Exclusive interview with the superstar producer as Grand Finale finally has lift off
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Arty welcome back to DMCWORLD. Well it’s here finally!!! After almost two years in the making, premiering as an instrumental on Tiesto’s Club For Life radio show and now in our faces with a full on vocal, ‘Grand Finale’ is finally out there. You must be really happy for it to see the light of day?
“So happy yeah! Not 2 years exactly, but really close to it. Like you said this one has been in the works for some time, so for people to hear the final version that I’m 100% pleased with feels good. There is always something special about putting a track out there that you have chopped and changed, worked and reworked because it’s like a real test to reach your goal.”
The vocal version features Fiora, a wonderful singer who has recorded with the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Moguai and Erick Morillo. What are her qualities that made you choose her for the track?
“I wanted it to be quite emotive, with strong lyrics. I was so impressed with what she did together with Seven Lions for “Days to Come” record that this choice for me was pretty obvious. She is amazing!”
Was this a case of completing the track via the internet or did you actually see each other face to face?
“It was back and forth via tons of e-mails. I think, best way to work with song writer and vocalist is to be in the same studio and go through different ideas, but when you both have hectic schedule, there is only one way to make it happen. Looking forward to meet with her soon and to thank for the best realization of my vision with the record.”
The tune has been chopped, changed and sometimes stripped back to its most basic form over the course of the last two years. What were the problems you were finding with the tune?
“Sure, like I was saying with the meaning part of it. But there is more to it I guess. Final mix sounds by far different from first version that people heard in 2012. Since then I changed whole harmonics and did a lot of tweaks. And for more than one month we worked tight with “Ministry of Sound” sound engineers to get the right mix down. So, I’m very proud of it in the end.”
It is interesting for you with your home country. When you were starting nobody wanted to know, but now that you are one of the biggest producers in the word, the clubs there cannot afford your fees? How does that make you feel?
“Mixed emotions I guess. Proud of where I have got to but I will never forget my roots. When I get the chance to play at home it’s always such a pleasure.”
Tell us about your collabs with Mat Zo and Axwell coming up…
“I can’t say too much right now really, other than they are going to be big, big tracks. Axwell has always been the biggest inspiration for me so that one is a really exciting project. Mat and I have worked together a lot and we are hitting on some really cool stuff. You’ll have to just watch this space for more news.”
And what other studio bombs have you got lined up for us this year?
“Believe In Me” is next record after “Grand Finale” which will come out on Anjunabeats later this year.”
You hit Las Vegas for something like the twentieth time a couple of weeks ago. You said something interesting after the show, you were amazed that the crowd were lapping up your tunes from three years ago, they actually knew the old stuff. That’s something I always ask producers about Vegas, are the kids there for the sun, booze and the party or do they actually have a knowledge of music?
“It’s 50/50 I guess. Some are true fans and others are there for the atmosphere and up for good time. But seeing people on Vegas dance floor, who knows most of your old tracks, is definitely a good feeling.”
You have some pretty devoted fans, I see the tattoos have begun…
“Gosh, I know! That’s dedication! To see that is very humbling and overwhelming simultaneously. What a hero though, right?”
People say the hardest part of being a DJ is the loneliness when travelling. How do you wile away the hours 37,000 feet up in the air?
“Reading books, watch films, stuff like that. I kind of see it as my down time and an opportunity to relax. You have to just adapt to life on the road. Learn to seize moments of rest.”
You once said your dream would be to make a soundtrack to a film. What is the one film you could watch over and over?
“Maybe Hackers… love that movie and it has just an incredible soundtrack. Is kind of an inspiration for me, actually.”
Not many people know this, but Arty is really good at…
“Haha… put me on the spot now! Cooking would be up there! I’m not saying I’m good… I try anyway”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
“Jeez, hard to name 10, because it changes so often. I am playing some different stuff like Disclosure…and then revisiting some classics from Pryda and Daft Punk. An eclectic mix always.”
Where have been some of the stand out gigs for you recently, EDC, Mansion, Escapade and Pacha New York seemed pretty rocking!
“All of them were so good. I’m having such great shows that it’s really hard to pick just one.”
Talking of Escapade, how does a crowd in Canada differ from a crowd in the US in 2013. Canada has had one-upmanship on their rivals for years…
“I can tell that Canada has 2 of my favorite venues so far, it’s “Guvernment” in Toronto and “New City Gas” in Montreal. These shows were really-really impressive.”
What is the best and worst thing about living in Engels?
“Best thing is my family! Worst thing is missing being on the road.”
A famous quote from you, “I love so many genres of EDM—even dubstep and drum’n’bass.” What is the last great dubstep and drum n’ bass track you listened to?
“Noisia – Stigma.”
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Stay positive! If you are in the right frame of mind, you will be able to conquer all challenges.”
Arty feat. Fiora ‘Grand Finale’ is out now on Ministry of Sound
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