Ratha Gud checks in with the brilliant chillout guru…
Hi Steen, where are you in the world right now?
I’m currently in Tuscany.
What was the first piece of music you heard today?
A new demo of a track I am working on for my new album called ‘A Silhouette Of You’.
How would you describe your sound?
Deep, melodic and at times melancholic.
Congrats on your lovely new single ‘Don’t Tell Me No’ with Eva Scolaro, tell us about the release and how you guys got together?
On the 1st of January this year I was in Bali where The Potato Head beach bar had a special Balearic day with Jose Padilla and Chris Coco playing. I’m good friends with both, so obviously wanted to go. I met Eva Scolaro there and she stuck out of the crowd and we had a really fun day together. She told me she was a Jazz performer, but wanted to try out other things, I then borrowed a studio from a good friend and 3 days later we had the essentials down for ‘Don’t Tell Me No’.
There are a few remixes on the release including Inc. Anders Ponsaing, Laut & Leise and Freisig & Comaro, did you select the remixers yourself and are you happy with the results?
It was a combination, I found some remixers and so did the label. I’m very pleased with all the mixes, as each of them suits a different crowd well.
Let’s rewind back to the 90’s when you had a lot of success making big room tunes for the likes of Hooj Choons, New State, Southern Fried and more under the guise Miro, among other projects, what are some of your highlights from that period?
My highlights are for sure ‘Tune Of The Week’ on Pete Tong’s Radio show, performing live at Ministry of Sound when it was very fresh and new, listening to my tunes played in many clubs while I’m dancing on the floor, that is always a serious adrenaline rush! I have been fortunate to try a lot through the times and there are many highlights to mention, not forgetting all the great, devoted, fun, crazy people you also meet on the way.
What are you proudest moments?
Being able to do this successfully for now 25 years and this year topping most of the others, I have had this ‘Don’t Tell Me No’ signing, 2 signings for Cafe del Mar and 3 signings to the Buddha bar label, plus I’ve almost completed my next album. So things are going very well on all fronts and I’m so proud!
What made you switch from making Progressive House & Trance to Chill Out?
I think it was kind of a full circle thing, I love most genres of dance music, but it was like most trends, it had been around the block at least once, so for me the possibilities got more interesting in the downtempo stuff….or maybe it’s just because I’m getting old, slow and boring, haha!
How do you set about writing tracks and where do you get your inspiration from?
I always start up with some chords and when I find the right mood, I develop from there and the ideas are normally flying in, both musically and lyrically. If I get the right vibes, I put it down first time round.
We hear you’re working on a new artist album, what can we look forward to there?
Yes, my 3rd solo album ‘Balearic Bliss’ will be ready for release in the spring of 2017, I’m very excited about it. I still have plenty to do, but I am far enough along the way to know that I might have a solid downtempo album here. I have collaborated with an opera singer on a couple of the tracks. I was curious to experiment a bit in that direction and I am very pleased with the result. It remains very much chill out and downtempo, with my usual combination of electronic and acoustic instruments, which I really love. I hope it will be received well and it manages to go straight into all those chilled sensitive souls out there, like me who needs a chill injection frequently!
You lived in Ibiza for a lot of years, how do you compare the scene from back then to now?
Yes, Ibiza really is where I feel at home. So first I have to say that I absolutely hate when people constantly are moaning and saying it is not how it used to be. Ibiza is a constantly evolving place and it will continue to be. Some times what is on offer suits you better than other times of course. Maybe I can say it like this….I am very pleased EDM is leaving and the Balearic vibes are coming back in a serious way. The final Space closing could be a proof that people of all ages are ready, once again, for tracks where you can feel the Sunshine, Unity, Love & Happy holiday vibes.
Where is your favourite place on the island?
Cala Conta for sure, but maybe not in July and August.
Who are you current top 5 chill out producers?
It’s hard to keep it down to 5 as there are so many great ones, but Blank & Jones, Gary B, Chris Coco, Michael E & Lenny Ibizarre for sure are up there around the top spot.
Who would you most like to make a collaboration with?
It varies a little, but Louis Armstrong would be the one, but as that might be a little difficult! I think Sinead O’Connor would have to be my second choice!
You’re originally from Denmark, are you still in touch with your musical roots and who should we be looking out for on the Danish scene?
Well I don’t know them all because I’ve been living abroad for so long, but one I can say is Ibiza based Anders Ponsaing. He is very talented both as a producer and DJ and I made contact with him when I needed his magic touch on ‘Don’t Tell Me No’.
Looking back, what piece of precious advice would you give to yourself when you were first starting out as a musician?
Stick to it and always make something you feel is right instead of something you might think other people think is right.
We come to your house and raid your record collection, which embarrassing record do you need to chuck out the window as we arrive?
Hahaha, greeeeat one! I bought some compilations years ago on Tv shop called ‘Young at Heart’. They would have to go very quickly I guess!!
Finally what’s coming next from you?
There’s a new downtempo album from me, the aforementioned new single with Eva Scolaro ‘Where From Here’ and I am also working with an incredibly talented opera singer ‘Jenufa Gleich’ on an album project, so all very interesting….
‘Don’t Tell Me No’ will be released worldwide on October 17th 2016 on Francestic Deep
