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We catch up with Spartaque head honcho known for his featured production release on Umek 1605 and his own label ‘I Am Techno‘ to talk about his musical loves, essential pieces of studio kit and DJ set up and what we will see in the new year 2012.
1. What does your DJing set up consist of?
As usual I have 2 Pioneer CD decks, mixer DJM 800, 900 or 2000, NI sound card, Traktor controller and laptop in my setup. The most interesting thing is that I used to play with Macbook Pro. But now I am really happy cause I changed it to the new generation of Macbook Air. Really powerful and small tool! Also if my gig is not so far away I can play with my Pioneer DDJ-T1. But I really miss hard mixer while i’m using this device. Frequences, filters are not so bright as in external mixer. This is a big minus of All-In-One type controllers.
2. How has digital technology changed your DJ sets?
At the beginning I didn’t want to work with digital stuff. I was a big fan of classic CD mixing. But it’s really hard to take care of all your CDs. Scratches, alcohol, dust and time destroyed your collection. Almost every week I had to re-burn CD folders again, just to be sure that I will have no problems and everything will work in correct way. Another big problem was to find the track you want to play.
So how I finally changed the way I play? Promoters asked me to play with laptop During my very first Brazilian tour, cause they wanted to add the word (LIVE) to advertisement of my gig. I tried and enjoyed it! Finally I could mix everything, absolutely each track with each other. I don’t need to waste time digging my music collection, trying to find that one track. Now I can recognize track by it’s artwork! Like memories from vinyl times! Also I can take care about effects, loops and mix construction cause I have much more time to do this during mixing.
3. What midi controller/s do you use and what do you like about it/them?
The main feature of controller for me is size and ergonomics. As usual I take Traktor X1 in tour with myself. It is pretty small and I have many free space with it in my bag. Also it works very good with Native Instruments software. But for local parties I have my DDJ-T1 cause I don’t need anything with this device. I don’t need any mixer, deck, laptop only. Also ergonomics: I have the same feelings as mixing with Pioneer DJing setup. This is the very important feature for me.
4. Do you have a piece of DJ kit that you can’t live without?
Yes, Pioneer DJM mixers, especially effects. I really love to play with these toys. I use Traktor FXes and Pioneer’s Low-Cut Hi Res Filter together if I want to destroy dance floor during the breakdowns. Of corse sometimes I play using another equipment and I feel myself really uncomfortable. Feels like I missed something…
5. You’ve been producing and releasing tracks quite frequently over the past two years, how would you describe your sound at the moment and where do you see it heading in the future?
I think that the best name for my stuff is ‘Commercial Techno’. Some times people call this genre Minimal-Techno, and I think that they are right also. By the way, I really love to include progressive melodies in breakdowns of my tracks. But I always in experimental mode when I produce something. So I never know what will I have at the end of work.
And I really happy cause I produce and play music that I like indeed. Anyway its easy to hear: my music changes during these 2 years. I was a bit minimalistic but now I prefer much groovy and intensive stuff. Probably my sound will continue to mutate in 2012. Let’s take a look. The only one this I know is that I will not stay at the same place and will go forward for sure.
6. Can you give any advice to any up and coming producers on how to get their music heard and signed to a successful label like 1605 and your label ‘I Am Techno’?
The first thing you need to do is to take care about your sound, quality and actuality. You need to do a dance floor test of your demo, share your track with friends DJs and check out the crowd reactions and artist feedbacks. You have to be 101% sure that your product is good and ready to be released. There is no reason to be sad if ‘good’ labels refused your first demo application. You can easily send it to another imprints. But please never forget about good and big labels. Don’t loose the hope. Your release at 1605 (for example) it’s just a question of time and a question of your demo’s quality.
7. What’s your DAW of choice?
I’m in love with Logic. My first Mac I bought because of this software. I remember my feelings, when I saw screenshots, tried to work with interface and understood that this is exactly what I need for production. With Logic I can do whatever I want, every sound, every trick, fx everything. Also I remember many short keys so I can work with it even if I would close my eyes.
8. What are your other key bits of studio kit and what is your most essential piece?
I cannot work without my studio controllers: Korg Kontrol 49 and Pad Kontrol. Also I have M-Audio Pro Fire 650 and expecting new hardware compressor
But of course the main stuff is my Mac. It is a heart and a soul of my little studio. I can not say that I have a lot of hard tools at my workplace. In our days good soft can make everything you need and you don’t have to spend big money buying hardware for your studio.
9. How do you work in the studio? (e.g. do you always start with a melody or sample etc)
I start with a groove. 90% of my tracks I begin with bassline and kick drums. Then I work with perks and hi-hats. When pick time part is ready I do a breakdown. I spend a lot of time searching for the hook. Each track must be really bright and outstanding. This is very important for me!
10. What projects are you currently working on?
My label IAMT is a project number one for me. Everything I do – production or events organizing – that’s all about my label. I have a plan and I really work hard to release it. And I hope that soon I will have very good results with it.
11. Your favourite producer at the moment.
Definitely all artists from my playlist. But if you need names: Umek, Beltek, Christian Cambas, Da Fresh, Spektre, Stefano Noferini, Daniel Portman, Paul Thomas, Roy RosenfelD, Sasha Carrasi and many many more another artists. So hard remember everyone. Also there are so many good local Ukrainian / Russian producers like Tesla, Norma, A.K.O., Deep Voice, Farrel 8, Biohazard, Yuri Alexeev, Alex Millennium and this is not the end of schedule.
12. Your favourite DJ at the moment?
Hard to say. Music is not the main thing for me in DJs. His style, the way of perfoming, working with the crowd – these criterias are more important for me. I love melancholic style of Richie Hawtin, I really enjoy with exploding Len Faki, happiness fills me when I see Umek’s playing. But since many many years I am still a big fan of Norman Cook
13. Do you have a pre DJ gig superstition? (e.g. you say a little prayer to hope your laptop doesn’t freeze!)
Of course I have! I believe in God and I pray every time before my performances (and before plane take off
14. Your worst and best DJ moments.
Once I had a problem with the lighter. I tried to smoke my cigaret but my hair began to burn during my set. I am not sure that this is the worst moment but of course it is the funniest one
Best moment was my first gig ever. I made a mix at home and passed to a final round of very cool DJ competition. I played at a big square for more then 25 000 audience, and took second place in my city. Still proud with it
15. Your 3 tips for making a top Mix Tape.
First – you need the best and the freshest material. Second – you need to build a good compilation, mix must be as a big song. With prologues, pick times, breakdowns and epilogues. Third – you need to include some secret weapons like classic track, some favorite stuff of your audience. But not cheesy of course.
16. Please tell us about Kazantip and how it exemplify the Music world and its exclusive culture?
Kazantip is a very unusual event. One month long festival. Republic that lives with own laws. Its’ a summer meeting point for best DJs from Russia, Ukraine and since last years for international DJs also. You can meet so many professionals there, artists, promoters, club owners, event organizers. Here we can set trends of upcoming nightclub season. I know so many DJ that have a dream to play at Kazantip. And I really happy to be a part of this amazing event.
Music is the Drug 005 with Special Guest Spartaque
Spartaque – Headliner (Original Mix)
Spartaque – Headliner (Sisko Electrofanatik Remix)
Interview made by Adriana L.L. © 2012 DJs Arena, Music – News Romania. All rights reserved.
