1. It's always an honour to interview a legend, still under Your well known alias, First State, but this time alone, with a whole new album.. what label is the album coming out on ?
First State: Yes FIRST STATE is now a solo act, and my latest album, "Changing Lanes" is available now on Magik Muzik (Black Hole Recordings).
2. Are You on the road right now ?
First State: At the moment I'm home in The Netherlands. I have just returned from 2 separate visits to North and Central America. Enjoying some time off before my upcoming tours to Russia, South Africa, Australia and Israel.
3. Guest spots on the album ? As in... did You link with anyone ?
First State: There were some collaborations with vocalists. Two tracks with Elliot Johns and two with Sarah Howells, and one with Kyler England, under her new alias "Relyk".
4. So tell me further details about the new album. What should fans expect ?
First State: The album is aimed at crossing the boundaries of electronic music genres, with the underlying focus sticking to the Progressive tip. There are elements for every type of Dance Music lover, from House to Vocal Trance, it's all in there with some tracks having a little Indie Rock twist to them too.
5. The lead single, "Brave," along Sarah Howells is getting some nice play right now.. Do You have a favorite song on the album ?
First State: Every track represents a little piece of me. So I can't really pick a definite favorite but ones that stand out just a little more then the rest are "Cross The Line", "Breathe on Me" and "Reverie".
6. What other producers/vocalists did You work with on this project ?
First State: Apart from the vocalists I mentioned earlier, I produced the album all by myself.
7. Can we expect to see more collaborations in the future with the ones mentioned earlier ?
First State: Perhaps. We haven't discussed any collaborations with the mentioned vocalists beyond this album, but we can always look into it at the time of opportunity. Ofcourse branching out and working with some other talent would be a favorable option too.
8. Any forthcoming plans You might have in mind for the First State Music, a sub label of Black Hole Recordings, A&R'd and managed by You ?
First State: We have just launched our debut single (Jason van Wyk "Dream On"). For starters, our aim is to build our catalogue, profile, and fan base. We will be looking to help talented new producers promote their careers, whilst also supporting established artists.
9. Let's go back in time for a minute and tell me. What inspired You to get into music ?
First State: My dad was a member of a small Blues band. That was what first got me interested in music, but at time it was the unique and 'futuristic' sounds of E.L.O. and Jean Michel Jarre that really got my attention for Electronic Music.
10. From what I hear, old and new tracks from You, Your music style could be anywhere from vocals to epic and melodic Trance with a bit of Uplifting and Progressive sub-genres. What's Your own definition when it comes to describing Your own sound ?
First State: I think the best way to categorize my sound to date is simply 'Electronic Dance Music'. Ofcourse Trance has been a major part of what I have produced in the past, but I have always tried to incorporate a wide variety of elements influenced by other electronic genres.
11. Do You have any tours lined up for the summer and early fall ?
First State: Well as I briefly mentioned earlier, I have just returned from America, I am preparing for a few short tours. I will be heading to Murmansk and Kazan in Russia at the beginning of October, and after that will be heading to the Southern hemisphere where I will do 4 or 5 gigs in South Africa, and then a quick tour of Australia. These will all be through October and November.
12. What projects are You working on and willing to share a "glimpse of heaven" about it ?
First State: I can't really let you in on the secrets that I'm working on at the moment. But I can tell you there are some new tracks I'm working on under an alias, which will be released on my own label soon. Maybe a new alias ? Maybe some collaborations with fellow artists or new vocalists ? I guess you will just have to wait and see!
13. It's obvious that EDM (Electronic Dance Music) as a business is flourishing. Do You like the direction that EMI (Electronic Music Industry) as a music is taking, or would You like to see something different ?
First State: Well as I have seen it for a long time now, the electronic music scene is more of a saturated market, then it is a 'flourishing business' as you put it. It's just a case of 'too many cooks in the kitchen'. I'm not at all trying to taking anything away from any artist, but I do feel that there has to be something different now. If an artist is to make it big these days, they can't just jump into the same stream as everyone else, they have to find something to set themselves apart from the rest.
14. Any last words that You would love to share with the TranceSound.net community or else anyone reading this interview ?
First State: Make sure you head over to my website! for news, gig guide and tour information, downloads and more. One last thing, I would like to ask that you head over to DJ Mag's website and cast your vote for this years DJ MAG Top 100 poll. If you have enjoyed any of my projects, releases, radio shows or live performances in the past, then please spare a thought for FIRST STATE when casting your vote!! And lastly, As always, I would like to thank all my fans out there for their great support.
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
First State official website
First State @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
