Name: Arrakeen
Location: Singapore
Dimitri: Can you tell us how 2012 has been
for the development of your career as a DJ and/or Producer?
Arrakeen: I’ve gotta say it’s been coming
along pretty alright so far! As a producer, I’m beginning to receive the
exposure resulting from the hard work I’ve been putting in to find and create
my own signature sound… I had an early year remix project in February with
Camouflage, and was approached by several other labels for remix projects which
I had to unfortunately turn down, due to time constraints and balancing producing
and work life… It wasn’t completely stagnant of course; so on the up side, I do
have two truly great releases coming out early 2013 on the always awesome
Camouflage, so I do hope my fans will lend their support and stay tuned! These
are really gonna be something… I’m really excited about the upcoming year!
Dimitri: If you look back at 2012, are there any moments in your musical career that you wish you had done differently in order to get a better outcome?
Arrakeen: Well as a ‘DJ & producer of
passion’ juggling music and a day-job to make ends meet like the most of us, I
do wish I could have had more time to spend on my music instead of work life.
With the exposure hopefully to be gained by some of the upcoming releases that
I managed to squeeze out through a busy schedule, I’m hoping soon my ultimate
dream will realize itself, and full-time DJ’ing and producing can support my
life and commitments!! Only hard work can make that happen, so with that in
mind, 2013 - watch out - here I come!
Best of 2012 according to Arrakeen
Best Track:
Ah now this is a tough one! While I must
admit I’ve been a slacking a little on keeping up with new tunes and might have
missed a bunch, I must say one track that really caught my attention and
inspired me to write a (soon-to-be-released) master-piece as well, would be ‘Welcome
Home by Suncatcher’. Now that’s truly the type of Trance that inspires and just
makes one can’t help a tear... Emotional to the max which is to me, what Trance
should really be about. Igniting emotions and uplifting spirits. It’s complex
and harmonic chord structure, along with that ultra fat and wide flute and
String breakdown just takes one’s breath away… Coupled with Trance Arpeggios
and Ultra-Wide SuperSaws?!? And Piano?! C’mon, how else is Trance defined??!?
Truly amazing track!!! One of those tracks that you never tire of hearing again
and again…
Best Artist:
Another tough question but if I must pick
one, well I’d have to say Alex M.O.R.P.H.. He was, and still is, a legend, with
his release of “Prime Mover” early this year showing off his versatility and
knack towards ‘bending the genre’. I was really impressed by most of the tracks on the release, not to mention the
later uplifting “Reach Out For The Stars Mix” of Eternal Flame… I must say, for
2012, Alex M.O.R.P.H. took the cake for me.
Best Remix:
This one is simple… Another track I have on
repeat… Jorn Van Deynhoven’s remix of Full Tilt - Letting Go… Simply amazing!
He took an already beautiful uplifting vocal masterpiece and added a ton of
euphoria to it, taking the track way over the top! A beautiful remix indeed!
Fat bassline, Wide Saws and a catchy lead… 10/10 for me!
Best Remixer:
I’ve always been a huge fan of Shogun and
every remix he does just absolutely nails it! Not to mention his own
productions as well… His remix of Emma Hewitt’s “Miss You Paradise” early this
year was just breathtaking, along with “I Don't Believe in Miracles” by Dark
Matters... He just has a way of taking vocal tracks to a really great place!
Best New Talent:
Can I say me?! Haha! But in all
seriousness, I think Andrew Rayel has this title in his pocket. Quality
productions, although not all are to my taste, they still are of great quality
and substance. Great breakout artist!
Best EDM Album:
Alex M.O.R.P.H. – Prime Mover. All good
stuff!
 |
Unfortunately, I don’t listen to many
compilation albums… Rather hear live sets. But if I must pick one, I’d pick my
very own Transcension 032, mixed by yours truly in August this year, and
available on my website www.arrakeenmusic.com.
Best artwork/cover of an album or
compilation:
Again, I think the album cover of Alex M.O.R.P.H.’s
Prime Mover is just fantastic! Original instead of the usual flashy dance floor
pictures or fancy graphics and lighting effects or landscapes… Prime Mover’s
cover is just bitchin’ (oops… can I say that?)
Best lyrics on an EDM track:
Hate to be like a broken record, but I’d
have to say the lyrics of Full Tilt featuring Katrina Noorbergen – Letting Go
has some of the best lyrics of this year. Something we can all identify with
and relate to. Very meaningful and deep. I absolutely love it!
Best Vocalist/Singer featured on an EDM
track:
Emma Lock. Sexy, haunting, eargasmic …
‘nuff said…
Best EDM Label:
Camouflage, a sub-label of Subtraxx
Recordings, and all under the happy family Bonzai tree! For always supporting
me and guiding me with my direction, sound and providing awesome motivation and
great communication… Thanks Ville Lope & Dirkie Coetzee! Awesome people to
know and work with, and I hope to continue working with them to come out with
great releases for us both! 2013 will be a great year for Camouflage! Keep your
eyes on ‘em!
Best Online Social media network:
Facebook! Everyone’s on it and if you’re
not, you’re missing out! SoundCloud comes in a close second… Not entirely a
social media network, but has elements of social media, but with the focus more
on sounds. Definitely a great tool for the musician!
Best music composition software:
Ableton Live is my Sequencer of choice and
trust me, I’ve tried them all!
Best Radio show:
Old and cliché, but I must say, Armin’s A
State of Trance…
Best Online Record shop for purchasing
music:
Beatport.com! You can’t go wrong! Haha!
There you go, it rhymes too!
Best Website that you regularly visit:
Facebook and Soundcloud. Do those count?
Samsung Galaxy S3!!! I’m an Apple fan no
more… This baby does everything and BETTER!
Best mobile app for Android would be ES
File Explorer. You can access your file system, FTP, DropBox and LAN all from
one App! Very well designed too!
Best DJ equipment:
Nothing new to report here, my trusty
Pioneer DJM 600 has lasted me over 10 years and is still going strong….
Best piece of News this year relating to
Electronic Dance Music:
Armin snagging back Top place in DJ Mag
polls putting Trance back as the #1 Dance Genre!!! Phew!!!
Best piece of advice you received in
relation to your career:
Pursue your dreams and passions... Don’t be
discouraged by others, swayed by other life commitments, and don’t ever lose
sight of the dream!!! Never say “Can’t”… To quote an ‘infamous’ Hollywood
actor: “Can’t is the cancer of Happen.” Haha!
Any single event which inspired you to
compose a track.
My latest single, soon to be released in Q1
2013 titled “Missing You” well, was inspired exactly as its name says! Wrote
this track for a good friend who went out of town for her birthday. Well, this
one was written for her and already it’s getting quite some attention even
while it’s still in the production (remixing)
stage, so do keep your eyes (well ears more like it) lookin’ and
listening out for it!
Best tip that you learnt this year for your
DJ’ing or music composition:
It’s all in the mix! Mix well and mastering
is nothing much more than plain ‘ol
limiting to bring the levels up!
Dimitri: 2013 lies ahead of us. Would you
like to tell us your future plans in relation to releases, tracks, albums,
collaborations or DJ gigs?
Arrakeen: Well all I can say is stay tuned
and please do lend you support... I can be found on Facebook among many other
mediums like SoundCloud as well, so do feel free to drop me a “hi” and like my
artist page @ www.facebook.com/arrakeenmusic!
I have some big plans for 2013 so I do hope,
and in fact COUNT on your support, and with it I promise I won’t disappoint!
More updates on my Facebook page! No
Facebook? There’s always SoundCloud www.soundcloud.com/arrakeen or you can
visit my Website at www.arrakeenmusic.com for updates and to download every
single DJ Mix / Compilation / Live Set I have ever done in my life! Oh and not
to forget… Follow me on twitter too! www.twitter.com/arrakeenmusic!
Take care, thanks for reading and have a
great 2013!!! P.L.U.R. to you all! Cheers!
Thanks very much to Arrakeen for finding
the time to respond to this interview in a such lovely and detailed way
Interview was written and conducted by
Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/DJ/Music Journalist
Thanks very much to Ville Lope, label
manager of Subtraxx for his support to organize interviews with his artists
Thanks very much to Paul at 1mix for
proofing this interview
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