before signing anything.. Nowadays the problem is that it cost nearly nothing for a label to release or promote a track so many of them are releasing average not to say bad records. They should think a bit more. I’m like most of Djs now, listening 100 tracks to finally pick up only one, most of the time coming from very good and established labels.. but sometimes, I’m extremely surprised by unknown producers and that's why I’m waking up for everyday !!! Discovering news talents.. I think Trance is changing a lot too. Mainly everything has been already done. Anyway, I'm still listening to very good records, so it takes more time to discover good records but it's still worth spending time for it. This is what I did for OPUS (mix album series) on my quest for jewels.. J I'm loving it and I also think that the music is changing a lot too. We can now listen to very good records which are really crossing genres.. techno with house, Trance with Techno etc.. it's not as easy to recognize like years ago. I like this a lot. I'm always looking for very surprising records.. I wish someone is someone a weird track with flute and strings only with a kick and make it a massive anthem.. Look the Samim ‘Heather’ track.. easy and super efficient.. Trance is becoming softer with time (thanks Dedmau5).. but there is a lack for big track for the big room or festival in my opinion. Minimal is still strong but a bit passe now.. Electro a bit too.. yep it's already a few years they are at the top. I think that melodic music is back but on a different format.. Deadmau5 showed it very well. There is a new style of producing the recording coming up. Finally.. Melody is the most important thing..
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Mr Sam official website
Mr Sam @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
