1. First things first, your official debut album "Rising Sun", has caused quite a major commotion lately. Were you surprised by the massive success that this album has already achieved ?
Aly & Fila: We are overwhelmed by the support it has received so far, massive thanks to everyone.
2. What can actually be expected from your long overdue, years-in-the-making "Rising Sun" debut ?
Aly & Fila: We wanted to make it as an Artist album should be, a variety of tracks.
3. I am a great fan of Old Egyptian culture, Thebes, Amun, Ra, Horus (your old track "Eye of Horus", brings up good memories), but is this album of yours something that we might call "Rising Ra" for a change ?
Aly & Fila: Well "Rising Sun" is a rising project and also has meanings towards Egypt.
4. I know that, the ancient Egyptians worshipped many more gods and goddesses, but is this your own worship to Ra? Is the album something more like it ? Correct me if I am wrong, I am just asking.
Aly & Fila: It's our worship to our fans and to everyone who has and continues to support us.
5. So, who do you have on the album ? Who did you have joined forces with ?
Aly & Fila: We have collaborations with Activa, Philippe el Sisi, Bjorn Akesson.
6. Who came up with the idea to put an album together, which is spreading like wildfire with everyone from Tiff Lacey, Sue McLaren, Josie, Denise Rivera, Philippe El Sisi and Bjorn Akesson, as you have mentioned above ?
Aly & Fila: It was a collective decision, the collaborations we are really really happy with, they played a massive helping part in making the album.
7. Being that you two are really young for the amount of success received so far, when did you actually realize that EDM would later become your livelihood ?
Aly & Fila: I think around 2006ish is when we started to have more tracks out then our first management signed us in April 2007 and believed in us.
8. Growing up, who were some of the artists that you 2 have listened to mostly back in the days ?
Aly & Fila: Paul van Dyk, The Thrillseekers etc were all massive inspiration to us.
9. What is that factor, the driving force for you when you get together in the studio to lay down a track ?
Aly & Fila: We bounce off each other, ideas, and positive energy when making a track.
10. You pretty much became the most well known Egyptian duo band, so you got all that covered, don't you ?
Aly & Fila: We are very proud to be Egyptian and the country support is amazing as is the support worldwide.
11. I have also recently been hearing talks of a pretty big tour that you guys have in the works in order to promote the album, is that right ?
Aly & Fila: Yes we just started embarking on our world tour for the album, last week was Pacha in Sharm el Sheik then official release party at Armada Night in Holland, we are hitting Asia, South America, UK, Europe, North America, North Africa etc, for more info please visit our official website.
12. I know it's still very early on to begin with, but you guys heading yourselves to Ministry of Sound in London on July the 23rd this year. Are there any special tracks being "stashed" for this special gig? As in, what's your actual playlist / tracklist for this particular event ?
Aly & Fila: Well as the album has just been released we will possibly showcase some tracks off the album and of course exclusive ones and favorites, a mixture really!
13. You literally just dropped your new single "My Mind is With You" correct ? Who's the vocalist and where have you released the track ? What label ?
Aly & Fila: Single came out end of March, has had great reaction with our 2nd single off album being released this week called "Listening" featuring Josie. All our tracks are released on Future sound of Egypt Recordings www.fsoe-recordings.com . Denise Rivera is on the vocals for "My Mind is with you", she did an amazing job.
14. Of course, there's also this new label of yours "Future Sound of Egypt". Is it a part of Armada Music, right ? I have nearly missed asking about it. What are your future plans for the label ?
Aly & Fila: Yes the label has been running just over 12 months and we are delighted it is a sublabel on Armada Music. Our future plans is to keep releasing quality music on the label :)
15. It is my understanding that you two are also working on new material. What can you reveal or divulge about it so far ?
Aly & Fila: We are working on some club mixes of some of the album tracks and also on some remixes.
16. Before I leave, coming back to question #3, if I am saying to you that "I believe I am Chased by the Sun", what would you think about it ?
Aly & Fila: I think you should wear plenty of sunblock, just follow your dreams!
17. Any message you two want to relay to the readers of TranceSound.net ?
Aly & Fila: Many thanks for all your massive support over the years and continued support, the Album is out now Armada Music official website.
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Aly & Fila official website
Aly & Fila @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
