Page 15 - Zone Magazine Issue 008

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 15
Funniest thing that has ever happened on a night you’ve organised?
Oh I need to be carefully answering this one haha. One thing that springs to mind is when I went to collect Matias from Heatbeat from an after party and found him on the floor in a wardrobe. He was mumbling to himself how crazy the Irish were haha. I would say that trip back to Argentina was fun!
Artists of interest – uprising talents – who would you name as a ‘One to Watch’?
One to watch – that’s easy. Shugz from Northern Ireland. This guy is an absolute wizard on the decks. He has that old Eddie Halliwell bosh feel about his sets. He is also an amazing producer. The guy works so hard in the studio and his hard work paid off with his debut release ‘Bryan Kearney – Mexican Rave (Shugz Remix)’ hitting number one spot on the Beatport trance charts. Definitely watch this space!
Talk to me about the label, your signed artists, best release so far (most feedback, global plays etc.), what do you look for in an artist/track that influences your decision as to whether you sign it or not?
Trance Army Records launched back in March 2015. Our debut EP got all the way to number 2 in the TrackItDown trance charts (Merc – Visions Of The Future (Cristian Ketelaars Remix)). Since then we have had some pretty big names on the label such as Gary Maguire and Ally Brown.
The support on the label has been pretty huge since it launched. Seeing artists such as Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Giuseppe Ottiviani, Manual Le Saux and many more
supporting our tracks is incredible.
I find that there is a lot of repetitive trance music out there right now. The aim of the label is to find tracks that do not bore me, tracks that are not like all the other ones out there. The label is also all about finding new talents and helping them to get their name out there. One of the ways we do this is by getting already established names to do remixes of up and coming producer’s tracks.
We have a nice few tracks and artists lined up for 2106 so watch this space!
What qualities are important in an artist?
Creativity, uniqueness, to be able to create your own sound and style. Don’t do what everyone else is doing. That gets boring, and you will be quickly forgotten if you do that.
Plans for the future? How do you see the dance scene panning out in the country? Which genre do you believe will come out tops?
The dance scene is pretty booming at the moment. Techno seems to of taken over from House music at the top, but that’s fine because the day that Trance music overtakes house and techno is the day that trance music will die. It needs to stay underground and detached from the commercial scene.
On April 22nd 2016 we will hold our final ever Trance Army night. It will be taking place in the Button Factory and the line-up consists of Jordan Suckely, Mark Sherry and David Rust.
I have seen the night grow over the years from getting crowds of 150/200 people, all the
way up to 1100 people (which is pretty good for a Trance night in Dublin).
We moved from using the small dark and dungeon like venues on the outskirts of town, into the biggest venue in Dublin.
The running of the night along with the radio show and the record label has meant that this has turned into a full time job, something which was never meant to be (I am a Software Engineer Mon-Fri, 9-5 too!). I have found myself stressing out, working late nights, and with literally no spare time on my hands.
After the Paul Van Dyk gig back in November 2015, I thought to myself I don't think anything will ever top this, so I think the time is right for me to call it a day. Quit while I am ahead as they say.
I hope to see everyone who has supported Trance Army at this night, and together we can make it a night that will never be forgotten.
I think it’s safe to say that as he bows out, the memories will never fade, they will be forever bound around the hearts of his fans and followers, we wish him all the best in his future ventures, but most importantly we salute you Mr. Trance Army Ireland.
Words By Emma Dilemma
Pics By Steven Cunniffe Photography &
Jack Toibin