1. Hi there. It's been a long while since we have spoke last time, around 2008 or something, how's everything in the world of Mr Sam ?
Mr Sam: All good. Thanks. Same for you ? Everything is rolling I must admit. Got my new album in CD this week by the post. Always a nice sensation. I'm also back from touring and recording new music so cant complain !!
2. First off, I am a Pat Benatar fan and your collaboration with Andy Duguid on "Invisible" was genius. The perfect opening for your album "Pop Model"!
Mr Sam: Thanks a lot ! It's a very special track indeed. It all started when Andy played me the original in Scotland. I was like it rings me a bell but couldn't remember what it was. After that I decided to work on it as soon as I was back. Andy and myself were having a different vision on how to produce it and wanted both the make his own version of it. I did the version you heard on the album, Andy is now putting final touches to his remix as we speak. It has been extremely long and difficult to have the sample clearance! We needed to get the support from a big music manager in the US to have it and it took more than one year!
We did shot a massive music video in Miami during the WMC (Winter Music Conference). Was a lot of fun to do it and I'm extremely happy of the result as well. I just can't wait to show it by now but we've to wait a little from the all people who heard the tunes, most of them said.. "wow it's such a massive crossover house tune" and I do agree. This track does have a big crossover potential, I can feel it. It's very different from what Im doing but it fits perfectly in my new "Pop Model" conceptual concept.
I put so much effort in this track, from the production of it, writing the video storyboard, handling all remixes etc... I do love this track and will fight to make it very big.
Without any promotion, we're getting wave reactions and critics on it. It's amazing. To finish, I just cant wait to release it !!!!!!!!
3. Compared to your other productions, "Pop Model" is a melting pot of genres within the EDM spectrum. What was your influence behind this?
Mr Sam: I always did music like this. Sometimes I do "Cygnes" (now a Trance Classic), I can also do "Dominator" (a Techno monster) but also "Split" (a mid tempo tune with Kirsty Hawkshaw). I do the Mr Sam style, I'm not a one genre producer. So boring.. no ?? For me, I do like taking risks and not getting trapped in one genre of music. Rather stopping doing music than doing this !!
I like to do experiments all the time. Having fun and taking risks, that's ME! My dream is to make a house classic, an anthem. I'm working on it at the moment. I do love Trance but I'm not a Trance DJ. I do play some tunes but not the typical Trance tunes. I don't like it. I always need a techno twist on it, something for the feet. I've my own definition of Trance. The album contains lots of musical genres. From Downtempo, Trip Hop, Classical, Techno, Trance, House, Electro, World Music and more. And I feel good with it! It's an album, not a tracks collection! For me no matter the style you do produce, it needs to be good. I do prefer a very good cheesy commercial track then a bad house tune or trance tune. I need to feel something. Why should I lie to people.. ?
When I listen the radio, I do love many commercial tracks like Lady Gaga etc.. I don't care about my image etc. I feel, I love, point! I also have to be honest that this year Miami was full of crappy Tech house everywhere ! It's not politically correct but I don't care. I did start my "Dj career" in Belgium and France with Deep house and soulful house so I know what I'm talking about. I'll never say "woow I like it" in front of people because it's trendy or fashion. I don't care at all to be honest. I need to feel something.
I'm not saying that Tech House it's boring. I do like many tunes but since most of the DJs in Miami were all playing the same stuff, it was very but very boring. A bit like a few years ago every Djs were all playing the same Trance record style.. Back to the album, all the reactions I got so far are extremely positive. People do like the fact of having 21 different tracks on the album. All edited which makes it more friendly then being "hostage of the beats" in the beginning and the end of the track. There is a lot of variations all the way through the album which gives you a good feeling when you're listening to it.
4. Do you have a favorite track from the album?
Mr Sam: "Invincible" I think, for the radios... and "One Day" featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw for home listening.
5. Aside from solo productions, will there be another "OPUS" compilation in the works?
Mr Sam: Yes, I'm working on my new "OPUS 4" as we speak.. It will be different from the other ones as I do want to make the series evolving, in a good way. This new volume will be very very emotional and spiritual. Believe me on this. I do reserve a lot of surprises for this volume 4. I want now to take it on another level. A bit more patience and you'll know more about it.
6. Other than being a native of France, what other countries and cultures have influenced your style?
Mr Sam: A lot I should yes. Being French, I am imbued with a desire for sophistication and beauty. It's in our blood. I wanted to shoot "Pop Model" in France, remaining as faithful as possible to the initial idea. Alternating between grace glamour and sensuality. The search for the perfect symbiosis between "the image and the sound" has always been a near obsession with me. Isn't it said that a photo can speak to you? Strange, isn't it? It is a representation of the artist, of course, but it can also do him a disservice! I want to appear as I am while adding a hint of escapism and contemplation.
7. It has been two years since creating your own label, Appia Music. Has this transition helped the flow of your music towards your audiences? And what can we expect the future of Appia Music to be?
Mr Sam: Yes, it's now around 2 years I started it and I'm very happy. Specificity of Appia Music is that I do only release my own tracks on it. I did craft Appia Music only for this. Not that I don't like anyone else music, more the opposite but I wanted to have my own imprint where I could release all I wanted, from Techno to Trance etc.. Appia Music is a king of Music Laboratory. It's gonna evolve pretty soon as well with new ideas I have.
8. So far this year what has been your favorite event and which event(s) are you most looking forward to?
Mr Sam: 100% my tour In Israel. I'll never forget it. Never. I did have my best time ever as a DJ for ages. For many reasons. clubs were packed. People were amazing, or more than that. Thanks God I was a DJ over there! They gave me one of my best time in my life. Thanks for that !!! Country is great and so spiritual.
9. Are there any producers/DJs that have really caught your attention that the world should know about?
Mr Sam: Short answer for once.. You'll see on my new OPUS 4 (*_-)
10. Currently, who is in your playlist?
Mr Sam: It's becoming extremely difficult lately to find massive tracks. OMG. But there are still some good tracks from time to time. I found a massive new producer in Israel and you'll know more about him on OPUS 4 etc.. Get Ready for it !
11. Other than EDM, what did you enjoy listening to growing up?
Mr Sam: Quite everything, until I love it. Can be Lady Gaga, can be Debussy (classical composer), can be the hits on the radio, can be a very deep Trip Hop band or even Reggae music. All that makes me feel good (and sometimes singing.. very bad .. but only for myself).
12. Traveling seems to be in your blood. Could you describe to us some of your favourite locations?
Mr Sam: This is what I like the most. Hearing the word gives me shivers all over. I always wanted to be a Globetrotter since I was a teen. Reading all books from Jules Vernes etc.. I wanted to be an Indiana Jones or James Bond. When you a young boy and you never travel, it's unbelievable to see a James Bond movie, where the hero is one day in Paris, the day after in London, then in the Pacific, then Las Vegas etc.. It was a dream for me. OK, I'm not Tiesto etc.. but I did travel quite a lot till now. Saw nearly all continents and was lucky enough to see new cultures, historic places etc.. I feel extremely lucky I did have this chance to be honest. As many know, I'm mad about history in general and specialist in Antic (Rome, Egypt and Greece). That's my passion with music. So going to countries I've never been before, travel, learn, visit museum is my thing ! I do hope I'll be able to do that for a long time..
13. Aside from music and travelling, what else do you enjoy during your spare time?
Mr Sam: As I said, studying history and Art in general and visit museums and historic places.
14. Is there anything else that you would like to add to your readers here at TranceSound.net?
Mr Sam: I simply invite your readers to have a listen to my album with an open mind and have fun, for the rest they can find all the latest info on my official website, MySpace and Facebook profile.
Interview made by Abigail Duran aka VeraNationGirl (TranceSound.net PR forum moderator)
Links:
Mr Sam official website
Mr Sam @ MySpace
Mr Sam @ Facebook
Capitan official website
