paSSion

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Passion 20: Ian Standerwick Interview

So, everyone has a bit of a story as to how they got into dance music, can you shed some light as to what made you love this genre so much and also how you got into it and how your producing/dj career started?

Hey guys, thanks for having me!!

From years of doing other styles of music, Trance and my introduction to it came along from my association with a few people. I had met Chris Gould and Ian Wilkie (Area7) years back and ended up working with Chris on a few projects. That along with going to some Slinky club nights in Bristol where I am from ended up me experimenting and really getting into Trance. The DJ’ing really kicked off seriously as a result of my productions. I had DJ’d in the past back but this time round it pretty much started seriously for me after playing on Armins A State Of Trance 650 tour in Holland. This kicked off a chain of events that I’m still very much a part of.

Who has been the most influential artist in shaping your unique sound?

Not sure really. I just produce music and it comes out that way. There have been a few key people who have really helped me with production techniques and achieving a better quality of sound. I stemmed from a background of working in 24 Track Recording Studios with experience in playing Bass, Guitar, Keyboards and Drums. Working inside the box and having the ability to do so much still amazes me, but there was also a lot to learn working in this format. The principals of music production and quality of sound however, pretty much remain the same.

You have been playing around the world, what gig has been your fav and why?

I think this prize must go to the Future Sound Of Egypt gig last year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The energy from that crowd was breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it. Every gig I play has without doubt its own amazing merits, but this event and the occasion was pretty special for me, I can’t wait to go back.

What can everyone expect to hear from you when you play for us?

Everything that I love about Trance, in a nutshell! I only play what I’m really into at the time of the event. Its a play list of energy and emotion. It will be varied set but all about the energy for me so expect some of this!

Being a dj/producer nowadays can be very hard with so many people trying to do it, What tips would you give to an upcoming dj/producer?

Keep your head down, put the time in and strive to be the best. Let nothing stand in your way even if it means only grabbing 3 hours sleep a night for a few years! The time and effort is worth it because if things do start to move for you its a journey like no other.

On a production level, reference the quality of your productions against the big tunes and other producers who you know are hitting the spot. Quality control everything and try real hard to take your productions to a higher level with each tune you do. The rest is in the hands of the Gods and a whole bunch of luck! ;)

What’s your fav drink’s?

Good Coffee.

Vodka and Coke!

What’s the funniest thing you have seen while touring?

That has got to be the hand-stand next to the DJ box at a gig I played at recently that went completely wrong! and no it wasn’t me. Possibly the most funniest act of randomness I’ve ever seen at a gig, but I just accepted it as - Hey, maybe thats what they do here! It did look rather painful and extremely embracing for the poor girl concerned though.

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Passion20 Interview: SHOLAN

What got you guys into the trance scene?

Lawrence: I can’t actually think of a time that I didn’t listen to trance! But the biggest turning point was a night at the UEA (Norwich) for the legendry Pams House nights, which just sealed the deal for me. I also have trance to thank for finding the most incredible friends, who are all now family! My best man is even a local trance hero - Mike Beaumont (OTR Resident).

Gareth: As most DJs I started my DJing career in my bedroom with good old technics 12:10s. CDs had not even been invented! I worked in a few pubs in and around London to start. I was a keen clubber at the world famous ministry of sound where without fail I would be there every sat night! I played my first warm up set in room 2 were the chemical brothers first started out! I also played the last warm up set in the main room with myself Marco v ferry corstan and now best friend Gavin Mitchell. It was from there the gallery moved to ministry of sound my old clubbing Mecca ! From there I was playing in room 103 some warm up sets, finish the night sets and finally the big main room sets! From then it was a rollercoaster of a ride., but it secured my place in the trance scene forever!

Tell us a bit about this SHOLAN project

Myself and Gareth met up at The Gallery a couple of years ago and sat talking trance all night, before you know it, we’re in Mark Knight’s studio at ITV Maidstone working on a banging remix of Ratty – Sunrise. Already this year we’ve had the pleasure of playing at Ministry of Sound after Schulz to a rammed house in The Box! The project is going really well and keeping our heads down in the studio while be invited to play at the UK’s most respected trance events.

What are you most looking forward to at Passion20?

Lawrence: Just being on the line up is an incredible honour for SHOLAN. We know the DFOPs are one of the best crowds to play for, so we’ll be soaking up the atmosphere and dropping some special tracks for you!

Gareth: Yeah, we’re working hard in the studio to bring the DFOPs some proper exclusives in our set, so dropping those will be the highlight for me.

Tell us a little secret about yourselves.

Lawrence: I suffer from recurring DJ nightmares where the deck just won’t play anything at all! Makes me wake up in a cold sweat!

Gareth: I was on Come Dine With Me…. And won!

Where can we find more out about SHOLAN?

https://www.facebook.com/officialsholanmusic

https://soundcloud.com/outboundpodcast

Plus here is a special Passion20 birthday give away, our remix of Ratty - Sunrise available for FREE DOWNLOAD! https://soundcloud.com/outboundpodcast/ratty-sunrise-sholan-2015-remix

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Passion 20: Allen & Envy Interview

1. What got you into dance music?

Steve – Would have to be Dave Peace’s Dance Anthems on a Sunday Night and Judge Jules Weekend Warmup that really first got me hooked. However I wasn’t really a clubber, I just loved the music and I always knew that I wanted to be a DJ, producing then came. This is probably why I feel more comfortable behind the decks or in a studio as opposed to being on the dance floor!

Scott – Ive always been into music from an early age. Most of my pocket money went on buying music tapes (showing my age). It wasn’t until 2000 that I really got into underground clubbing. My best friend at the time dragged me to the emporium in Coalville and my love grew from there.

2. As Passion is hitting the big 20, what was your first experience of the brand?

Steve – It would have been when I made my solo debut back in 2008 for Passion’s 13th Birthday with Tiesto, around the same time I was lucky enough to be asked by Tiesto to provide him with a guest mix in the early days of his “Clublife” show and was ridiculously excited to meet him for the first time whilst making my Passion debut.

I always remember being overwhelmed on the night for these reasons but also because of the atmosphere and scale of the event that Jason and the team put together. I instantly became a #DFOP

Scott – My first experience of passion was walking down the corridor as you entered the emporium, and getting that euphoric feeling as I got closer to the main room.

3. What does Passion mean to you, (sum it up personally in a few words?)

Steve - Passion for me is simple, Passion is JFK and JFK is Passion!

Scott – The music

4. Which dj/producer do you look up to and why? who has been your biggest influence(s)

Steve – For me its not an individual, it’s always been about the music, music inspires me to make more music, once music no longer inspires me there will be no point doing this any longer.

Scott – Steve Allen, who bought me into the trance scene and sitting in the studio with him as friends before we teamed up and thinking “Iwant to do that”

5. Tell me something about you that most people don't know.

Steve - I have an OCD when I produce that any of the buttons on the synths have to be at either 0’s or point 5’s! For example I wouldn’t be able to set the gain at 6.1 or 6.3 it would either have to be at 6 or 6.5! I am getting better now……….but its an issue when im producing for sure!

Scott – I always want the window seat on flights but Steve never lets me ☹

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Passion 20: Akira Kayosa Interview

1. What got you into dance music?

I’ve been into the music since around 1997, I progressed on from listening to rock music like AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Guns & Roses, Nirvana, great bands like that, I then replaced Lead guitars with Lead synth’s, guys like the prodigy and the chemical brothers led me down the electronic path to begin with, then trance came along, the end.

2. As Passion is hitting the big 20, what was your first experience of the brand?

My first experience of passion was actually flyering outside when my and a mate used to run a little night many years ago, Nu Nrg were playing live inside I could hear the place rocking, that was my first actual experience of Passion. I can’t quite recall the first event I actually attended, my first gig was in 2008 in the red room, Armin & Markus headlined that night, and it was a busy one!

3. What does Passion mean to you, (sum it up personally in a few words?)

Do I need a few words? Just one will do – JFK!

The brand itself is like no other, honest passionate clubbers head to passion events and it creates an atmosphere you won’t experience anywhere else, you can’t buy that, you can try and throw the kitchen sink at something to create that sort of vibe or atmosphere at an event but at passion it just happens and that is what makes it so special.

4. Which dj/producer do you look up to and why? who has been your biggest influence(s)

It’s a hard one to answer this is, and something that is always changing, from a producer point of view only, I would look no further than Dave Parkinson, JoC, Sneijder, and Will Atkinson. My all-time favorite producer is Marco Gaudia (Reverb – the technical brain behind Flutlicht/SHOKK).

5. Tell me something about you that most people don't know.

My real name is Russell Ogden, and I am not Japanese.

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Passion20: Sam Mitcham Interview

1. What got you into dance music? 

The infectious sound of a 4/4 beat. I cant really put my finger on when, i have just always been into it and liked it as a kid even before I knew what it was called. Basically I think I was born loving it quite honestly.

2. As Passion is hitting the big 20, what was your first experience of the brand?

My first experience was actually quite late compared to most of my clubbing friends. August 2009 with Gareth Emery, Simon Patterson, Super8 & Tab, Genix and Paul Webster. I was working away not far from Coalville for an engineering company for a couple of weeks

and went over to meet everyone for 'one drink' at the pre party to say hi before they went in as I had work the next day. As if by magic a spare ticket appeared and not wanting to be rude I went in for a little while - which of course turned into the whole

night and an then a bonkers afterparty. At 7am I called a vote on pulling a sicky, to which everyone agreed was the best plan of action for me, and the rest is history. Needless to say I didn't last long in that job, but for the friendships formed that night

I would have done it 10 times over. From that moment on I dont think I missed an event.

3. What does Passion mean to you, (sum it up personally in a few words?) 

Passion for me is about the people. Many clubs have the same music policy, but only Passion has that incredible mass connection of friendships.

4. Which dj/producer do you look up to and why? who has been your biggest influence(s)

I guess Aly & Fila, because of their sheer hard work and determination which has seen them rocket over the last 10 years from nobody to the top of the trance tree. You have to respect that. Also John 00 Fleming for his selfless anti superstar attitude and the

fact every time I speak to him he is happy. There's a lot to be said for that. Finally musically it has to be Steve Helstrip aka The Thrillseekers. IMO the most talented musician in Trance and a proper sound geeza!

5. Tell me something about you that most people don't know.

I won a Blue Peter badge when I was 7 for a lighting competition. Thats almost cringeworthy uncool now I say it but back then in 1994 if you had one of those you were the boy! haha! I might dig it out for passion.

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Passion 20: JFK Interview

Hi guys,

On 5th April 2015, PaSSion will be celebrating its 20th Birthday in true PaSSion style.  This momentous occasion will be celebrated with not just one but 2 Massive headliners Paul Van Dyk and Ferry Corsten and the best in upcoming djs.

There is not a lot to say about the two headiners as every clubber knows them; they have been the true pioneers for the trance music genre. These two legends have always been part of PaSSion’s history and have played for PaSSion numerous times; so it was only fitting to get them on for you guys. 

(One fact for you all if you didn’t know Ferry Corsten used to be a PaSSion resident.)

For those of you who are not aware, PaSSion started out in a small town in Coalville in Leicestershire at a venue called the Emporium. This place turned into a heaven for all trance clubbers who would travel far and wide to come to this event. Passion always had an atmosphere like no other place in the UK and gained its status for being the only place to be. Unfortunately the venue is no more but the brand & its spirit lives on. Call it a rebirth or a new chapter in PaSSion’s life, the brand and its dedicated followers will always have a place to go to enjoy that unique atmosphere and the best music around.

With PaSSion being the peoples brand, we thought it be a great idea to get the djs who are playing on the night to answer a few questions and to tell you all what they think about the brand and their experiences with PaSSion and of course the dedicated clubbers.

It is only fair to start these interviews with the head of the PaSSion, he really doesn’t need an introduction but this person has been there from the start for Passion and is loved by all the clubbers who have supported PaSSion for 20 years. He was the first resident for PaSSion and will be the last and his name is JFK.

So JFK lets kick things off …..

What makes the Passion crowd so dedicated?

The name 'Dedicated Followers of Passion' came about when

Passion was still weekly. They were the insanely loyal people who used to arrive at 6pm and start queuing before the club opened at 9pm every week. They would come from all over Britain and some from Europe. Some even travelled to Norwich on a coach dress in their Passion Cyber gear to take part in a TV programme called 'Trainspotters' and partied in the studio. They would enter the Emporium at 9pm in full home made 'Passion' outfits and climb on the podiums straight away and never want to leave! We had to literally ask them to leave at the end of the night after they would demand 'One More!'

What's your favourite passion memory?

Really?? One Memory?? I dont think so! Lets start with a few that are the best:

·         Playing the first ever record.

·         Playing the midnight record on Millennium eve.

·         Announcing that Radio One were broadcasting the Essential selection live with Seb Fontaine.

·         Tony Di Vits flower tributes JFK: The Return on October 6th 2006. Six Hour Set. 2500 people.

·         Ferry Corsten and the birth of Trance.

·         Paul Oakenfold: The first superstar DJ at Passion

·         Armin: The Homecoming.

·         Tiesto: His last ever UK club gig (concerts after that)

·         Armin & Ferry & JFK B2B !!!!

 If you had to choose 1 tune to play at passion what would it be?

The one that gets the biggest response: I've always been a big time crowd pleaser. It will change as the crowd changes.

Describe passion in 3 words

In My Blood

If you were granted 1 super power for 24 hours, what would it be and why?

We already have super powers: We have enabled the DFOP's to live forever. You can’t destroy what we have.

What present did you re-gift this Christmas?

I gave Passion back to the people!

Tell us one true embarrassing fact about yourself

I used to be a Sunday School teacher: TRUE!

Apart from yourself, who is your favorite DJ and why?

When we first started Passion I was in awe of Tall Paul, I love the way he made everything look so easy. You could say I looked up to him, to be honest everyone does!

 Thank You JFK for your time, after talking to you we can clearly see how much PaSSion means to you and how much you love the DFOP’s! Thank you for bringing PaSSion back in our lives. The 20th Birthday is surely going to be an amazing & emotional night for everyone, but I am sure it will be even more special for you. We can’t wait to join in the celebrations and to enjoy that electrifying atmosphere. We salute you <o/ (a passion salute that is!).