1Mix Radio: Interview: Standerwick

Born in Bristol England, Standerwick’s early career as a Songwriter/Producer saw him signed to one of the most successful music publishing companies in the world, the famous Zomba Music Publishing Group.

A recent DJ Mag feature labeled Standerwick as part of the ‘New Wave Of Trance’ (September 2014) and credited him as being ‘a defining talent for roaring trance pitched at the distinctive pace of 138 BPM’

In the last 2 years Standerwick has had tracks released on Armada, Future Sounds of Egypt, Blackhole, Subculture, Mental Asylum, Arisa Audio, Enhanced and numerous others, including a remix for none other than Armin van Buuren which was released on Armin’s More Intense Album and became one of the most successful remix’s of the album.

In the last 12 -18 months Standeriwck has claimed two Beatport Trance #1’s under his alias ‘Skypatrol’ – “Folding Your Universe” & “Skyres”, a No.2 with his original track – Valyrian, a No.3 with his remix for John O’Callaghan feat. Jennifer Rene – Games, a No.5 with his remix for Solis & Truby feat. Audrey Gallagher – Skin Deep and a No.6 with his collaboration with Sied van Riel – In A Perfect World. Add to this 24 plays on, “A State of Trance”, including 4 “Future Favourite” and “Tune of The Week” nominations. 17 plays on, “Future Sound of Egypt”, including 6 nominations for “Wonder of The Week” and endless support from artists such as Armin van Buuren, Aly & Fila, John O’Callaghan, Paul van Dyk and so many more it would be easier to list those who don’t support his music.

Standerwick has seen his tracks and remixes appear on an array of compilations and end of year mix releases including Armin van Buurens Top Twenty Tunes and End of Year Mix and most recently, 3 tracks were chosen to appear on the infamous Ministry Of Sound Trance Nation album 2014 mixed by Aly & Fila.

DJ’ing started again for Standerwick in late 2013, and soon saw him headlining events such as A State Of Trance 650 on Armin van Buurens world tour in Holland, Aly & Fila’s Future Sound Of Egypt 350 world tour in Bueno Aires, Argentina and Ministry of Sound in London UK. He has also toured throughout Europe with appearances in Ibiza, Holland, Poland, Montenegro and GodsKitchen and Gatecrasher in the UK.

With new tracks, collaborations and remixes pending release and tour dates currently filling the calendar, the future is looking very positive indeed.

Standerwick will perform for the first time at the highly important event Digital Society, The 8th Anniversary, 6th of March at O2 Academy in Leeds in the UK Club room along with Adam Ellis, Craig Connelly, Angry Man, Darren Porter, Dan Stone, Pearson & Hirst and David Rust. I felt it was great opportunity to request an interview from him and find out who is the 'real' Ian Standerwick. I'm glad he accepted the challenge and he replied so wonderfully detailed in all my questions.

Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist & Radio DJ at 1mix radio

Dimitri: Firstly it would be great to let us know how you started your involvement in music. In your bio is mentioned that you were signed on the famous music publishing company Zomba Music. What kind of music you were writing and producing back in those days?

Standerwick: I was writing across the board so it was often dependant on what the publisher wanted at the time rather than writing something random as some tracks often came following a request. But generally at the time it was more soft commercial rock for the American music market with some commercial dance thrown in at times and plenty of big ballads.

Dimitri: When did you decide to migrate in trance music and which record you consider was your breakthrough that everybody noticed?

Standerwick: This was actually way back when I first started playing around with the style. But my first release was called This is My Sanctuary feat. Lucy Lyons which made it onto a Slinky Superclub DJ’s and Alex Gold Ibiza Extravaganza compilations etc..

Dimitri: Your releases are getting support from Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk and literally all the big names in the trance scene. Do you consider this support as vital for your career and does it make actually a big difference for you?

Standerwick: Yes, I do see this this absolutely. For me, when I decided to come back to Trance after a long break, I came back at bottom of the pile entry level. The scene was like nothing I recognised from before, most of the big names were still there but there was no leg up so to speak of. Gaining good support from those at the top was vital for exposure and to get the ball rolling again. That momentum and growth starts right here because without doubt, having that kind of support also has a massive knock on effect on you as a producer as it provides drive, passion and energy to produce more.

Dimitri: You co-operate with ReOrder for the project Skypatrol. Would you like to let us know how this collaboration came about and if you feel satisfied with the huge success of your Skypatrol singles?

Standerwick: Satisfied with the success? Absolutely!…. I knew Tibor (ReOrder) from a vocal collaboration we had done the year before. We became good friends during this time and kept in touch. One night we were chatting on Skype and playing each other stuff from way back and having a giggle. When I came back to producing again I wrote a few tunes at lower tempos. I was learning how to use the updated Logic, the workstation I use to produce on, finding my feet so to speak. One of these tunes was about 130bpm with my vocals on, a groovy little number! lol, at one part of the song it dropped to this pluck melody section. Tibor listened to the tune and when the pluck melody section started playing he was like ‘Play that again!!’… 3 days later Folding Your Universe was written mastered and complete, and the little pluck melody, well, even Armin couldn’t stop humming it lol. Skypatrol was born and a few months later it hit number one.

Dimitri: You have produced great originals and remixes so far. Is it possible to pick for us your Top 3 from your catalogue so far and give us a short comment about them as well?

Standerwick:

Standerwick -Valyrian (original Mix) - was an experiment and a slight piss take if I dare say. I used a well know EDM style sample mid section of the tune which ironically seemed to work! I wanted a non generic kind of uplifter with a little more grit and variety. Had no idea it would hit number 2 on Beatport. I anticipated so much grief with that tune because of the EDM part, but received very little. I had a few bad words from some EDM & House fans saying that i’d ripped the hook line from these guys or those guys to which I ended up just replying ‘No I didn’t a****, the hook is from a Vengeance sample pack and they were as lazy as me for using it!’ I will point out that it was my intention to re-write that little hook line…. seriously! lol…but I played an unfinished version to Fila who basically said that he wanted it for the MOS Trance Nation mix album. The problem was it had to be submitted at 10am the following morning at the latest or it won’t go on. So the cheesy sample stayed, I just didn’t have time to fix it….. Hows that for a good excuse!

Armin van Buuren feat. Aruna - Wont Let You Go (Standerwick Remix) I still get goosebumps when I play this tune live and when I see Armin dropping it in front of 60,000 people at Stereosonic in Australia on YouTube. I can’t describe in words how this makes you feel.

John O’Callaghan feat Jennifer Rene - Games (Standerwick Remix) - Love Jen’s vocals on this tune. This remix only took me just inside of a week to complete which is very rare as I normally take up to 3 weeks sometimes. There are some tracks/remixes that just seem to write themselves, this was one of these.

Dimitri: It would be awesome to let us know the kind of equipment you use for your productions hardware and software.

Standerwick:

Hardware: (basics): Mac Pro Tower 2.8 Ghz Quad Core running OSX Yosemite / MacBook Pro 15” 2.7 Ghz Running OSX Yosemite. Motu 2408 Mk3 Audio/Digital interface Genelec 8040A Studio monitors UAD Tube/Solid state Pre-Amp (For Vocals and Guitars/Bass etc) Neumann TLM 103 K Condenser Microphone

Software: Logic X

Synths: Native - Massive Lennar Digital - Sylenth Reveal Sound - Spire Native - Kontakt ReFX - Nexus U-He - Zebra

Dimitri: Are you nowadays a full time producer? How many hours do you spend in the studio and from where you get inspiration for the very strong emotional melodies that your tracks include?

Standerwick: I am full time now since DJ’ing kicked off early last year. My studio is at home which is a blessing as I have had studios in numerous commercial premises over the years which is a right pain. My wife kindly donated the dining room which I converted. I have a young family so gone are the days of 3 day benders and just feeling the vibes man…… lol. There has to be structure and a stable side to things now (yeah seriously!). I have a daily routine of walking the children to school, back home, make coffee & in the studio by 9! I try and be sensible with what time I shut down, but if your on a roll sometimes this may run over into late evening. Not sure about where the inspiration comes from, it just happens all by itself to be honest. I guess the fact that I’m real happy right now and get regular sleep (discounting gigs/tours), this is where it starts for me….. Not being exhausted.

Dimitri: Can u describe us the production process of any track? Do you start from which part usually and any tips for aspiring producers as well?

Standerwick: I always start with a basic kit/rhythm/percussion and build this. Most important is finding the right kick that the whole tunes going to sit around, its most important to get this right.

Next I look for and process the sub bass which is going to fit with the kick. - CRUCIAL! Then I start looking for the mid bass sounds and layer them, compress and mould them so they drive along with the kick and sub. I can sometimes take 2-3 days getting this part right. If I’m not feeling it pumping with just these 3 elements, then the inspiration doesn’t come to build the song.

At this point I’m looking at block working the arrangement - even though there is no progression or melody hook etc etc….. for some reason, when I can actually see, an albeit rough arrangement in sections on the screen, it all starts to flow. So I then work from bar 32 up to the breakdown and get as much done here, enough to start mapping out how the breakdown is going to fit. Then I will start on the breakdown where i will spend possibly the most amount of time, I love this part. Get the build in and then hopefully, the drop will find itself. For the last part I will go back and look at the 32 bar intro section and the outro sections.

Best tip I could give, is when you think you have finished, you have another week to go. So another week polishing and mixing the track looking at levels, compression, FX etc, smoothing off all the edges.

Unless you are very very clever at mastering which to be blunt, not that many are, pass your finished mix to someone who knows what they are doing. I don’t even attempt to master my own tracks. But don’t expect miracles from a mastering engineer. Your track should be not far off how you want it before it goes for the final processing. Another tip is to find a track that you know is top drawer quality and reference yours to theirs. Listen especially to their EQ settings and dominant levels like the sub and kick. I still do this and its a good habit to get into. Last tip, learn your DAW back to front! Nothing worse than being slapped with a bucket load of ideas and inspiration for it to go tits up working out how to do something on your DAW and loosing ‘The moment’.

Dimitri: There is a feeling that trance music is growing in UK again and there are many events spreading all over the country. Do you believe that is the case as well and do you sense that trance music is coming back strong in the UK club scene?

Standerwick: Easy answer. Yes… big time! Never thought I would see the day people forming long queues to get into Trance events in the UK again. I reckon we are on the last quarter of the full circle where it all kicks off again.

Dimitri: You are performing at the 8th Anniversary event of Digital Society. Is this your first time playing at Digital Society and how do you feel of being part in such a night packed with so many trance superstars like Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Aly & Fila?

Standerwick: Yes first time for DS, I feel privileged to be a part of the event and its always a pleasure playing alongside some of these guys again.

Dimitri: Are you going to prepare anything special for your performance at the 8th Anniversary event of Digital Society? Do you usually prepare your dj set or are you adapting to the mood of the crowd in any event?

Standerwick: I always prepare, some do, some don’t, I do. I approach every gig the same no matter the size of the event, its a passion and its really important to me. I made a mistake once of listening to someone who advised me to play a certain style because it was what the crowd liked in that part of the world. I won’t make that mistake again. I have a simple rule, I only play the tunes that rock my world, they gotta rock my world. My sets are simply made up of everything that I love, my top top playlist at the time. Whatever form or angle I decide to take it at any event its very simple, maximum energy, maximum impact, having plenty of those special moments and just having some bloody good fun with people who love what I do and love what I play. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Dimitri: Lastly, what is your message for the Digital Society crew and what they have achieved so far for the trance scene in the North of UK?

Standerwick: Its fantastic to know that the future of Trance in the UK is in a lot of safe hands right now. There are some blinding events being held up and down the country of which Digital Society have firmly stamped their mark as one of those at the top. Massive well done for that… Keep it up.

Thanks to Standerwick for his great answers and we wish him all the best for 2015.

Thanks to Olivia Jade Riches, Promotions Manager at Digital Society for arranging this great interview.