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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! |
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Trance Generation Preview - LANGE interview
Reported by Gary Ramsden
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Submitted 08-03-05 01:00
In the late 90’s a trance revolution swept through the country, soon to spread all across the world. If you ever frequented the familiar likes of Cream, Gatecrahser, Slinky, or Godskitchen, then this article is for you, as you most probably raised your hands in admiration to this man’s work. In fact, today he continues to be of the most prolific and successful trance producers of all time – we welcome . . . LANGE
For over 5 solid years Lange has been at the top of the production tree releasing trance anthems that have raised more arms in the air than most credible producers put together. And today he continues to make waves not only in the studio but also as a respected worldwide dj in his own right.
On Friday 11th March, Lange touches down at London's specialist trance night Trance Generation alongside a classic array of talent in the form of Matt Darey and Graham Gold. All of whom deserve credit for how dance music got to where it is today and to where it goes tomorrow. So to mark the coming together of three greats, we caught up with Lange to discuss the transition from producer to dj and what it was like back in '99 on the crest of the trance wave.
TG: Back in the late 90s when a new sounding trance emerged, you were responsible for some of the most popular tunes around which were on the tips of most people’s eardrums. Looking back, how exciting a time was this for you as a producer?
LANGE: Very kind of you to say! This was definitely one of the most exciting time of my life. Looking back I guess I was on the crest of a new wave of dance music. In ’99 it took over most of the UK, on Radio, in the superclubs, and in the mainstream charts! I can’t see such a genre explosion occurring for a while.
TG: Do you reckon that this “explosion of genre’s”, is partly what was responsible for the infamous crumbling of the superclub?
LANGE: Yes, it was no surprise when things cooled off in the scene clubs closed down. The bigger venues were always going to be hardest hit, it’s just not viable to open a half empty club.
TG: Are they a good or bad thing anyway? Or are you a fan of the small club? Please can you explain why?
LANGE: I prefer a full small club to a half empty bigger venue! The intimacy of playing to a smaller club can be very special and is different to larger venues. Really large crowds can feel a little distant from you on stage, but at the same time the experience of performing in front of 10,000 is very exciting!
TG: Would you say that there are more opportunities out there today for young producers today to break onto the scene or that it is harder than when you first started?
LANGE: Technology & the internet has opened up the dance scene in a way I never believed would happen when I started producing! People can get their music heard easier around the world, but there has also been a massive increase in the number of people making music, so it’s more important than ever to make music that stands out as better than average.
TG: Do you have any musical background?
LANGE: I have no formal music training but I did do a sound engineering course at uni (although it turned out to be more of an electronics course! L) – I found the best way to learn was to buy my own kit & work it out for myself. It’s probably more fun learning how to write & produce without knowing the ‘rules’ of music.
TG: How did you get your first big break as a producer?
LANGE: Back in 1995 I sent off a demo to ‘Future Music’ magazine. They featured it on their cover CD & labels got in contact asking for more material. It wasn’t until 1997 that I signed my first deal with Additive (Positiva/EMI) Records. I then got into remixing and 3 or 4 remixes later my remix of DJ Sakin – 'Protect your mind' went in the chart at no.4! I became a full time producer from then on.
TG: How has the way in which you work/produce changed today than say 5 years ago? What about equipment. Do you still use the same kit?
LANGE: The kit has changed drastically. I used to use all hardware (including an Atari ST), but now a lot is done on the PC, although I still prefer using hardware synths such as the Access Virus.
TG: How much of your time in the studio is still spent sampling?
LANGE: I don’t use my hardware sampler much at all now but use a lot of audio samples in my PC as starting blocks for effects & rhythmic elements. I always avoid using samples in their original format.
TG: Did you spend a lot of time creating a bank of samples that trademark your sound, or is it completely on an individual track by track basis?
LANGE: Over the years I have amassed a folder of favourite samples but I tend to source new elements for each individual track and now I tend to start tracks from scratch – it’s more fun that way!
TG: If there was one moment that stood out over the past 6 years for you as both a dj and producer what would it be?
LANGE: There have been many ‘stand out’ moments both as a DJ & producer separately! Combining both I would have to say seeing clubbers reactions for the first time from the DJ booth when playing some of my own tunes was great! I didn’t really go clubbing much in the early part of my career, and never intended to become a DJ.
TG: So how did you get your early inspiration for the tracks you made at the beginning?
LANGE: I had always been into the more electronic music and hated rock! So I was very excited by the new dance music that arrived around the late 80s. Although I liked the music I wasn’t really much of a clubber, so it was quite a coincidence that my mixes seemed to work so well on the floor. Originally I would try & make the track interesting to listen to – so adding the dramatic builds & drops etc was not soley aimed at getting a reaction in the clubs. I just produced what I was into at the time, and this happened to fit nicely with the scene that was developing.
TG: Do you have any common particular aim behind all of the tracks that you create?
LANGE: Not really. I just try my best to make a track as good as possible!
TG: What keeps you fresh as a producer?
LANGE: Listening to all kinds of music and taking breaks from the studio.
TG: If you had to pluck your favourite own production – what would it be?
LANGE: My favourite own production is LNG – 'Intercity', and Brainchild – 'Symmetry C' is my fave remix.
TG: Have you ever considered producing anything other than trance?
LANGE: I have experimented in other areas, but mostly my material has been trance-based.
TG: You are now seen to be playing all across the world at some of the biggest venues.
Most recently in San Franciso in front of How long have you been djing now?
LANGE: Around 3 years.
TG: How easy has it been making the transistion from producer a respected DJ in its own right?
LANGE:I wouldn’t say it was totally easy at first, but it was definitely an advantage to have my production experience when starting off. It’s also almost essential these days to be producing and releasing records in order to keep ahead of the DJ field.
TG: Do you think this has helped the production side of your work ?
LANGE: Yes & no. Yes, I tend to make music with clubs more in mind now, but my music has become less melodic and more rhythmic as a result. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the ‘production’ side of making a dance record more than the melodic side when I’m in the studio these days!
TG: Do you go for dj sets that mirror your production sound or gone for something a little different?
LANGE: My production is now in sync with my DJ style. I prefer less vocal, more driving trance and I have been producing more instrumental tracks recently.
TG: How much of your own material do you try to use in your sets?
LANGE: I usually play 1 or 2 of my own productions in my sets!
TG: Which other producers are currently doing it for you?
LANGE: Long term I’ve always admired Mike push for his individuality & emotional melodies. Others currently doing mixes & tracks I’m into include Fred Baker, Primer, Mark Norman, Ernesto & Bastian. There are more but those spring to mind at present!
TG: So and finally, amongst your worldwide travels, what 5 tracks are doing sending dancefloors crazy at the moment?
Firewall – Sincere 2005 (Smith & Pledger Remix)
Siberian Sun – Frostbite (Fred Baker Remix)
Szartd & Trancejax – Tenso
Envio – Love Poison (Ryan G Remix)
Pulser – Point Of impact
TRANCE GENERATION -All nighter special!
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On:
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Friday 11th March 2005
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At:
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The Soundshaft [map]
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From:
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10pm - 7.30am
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Cost:
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£10 Members, £13 Advanced, £15 Door
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Website:
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www.trancegeneration.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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Advance Tickets STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for this event
Ticketweb:
Tel. 08700 600 100
Priced £13 + BF
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Trance Generation continues to do what they do best in 2005 - offering mind blowing line-ups in an intimate 500 capcity venue. With superclub production, including incredible lasers and visuals supplied by 'Intergrated Sessions', Trance Generation stands alone in its class and succeeds in offering something truly different to what is out there.
Be part of it.
Room 2: funky house hosted by Cheeky People.
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Other Features By Gary Ramsden:
History in the making for the global DIGITAL SESSIONS phenomenon
Bora-Bora: Interview with Gee Moore
Trance Generation Preview: Corderoy Interview
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Steve.C on 8th Mar 2005 10:16.35
Top producer and remixer, I've lost count of how many of his tunes I own, and his remixes in '99 got me into dj-ing.
Keep up the very good work.
From: PaulMartin on 10th Mar 2005 23:52.48
One of the originals of the scene, this man is due so much respect for what he has done in shaping the trance scene that we know & love today.
From: Mariella on 15th Mar 2005 12:51.16
Good interview shame he didn't show on Friday, was really looking forward to seeing him!! 
It was a wicked night anyway.... and Gary - you kicked arse!! x
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