John Digweed’s monstrous Bedrock continues to bring us the best underground dance music imaginable. Moscow in da house
Interview : Dan Prince
‘Hypnoteric’ is the long-awaited debut album via Bedrock from Russian-born DJ and producer Denis A. Featuring 9 tracks of twisted, dark and brooding house and techno, Hypnoteric perfectly showcases Denis’s prowess and versatility as a producer, and wholly encapsulates his current trademark sound and musical direction. Based in Moscow and with numerous releases on his own DAR label – one which has seen his productions remixed by the likes of Pig&Dan, Robert Babicz and Wally Lopez – Denis A’s music has fast been gaining support all over the globe. A rapidly rising name on the underground DJ circuit, Denis is regularly joined behind the decks by the cream of international talent at his DAR Sessions. Having already been joined by guests including the likes of Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Sasha, Hernan Cattaneo, Timo Maas and Nick Warren just to name just a few, Denis regularly travels the length and breadth of the globe playing at some of the world’s most distinguished clubs and events. The first Russian DJ to hold a residency in Ibiza, Denis frequently hosts his own label parties under the DAR Sessions flag on the White Isle, and has played huge events in Europe including Love Parade in Germany, Kazantip in Crimea as well as joining John Digweed at the now legendary WMC boat parties. Having just been announced as the newly appointed Musical Director for the new Space club in Moscow and with his international reputation growing exponentially every month, this year sees a continuous flow of new singles alongside an ever-growing international DJ schedule and regular DAR parties in Moscow and throughout Russia.
Denis welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“At the moment I’m completely immersed in the workflow in my loft in Moscow.”
Well the wait is over! Finally your magical ‘Hypnoteric’ album is released on Bedrock featuring 9 tracks of twisted, dark and brooding house and techno. How long has the album taken to create?
“’HYPNOTERIC’ was recorded in just a few months, there were a lot of ideas and experiences which managed to be realized the album.
Please give us a few words on each of your Hypnoteric babies…
1. Intro
“All my performances begin with a long intro, creating the right mood and this album is no exception.”
2. Moenjodaro
“Ancient city shrouded in mystical legends – such pictures arose in creating this work. My favorite track from the album.”
3. Space truck
“A track formed in just one hour. Sounds really cosmic. Definite public ecstasy on the dancefloor when playing this track.”
4. Flashback
“Little attention in the lyrics and my memories of my life’s ups and downs…”
5. SSBN Typhoon
“This track is on the groove and the massiveness of his sound reminds me of a missile submarine. Dedicate his heroes of submariners!”
6. Infrared
“Infrared (IR) is electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, extending from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 mm. This range of wavelengths corresponds to afrequency range of approximately 430 THz down to 300 GHz.[1] Most of the thermal radiation emitted by objects near room temperature is infrared. More info you can find at Wiki!”
7. Goa
“This track reflects my first impression of Goa, the musical culture (hypnotic echoes in the track), the spiritual strength and power of India, about an epiphany that comes with every who goes there first time.”
8. Solaris
“This word has today the roundabout values. Select your!”
9. Outro
“Output is not less important than the input. And sometimes the output is the input to the next level.”
Why is Bedrock the perfect label for your album?
“BEDROCK – this is classic sound for me and is the foundation and benchmark quality in underground electronic music. Music of this label is not simple for clubbers this music for professionals and professional party goers. It’s right for me in sounding combines depth and drama. In addition with BEDROCK, I have a long working relationship, and I feel a deep respect for the people who are involved in this process.”
Will you be taking the album out on tour?
“Of course. We start with South America and the first three dates will be held in Argentina.”
Your DJ career began in Russia when there was no underground scene to speak of. As you once hilariously said, “it was at the peak of the dominance of primitive electro, mashups and three-chord trance for children”. Love that! How important was it for you therefore to start promoting as soon as possible?
“I was concentrating on the quality of what I do, rather than speed. I try not to be distracted by minor things. This interferes with focus. If the mechanism is assembled correctly, without haste, with knowledge of the matter, and it will work for a long time, clearly and confidently.”
You are the first Russian DJ to hold a residency in Ibiza – where can we find you this summer on the white isle…?
“This summer I will be performing mostly in South America, the Middle East, and of course in Russia. Ibiza is in my plans and we are working on the exact details right now.”
Your favourite memory of Ibiza…?
“The sunset cruises organized last year by our DAR Label. Great combination of the setting sun, beautiful music and friends.”
You have now been unveiled as the Musical Director of Space Moscow, we hear Carl Cox is on his way into town! What are your thoughts behind the venue, what are some of the important do’s and don’ts you want to achieve?
“I am sure that on the day Carl arrives we will be sold out and there will be a huge queue awaiting his arrival! Moscow has been waiting a long time! The club is developing very dynamically, we have very big plans for the parties in 2014 and beyond, we are all geared up for a big success.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. Denis A – Moenjodaro
2. Electrosoul System – Vse Samoe Strannoe Proishodit Oseniu
3. Denis A – Space Truck
4. Squire – Two Of Us (Nikitin Redub)
5. Dinamica – Run Without Speed (Samotarev Long Trip Remix)
6. Phonogenic – DesenJumi
7. Lee Van Dowski – In Bloom
8. Shinedoe – Essence (Tractor Remix Set)
9. Nico Lahns – Eruption
10. Bryan Chapman – Black Mirror (Kalden Bess Remix)
And finally, what are the next release plans for your beloved DAR label?
“2014 will be a new step of the development for the DAR label. We are preparing a series of interesting releases that you will appreciate in the coming months. Get ready!”
