1. Hi there Steven, how's everything lately ? Thanks for having this exclusive interview for TranceSound.net with me.
Steven Lee: Not a problem, I appreciate the invite !
2. For those not already knowing, define the style of music that Steven Lee creates ?
Steven Lee: Well as one half of Lee-Cabrera a few years back we really shy'd away from any certain style but always had the signature Lee Cabrera sounds of drama, big builds, heavily bass driven and as original as we could make things both with our productions and with our remixes. With as successful as that was, I really haven't stopped with those attempts but maybe now as Steven Lee I am bit more patient and intellectual with the music (at least I try to be). I love it deep and warm and on the darker edgier sides as I did recently in "Me, You & Space" and "Exit Row" for Azuli & CR2 but I like to think for whatever dance floor is out there, I can bring some magic which is a lot like the way I DJ (a bit of it all).
3. What has been the inspiration behind Your music ?
Steven Lee: Years and years of growing up with music. My mother is a musician as is my aunt and they were both in bands together and my mother still leads the worship in church today and there was a never a day of growing up that music wasn't present. I chose sports and never stopped so I knew it was just a matter of time before the artistic music side in me came lurking, It was always there but never did for some reason I didn't think I would be doing it for a living. After moving to NYC and being engulfed by all its of culture and music I knew it was time to start writing, producing and DJing...
4. Speaking of that, Your style is quite interesting as well. How do You best sum up Your sound nowadays ?
Steven Lee: Cosmopolitan with a growling bass line and a blast of white noise ? not sure really... there is so much good stuff out there (and bad) and with touring as much as I do, you hear it all but I keep it creative and diverse while giving them what they want while educating a bit as well...
5. From a musical standpoint, what do You base Your style on ?
Steven Lee: Probably more of the New York underground sound. Moving to NYC early in my career gave me the opportunity to hear Danny Tenaglia frequently and the several blends of simplicity with the edge and growl at that steady tempo that he gives you is just infections and poisonous all at the same time. Its got soul, its got emotion and it rips your face off as well...
6. We all know that You are half of one of the most famous house music act in the US, Lee Cabrera, when this happened and what makes the merge still working nowadays ?
Steven Lee: This happened after my first trip to Ibiza in 2001 and I was working at Strictly Rhythm and had just mixed a CD album for them and Cabrera was doing the edits on the album. We got together and the sessions were great so I asked him if he wanted to make a record together as I had a good idea. We did a remix of the classic Lil Mo Yin Yang "Reach" and it went off with the heads and that's how the name started... From there several remixes and then our first original production "Shake It" (Move A Little Closer) and so on... I have since moved on as Steven Lee and have been touring and producing on my own for a couple years and felt it was time to go solo. I am sure we will reunite down the road for another Shake It 2015...
7. You have been active as Lee Cabrera for a few years now, but Your name was really put out there when You released the very well known track "Shake It" back in 2003. Just reiterate the reason behind making the track.
Steven Lee: The reason ? To make people dance and have a great club track for all the DJ's to play. Those days things were a little progressive so we wanted to do something extremely original and get people dancing their asses off again... We got lucky as it worked!
8. Are You signed to a recording contract at this time ?
Steven Lee: Lee Cabrera is signed to Ministry of Sound and Steven Lee is signed to Pacha & CR2 records.
9. Do You have any future aspirations ?
Steven Lee: www.FaderPro.com is the future aspiration for sure! DJing and producing will never stop but the touring is non-stop so having the luxury of having the new business start flexing its muscles will definitely be a benefit and will allow me to slow down and get more creative with the company and its next steps!
10. What has been the secret to Your success in the EDM spectrum ?
Steven Lee: Just being ready and executing on all opportunities. Staying focused and not getting caught up. Picking your battles and poisons appropriately. After "Shake It" hit if I wasn't prepared as a DJ to tour as much as did then I am not sure I will still be touring today. This is an entertainment business and our way of expressing it is with DJing so you definitely have to know how to work a crowd no matter what country or continent your in!
11. You have been all around the world lately as Lee Cabrera, several clubs, venues and parties. Tell me the best experience You ever had, where was that and why ?
Steven Lee: Not sure if I can pin a "best experience" to be honest. Touring in so many different countries and with so many venues its tough to choose just one. Radio 1 weekend in Ibiza with Alex Cartana performing "Shake It" (Move A Little Closer) to playing all the Pacha's across the world as Steven Lee to having a residency this summer on the Space terrace and GLAM in Marbella with my own night "Be Guilty"... every few days there is definitely a new adventure and experience.
12. What can You tell me about one of Your latest TNT (Top Notch Track), called "Fly Catcher" ?
Steven Lee: "Fly Catcher" is one of a bunch from the Steven Lee head. I did the record with a NYC mate Gaby Dershin as well as a few others on Pacha including the Asia "Heat of the Moment" remake with Asia and "Bicep". "Fly Catcher" is just a slow bass driven techy, grinding beat. "Me, You & Space" feat Sam Obernik is the latest out on Azuli one of a few that I have done with Sam that is forthcoming and part of the deeper darker big room collections I have been doing as Steven Lee.
13. In terms of production, You are also well known for the track "Me You and Space". What's the story behind it ?
Steven Lee: "Me, You & Space" was inspired by all my days and nights and tracks from in the past till now and about as close as I can get to the music that I would LOVE to play every night. As as DJ you don't always get the opportunity to play EXACTLY what you want as the floor doesn't allow it. Sam Obernik did a vocal on top of the record as well after being inspired by the original. I also had the DT "Elements" accapella on top of it for a bit as well and still play that version. The record blew up pretty big 2 years ago at WMC - Miami and CR2 wanted it as did Dubfire but I had already signed it off to Azuli.
14. Speaking about it, share some further details about Your highly supported tune "Exit Row".
Steven Lee: "Exit Row" was the first record I did with my NYC mate Gaby Dershin and after some really good Youtube reactions from me touring in Brazil, Mark Brown at CR2 picked it up. Tong played it a few times on his radio show and it compiled really well with Space, CR2, etc. Still play it today...
15. Gigs-wize, what can You tell me about July, August and September, where people can see You ?
Steven Lee: Lots of gigs at the moment. Actually living in Spain for the summer with regular dates at SPACE, Ibiza (Mondays) El Divino, Ibiza & Menorca (Tuesdays), Italy, Greece, Barcelona, Catwalk and many others, Moscow @ Pacha, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shangai. I have my own night in Marbella, Spain @ GLAM called "Be Guilty" where you can find me almost every Friday night until the end of the summer. My agent has also just announced the "Shake It" (Move A Little Closer) 5 Year Anniversary World Tour as the new mixes with Thomas Gold and I have went #1 Beatport and Tara McDonald has just redone the "Move A Little Closer" vocal, look out for this all summer and fall!
16. Any latest news that You would like to give us a briefly update on what Steven Lee is up to lately ?
Steven Lee: Steven Lee doesn't have a minute to do much these days... I am touring all over supporting "The Art of the Remix" release with www.FaderPro.com and the new "Shake It" and doing massive amounts of PR with the new course which is great as its being received very well but all that have purchased it. Back and forth from Marbella and Ibiza and the rest of Europe and every once in a while enjoying the life abroad in some of God's most beautiful places in Europe...
17. Any last words for the ones reading this exclusive interview, or as of the community of TranceSound.net ?
Steven Lee: Thank you all for the support of the new Fader Pro "The Art of the Remix" course and for the continued support of Steven Lee (Lee Cabrera)... God Bless!
18. It's been a pleasure to have the chance to have a chit chat with You Steven, so my last question would sound like this: How would You find the idea of being invited for the 4th annual festival called TranceSound Festival around September-October this year ?
Steven Lee: It's been a pleasure answering your questions and I appreciate the support. You tell me when it is, and I'll gladly be there and tear the floor apart for you... :)))))))
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Steven Lee @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
