Interview with Russian DJ and producer Valya Kan

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:12:00 +0000

Berlin-based Russian DJ and producer Valya Kan delivers a variety of genres from underground techno and house to acid and experimental dance music.

In 2019 she dropped an album on Spencer Parker’s label Work Them Records. She played at such clubs as Griessmuehle, Suicide Circus, About Blank etc.

See our exclusive interview with her below:

Tell us about your earliest musical memory?

My dad showed me Yellow submarine cartoon by Beetles, life never been the same since then.

At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”

Still struggling with it. Can’t decide what type of music I want to create.

Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:

Hard to tell, I try not to think about influences at all. I like a lot of albums though.

What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?

I usually use Ableton with some midi interfaces and I also do sampling. I would love to get some analogue synths though.

What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?

I read a lot, I think people inspire me most of all. I like to listen to some lectures from other musicians/DJs.

What is your opinion on the ever spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’ s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?

I don’t think there are too many. But in general, I think there are only 2 genres of music: good and bad. I don’t think in terms of genres or sub-genres.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?

I like working on music, but I also like to travel and to meet people.

As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?

I like the music business, I like working with professionals. I guess what I would change may be making people more concerned about the environmental impact of the industry, more aware of what is going on. That’s been my concern for a while, not regarding the music industry though, just in general.

Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?

I am quite impressed with the new album of Soela on Dial records. She did a really good job.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

I am releasing a new EP on 1 of May and had to launch my own label “Twist” for this. Hopefully, I will be able to release it on vinyl too. I will also probably do a DJ live stream for the EP release. Besides I am working on new music a lot.

Famous last words?

I hope everyone stays safe and sane during these gloomy times

Follow Valya Kan online

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Interview with DJ and music producer Matt Correa

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:24:00 +0000

DJ and producer Matt Correa has more than 20 years of experience in the music fields. It has been 15 years since his first vinyl record release, in 2004. His performances in the booths of various clubs and discotheques of Ia peninsula are uncountable.

After 10 years residing in Madrid, producing for other artists and programming in their own clubs, in 2010 he returns to Marbella to develop its musical activity.

Tell us about your earliest musical memory?

My first musical memory is undoubtedly Michael Jackson.I remember those Saturdays in the morning when my uncle played the ‘Thriller’ video. We put it over and over on a VHS tape.

At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”

I think it got to that point many times throughout my career. I spent a lot of time researching a style, create many songs until more or less I am satisfied with it. The truth is that everything revolves around the same type of sound in different styles. In the end, everything I do revolves around funk, jazz, disco, soul … That’s the kind of music that was heard at home

Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:

Michael Jackson – Thriller
Sergio Mendes – Brasil 66
George Benson – Give me the night
Miles Davis – Tutu
Us3 – Hand on the torch
Daft Punk – Homework
and many many many more!!!

What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?

I always use an Akai MPC2500. I have two of these. I use this for live sets with my pseudonyms Soul Intentions. The way to create with it sounds different. I know this machine offers very few facilities but, it has something.

Usually, I make music with two of this and I make drums in one and instruments in the other one. This combination offers me 20 outputs to mix it on my Midas F32. Also, I have a classic Novation Drumstation and a JV2080 where I can found a lot of sounds.

What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?

There is always something to do in this musical environment. I spend part of my time making video clips for my record label Guerrilla Records. It is another way of creating and escaping at the same time. I also really like to draw, fix synthesizers and everything related to electronics. I am also a sound technician for live concerts so there is no escape possible

What is your opinion on the ever-spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’ s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?

I think that sub-genres are necessary because music evolves and concepts too. At the same time, I don’t like to label so deeply. For me, the genres are broader. House is House and sometimes it is very difficult to separate it from Deep. There begins the controversy. I have songs at 130bpm that give me a feeling of Deep House and songs at 118 that are pure Techno. The eternal debate

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?

Both, a little while each. A lot of time in the studio gets boring and a lot of time in the cabin is tired
As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business.

Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?

It is a very difficult question. I think that everyone has their role. Artists and merchants. the question is not to get where you do not belong. In addition, there will always be people who put business above art. If art does not give money, it is not business.

Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?

Alberto Segador is the new boss in town! Hahahaha! Really I think this guy goes very strong and will be very successful.

Bonetti is making a very good job with his label. He gave a lot of good feedback and is always in the charts. I can understand why this guy is not a top DJ yet.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

I’m currently trying to raise my record label and creating a lot of music to choose the best songs and maybe release an album in the future. I have also created a new record label called Carapapa Records to edit jazz, funk, pop, electronic music. Something away from the dance floor. My live performance as Soul Intentions is also present

Follow Matt Corre

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Russian Music – House Music

Interview with Russian DJ and producer Valya Kan

Interview with DJ and music producer Matt Correa