Meridian

Hungary in da house! Massive new EP causing mayhem on the dancefloor

Interview : Matt Caldwell

Armada’s Re*Brand segment of their world-dominating label has turned the heat up this summer with the arrival of what many will tag as their most impressive release of the year. Hungarian production heavyweight Gergely Szathmáry, or Meridian as we know him, has readied a superb package of A-class trance that’s already capturing the hearts and minds of many of the world’s most formidable dance music DJs and an army of global fans. The EP, which follows up on the success of his ‘Exit’ E.P is a remarkable duo release that has landed with force, picking up huge attention from the trance music world and beyond. We spoke to the man behind the music to find out more about Armada’s most recent hit maker…

Hi Gergely, thanks for talking with us to today. First off, introduce yourself and tell us about where you come from and how you winded up being on one of the world’s top dance music labels. The Full Anger EP is your first time on Armada right?

“I am a 33-year-old producer from Budapest, Hungary. I started producing many many years ago as a typical bedroom producer. With a lot work and many years of fails and errors I think I’ve reached a satisfying level of quality in music and have a strong network of people that needs to be extended more still – but I’m working on plans for that already.

Full Anger EP is my first release with an Armada sub label. Even though I had a long-term well-functioning cooperation with Infrasonic Recordings, I thought I should discover new territories. I sent a 30 second long demo to Max Graham, which is a fairly strict approach, but a fair way of receiving demos and he liked what he heard.”

What’s your musical background in regards to the trance sound? Has it been a long-term sound for you or something you’ve grown into?

“I grew up on Global Underground series, Trance Around the World and ASOT. I think the music from these compilations and radio shows formed my world and made me create Meridian.”

Let’s talk a bit more about your journey in music. Where did you start out as a DJ and Producer?

“As a producer I started to make music for my own entertainment with Reason. I took part on some local remix contests with dancy-trancy remixes. Then I moved to Cubase and had good success getting into the top 10 tracks of Oceanlabs’ Satellite remix contest. I started to post my own music on forums where my first released track ‘Emphase’ found its label – Infrasonic Recordings. Unfortunately as a full time worker I pushed only a few tracks out of myself annually in the last few years. The year 2013 seems to be different in this aspect as I decided to be much more productive and I’ve been successful so far.

Regarding DJing this is my first year dealing with this aspect of things. I started my own podcast, the Meridian Ignition Podcast that I upload once a month to my social media pages. To be a full armoured warrior I’ll be in need of a good booking agent and that’s something I am in the middle of the search for.”

What came first for you – production or mixing?

“Absolutely production. I think producing is much more about creating something new. Certainly a well built mix or a good mash-up can create something new as well, but building up a track is way more complex and fun to me.”

What would you call your biggest moment in your career to date?

“I would name two:

Getting signed to Re*Brand (Armada). This showed me that I have potential that I can even have releases at the biggest labels. Secondly, having my track ‘Summer Inside’ on the ‘In Search of Sunrise 11’ compilation.”

What are you biggest influences in both music and life?

“I am listening to all kind of EDM ranging from the hatred festival pieces through progressive to uplifting. All of these shape my taste.”

What’s your studio arrangement like?

“I have an i7 PC, some classic gadgets like Virus C, Virus TI and Roland JP8080 and a Nord Stage, as I really want to continue learning the piano. I also have some UAD cards for DSP effects. My soundcard is an EMU1820m, but a Fireface800 is dusting on my table, as I don’t have time to install it – shame on me!”

What are your must have synths, plugins or hardware units?

“For touch I love the Nord Stage with its 88 piano-like keys. But in production I like the Sylenth, Massive, Zebra triumvirate.”

What’s the most important element of a track for you?

“The drop and climax as I can put the maximum emotion and tension there”

This is your first offering for Armada – can we expect to see you back again?

“I very much hope that there will be continuation. I will do my best!”

Where do you think the EDM sound is heading into the next year?

“I very much hope that quality will return to the EDM. There are so many tracks nowadays that are constructed on a conveyor belt in crappy quality”

What are your top five tracks for 2013?

“Hard to pick five, but I would say:

Audien – Wayfarer

Omnia – The Light

Orjan Nilsen – Violetta

BT – Skylarking (Ilan Bluestone remix)

Danilo Ercole – Player One (Gai Barone Remix)

What’s up next for you after the EP?

“Besides production I will focus on my DJing skills and try to find a good booking agent to start showing live what I am capable of.”

Anything to add?

“For those who generate hate in comments or posts in connection with any piece of music: Stop it! Music should connect us not separate. Spend your time supporting the artists you like instead.”

Thanks for talking to us.

Get your ears around the Full Anger EP now over at Beatport:

Beatport

http://www.beatport.com/release/full-anger-turning-point/1138045

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.beatport.com/release/full-anger-turning-point/1138045&usd=1&usg=ALhdy29LOgmvQ9vo3oKlQKe5c66OSsBKOw

YouTube

Full Anger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTA0EUhVXUM

Turning Point

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8pqAbwJNIs

Soundcloud

Full Anger