Where are you currently based?
Montreal, Canada
How did you first start playing music?
My dad was a wedding DJ growing up so he taught me how to spin at a young age.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been so far?
Despite the lockdown and not being able to spin, the silver lining has been having a lot of studio time and new music.
Your new single ‘Control’ from your forthcoming album ‘Until We Dance’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The track was influenced by the nightclubs I miss playing in. I wanted to release a darker and moodier track, and JT Soul nailed the mysterious and alluring vibe with his lyrics.
How did you go about writing Control?
I drove over to JT Soul’s studio for a writing session, and he essentially figured out the vocal melody right away. He then jumped in the recording booth, freestyled some flows and then came out and started putting words to it. I loved the ‘you lost all control’ part before the drop, so we worked around that after.
I was looking for a vocalist for this track for over a year, so I was in awe at how efficiently he works. He kind of entered my world of dance and electronic for this collaboration and he smashed it. He’s super talented.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
This track actually took quite some time and effort. I started the initial idea and first sketch in my home studio. I then brought it over to my buddy Kevin Figs’ studio, where he laid down the guitars and the phat bass sound. After that I searched far and wide for a vocalist until I met JT Soul. We had a couple sessions and worked on the track in his studio. I then arranged the vocals and structure at home until it was finally ready to be mixed and mastered at the label studios.
What programs/instruments did you use?
Kevin’s 1960’s limited edition Eric Clapton Fender Stratocaster for all the guitar layers. Trillian for the bass line. The drums were sampled and taken from my previous release ‘Never Be The Same’. And Refx’ nexus3 and Native Instruments’ Komplete package for the synthesizers.
How did you approach the recording/production of Control?
When I sit down in studio, I always reflect on what worked on the dancefloor in my club gigs that week. I knew I wanted to have a sexy club track I could play in my sets, so I started from there. The mysterious pads and chords in the beginning came first. Then a nice, long build up before a climatic drop that hits you hard.
Please tell us about what we can expect from your album, format, styles, sounds etc:
The album is fun, it’s feel-good and every track features an awesome vocalist from around the world. You’ll hear a lot of live instruments, performed by some super talented artists as well. You could call it dance or electronic or house… All I know is that I had a lot of fun making it and it’s meant to make you move.
Which artists and records have influenced you most over the years?
Tiësto was my idol growing up. Seeing him sell out stadiums and arenas was the coolest thing. Then when I first got into house music over a decade ago, I was influenced by French producers like David Guetta, Bob Sinclair and Daft Punk, who are still more relevant than ever. Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ is my favorite song of all time. I loved the Dutch and Swedish DJs at the time as well. Seeing Erick Morillo in Mykonos changed my life in 2011. Then I got into deep house in 2012 and fell in love with Jamie Jones, Lee Foss, Hot Since 82 and at the same time, the Swedish House Mafia, Avicii and more. Then I was inspired by UK producers like Mark Knight, Calvin Harris, Gorgon City and more. Nowadays, I’d love to sign a record with Defected or Toolroom Records.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment I’m listening to Ludo Lacoste, Tom&Collins, Wh0, John Summit, Black Coffee.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love to travel, sail, eat, play soccer, snowboard, trade stocks, watch movies and hang out with family and friends.
Any shows coming up?
I’ve got some virtual gigs lined up but live shows will have until summer 2021 here in Canada.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
Make more music. Prepare some tracks I could play out in summer 2021 and hopefully get to throw a little album release party. Fingers crossed.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I love Greek food obviously, but my absolute favorite food dish is tacos! I can eat tacos breakfast, lunch, dinner every single day no problem. As for my favorite place to hang out; I sometimes spin in bars and nightclubs 5 nights a week, so my favorite place to be is at home. Hanging out at my place and having tacos with my friends is my ideal off night.
