Page 34 - Zone Magazine Issue 013

Randy Katana – the island man, the TTT man. The man responsible for quenching a global thirst for a sound – a new sound – the island sound. Conjuring what can only be described as relentless, erotic and sensual tech trance. Bringing forth decades of wealthiness that you just can’t put a price on. I am an avid fan, almost 10 years now. I am a proud Katana devotee, whether it’s Randy Katana, DJ Randy or Phantom – I’ve loved them all from the very first beat in.
Randy Katana remixed a DJ Sammy track ‘Lbby Haba’ back in 2005 when Tech Trance was in its absolute prime with producers like him in abundance; Greg Nash, Fred Baker and Scot Project absolutely annihilating dancefloors around the globe. Gareth Emery also did a remix of this track, another fact you may not have known. This track includes divine female vocals in Tigrinya (A Semetric language to Arabic, spoken in Ethiopia). It translates into ‘Open your heart’ – Beautiful in its entirety.
So, Randy, there is a definitive contrast in your styles depending on which alias you’re producing under. Take ‘Katana – Erotomania’ for example, released in 1997, remixed under another one of your alias’ ‘DJ Randy’ and world renowned ‘Sash’. It’s much heavier, more repetitive and an embellishing techno sound. Had you always had the intention to do this, to be more diverse?
I’m a sucker for a challenge, and once I start, there is no stopping. In the late 90’s my goal was to influence the industry, and set a new trend with the Latin Tribal drives. However, I did not expect it to backfire on me. Once every one started to go Tribal, it became the end of the challenge.
When did you decide to steady your genres to just the new sound that can be heard in your productions these days?
I guess it started in early 2014. At first I tagged along with the mainstream until it all became the same. EDM productions have very few rules. Once everyone started to follow these same rules, all music began to sound alike. Every single new EDM production can be predicted within 30 beats. In the beginning of 2014 I had enough, and decided to follow my own path.
I missed both of those occasions but remember the first and only time I’ve seen you play back in 2007 at Rapture in Meath, you were on the line-up along with the Tidy Boys. I will never forget that night, you were utterly sublime. I got my picture taken with you and still have it to this day, which is now almost ten years ago! What big/significant changes have you witnessed in your career over the past decade?
I don’t see the DJ performance as a career. I became a DJ by chance, and enjoyed it while it lasted. The passion in me is not only about music. It’s about creation. All my life I looked for ways to
create something out of nothing; whether it’s a new trend of music, the biggest online vinyl store ever (onlydjs.com), or movie trailers. All of this became insignificant once you turn 50. That is when you start to see the bigger picture. It is not about producing the next world hit, nor becoming the number one DJ of the world. It’s about passing on the knowledge and experience to the new generation. History gives us something to compare the present to. Without it, we would not have a clue whether things are right, or wrong.
You seem to be a person full of life. Describe yourself using only 3 words...
How about 4: ‘Diferent from the rest’.
What do you feel has being the pinnacle moment of your career?
I must say the Dance Valley set from 2005. The energy was indescribable. I actually cried when I saw the footage later that night. I never expected to get so much love from a crowd.
Having spent over the past two decades’ worth of releases, one after the other, what are your feelings about music today?
Unfortunately, there is a great shortage of new music today. Most music today is a remake of a 90’s release, or a copy of the rest. This is due to the business, which currently is nothing else but a hobby. Creative producers are not producing music anymore, because they are not able to make money with it.
34 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE
feature interview [netherlands]