Tranceportal Talks to Activa (Interview)

Summary

The speaker reflects on how trance music has deeply influenced their life, from socializing in their teens to becoming a DJ and producer. They share personal stories about attending iconic events, such as Gatecrasher, and discuss the importance of music in shaping their identity. The speaker highlights favorite tracks, DJs they would book for a final party, and their love for vinyl. They express fears of losing their hearing and emphasize the joy of creating music. A final message acknowledges the support of trance fans and the importance of community during challenging times.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Trans music has profoundly influenced the speaker's life, shaping friendships and career choices since their early teens.
• 🎉 The ideal party lineup would feature DJs that shaped the speaker's early experiences, including Paul van Dyk and Mauro Picotto, recreating the best memories of Gatecrasher.
• 😨 The speaker's greatest fear is losing their hearing, as music is deeply meaningful to them, and they now take steps to protect it.
• 🛝 The earliest memory involves playing with a plastic plane and doing a forward flip in the backyard as a young child.
• 🎹 The speaker's guiltiest pleasure is spending money on music technology and studio equipment, particularly synths.
• 🎬 The speaker's all-time favorite movie is 'Lost Boys,' a vampire film from the late 1980s starring Kiefer Sutherland and the two Coreys.
• 🐕 If the speaker could be any animal, they would choose a Labrador, as they appreciate their reliable nature.
• 🇳🇱 The favorite country to travel to is the Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, due to its vibrant dance music scene.
• 💿 The speaker is excited about an upcoming vinyl project, involving three two-track EPs, with special attention given to graphic design.
• 💪 The final message for trance fans is gratitude for their ongoing support, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic, with hopes that the trance community continues to grow.

Q & A

What impact did trance music have on your life?

Trance music significantly influenced my life, starting from my early teens. It shaped my social circle, led me to become a producer and DJ, and affected many decisions I've made since then.

Which DJs would you book for the last-ever party if the world was ending?

I would choose DJs that represent the best moments of my life, including Bastion Cassell (also known as Ashtrax) for a warm-up, John '00' Fleming for progressive tracks, Paul van Dyk from his 2000-2004 era for a headline set, and Mauro Picotto for his classic techno to finish the night.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is losing my hearing and not being able to enjoy the music I love.

What is your earliest memory?

My earliest memory is being at my first house, a bungalow outside of York, and attempting a forward flip in the back garden when I was around four or five years old.

Have you ever said 'I love you' and not meant it?

No, I have never said 'I love you' without meaning it.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

My guiltiest pleasure is synths and music technology. I often invest most of my money into studio equipment and related gear.

What is your all-time favorite movie?

My all-time favorite movie is 'Lost Boys,' a great vampire film from the late 1980s starring Kiefer Sutherland and the two Coreys—Corey Feldman and Corey Haim.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

I would try to slow everything down, allowing people to relax and enjoy life a bit more.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Life has taught me to relax more, focus on being happy with what I do, and avoid getting caught up in competitive and detrimental races.

What upcoming project are you most excited about?

I'm most excited about a new vinyl project that I've been working on. It's a set of three two-track EPs that will be mastered specifically for vinyl and designed with attention to detail.