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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna |
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Cracking the Global Code with Greg Downey
Reported by Craig Gunn
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Submitted 09-09-13 17:15
Having graced the decks on almost every continent, Belfast born Greg Downey is no amateur when it comes to the art of DJing. His exponential career path saw him impress at promotions like Gatecrasher, Slinky and Passion and launched him across the globe travel from New York to Shanghai, playing to thousands of people. He has remixed for John Digweed, got signed by Paul Van Dyk and his tracks get regular plays by Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and garner serious air time on Radio One. A truly global star of the trance scene for a number of years Greg is planning the trip to London to headline at Lost Dawn’s 4th birthday alongside fellow Trance star Nitrous Oxide so I caught up with him for a chat...
Hey Greg thanks for taking time to talk to me. Trance is a genre that has ups and downs, but at the moment with interest in dance music exploding into the commercial field and the fickle United States market would you say it is having a renaissance?
It seems to be that way. On a bigger scale, with big DJs and at large events it always maintained a prominent status, but perhaps of late I’ve seen resurgence in the underground scene. For a while it just simply died with a lot of smaller clubs and promoters disappearing. Trance almost became not trance, but a commercial product. I hope that from the underground it is returning once more.
Does Ireland have a Trance scene?
Not so much. I get a few gigs in Dublin. But now I’m mostly playing around the world. There was a time I was flying to back and forth London 2-3 times a month, but those days are over and so I’m excited about returning to London this time. It’s great to have nights like Lost Dawn because they always attract the people that are fully into the music, which is good for everyone.
You’re playing alongside Nitrous Oxide have you met before?
I’ve played before with him on a boat party but we never had time to chew the fat, just hand over in the DJ box so I’m looking forward to meeting him properly and I know his productions are very good.
I understand not just DJing has been the focus for you in 2013.
This year has been about my new label Global Code which launched properly in May. I have a number of tracks that have topped Beatport including ‘Dolphin’,’ Elements’ and ‘For You’.
I’m also doing stuff under my R.I.C.O moniker. When I play abroad having my own production sound allows me the scope to do anthemic and banging tracks, but not necessarily fast beats but a more progressive sound. I’ve done driving trance for a number of years – I’ve had a good break from that and that has refreshed me to create some good new trance sounds. I want to channel and change myself - everyone is talking about 138 - it’s been around for ages and some of it is so formulated - I’m trying to break from that.
Where do your ideas and the creative process come from?
Over the years I’d come up with good stuff and then hit a writer’s block because there was pressure to create the next hit. This was entirely self-induced; I never got pressure from a label, and I think I was lacking a bit of self -confidence. I have a much more structured approach now and plan my releases and organise the writing process a lot more. I know what kind of track I want to make and for me it’s just breaking it down into chunks. The basic elements of bass line, chords, melody all get written in segments. The breakdown usually comes first and then I build a track around it. The best way with writing is always good to get the peak done first – and then fill the gaps.
Your record label is that about controlling your output, adding business knowledge or discovering new talent?
It’s not about discovering new talent yet, that will come, I’m just focused on my own stuff at the moment. I don’t want the pressure of filling up release slots I’d rather do it at my own pace but that’s not to say if I don’t hear something great I wouldn’t put it out. I’ve been signed on loads of other labels before, some of the experiences have been good and others not so, I’d still work with other labels but I prefer the control I have on my own more.
What has been your best gig of this summer?
I just got back from New York and this thing at the Sullivan Room. The people were so into the stuff – the venue wasn’t massive but the sound system was crisp and the intimate club feel was brilliant.
How did your journey in the dance scene start?
I started going clubbing in 98-99 in Belfast. I was going mental every weekend getting up to crazy stuff. I look back and think Jesus at some point you have to grow up a bit and then I became more focused and serious about my career. The Prodigy’s No Good (Start the Dance) was the tune that I loved the most. I used to tape the top 100 on the radio on cassette tape, so from a young age I always loved electronic music.
Last year for our 3rd birthday we had one of your fellow countrymen Robbie Nelson (from Agnelli & Nelson) come over and play…
I love Robbie Nelson. He is a legend and there is no ego there, and Chris Agnelli. They are both great guys. It is good to see them back again in the studio. They have always produced good tracks which illustrates that it doesn’t matter how old you are you can still be in the electronic music scene and get a kick out of it - the crowds are not ageist they just love to hear the music.
You’re vastly experienced as a DJ, had any tricky moments on the decks?
I’ve never really had a worse experience. A few times I’ve turned off the turntable or have stopped the wrong CDJ deck - I take my performance seriously don’t get me wrong, but when things like that happen you just crack on with it and I laugh it off.
What else do you have going on away from the club thing?
I do a lot of gym work. I’m currently into Thai Kickboxing. I’m training really hard – most nights about 3-4 hours in the gym. I have full contact fights with guys brought in from all over Ireland. I lost my first fight a few months ago but I’m fighting again this Saturday. By co-incidence, it will be the same guy. He beat me through experience and an extra 4 kilos in weight, it was a close match. I won the first round and then he came back at me in the second and in the third caught me with a good punch. I only found out last night it is the same guy and it has made me a bit nervous. It means now I have intense training on pad work and power training. My health and diet has revolutionised. No chocolate or beer for the last 5 weeks. I only drink water. When I come to Lost Dawn I’ll be having a few drinks as a treat. But when training - it’s not only a physical challenge but a big mental one - it is a true test of the mind.
A few years ago I went to Thailand to do some kickboxing. It showed an alternative lifestyle to all the partying and drinking I had been doing. It has changed me a lot and has given me balance. I’m now very health conscientious. It’s the core foundations for the next stage of my career and I’m happy not to be hanging for days after my gigs.
It’s interesting you said that as in my last interview John 00 Fleming said similar.
I really admire John 00 Fleming. He always makes me feel better. Sometime things get on top of you – he is really inspiring and has such a good attitude. He doesn’t need drink like I always did to have a good time. He shows us it can be about the music and passion and that’s where the real enjoyment comes. I just think you have to keep developing yourself and keep your feet on the ground and go through stages in the your career trying new things and keep things moving without joining the rat race.
You must have had some hard times in the dance scene?
I’ve have doubted myself in the past. Different life circumstances and challenges and the music scene changes –– NO I’m not giving it up! In subtle answer to your question.
What can we expect live at Lost Dawn?
There is going be loads of banging techy and some deep uplifting trance with great impact which I hope the crowd will be into from start to finish. I miss London. It is a quality place. I’ve had enough time away to appreciate it much more now. For this one, the missus will be travelling with me. It is great to have her support.
I used to shop for a lot of vinyl in London. I was so excited to go into a record shop. I miss that. The beauty of carrying record bag as a DJ - it is so unique. A vinyl was physically found and the endeavour to search these things out and having artwork on a sleeve meant something. CDs you just have a name and number on it. If had to play one track to finish everything it would have to be Sasha’s ‘Xpander’. Or where it all began with Prodigy’s ‘No Good (Start the Dance)’. I’m really looking for coming over and can’t wait to meet the Lost Dawn crowd.
Greg left me there for another arduous gym session. He strikes me as a battle weary dance warrior that has seen many transitions in club land and understands that now more than ever he has the strength, ability, knowledge and skill to ride the next crest or change. I hope he pummels his arch kick boxing nemesis this Saturday after his gruelling training schedule and the first place he will be kicking back and relaxing will be at Lost Dawn 4th Birthday on the 28th September - It's going to be a riot!
All photos are courtesy of Greg Downey and Lost Dawn. Not to be used without permission.
Lost Dawn 4th Birthday
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On:
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Saturday 28th September 2013
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At:
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Brixton Clubhouse [map]
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From:
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10pm-4am
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Cost:
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£12 adv / £15 door
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Website:
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www.facebook.com/lostdawn
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Ticket Info:
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Direct from Facebook event Page
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Lost Dawn celebrate their 4th Birthday. Having built a reputation for friendly parties at dynamic venues they return to the 'Lambeth after their mighty summer ‘Carnival’ event. This unique venue in the heart of London boosts 3 rooms and outdoor terrace. We have picked a selection of DJ’s and producers to bring you upfront sounds from the world’s best house & trance and contemporary artists.
Headlining our main room we have two fantastic artists that have a loyal global following. First up is Ireland’s very own GREG DOWNEY. Greg broke through the UK trance scene playing at major shows such as Gatecrasher, Godskitchen, Slinky, Inside Out, Goodgreef, and Passion. Greg recorded his first “Live As album” on Discover from the mega Planet Love festival in Northern Ireland, which captured Greg's energy as a DJ and was featured as "Album of the Month" in Mixmag.
Greg’s productions eventually caught the eye of John Digweed with his remix of “Heaven Scent”, solidifying number one spot on Beatport for over a month. His remix was championed by Sasha, Eric Prydz and Tiesto. Greg was then snapped up by Paul van Dyk for his label Vandit. His first release “Stadium” was a huge success which became Mixmag's Cream Ibiza anthem of 2008. Greg was also chosen by Paul to remix his track “New York City” which appeared on his “Hands on In Between” album. His tracks are supported enormously by the world’s best trance DJ’s and we welcome him to his debut performance at Lost Dawn.
Krzysztof Pretkiewicz aka NITROUS OXIDE is one of the leading figures of the Polish and European trance scene. He was ANJUNABEATS first Polish DJ and each of his releases has, without fail, gained massive attention.
Influenced by Jean-Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield and Depeche Mode, as well as many film scores his trance music has an epic feel with lush broad landscapes of sounds. His Anjunabeats debut ‘North Pole/Frozen Dreams’ has gained support from Above and Beyond and Armin Van Buuren.
There are many more Arts acts, residents and other creative announcements to happen in the coming weeks so watch this space.....
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Other Features By Craig Gunn:
Glastonbury, The Biggest Show on Earth
I survived Glastonbury 2015
HarderFaster Guide to Glastonbury 2015
The Speed of Sound
THREE ‘BRINGS’ THE CROWD TO LOST DAWN
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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