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Interview with Miika Kuisma ( 30.06.2008 - 21:00 GMT UTC )
1. Could you share some history and tell us how and when you began your career as a dj and a producer, what was the influence that made you choose this path ?
Miika Kuisma: It was maybe 1993 when I discovered house music and started to go clubbing. Also begun making my own tracks within weeks after my first club experience. There was no going back :)
2. What kind of systems have you been working with ? Do you have any hardware or software you still hold keen to your production and is there a special system you like the most ?
Miika Kuisma: I have been always a software guy. In one point I was collaborating and using some hardware synths. Everything started from trackers and later tried probably everything before ending up with Logic few years ago. In early stage of my career I used Reason quite a lot.
3. What do you think of trance music in it's current state, is there anything that you would like to be different as an artist, in this sense ?
Miika Kuisma: To me it looks like trance is starting a new era (once again) and it's also penetrating other genres. I can hear lot of trance influence from progressive house all the way to tech-house and minimal. For example many of the Deadmau5 productions, in my opinion, are sort of minimal trance and have clearly influenced many house producers.
4. We have noticed you have moved on from trance music to more progressive styles. What gives you the drive to go on forward into this direction thou ?
Miika Kuisma: Well I just ended up this way because I found new trance releases too much alike, got bored, and found progressive house to be interesting. Besides melodic progressive house is often a lot like good-old-trance :) Many trance producers seem to be experimenting with house and then later add their new perspective into trance. BPM is coming down.
5. You are a very philosophical person and created very interesting features into your tracks. How do you find these new progressive ideas into your music ?
Miika Kuisma: I am always questioning everything that seems to be ordinary.
6. During your career You have been working with several producers and Djs, could you share us more information of this experience and how has it helped you to find new areas in the electronic music industry ?
Miika Kuisma: It is funny to see myself making music in different way when there is someone else involved. Even if my mother would just sit there and watch, it would have great contribution to the music. Working with different people always a learning experience too.
7. You have a special radio show called "Intelligent Design", can you share more details of this please ?
Miika Kuisma: It is a 2 hours monthly, without guest mixes. I am trying to make interesting sets for living room, car etc. For other places than clubs, where people mostly listen to music. Often I play tracks I wouldn't play in clubs, anything that fits the atmosphere is cool. Simply: the best tracks I know at the moment.
8. Playing gigs around Europe there must have been one ore more events that you liked most, Can you name some of these and share your opinion about them with us ?
Miika Kuisma: Every gig is memorable but of course party like Love Parade in Berlin (2006) was totally huge! Still the best events I have seen are in Scandinavia. In Finland we have really cool outdoor event called Konemetsa where thousands of people are dancing in the forest, far away from a city. Pacfique then is a party in the biggest water park in scandinavia and Monday Bar party cruises from Sweden are also something everyone should go to.
9. In your past you have done lot of performances and still going forward. Could you tell us about your performances and share your future plans with us ?
Miika Kuisma: I am going to 100% digital djing this year. I have been involved with planning a new DJ midi controller called "EKS Otus". It has some really neat features and it is going to change my way to perform more interesting. Check out www.eks.fi for more info.
10. You have done a great number of singles, remixes and 2 full albums, are there any special ones you would like to point out ?
Miika Kuisma: Most of them are special to me and it is really difficult to compare.. Those JOOF vinyls are quite dear to me but I don't even mind not having physical copies of all of my releases.
11. Could you tell us more about the production you are currently working on and about this third album that is going to released ?
Miika Kuisma: There are many remixes and couple of singles coming out soon. I haven't started my 3rd album yet since I am not sure what kind of thing I want to do. Probably lot of real tribal elements, flying/floating atmospheres, big pads, some vocals, some breaks and chill-out too. Lets see :)
Upcoming releases:
- Miika Kuisma & OlliS: Green Lane [Subtraxx]
- Miika Kuisma: Tribexpress [Subtraxx]
- Luca Lombardi: Heaven is Falling Down (Miika Kuisma Remix) [Subtraxx]
- Dan Stone & Phil Young: Summer Tide (Miika Kuisma Remix) [Alter Ego]
- Gianluca Motta ft. Molly: Not Alone (Miika Kuisma Remix) [WeLoveMuzik]
- Miika Kuisma: Abyss [Suntraxx]
- Airwave: Punjabi Child [Bonzai]
- Darude: Stars (Miika Kuisma Remix) [HMC]
- Nick Murray: Lost (Miika Kuisma Remix) [Bonzai]
- Nicholas Bennison: Unstuck (Miika Kuisma Remix) [Propulsion]
12. How do You think being based in Finland rather than The Netherlands, United Kingdom or United States of America has affected Your EDM career ?
Miika Kuisma: I don't think it matters so much. Although artist has always best chances in his own country so in that way it doesn't hurt if you are living in central location and while other domestic artists being the biggest of the industry. In some point I was seriously considering about moving into Holland, but now I am thinking some place with warmer climate, by the ocean, mountains would be cool. Now that I think it sounds a lot like Spain ? :P
13. I need to know something about Your productions please. You make records from a Dj's point of view rather than that of a traditional songwriter who might be thinking of lyrics and melodies first ? Which one is it ?
Miika Kuisma: My single tracks are always dj-friendly. I think it is very important that music is pleasure to play. But on an album it's possible to do anything. Chill-out is also one of those genres that has absolutely no rules.
14. Looks like on 26th of July, which is a month from now, You are going to have a special gig, hosted by the well known Dutch promoter, ID&T, in charge with so many annual events such as Sensation too in Amsterdam, but this time is Tomorrowland, along big names such as Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Gareth Emery, Sasha, Above 7 Beyond, Andy Moor, etc etc, just to name a few... Please tell us more about this upcoming gig, thanks.
Miika Kuisma: I am happy to play in Bonzai arena with talented guys. We are going to hang around in Sied van Riel's place with my wife for few days before going to the event together. Looking forward to it very much! In first weekend of september I am playing at Color Festival in Helsinki which is massive two day festival.
15. You are working with pretty big names including John OO Fleming, M.I.K.E., Misja Helsloot at an early stage in Your career. How do You think this will affect You on future projects ?
Miika Kuisma: All collaborations have been equally special and I am sure they all affected somehow. Now I am going to collaborate with my friend Noel Sanger and we are making a track together for his artist album.
16. What can You tell us about Subtraxx Recordings and what is that "glitch of heaven" You`re looking for, when artists are sending promos to You ?
Miika Kuisma: It started out in 2000. At first it was just an idea to release tracks by some friends and see what happens. Now it is more serious than that and I am looking for tracks which have this certain feeling.. it is impossible to describe what I am looking for exactly.
17. Is there anything you would like to tell to your friends and fans and give them something special from you, specially the TranceSound.net members or the ones reading this exclusive interview ?
Miika Kuisma: I wish you all great summer and looking forward to play somewhere near you soon :) and maybe You would like to have a closer look here too: "Guide to achieving flow and happiness in Your work"
Interview made by Tony Peltonen aka ACrIkeD (TranceSound.net forum moderator)
Links:
Schulman Management official website
Miika Kuisma @ MySpace
Miika Kuisma official website
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