Airwave Interviu, 03 Martie 2011
Written by iza Thursday, 03 March 2011 18:08
''... He makes more tunes in a week than most of us manage in a month. And most annoying of all, they’re all good.'' – Tony Mc Guinness, Above & Beyond, 2007.
But nothing could explain the relationship that this man established with music! At just 14 years, he discovered his atraction and developed the gift from God, playing the keyboard for hoursand making his neighbours mad and forgetting his homework undone. Laurent (Airwave) was preparing to enter into a world where art is as important as science. He improved his skills in music and technology until his first demo saw daylight in 1995. 1996 saw him release his first tracks on Bonzai imprint, infamous then, but that is 1998 that saw him grow up and become the progressive trance artist we know today, with the release of his first Airwave record, 'I Want To Believe', immediately picked up by UK’s own Sasha and Oakenfold, and later on by Tiësto, gaining popularity as much as he was playing Laurent’s records. The same can be said about the whole dutch trance scene, in which Laurent’s records were and still are omnipresent.
Today, Laurent doesn’t count his productions anymore, reaching over 100 remixes and 500 tracks under the name Airwave and many other aliases, such as The Green Martian, Velvet Girl, Cape Town, Planisphere, Fire & Ice, Yamakasi, Antidote, Lolo, and many others. He worked with the biggest names in the progressive and trance scene from Armin van Buuren to John 00 Fleming and Markus Schulz, and remixed the likes of Tiesto, Judge Jules, Josh Gabriel (Andain)... About 'Trilogique' (2006) and 'Touareg' (2008), two of the artist's albums, many fans and artists said that these are unique creations.
Enter into this world - ''a world full of humanity, which maintains appetite for a world better than the success and fame, which eventually lead to greed.'' Try to imagine a world without these useless properties and you have clearly outlined the profile and importance of such altruistic artist on EDM scene!
TA: Hi, Laurent! How do you do? How does it get our interview? How busy is Airwave at this time?
A: Heya, I'm all good thank you. Thanks so much for the interview, it's always a pleasure. There's a lot of work at the moment, so I don't have a single second to breathe.
TA: As you said during this period you're working on a new Airwave album. New items, elements? What Airwave will surprise us this time? What should audience expect from you?
A: If you saw the release of my previous albums then you know I'm like a box of chocolates, you don't know what you're going to get, and that's probably better that way. On the human side, I think this is an album that helped me fighting my darkest fears. This one is not only a therapy, it's the answer I was expecting to all my questions. As a strong believer, I have the conviction that as a musician you are spiritually guided when making your music, you're just an actor of it, and you should feel lucky to be able to live those moments.
TA: What collaborations do you have on this album?
A: Check my website, Facebook pages for the latest regarding collaborations. www.airwave-music.com and Laurent Airwave on Facebook. I posted a little info regarding those and what can I say? I am proud to be part of this bunch of likeminded people. Because that's the true beauty of what we've done, we're all on the same line.
TA: When did you plan to release this album?
A: Good things happen to those who can wait. 
TA: Laurent, is it true that you gave a helping hand to John 00 Fleming for the artist's new album? What does count in this collaboration?
A: Yes, of course, it is! And the both of us are proud of it! It's a parallel Work in Progress that demands me as much effort as on my own tracks and I'm happy because I know this effort goes to a good person. John is really helpful and clever. He really doesn't need me at all, but when he offered to get me on boat with his own projects I couldn't say no. The guy is huge.
TA: Even if it passed a lot of time since then, you must remember how did you become attracted to electronic music?
A: Early 80's and thanks to successful electronica and new wave bands, there was a melodic scene growing up, you had not only Jean-Michel Jarre, but also a thousand others, such as Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley, Jan Hammer, and many others. I remember listening obsessively to Art of Noise, trying to understand this avant-garde music based on synths as well on works in "musique concrete" by guys such as Pierre Schaeffer. Of course I loved Depeche Mode, and many other pop bands such as Simple Minds, OMD. Synths have always been a hidden passion until my fourteenth when for the first time I got in front of a synth. Since then I have never got my hands off them. 
TA: Everything has evolved very quickly from your first steps in EDM industry! How did you find this industry now? If you had known since the beginning where it goton would you have make that choice about electronic music, or would you have ignore your talent?
A: No way I would do anything else. It's all I can do best anyway. I could have gone to graphic art schools to express myself in very different ways, and until my 18th that were my plans because I wasn't too mediocre after all. But let's face it, I've become way better into what I'm doing now. And regarding "industry" I don't know what you are talking about. If you see the whole thing as an industry then there's something wrong with you, well if you are an artist. OF course there's the music business side of music that you can't live without. But some give it so much attention that they forget the beauty of what we do. I was so much into it that it got me totally blind.
TA: What is the mood which it can describe your music [best]? How is it possible that all your projects sound great? Chameleon, let allow me call you so, describe to us your style for each project, if possible, of course!
A: Human. It's wonderful that you said that, thank you! I think back into the last decade I made all those projects because I didn't want to shock people with different sounds under the same name. While planisphere is quite mellow, I wouldn't say the same for the Green Martian or Jason MacLane that are quite brutal. And I see Airwave as the central hub for everything else. Those records were the results of instant moods back then, while now my new records sound a little bit more thought out. But what are projects after all? All that matters is what I'll leave to my kids when I'll be no more. And let me tell you, proud they will be
TA: Each production has its own story or ..? How do you get to your ideas? In your case a piece begins in the studio or it does involve more time? Where did you find the inspiration for so many wonderful productions?
A: I listen to many, many, MANY styles of music first of all. As long as it shows a good taste, everything is good for me. Those records inspire me a lot. So I just got to hear those records in a A style so I could find inspiration in style B. Also, I keep listening to older records, pre-90's, pre-dance music, because they give you the keys to better built melodies and sounds. I wasn't better before, but some of it shows a better sight of the future.
TA: What are the artists’ names that are going through your mind and who deserve you to be talked about or remembered their names?
A: Jon Hopkins, Hybrid, Imogen Heap, Solar Fields, Aes Dana, John 00 Fleming (and you will see history prove me right on this one!), Asura, and a few others. God only knows if they will be remembered in 50 years, but I think so, because you can't buy a place into the heart of people.
TA: Laurent, did you ever feel ever that is the moment for you to leave the EDM scene? Why?
A: If I looked as a n00b at the idiots trying to control everything inside the circuit, then I'd probably give up in no time. The scene, the "industry" as you call it, and the business people won't decide for you. Freedom is what is going to give our scene its credibility on the longer term. I saw many people trying to control their surrounding as if it were toys, they all failed. The most ridiculous part is the loudness war we're facing right now. Check on beatport. Every record sounds awfully loud.
TA: What do you think it should be happen on EDM stage as only those really talented to be rated at their true value?
A: I see it positively. It's a little bit hard to answer your question at the moment because we're still in the middle of something new. People are facing a new decade, with new sounds, and new ways to express yourself. Last decade was the superstar DJ period, but something new is coming up, and I'm sure will revolutionize the electronic music scene. The teenager days of electronic music are over. Next april I am going to the Musik Messe in Frankfurt because this is where the future of music lies right now. Also, the morons who think they will get money by making music on cracked software, those who always receive but don't give back will be let down, believe me. No place for cheaters and liars anymore. Respect, love, and devotion will be the engine of the new decade in electronic music.
TA: Besides the long awaited album, what are you working on/producing? Maybe on something new about the other projects?
A: I produced a lot of remixes for Filo & Peri, Ivan Nikusev and Wav-E, John 00 Fleming, Narel, Maor Levi. And I'll start soon on new planisphere tracks too.
TA: How much time do you spend per day for music production?
A: All of my spare time when not working. Lately I haven't touched anything else to be honest. And I love it so much...
TA: What magical equipment do you use in your studio?
A: Just my 2 year old laptop and a few dozens of plugins and instruments that I legally bought. There's no single cracked piece of software on my computer. My main keyboard is a novation now, and my speakers are from Yamaha.
TA: With the current wave of new artists and new trends in trance EDM, how do you think that things will look/be over… let's say… 5 years?
A: Check my answer above, and you will have the answer. Obviously, those who can't play/perform what they create will be let down. The power is going back to true musicians. Finally!
TA: Advice for the young artists or those who aspire to the scene / entertainment bussiness?
A: Buy the software you use. I know it might be expensive for some. Guys I used to work for 6 or 7 months in a car wash in the cold to be able to afford a 2000 Euro keyboard. The 99$ plugin you're not paying for, that's like shooting your own foot, only you don't realize it. Potentially those who make the software you use don't get the money to buy your music, so don't have aspirations of being a pro-musician that way, EVER.
TA: What do you hate most in this world? But what do you appreciate?
A: I don't hate anything, life's too short for that. I love my wife, my kids, my brothers and sisters, my friends. This is what keeps us alive.
TA: You are on the trance scene for a long time. For many you were a source of inspiration, for others you have represented the state and the impossible level to be achieved in a lifetime. Your time could be anytime, but you preferred to stay in the shade! Why did you choose to do this? What makes talented people to choose that 'anonymous' status? Are you bothered by what it is currently happening in EDM industry? Puerile, but do you think will all these end?...
A: I won't enter into details too much. There are two things I can say about that. First of all, I didn't choose it in first instance, as anyone on this scene, I've always wanted a little bit of a well-deserved fame after all those years, but I made a few mistakes and people around me made other mistakes, which is why you didn't get to hear me that much. But when looking at the douchebags into our scene, I'd rather keep distance. And after all, staying in the dark for so many years is just good, and I am now using it as a weapon. After 15 years it's still possible for me as for many others to be successful. That's when you keep reinventing yourself because something and/or someone is holding you back. Soon, guys, the answer will come.
TA: Any messages for your fans and visitors to our site?
A: LOVE WHAT YOU DO! Thanks to you all and see us soon on stage.
TA: Cheers for 2011 and your new productions! Lots of inspiration in the future! Thanks for your time!
A: Thanks, enjoy life as much as you can, because it's always too short.
http://www.airwave-music.com/
http://www.facebook.com/airwavemusic?ref=ts
''... El face mai multe trackuri intr-o saptamana decat majoritatea dintre noi intr-o luna. Si cel mai enervant lucru, toate sunt bune!'' - Tony Mc. Guinness, Above & Beyond, 2007....
Nimic nu ar putea explica relatia pe care acest om a stabilit-o cu muzica! La doar 14 ani, el isi descopera inclinatia si dezvolta darul primit de la Dumnezeu, jucandu-se pe tastatura ore intregi spre disperarea vecinilor si uitand de temele nefacute. Laurent (Airwave) se pregatea sa intre intr-o lume in care arta este la fel de importanta ca stiinta. Isi perfectioneaza cunostintele in muzica si tehnologie, primul sau demo vazand lumina zilei in 1995. In 1996, Laurent lanseaza primul sau track sub numele Airwave la casa de discuri Bonzai, faimoasa pe atunci, dar ii este recunoscuta valoarea sa ca artist progressive trance, asa cum il stim si astazi, abia in 1998, odata cu lansarea track-ului Airwave - 'I Want To Believe' - imediat preluat de catre Sasha si Paul Oakenfold, iar mai tarziu de Tiesto, acesta din urma castigand popularitate cu fiecare track marca Laurent rulat in seturi. Acelasi lucru se poate spune despre intreaga scena trance olandeza, in care inregistrarile lui Laurent au fost omniprezente.
Astazi, Laurent nu-si mai numara productiile, acestea ajungand la peste 100 de remixuri si 500 de trackuri sub numele Airwave si alte pseudonime, cum ar fi The Green Martian, Velvet Girl, Cape Town, Planisphere, Fire & Ice, Yamakasi, Antidote, Lolo si multe altele. A lucrat cu cele mai mari nume de pe scena progressive & trance, de la Armin van Buuren la John 00 Fleming si Markus Schulz si a remixat piese semnate de Tiesto, Judge Jules, Josh Gabriel (Andain)... Despre 'Trilogique' (2006) si 'Touareg' (2008), doua dintre albumele artistului, fanii si multi artisti au afirmat ca sunt creatii unice.
Intra in aceasta lume, ''o lume plina de umanitate, ce intretine pofta pentru o lume mult mai buna decat succesul si faima, care duc in cele din urma la lacomie''. Incearca sa-ti imaginezi o lume fara aceste proprietati inutile si vei avea clar conturat profilul altruist si importanta unui astfel de artist pe scena EDM!
TA: Buna, Laurent! Ce faci? Cum te-a prins interviul nostru? Cat de ocupat este Airwave in aceasta perioada?
A: Hey, sunt bine, multumesc! Multumesc mult pentru interviu, intotdeauna este o placere pentru mine. Am multe de facut in acest moment, nu am timp nici o secunda sa respir.
TA: In aceasta perioada lucrezi la un nou album Airwave. Elemente noi? Cu ce ne surprinde de aceasta data Airwave? La ce trebuie sa se asptepte publicul?
A: Daca ai ascultat albumele mele anterioare, ai aflat ca eu sunt ca o cutie de bomboane de ciocolata, nu te poti hotari ce sa alegi si te gandesti mereu ca asta poate este cea mai buna alegere. Cred ca acesta este albumul care m-a ajutat sa lupt cu cele mai intunecate temeri ale mele. Acest album nu este doar o terapie, este raspunsul pe care il asteptam la toate intrebarile mele. Ca un credincios puternic, am convingerea ca in calitate de muzician esti influentat spiritual cand faci muzica, esti doar un actor si ar trebui sa te simti norocos pentru ca poti trai astfel de momente.
TA: Ce colaborari ai pe acest album?
A: Verificati site-ul meu, pagina mea de Facebook pentru cele mai recente stiri cu privire la aceste colaborari www.airwave-music.com si Laurent Airwave pe Facebook. Am postat o scurta informatie despre aceste colaborari si ce pot sa va spun? Sunt mandru sa fac parte din acest grup de oameni. Pentru ca aceasta este adevarata frumusete a ceea ce am facut, suntem toti pe aceesi linie.
TA: Cand ai planificata lansarea acestui album?
A: Lucrurile bune se intampla pentru cei care au rabdare
TA: Laurent, este adevarat ca l-ai ajutat pe John 00 Fleming pentru un nou album? In ce consta aceasta colaborare?
A: Da, asa este! Si amandoi suntem mandri de asta! Asta ma solicita la fel de mult ca si efortul depus de mine pentru propriile trackuri si sunt fericit pentru ca acest efort merge catre o persoana buna. John este o persoana de nadejde si inteligenta. El chiar nu are nevoie de mine, dar cand mi-a oferit ocazia sa particip la proiectele sale nu l-am putut refuza. Tipul este colosal.
TA: Este mult de-atunci, dar trebuie sa-ti amintesti cum ai devenit atras de muzica electronica?
A: Inceputul anilor '80 si multumita succesului muzicii electronice si noului val de trupe de-atunci, exista o scena melodica in crestere, nu doar Jean Michel Jarre, dar si multi altii, precum Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley, Jan Hammer ... Imi amintesc ca ascultam obsesiv Art Of Noise, incercand sa inteleg aceasta muzica de avangarda bazata pe sintetizatoare, precum si lucrarile 'musique concrete' ale lui Pierre Scaeffer. Bineinteles, am iubit Depeche Mode si multe alte trupe pop, cum ar fi Simple Minds, OMD. Sintetizatoarele au fost intotdeauna o pasiune ascunsa pana la 14 ani cand am ajuns in fata unui sintetizator. De atunci nu mi-am mai luat mainile de pe ele
TA: Totul a evoluat foarte repede de la primii tai pasi facuti in industria EDM! Cum gasesti acum aceasta 'industrie'? Ai mai face aceasta alegere - muzica electronica sau ti-ai ignora talentul?
A: Nu, nu as face altceva. Este ceea ce pot face cel mai bine. As fi putut alege scoala de arta grafica pentru a ma exprima in diferite moduri; pana la 18 ani astea au fost planurile mele - eu chiar ma pricepeam la asta. Dar haideti sa recunoastem, am devenit mult mai bun in ceea ce fac acum. Si in ceea ce priveste 'industria' nu stiu despre ce este vorba. Daca vezi totul ca o industrie atunci ceva nu este in regula cu tine, ei bine, daca esti artist. Desigur, exista partea de afaceri in muzica fara de care nu poti trai. Dar unii ii dau atat de multa atentie, incat uita frumusetea a ceea ce facem. Am fost atat de implicat, incat m-a orbit complet.
TA: Ce stare de spirit descrie cel mai bine muzica ta? Si cum este posibil ca toate proiectele tale sa sune extraordinar? Cameleonule, da-mi voie sa te numesc asa, descrie-ne stilul tau pe fiecare in parte, pe cat posibil, evident!
A: Umana. Este minunat ce mi-ai spus, multumesc! Cred ca in ultimul deceniu am facut aceste proiecte pentru ca nu doream sa sochez lumea cu diferite sounduri sub acelasi nume. In timp ce Planishere este destul de moale, nu as putea spune acelasi lucru despre The Green Martian sau Jason MacLance, care suna destul de brutal. Si vad Airwave ca fiind axul central pentru orice altceva. Acele inregistrari au fost rezultatul unor stari de moment, in timp ce acum soundul noilor inregistrari este ceva mai bine gandit. Dar ce sunt proiectele dupa toate astea? Tot ceea ce conteaza este ce voi lasa copiilor mei cand nu voi mai fi. Si da-mi voie sa-ti spun, vor fi mandri de mine
TA: Fiecare productie are o poveste sau..? Cum iti vin ideile? In cazul tau, o piesa incepe din studio sau asta implica si mai mult timp? De unde gasesti inspiratia pentru atatea atatea productii minunate?
A: In primul rand, ascult multe, multe stiluri de muzica. Atat timp cat este de bun gust, totul suna bine pentru mine. Acele inregistrari ma inspira mult. Ascult aceste inregistrari in prima parte si apoi pot gasi inspiratia. De asemenea, inca mai ascult muzica veche, dinainte de anii '90 sau a muzicii dance, pentru ca aceasta ofera cheia soundurilor si melodiilor mult mai bine construite. Nu a fost mai buna inainte, dar o parte din aceasta ofera o viziune mai buna a viitorului.
TA: Ce artisti iti trec acum prin minte si care merita sa le pomenesti numele?
A: Jon Hopkins, Hybrid, Imogen Heap, Solar Fields, Aes Dana, John 00 Fleming (si vei vedea ca istoria va dovedi ca am dreptate cu acesta din urma), Asura si inca cativa. Numai Dumnezeu stie daca acestia vor fi amintiti in 50 de ani, dar cred ca nu poti cumpara un loc in inima oamenilor.
A: Laurent, ai simtit vreodata ca este cazul sa parasesti scena EDM? De ce?
TA: Daca ma uit ca un incepator la idiotii care incerca sa controleze totul din interiorul circuitului, probabil ca as da inapoi in cel mai scurt timp. Scena, 'industria' (cum o numesti tu) si oamenii de afaceri nu decid pentru tine. Ai liberatea sa oferi scenei noastre credibilitatea pe termen lung. Am vazut multi oameni incercand sa-i controleze pe toti cei din jurul lor ca pe niste jucarii si toti au esuat. Cea mai ridicola parte este razboiul galagios cu care ne confruntam acum. Verifica pe Beatport. Orice track suna extrem de zgomotos.
TA: Ce crezi ca ar trebui sa se intample pe scena EDM pentru ca cei talentati sa fie cotati la adevarata lor valoare?
A: Il vad pozitiv. Imi este putin greu sa raspund la intrebarea ta in acest moment, pentru ca suntem in mijlocul a ceva nou. Oamenii se confrunta cu o noua decada, noi sounduri si noi moduri de exprimare. Ultimul deceniu a fost perioada superstarului DJ, dar ceva nou se apropie si eu sunt sigur ca va revolutiona scena muzicii dance electronice. Zilele adolescentei muzicii electronice sunt pe sfarsite. In aprilie, voi merge la Musik Messe in Frankfurt, pentru ca acesta este locul unde se configureaza viitorul muzicii. De asemenea, idiotii care cred ca vor scoate bani facand muzica pe programe furate, aceia care mereu primesc, dar care nu returneaza vor fi dezamagiti, crede-ma. Nu mai este loc pentru trisori si mincinosi! Respectul, dragostea si devotamentul, acestea vor fi motorul unei noi decade in muzica electronica!
TA: Pe langa mult asteptatul album, la ce mai lucrezi? Ceva nou pe celelalte proiecte?
A: Am produs multe remixuri pentru Filo & Peri, Ivan Nikusev and Wav-E, John 00 Fleming, Narel, Maor Levi. Si voi incepe, de asemenea, cateva noi trackuri Planisphere.
TA: Cat timp aloci pe zi productiei muzicale?
A: Tot timpul liber cand nu lucrez. In ultima vreme nu m-am atins de nimic altceva, ca sa fiu sincer. Si-mi place atat de mult...
TA: Ce echipamente magice folosesti in studioul tau?
A: Doar un laptop de 2 ani si cateva zeci de plugin-uri si instrumente pe care le-am cumparat legal. Nu exista nici o parte de program furata in calculatorul meu. Tastatura mea principala este acum un Novation si difuzoarele sunt de la Yamaha.
TA: Cu valul curent de noi artisti de EDM si noua tendinta din trance, cum crezi ca vor arata lucrurile peste 5 ani?
A: Verifica raspunsul meu de mai sus si vei afla. Evident, cei care nu pot performa ceea ce au creat vor dezamagi. Puterea se intoarce la adevaratii muzicieni.
TA: Sfaturi pentru tinerii artisti sau cei care aspira la aceasta scena/afacere?
A: Cumparati software-ul pe care-l utilizati. Stiu ca s-ar putea sa fie costisitor pentru unii. Baieti, am fost nevoit sa muncesc 6-7 luni in frig intr-o spalatorie auto pentru a-mi permite o tastatura de 2000 euro. Plugin-ul de 99 de dolari pentru care nu platesti iti dauneaza carierei, numai ca tu nu realizezi. Posibil ca cei care fac programul pe care-l folositi nu primesc banii pentru a-ti cumpara muzica, asa ca nu avea niciodata aspiratiile unui astfel de artist.
TA: Ce urasti cel mai mult in lumea asta? Dar ce apreciezi?
A: Nu urasc nimic, viata este prea scurta. Imi iubesc sotia, copiii, fratii si surorile, prietenii mei. Asta este ceea ce ma tine in viata.
TA: Esti pe scena trance de foarte multa vreme. Pentru multi ai fost o sursa de inspiratie, pentru altii ai reprezentat starea si nivelul imposibil de atins intr-o viata de om. Momentul tau ar putea fi oricand, dar de ceva vreme preferi sa stai in umbra! De ce ai ales sa faci asta? Ce anume ii determina pe oamenii foarte talentati sa aleaga acest 'anonimat'? Esti mai greu de deranjat de ceea ce se intampla la ora actuala in industria EDM? Pueril, dar crezi ca vor lua toate astea sfarsit?...
A: Nu voi intra in prea multe detalii. Sunt doua lucruri pe care le pot spune despre asta. Mai intai, nu l-am ales in prima instanta, ca oricine de pe aceasta scena, am dorit mereu mai mult decat o bine meritata faima dupa toti acestia ani, dar am facut cateva greseli si oamenii din jurul meu au gresit, asta este motivul pentru care nu ati auzit de mine prea multe. Dar privind ce se intampla pe scena noastra, mai bine as pastra distanta. Si dupa toate astea, stand in umbra atatia ani, imi este bine si acum folosesc asta ca pe o arma. Dupa 15 ani, posibil ca pentru mine si altii aceasta sa fie un succes. Asta se intampla atunci cand te reinventezi mereu pentru ca ceva si/sau cineva te trage inapoi. Raspunsul va veni in curand!
TA: Mesaje pentru fanii tai si vizitatorii site-ului TA?
A: Iubiti ceea ce faceti! Multumesc tuturor si ne vedem in curand pe scena!
TA: Noroc pentru 2011 si noile tale productii! Multa inspiratie si pe viitor! Multumesc pentru timpul acordat!
A: Multumesc, traieste-ti viata cat de mult poti, pentru ca mereu este prea scurta!
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http://www.airwave-music.com/
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Felcitari Iza!
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