Musical education with In Strict Confidence

Hiya!

time to FINALLY write something here. Been just too busy with Interface podcasts and other projects. But now I'll take a breather from them and tell you of my latest musical venture.

Gloria is one legendary venue that is like made for this kind of music. Main arena is dark, round and has bit of underground vibe in it that suits electronic music so well. Been there many times at various events and I like the place.Sound there is also very good quality these days. But let's move on to musicologu

First up Kuroshio. This was  a rare treat. It's been long time since I saw this band live and they never fail to rock on stage. I sadly missed the first song, since I got there bit later than planned. Set was just pure gold as always and could've been longer one. A good start for a perfect evening.

Next was Forgotten Sunrise from Estonia. This was band I've never previously had heard so I was excited to be introduced to them. This was hard to categorize. I have no idea what genre it should fall under, maybe avantgarde/experimental would be closest one. It was mixture of guitar, electronics and freaky vocals and hard basslines. This might sound like trip hop description, but it was far from that. To me this was bit tough cookie, but somehow it worked very well live. Would I listen to it at home? Hmmm, maybe. Good to see this kind of bands on stage in Finland! Bold booking Dark Helsniki!

And the main dish was up next. In Strict Confindence was band I had heard of but somehow managed to avoid hearing, so this was something I looked forward to a lot. Especially since it was vintage show, it sounded interesting. Was it good? Hell yeah! Did I become a fan? Most likely. Will I buy the cds? For sure! Shut up and take my money :D The band really rocked live. They have that energy on stage that radiates and puts you under the spell and you can't help but to dance. Singer had same roughness in his voice as Funker Vogt's singer has too and it suited the music. ISC's singer's voice is softer, not as roary as Funkers so it is bit easier to listen to. Good melodies, good singer and good stomping bass makes you dance for sure and this band had all those elements. It really felt like the band played for 15 mins when the set was over and made me hungry for more. Time does fly when you have fun and are educated musicwise on gigs. Big thank you Dark Helsinki for this wonderful evening of musical education!

Ten After Dawn

Hi all!

Another week, another interview! This time with Teemu Salo of local heroes Ten After Dawn. Hope you like it :)

Here's an interview with Ten After Dawn!

1. What was the first record you bought and which was most influential?

the first CD that I bought myself might be “Haloo” album of the Finnish ”Neljä Ruusua” band. My first LP I got from my mother was Deep Purple's "Deepest Purple" compilation. The Music was exciting of course, but the cover was really cool I thought! My mother was working in a record store so already at age of 6 I got my hands onto many different kinds of music. It's impossible to say what music's been the most influential (we are talking about the early days as a little kid now, right?) because I have been thru most of all usual bands from Kiss, Mötley Crue to whatever Metallica's and of course 80-90's dance music to rock n roll and blues classics like the most kids did back then. But at age of maybe 4 very first artists that have really got my attention were Finnish female singers Katri Helena and Paula Koivuniemi! My parents told me that I was just staring the speakers in a trance while listening to them! My taste in music has always been very diverse. I think it's a bit funny when an artist is often labeled as a person to that particular music genre that he/she is working with. Music is an endless wonderland, go and explore it! If you don't like it, turn it off to something else! Or then you might want to give it some time and try it later again.I have my favorites in almost every genre. And there's always so much more!

2. What is the story behind Ten After Dawn?

I had made music with ”ordinary” bands for years already, and at some point it became very frustrating because even when you have talented musicians in your band, it's hard to get that vision thru to everyone what it all should be about. That final big picture. Basicly you have to make all kinds of compromises usually. And usually that doesn't lead you anywhere. For me Ten After Dawn represents much more freedom. It doesn't mean that we don't know who we are or what we want to do with our music, it's all about the idea of freedom. Any art or music is of course mostly about framing the picture what it is all about, otherwise it's free jazz, right?..So..we made some songs with Toni already in..maybe 2005 or smth like that, mostly industrial rock..had other musical commitments back then, but a few years later we thought ‘let's do this’, and we started to realize what we would really like to do with this.

3. How did you come up with the name?

It was just an early morning's idea of mine if I remember right;) ”It's already Ten After Dawn”

4. Who are Ten After Dawn?

The ones who might have something else to give to the world of dark electro than an average one!

5. First thing that comes to mind when thinking of finnish scene is heavy metal and rock. What made you choose such an alternative sound?

We wanted to do basically just something different. As I said before, metal and rock are very old fashioned in many ways genrewise. It still starts from a song and lyrics with us, sometimes it can be a sound, which ever makes me or Toni to have some kind of idea for the song.. But in the end of the day you can take off all the production and usually you'll have a song that is arrangeable almost to any single instrument or style if you would like to!

6. Teemu you are also behind Dark Helsinki, tell us of that and why start it

Dark Helsinki started when we wanted to bring some bands to Helsinki and to arrange club nights too. At the moment we are organising a few events per year with DH. It is a separate from Ten After Dawn organisation and Anna DH is in charge of that. However Dark Helsinki does a part of TAD's management as well.

7. Which artists influenced Ten After Dawn sound?

Ten has been started much as an industrial rock band, and we came from that to this more dark electro sound. Of course artists like NIN were important back then. Also for example IAMX has been one of those to make us understand that you can truly do whatever you would like to in these more electronical landscapes. We are still using some acoustic instruments if needed, anything that fits the idea. We don't want to sound anything else but ourselves, and I think that there are not too many bands you can compare directly to us. Our nordic sense of melodies makes it sound somehow different too, I think.

8. Which comes first: melody, sounds or lyrics?

It can be any of those first ones! Sometimes I can even write a good A4 sheet of lyrics based on some beat in my head, and at the same time I may have a clue of a vocal melody too. What becomes melodies then..I'm a bit strange in a way because I don't particularly have to struggle with them usually..I just start to sing and I will always get some kind of melody..it's usually very easy. It's just an improvising, and then you just start looking for more details fitting to the lyrics.

9. You've done also remix for Solar Fake and vice versa (released on Another Manic Episode), how did this happen?

I just asked Sven if he would like to do a remix for us. I was a bit surprised when he said ”Ok” even without hearing the song first! He had of course heard us playing live as we opened for them in Helsinki already in 2014. Then he asked me a little bit later if we would like to do a remix for their album too. Remixing is fun, hopefully we would have time and other cool opportunities to do some more soon! It's refreshing.

10. Now that Melody ep is out, when can we expect album?

I think you mean ”Best of Both Words” EP (yes, editor)? We have already got some new songs and ideas for the full album, hopefully it will be out in 2018! And before this some singles etc.

11. What are your future plans?

We love to do live shows so hopefully a lot of new live dates! But we have already started focusing more and more on new material now. I'm writing all the time. It's something that I have used to. A way of living for me. We have already got quite a good idea of our full album:)

Vampire in Berlin

Hiya!

I finally got a chance to tell you of my latest adventure in Sonicland. This time I went to Berlin to see BlutEngel acoustic and full show. Boy am I glad I saw both shows!

This was just dream come true in more than one way. I'm in love with the music and a chance to see 2 shows for less than 30€ each sounded like a superdeal. And I love Berlin, so it was perfect weekend getaway. The venue, Astra Kulturhaus, is interesting one and good concert place, eventhough it is bit hidden. Due gothic look of the place, it was more than perfect stage for these gigs.

First acoustic one. I'm always keen on hearing different versions of the songs and Chris wanted to challenge himself once more by doing an acoustic show. And it was very special one too. First on stage Solar Fake. Oh wow what a set! These songs work acoustically so well and sometimes maybe even better than original versions. The lyrics step out to play bigger role than in electronic music. I was really looking forward to this too, since I saw the dvd of previous acoustic show. Sven has big stage voice definetly and he's got the charisma for big stages. Andre knows how to take audience when playing keyboard or guitar like this time, so they work so well together. Songs sounded beautiful and melancholic in this stripped format. What made this even more special was the elderly couple who loved every minute of the set, shined the love for eachother and really showed it they were having a good time. It just melt my heart.

And how about the main feature? It certainly did not disappoint. Chris seemed really comfortable and laid back during the concert. All of them sat in red chairs, chatting with audience (understood only coca cola light) and seemed to be at ease. This made the gig feel really intimate one and not yer typical big show. Only shame was that not too many people arrived for this show. On the other hands good thing, but they missed helluva show. I can say same things as I said of SF gig. Songs worked so beautifully acoustically and lyrics standed out more than ever. Set was longer than I expected and the band came to meet fans after the show. And that's when second dream come true. A chance to thank Chris for the interview, get cd signed and take a photo with them! Only sad thing was security guys rushing things.

And 2nd night was also awesome as you can guess. Opener was Massive Ego, which was new band for me and really liked their sound. Nice, poppy, melodic sounds. Perfect way to open the night. Singer has taken quite influence of Leigh Bovery and was in band with Boy George (Jesus Loves You). Another good voice and show. They have unique look and it sets them part, because you do remember them after seeing the show.

And BlutEngel full show followed. If compared to previous dvd releases the show was bit scaled down, which I didn't mind. Dancers, screens and fire were all there to make the show look good. This sometimes felt theatre almost but in a good way only. You heard all the songs you wanted and got a long, and I do mean Long, set. plus 2 encores, so you got your' money's worth. And this time Astra was packed. Umm I just don't know how to describe the show, go see it yourself!

DRS Interview

Hi all!

I am proud to present you guys yet another interview, this time with DRS! And I can promise, this one is inspriing one. He tells how he overcame various issues in his life and to be honest, he really deserves a medal and to be huge dj!

1. Hi, thanks for the interview! Let's start from the beginning. What are your musical influences and what lead you to the hardcore scene?

Yoww man! I've always liked any harder kind of music genres and I actually started listening hardcore at the age of 10 when a Dutch friend of mine moved into Belgium and told me about it. From that moment on I was addicted to the Hardcore music for sure. 

2. What inspired you to start making hardcore? 

Well, I never had a musical background. I always played soccer and was into boxing. One day I got injured in a fight and couldn’t go on with these hobbies. But besides this, also my dream of joining the army was suddenly gone. From this moment everything in my life turned upside down. My 4-year-old relationship suddenly came to an end, I lost my job and when my little brother was stabbed down this all together put me directly on the wrong pad in life again.

Than one year later at the end of December 2012, I totally collapsed and went into rehab for 2,5 months. This certainly was the darkest moment in life. And from this moment on I knew that I had to do something with my life. My father told me that I couldn’t go to hardcore parties anymore and that I had to search for a decent job, because he was afraid that I would use these drugs again. But this wasn’t possible for me because Hardcore was the only thing that kept me going. This made me start thinking. I had to find a way to make other people happy so I could feel useful again and I silently hoped this would eventually make me feel happy again as well. So I decided that I wanted to be a Hardcore DJ/Producer. 

3. You really had meteoric rise. How much did this change your life and view of the music of did it change it?

This completely changed my life. At first I always was like the black sheep in my family. Also In my daily life people always looked at me as if I was a criminal, racist or some kind of problem child. In the beginning of my career nobody believed in me becoming a DJ/Producer. So I locked myself up in the studio for 3 years, starting to teach myself how to produce music to prove everyone was wrong. During this period I worked as a mailman to finance my studio equipment. This was a hard time for me because all of my friends always where just chilling, they bought nice cars, went on vacations and started to live on their own while all of my time & money went into my music.

A lot of „friends” suddenly disappeared during this time. So it was me against the world, with nothing to lose. This all made me hard as f*ck. And than suddenly there was a moment of light.. I’ll never forget it: Francesco aka F.Noize told me he saw himself in me and he would support me. From this moment on I felt like I was unstoppable. I worked my ass of to get what I have now (which took a lot of energy and caused some medical problems). A few months later Michael aka Angernoizer contacted me. He wanted to have me in his BKJN team. This was my ultimate dream back than to sign at BKJN Bookings. So I signed and I still don't regret this choice.

Nowadays I feel like a lucky guy because I met the love of my life Beau aka Estasia, also I started my own record label “Triple Six Records” and now music is my fulltime job. It’s like I’m living the life I dreamed of back in the days at rehab. That doesn’t mean that I’m chilling my ass of right now.. These days I work harder than ever before. During the week I spend most of my time in the studio producing new music. In the weekends I play at parties in different countries all over the world. Together with my DRS crew (Pieter, Dieter, Gilles, Raymond, Klaas & Leander) and my agency "BKJN" we’re busy to realize our future goals. 

It’s just beautiful to see that I can make a lot of people happy with my music and that I was able to prove my family that I ain’t useless to them. That I’m able to give them the life they deserve is indescribably for me. Also all of those warriors sending me these nice supporting messages, asking for photos/signatures and travel over half the world just to see me play is just crazy. When I think about all of this, it still gives me goose bumps. 

4.  Where do you look for inspiration for a track?

My inspiration for music comes mostly from situations I’ve experienced in my personal life. I always want to bring a certain kind of a message to my warriors through my tracks. Something that could make them stronger in some kind of way. It should be a motivation to know that anything is possible as long as you keep working at it and don’t back down.

5. How is the scene in Belgium?

The Hardcore scene in Belgium had some hard times but is growing again and harder than ever before. This thanks to a lot of new upcoming artists, party’s and young gabba’s who spread the virus. It’s nice to see that more and more Belgian people connect with each other because of Hardcore music. This music gives people strength, hope and the feeling that they belong somewhere. And because of this I know for sure that our Belgian scene will be getting bigger as well again. 

6. Uptempo is definitely on rise as well as Frenchcore. What is your view on this? Does it reflect somehow global situation that also music has gotten faster and harder?

According to me uptempo is the harder, faster and rougher kind of hardcore music. I think uptempo made a serious rise in the past 4/5 years because of all the new upcoming DJ’s/Producers who love to make this. New upcoming producers are trying to get seen and they all try it in a different kind of a way. In my opinion allot of music genres are getting harder. For instance when you look at the house music; a lot of House DJ’s are playing Hardstyle tracks in their mixes these days. And you should ask yourself why they are making it harder..? I think it’s all about creating some kind of adrenaline rush in the people.  

7. How did you get in terror?

Well to be honest, I really love terror but in the past recent years I didn’t like the most terror tracks anymore. And as everyone knows I always build up the tempo during my mix. So I needed some new terror tracks to mix in at the end of my sets. That’s why I started to produce them by my self. But I want to make one thing clear: I like terror but my heart still lies with the harder kind of uptempo music. That’s what I really love to do. 

8. What is your studio setup?

I work with:

• Ableton live 9 on a Macbook pro.
• An apollo audio interface 
• KRK Rokit 5 monitors 
• Akai synthesizer 
• DT 990 Pro Studio Headphones
• A Sh*t load of plugins  

9. What goals have you set yourself?

I’ve always wanted to make a track with my all time hero’s: Drokz & Angerfist!  

I also hope to get a chance one day to prove myself at one of the biggest hardcore events like:

• - Masters Of Hardcore
• - Thunderdome
• - Dominator
• - Defqon 1
• - Decibel Outdoor

10. What are your plans for the next year?

Playing in countries I’ve never been before. Making some new solo tracks and allot of new collaborations.

To name a few upcoming tracks:

• DRS ft. Mc Komplex - DRS Warriors
• DRS vs Partyraiser - Have A Good Time
• DRS vs F.Noize - Devil's Pray
• DRS vs The Vizitor - Hell Yeah
• DRS vs Estasia - DOPE
• DRS vs Dissoactive - Genius
• DRS vs Angernoizer - TBA 
• DRS vs Chaotic Hostility - TBA
• DRS vs Vandalism - TBA
• DRS vs NSD - TBA 
• DRS vs MBK - TBA

What could I say more.. Expect the unexpected.

11. Any advise for DJ’s/producers starting out?

Always do what you like to do no matter what others say.

Work so hard for it that people can’t ignore you anymore.

AND MOST IMPORTANT —> „NEVER SURRENDER!” 

Ohyeaah one more thing! 

If you would like to release a solo / collaboration track at @Triple Six Records, send your demo(’s) to the email address below:

triplesixrecords-demos@hotmail.com  

It doesn’t matter if you’re still an upcoming or experienced producer.

If we like the track, we’ll release it ! 

#DRS #ARMY #WORLDWIDE #BKJN

Thank you very much for the interview!

Grtz,

Junot DRS

Sins Of The Siren interview

Hi all!

I han an honor of doing interview the one and only Sins Of The Siren. They are just amazing band I fell in love with their music when I heard it for the first time. They are independent artist (that's always a plus!) and you can find them on Bandcamp

1. How did you come up with the band name?

(Joe) I suppose, since we had a female with a great voice in the band, I wanted to use the word “Siren” in some way (referring to the sirens in mythology, that would sing and lead sailors to their deaths). From there, our old drummer came up with “Sins of the”, and just like that we had our band name. 

 2. When did Sins Of The Siren start and whose idea it was?

(Joe) Sins of the Siren was born in late 2011. I suppose it was my idea, as I had music laying around from the late 90’s that I had written and programmed, and wanted to bring back to life. So with the exception of some of the lyrics, and some of the drums, most of what you hear on our debut album was first written in the late 90’s! 

3. Is it hard for an independent artist to get noticed? 

It is. It helps of course to have good music, and then something else that makes you unique from the tons of other independent bands out there. The trick is to get people talking about you. The trick is also to not be in it for fame or money, but to do it because you love it. 

4. How big is the scene in US? 

The underground goth/industrial scene seems to still be alive and kicking. It has a different feel than in the past, maybe not as many bodies, but still alive nonetheless. 

5. Where does inspiration come from for lyrics and music? 

Lyrics can be from personal experiences, mythology, fantasy, romance, and in some cases, nothing at all. Musically, we’re pretty influenced by older industrial and 80’s music. Perhaps some goth too… 

6. Many artists are releasing music on Bandcamp and I think it is good way to reach out to the audience. Your thoughts on this? 

We love Bandcamp. We have our debut album temporarily free to download on that site. It’s a great way to get your music into the hands of people all over the world… 

7. When will there be 2nd album? 

We are currently working on it. Ideally, it will be done by the summer of 2017. But realistically, it’s quite possible it could be cold out by the time it’s finished… perhaps even warm again. 

 8. What other plans you have for the future? 

We have a show coming up in May in Southern California, where we are going to attempt to play 2 sets for the first time ever. (totally different songs for each set). We would also like to start playing more shows with similar bands, or at clubs that play music similar to our style. And of course we need to finish our 2nd album… We would also love to make a music video for our song Luxuria, which is from our first album. It’s a very sexy song, that needs a very sexy video. Perhaps we could make some shirts and other merch too... That’s about it. Thanks for the interview!

New party crew introducion

Heyy folks!

Something new is cooking in Helsinki and it is called Full Circle. And what I've heard of their plans, it sounds like rave culture is coming to full circle. They promise to bring the good old rave feeling back to the scene and urge us think outside the box. Sounds promising? Yes it does!

And the people behind Full Circle ain't newcomers so they know their stuff. People like Waily and Dj Neon are behind it with rest of the crew,Elina Mikkola and Johanna Jo Jo Voutilainen, who are familiar faces in the party circles. So everybody is lifelong raver. Why new organization? They told me because events have gone concise and I gotta agree with that. In the old days you could hear all sorts of music at raves, these days it is more club oriented catering to one or two genres at each event. Full Circle has promised to bring the old style back and blend genres on each night. And people do miss that and also miss the feeling united at raves. Okay, that feeling happens at hardcore parties abroad, but over here in Finland we are missing it.

The whole idea started cooking in the 90's festival (somehow quite fitting) and they soon gathered like-minded people together. Aim is to bring old ravers together again after too long sabbatical leave and hopefully younger generation will also find their events.

Why would this be different you ask. Well, they do promise to bring all genres under one roof and bring old rave feeling back. Also they will bring back visual side and that sounds good. Vjs are standard at clubs of all sizes, but decorations aren't anymore. Hopefully they will fulfill their promise. With people like these onboard, most likely they will. Think outside the box!

BlutEngel interview

Hi all,

hope you are well. This is probably the biggest interview I've done so far. I cofess to be BlutEngel fan (as well as Solar Fake fan and other people I've interviewed), so I was surprised when Chris Pohl granted me this interview. At this point, I want to say THANK YOU all whom I'd have the honor of interviewing!! And thank you for reading :) Here we go;:

What inspired you to be an artist?

Hmm, I´m not sure... I started to listen to this kind of gothic / electro music... It was in 1990... I liked this style and I wanted to make my own music in this direction... But it was just an Hobby....At this point I never thought that I would be an artist....

How did BlutEngel get started? 

In fact it was just a change of name... I had a project called "Seelenkrank" and I had to end it because of some legally problems with my label... SO the only way to keep the project was to change the name. I used this fact to change the music a little as well.. More gothic, more dark and less s7M like... 



When you created BlutEngel, did you have clear vision what it would be like musically and visually?

Kind of.... The former project was settled in the s/m scene and very limited in style and music... With BE I wanted to make everything a little... hmmm, more romantic, vampire like..... I never wanted to go on stage with this project but when I had an offer it was clear that I had to present a good show! I wanted to combine the mood of the songs with some visuals like fire, girls, blood... That´s what I do since 16 years :-)


Where does the inspiration to songs come for you? 

I really don´t know... It comes when I don´t need it^^ Sometimes when I lay in my bathtube I have kind of a vison .... Some text fragments.... Sometimes when I sit in my studio and play a little with sounds a single sound could give me the kick.... It´s so involuntarily...

How restricting is the BlutEngel image or is it just the opposite when writing music? Just wondering since you have so carefully created image.

Well I don´t have any restrictions... At the beginning.. well, ok... I wanted to be a big gothic band... But my taste changes and my way of production changes... SO I only and ever do what I like in the moment I do it! That means I am not looking for a special dark image anymore... I am dressed in black, I like the scene but I don´t look like a gothic and I don´t create gothic music just to please the crowd.... It´s dark but sometimes it´s pop... That´s what I like. Feeling free and do music I like!



Which comes first: music or lyrics?

It´s always different... Mostly the music comes first but sometimes the lyrics.... It changed a little because in the past the was always the music first....

And since we are talking of music, you released a beautiful song, Complete, and have new album coming out called Leitbild. Tell us bit of this album, what can we expect?

Well.... Expect a monster of an album^^ Very different styles... No restrictions.... Some songs sound a little like depeche mode, some like sisters of mercy... But in whole it´s BE.... I didn´t use always typical scene sounds... I used some acoustic guitars.... I tried to do more with my voice.... When you listen to one single song you can´t get any idea of the rest... That´s what I like!

How important you feel it is to release album on physical release and in several formats? Some artist only release digital albums, but I prefer physical releases.

I am old and oldfashioned^^ I like cds and we seel a lot of cds because of the booklets, the artwork.... Most of my fans like physical releases. Especially boxes with lots of goodies....


You are also on tour this spring and playing one acoustic gig in Berlin. And you also played Gothic Meets Classic concert in 2014. Are these a way for you to challenge yourself in a new way and to presents songs in a new way or how did these happen?

Yoiu´re right! See, I like acoustic instruments but I am not able to play one... So I like to see and hear how my songs work with this kind of instrumentation.... It´s always really hard to sing the acoustic versions because it´s realy reduced and really with this human feeling. But this is a new experience and I like it! Even though I have to do much more rehersals for an acoustic gig^^


As for your shows, they are visual and theatrical and that sets them apart from the rest and it feels,on some songs especially, like you are the narrator and people are acting the song out. Am I interpreting it wrong?

That´s right! Some songs are really good for a show or kind of a story.... Sometimes I call my concerts myself "music theatre".... I like to force the intention of some songs with visual aspects. Videos, girls, fire.... I hate boring electro concerts with fake keyboards... We play live, we have a show, visuals... I want a concert to be an event for the fans....



And to top it all, you are about to release a autobiography. How did this happen?

haha.. Well some german magazines made allready some book ABOUT me.... SO in 2013 I thought it might be time to tell my own story... I tell something about the "real" Chris, about my way into music about my thoughts, fans, parents.... Maybe some people are interested... 





Ok thx to you for some interessting questions! hope you like the answers and hope you like the new album ;-))

There you have it :) 

Dj Neon interview

Hi all!

This time around I got treat for you! I had an honour to do an interview with our local hero, Dj Neon! And here it is. Enjoy!

1. Let's go all the way back to the beginning. How did you discover electronic music?

Dj Neon: First thanxxx very much having me on your blog 😊 it’s a honour! I liked already back in 80’s synthetisizer music (Jean-Michel Jarre) and beginning 90’s I founded from Finland’s radio program : Beat Box, track Westbam : Mayday Anthem and my heart was sold to the electronic music and loving it each day more and more !❤

2. How did you get into djing?

Dj Neon: It is actually funny case, cause we started organisise Säde raves in 1999, cause we wanted to hear hard music (hardtrance, hard nrg etc.) at raves and at that time in Helsinki and also Finland at most parties was played trance, house etc. So in our Säde raves we played that hard music cause here wasn´t so many others to play it. So actually it wasnt plan to be dj, it was mention to get hardmusic to the ravers. We started organisise underground raves and they were succesfull. After few of those other organisisers started to ask play at their parties and thats how djing started. 😛

3. You are member of legendary Säde organisation. How did Säde get started?

Dj Neon: yes, so last answer gave already info about Säde beginning. Our group have had little crew changes in years but main crew has been same all the time : Proteus, me, Dj Triton, Dj Friik, nowdays also is : Dj Inch, Traba, Jone, Juha. There has been also : Dj Ioni, Dj Swiss, Pinkki, Susa.

4. Where was your first gig and what memories you have of it to share with us?

Dj Neon: I had some dj gigs back in 1994, when i was playing at school disco parties etc. Actually first gig was 1999 at our first Säde rave at Kaapelitehdas. I was very nervous and I bought my cd players 1 month before gig, so there wasn´t much time to practise 😛 I really love playing then and and I always will love playing.

5. What would be most memorable gig and why?

Dj Neon: ouuuuu, there has been so much fantastict gigs so it’s very hard pick one 😊 😛Of course memorable gigs was when I have played at same party with my idols, example : closing b2b set with Proteus after Raver’s Nature, same party with Kevin Energy, Scott Brown, Gary D., Trance Generators, Megara vs Dj Lee, Alphazone, Yoji. Also in Pacifique our b2b set with Proteus at one year which almost got really wild 😉Assembly gig at Hartwall Areena was unique, also several club gigs over the years all around Finland (from Helsinki to Rovaniemi), so much awesome memories from those. Also my 40th and Waily’s 30th together birthday bash gig was unique and was so nice to see so many people came and celebrate with us, thank you! ❤ also 31.12.2016 clock 00.00 I started my gig at Hello 2017 party, where i played my first own track: Der Zeitgeist (label Error303, release date 1.2.2017) for first time ever, and my heart melt cause responding was overwhelming, so I cried tears of happiness.

6.Let's look also the scene, since you've been it for a long time. It has changed quite drastically

to more fragmentary than before. How do you see the changes over the decades?

Dj Neon: my first rave was 1992, and from 1994 I have gone raves. Yes there has been changes, back in years people was putting more effort in clothing etc. Also back in days there weren´t any VIP areas, all was in same space as unite. Also before there was clubs and nights where you heared several genres per night, these days here most nights are builded by one or two genres.

7. You are about to release your first track, congratulations! Why now and not sooner is what I

think most of us are thinking?

Dj Neon: Thanxxx very much, it is a biggest thing for me. Actually I have tried to do track for years, first time at 2004. Cause my daily work (mental practical nurse), djing, helping others in music, in life etc,. I havent got much free time, so I have always looking for collab or person who has equiptment. I have tried to do track with several persons, but our taste didnt match up fully.

8. How would you describe it to someone who hasn't heard the preview?

Dj Neon: If you like pure German hardtrance, this is it!😛 Track which has massive kick, reverse bass, stormy energetic melody, and feeling that makes you dance.

9. Will there be more music from you?

Dj Neon: Yes ofcourse!!!!!!!! My next own german hardtrance track is already on process and I must say this is going to massive, cause it has more euphoric melody hook and other surprise 😉 Also plan is to do collab, and then we do freeform 175 bpm track.

10. What are your plans for 2017?

Dj Neon: To do more music, several tracks, hopefully get signed to my fav labels, djing, studying, and launching our new party organisation with Elina Mikkola ja Wille Immonen at 27.2.2017