Page 32 - Zone Magazine Issue 013

feature interview
[netherlands]
The astounding Signum took some time out of his busy schedule to give me an insight into his past and present life, his plans for the future and just what he has endured to pave the way for his remarkable career as a genuine contributor to trance music. Asides from dedicating almost 2 decades to this, he has a wondrous outlook on the way things were back when he was starting out and the way things are now. Amazing to hear that he began his journey producing and not playing, this came after and he tells us why, in an endearing story about the one and only, undisputed Hero of Trance – Mr. Ron Signum.
Ron, I’m sure you understand you will be celebrating 2 decades in the dance scene next year– going all the way back to 1997! What was it like back in the Jinx records days?
Yea time goes by too fast, doesn’t it? Well back in 1997 I hadn’t begun DJ’ing just yet my focus was producing. I didn’t have much interest in becoming a DJ at the time. It wasn’t until I went to one of the first Dance Valley events (probably ’98) and heard What Ya got 4 Me bursting out of the speakers, that made me decide to also want to learn how to DJ. I practiced almost every night from that point until I was sure I could properly DJ and it wasn’t until late 1999 or early 2000 that I started having my first gigs.
How would you describe the difference between the scene and clubbers back then to now?
The scene back then was a lot rawer, club events and festivals weren’t as spectacular as they are nowadays in terms of lighting & sound systems. As for the clubbers, their enthusiasm is probably still the same maybe even a bit more now a days, which is great to see, especially when I play good gigs where the crowd are wild.
Do you still enjoy spinning vinyl from time to time? What was the first record you ever owned?
Yea, I still have a love for vinyl although I am a huge fan of advances in technology when it comes to DJ’ing and production. The first record I bought was 2 singles: Jan Hammer, Crockett’s Theme and Live Aid – Let it Be.
What do you consider as your most memorable moments in your career to date?
Playing Gatecrasher for the first time, ASOT last year where I had to play for an extra hour when PvD had his accident. Rong Manchester in April 2016 was also special!
Closing Luminosity Beach Festival in 2015 was beyond amazing, and one of the best crowds in the World, as was my first time playing in Argentina. The list goes on and on.
How do you feel your music has progressed over the years?
My music has matured a lot, sometimes even a bit too complex in terms of structure and all the sounds I put in there. It always needs to have a certain type of drive and an awesome melody that should
be recognised as a Signum track the first moment you hear it. That’s where I also limit myself and why I will never jump on board certain styles because they’re just popular. I need to have a connection with it, otherwise I can’t implement parts and ideas that I like.
Now a days I like to experiment with new sounds and ideas and fuse different styles/ genres together that appeal to me, because I get bored quite easily. There’s no point in repeating yourself repeatedly, this is a natural process that every producer runs into.
I now have a lot of knowledge that I didn’t have when I was younger, but I’m still a student of this game called music.
Are there specific tracks of yours that you still get great pleasure from playing?
WYG4M, Coming on Strong, The Timelord, Blockbuster, Knock Knock to name a few. Will never get bored of those! I know some of the
How to do want your future releases to sound? What kind of influences do you rely on for inspiration?
Totally depends on my mood. I’ve done a couple of tracks now that took some ingredients from Psy, but I’m already bored with that. So right now, I’m working on a couple of tracks that are more Trancey and have a more nostalgic feel to them in terms of melody and atmosphere. All tracks I’m making right now are going to be part of a new Signum album!
I’ve got a cool concept and if all works out, hopefully it’s a new and fresh approach to how people make an album. I usually get inspired by sounds, once I have a new sound bank and there’s an awesome sound in there and I start playing the keyboard, if I then quickly come up with a cool melody, that’s usually the basis for my inspiration. The rest usually just flows naturally after that.
How demanding is your lifestyle? Do you feel like you have more of the world to conquer?
Not too demanding right now, I’m disciplined, eat healthy and try to go to sleep on time and wake up on time, work out and have a regular rhythm. In the weekend that could change but if you take your rest during the week, that becomes easier. If you have several gigs every single weekend. The lifestyle will be way more demanding. Of course, there’s always more of the world to conquer, there are a lot of places I still haven’t played and would love to play and still a couple of things I would like to achieve. So, that’s a mission!
You have an exceedingly devoted fan base here in Ireland, what do you love most about the Irish?
That’s awesome! I love Ireland, I love the energy and humor and it’s always a pleasure playing in your country. What I love most? I have a lot of fans and friends who I enjoy seeing when I come back, and the promoters are always very nice. Also, how Conor McGregor put Ireland on the map and what that little dude and his coach have achieved in just a few years! Mind-blowing! (Massive MMA fan here...).
How did you get on at the Transcend Winter Party – symbolic sets all ‘round I heard?
Definitely had a great atmosphere and an awesome crowd! Would love to do it again! Great promoter in Patrick McGuigan, and was so nice meeting fans before and after the set – always sharing good stories from years gone by.
Did you get up to any mischief with your fellow collab buddy Randy Katana? How long ago was it since you both released ‘Third Dimension’? How did that collaboration come about?
I only ran into him a couple of times for a few minutes, so we did not get a chance to connect.
Who is your best friend in the trance scene and why?
Apart from my agents, who I have a great relationship with; Misja Helsloot and RAM. I played with them quite a few times and did b2b sets. We all sort of have the same sense of humor and we help each other out from time to time.
Name something that you are proud of...
The whole Signum Legacy and the fact that millions of people have been touched by the music!
Name something that you would like to accomplish still...
I would still like to do a solo event and play from start to finish and set this up in different countries with a cool concept.
Can you share something with your fans they may not know about you...?
I’m a huge MMA fan, absolutely not interested in football, movie addict, have 2 cats and a lovely girlfriend who I’m living with. Love Greek food and I am a burger addict! LOL
In the world of trance today – who are you following/supporting?
Loads of artists both settled and upcoming in multiple genres, actually too many to mention so please check out my radio show Xposed every third Monday of the new month (on AH.FM) or my Soundcloud page - signumofficial to see who I support.
Any words of wisdom for upcoming artists or musical enthusiasts?
Always believe in yourself and try to become better every day, and most important, try to do something that others don’t do, to separate yourself from the herd.
Even if you fall down and even if this happens multiple times, don’t give up! Those are the ingredients you’ll need to stay and survive in this scene.
Connect: http://www.signum-music.com
Words By Emma Dilemma
Pics By AMMG
32 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE