Huge year for the pride of Moldova with brand new album Find Your Harmony kicking it
Interview by Dan Prince
Andrew welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Thank You! Good to be back. I’m currently in my studio…having a small studio break before the next big tour.”
An incredibly exciting time for you right now as you prepare for the release of your brand new artist album Find Your Harmony on the mighty Armada. There is obviously a lot of thought gone into the album, rather than producing a load of big singles, there is an intro, a musical journey, some chill out and outro. Was this important to you – creating a ‘proper’ album rather than a slurry of hopeful hits?
“Yes! Find Your Harmony was my first artist album which was released on my home label Armada Music back in May 2014. It was something that I’ve been dreaming of. I went into so much thinking, emotions, imaginations as well trying to perfect each track as much as possible. I also had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented producers and vocalists in the world , it was just an honor and I was so happy from every single track. To me the most important thing throughout the album creation process, is the emotions and story that you can put behind each track which makes the album an unforgettable journey. The album for me was the perfect place where I released all my ideas that I kept during the last 2 years, and the place where I was able to do all kind of experiments with the sound.”
Many of the songs contain a lot of emotional lyrics, non more than One in a Million. But you are a young guy who surely hasn’t gone through that much heartbreak yet! How easy/difficult do you find writing such tender words for the trance devotees who hang on every word out in the middle of the dancefloor?
“Well, first of all the credit in One In A Million has to also go to the talented vocalist Jonathan Mendelsohn who did an outstanding job. To be honest that track was something unexpected as it happened at the last moment – and you know as they say sometimes the best things happen unexpectedly in life. To me in the vocal process, I need something that would make me feel and interact with the track on higher level, and the moment that breakdown hits and the vocals start, I want to scream my lungs out and sing along.”
Social media has its pros and cons. One of the cons of course is that it gives the clubbers out there an opportunity to complain. How do you feel for instance when comments on the album such as “Hope it doesn’t go to cheese like his music and his sets lately. Where’s the classical piano and opera music” appear from one disgruntled guy out there?
“I simply don’t feel as it’s a free world out there and you have the right to express your feelings for the artist who you love, and I get that. But also every artist needs to be free, to create whatever he wants , and share all his visions . Unfortunately the world is a tough place and hard to please everyone, because I see the comments that goes on thru every release…and if the track is good you’re a hero…if not…and sadly sometimes they don’t take the consideration of the hard work that the artist put and the comments that we see and the feelings of the artist when he or she reads the comment…it’s really not enjoyable, and I simply have to accept that and continue to produce what I think it’s better.”
Something you said once upon a time that I loved…” We’re not true old-school DJs anymore—sadly or luckily depending on how you look at it—that can play for eight hours and play a variety of tracks. Nowadays, you go to a big festival and they give you one hour.” Dude, you are one of the first DJs with the balls who’s come out and admitted that. So, are you on the ‘sadly’ or ‘luckily’ side of the fence?
“I’m in the middle to be honest Dan, I mean you have so many talented artists playing at that festival in which you have to find out a way that pleases both the artists and the fans. But when your in a club and have other acts with you I would prefer playing a longer set as a club experience is very intimate and you can connect with the fans on a higher level.”
What are the big 3 tunes in your box this weekend?
Andrew Rayel – Followed by Darkness ( Club Mix )
Sick Individuals – Wasting Moonlght ( Andrew Rayel Remix )
Digital X – Raveland ( Original Mix )
ADE must now seem like a distant blur. It was in our opinion the best one yet. What were some of your take home memories?
“Well, finding out that I have ranked #24 in the world was something amazing for sure, and once again huge thanks to everyone’s support out there. Playing at Armada Night was another awesome experience for sure. And most of all catching up with everyone from the scene…It’s an interesting week in which you get to see so many people you work with and friends, have a nice sit down from touring and you know…talk!”
So moving 4 places up to No.24 – you must have been happy with that?
“Very happy! The way up is the only way to #Rayelfamily and #TeamRayel. It’s been an outstanding year, so many big names out there, bigger competition, and to be able to rise with all those names it’s just a feeling you can’t describe, and it’s all because of my fans! So THANK YOU!”
You DJ’ed at the DJ Top100 Poll party in London on the big night alongside Aly & Fila, Dash Berlin and Showtek. Be honest – did everyone in the house know Hardwell had won before the announcement?
“I honestly don’t remember, but if my memory serves me right…they should have if they looked at the social media. I think he was announced as #1 back when in the AMF was happening, and he played a set there before he came to London.”
The Poll has come in for a lot of stick again. “It is not a DJ contest it is a Producer contest”, “it is all about buying votes”, “it is all about how big your PR machine is these days”, “there are too many genres of DJs nowadays and unfair”. Some of the contests flying around the internet this week. What is your opinion on it. We think it’s great, we love a bit of agro!
“It’s the world, it’s how things work, sadly not the way we always wanted, but it’s a way of working hard and trying to be the best out there and succeed as much as you can. I honestly think music doesn’t need voting or ranking cause simply everyone has his or her own taste and there are too mane variables that influences it to be real ! Also everyone hast his or her favorite track, and a favorite DJ and there is no way to assess objectively the best!”
Tune of the summer?
“Andrew Rayel feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn – One In A Million.”
DJ set of the summer?
“EDC Las Vegas.”
A newcomer to watch out for in 2015?
“MarLo.”
And finally, always wanted to ask you this as it is your home country, have you ever read Tony Hawks epic book ‘Playing The Moldovans at Tennis’? A very funny book…
“I have not read the book! But I have seen the film!!”
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Turn the page on your Andrew Rayel playbook, because a new chapter is about to begin. After a very successful 2014 and as a follow up to the hugely successful artist album titled ‘Find Your Harmony’, the 2015 album bearing the same name features brand new material from the young Moldovan artist. Prepare for a brand new, truly gargantuan experience. Trance legend Geert Huinink (together with Driftmoon) returns to the spotlight with yet another incredible release, alongside W&W’s massive edit of Mark Sixma, Orjan Nilsen’s philthy bass, Snatt & Vix’s trance-infused banger, eight brand new tracks from Andrew Rayel himself and a host of completely exclusive new tunes.
‘Find Your Harmony 2015’ is the sound that the young man’s been playing around the world, and with records this large, it’s easy to hear why!
Release Date: November 28th, 2014
