Solarstone & Electronic Architecture2 Solaris Recording – VMM Interview
Two years ago Solarstone released the compilation album ‘Electronic Architecture’… It was nominated for Best Compilation at the 2010 IDMAs and won press plaudits for its imaginative concept, hailed by Tilllate as “a magical blend of music, art and design” and by DJ Mag as an “a genuine gem”. Now the follow-up to this boundary breaking compilation adventure is here. As designated by its ’squared²’ tag, it’s not a ‘Pt.II’, but an evolutionary next stage. EA²’ unfurls a landmark sound-design that uses super-immersive mixing techniques crossed with bespoke graphic aspects. Featuring tracks and remixes from progressive giants like Hybrid, Tilt & Medway and young guns like Mike Saint-Jules, Shingo Nakamura & Kasuza, Jahawi, Majera and Piotro. The “Electronic Architecture2 has already started to also get its own Press plaudits with MIXMAG giving it Trance Album of the Month April 2011. We are pleased to once again speak to Solarstone here in the VMM about this new journey through the Audio Visual world of Electronic Architecture2.
The Interview:
Hi Solarstone hope you’re well and great to speak to you again here in the VMM.
VMM Q: Firstly the VMM would like to ask you Solarstone when and how did you come up with the Audio Visual concept for Electronic Architecture2?
Solarstone: The concept behind it was drawn from a realisation I had that Dj mix compilation albums seemed to have hit the buffers in terms of creativity and visual beauty. I wanted to create a series of albums that harked back to the days of Renaissance, when real attention was paid to the details, not only of finding new exciting music from new artist, but also the aesthetics of the packaging and promotion. So much is now possible within the web and also the multitude of tools at our disposal as Djs that the generic mass produced crap passed as ‘Dj mixes’ is not acceptable to me. I wanted to give people something better, something that is truly Music vs. Art.
VMM Q: Can you tell us here at the VMM all about the EA’s Portal, what can people do when they hit the website?
Solarstone: We have a fun interactive tool which allows you to deconstruct the albums cover art and then reconstruct your own version, which you can then send into us and enter our competition. We’ve had some stunning entries already. Also we are streaming clips from the album in the run up to release via our soundcloud player, and people can also catch up on news items and order the Cd, download, posters and t-shirts.
VMM Q: The new Electronic Architecture2 is being released on your own imprint Solaris Recordings so is it important to you Solarstone to manage your own Album Release for this project as it’s so different from anything out there?
Solarstone: It has always been important to me, I’m fiercely independent. That said though there is only so much one can do alone, I’m learning to delegate to others around me finally, forming good relationships with a few other labels outside of Solaris for some future releases. It’s great being in control of everything, but unfortunately there are only so many hours in the day – running labels etc encroaches on the really important thing which is making music.
VMM Q: Can you tell the VMM what has the journey been like making this incredible piece of Audio Visual art and will you be taking the Electronic Architecture2 experience on tour in 2011?
Solarstone: Yes there is a full world tour in the planning right now. It’s a really cool experience tracking down all these new pieces of music and I’ve met some fabulous producers along the way, and made some good friends too. Hopefully the world of trance fans out there will follow some of these artists and see where they go next.
VMM Q: You have a great selection of Remixes feature on the Electronic Architecture2 album so how did you decide on who would be right for your unique project?
Solarstone: Again it’s a matter of finding a fresh underground producer who can work with a classic track. Proff was a shoo-in for Medway’s Hooj classic ‘Resurrection’ because of his driving progressive sound. Nick Rowland gave Tilt’s ‘I Dream’ a contemporary big room prog trance flavour too. To be honest with you these decisions are not difficult, they almost make themselves.
VMM Q: Solarstone with your vast musical knowledge of creating Award winning productions what do you believe is the most important part of making the perfect track?
Solarstone: It’s different for every producer, but for me, the essential ingredient is finding a melody that stands up played solo on the piano or guitar. Once I’ve cracked that, the rest of the production falls into place relatively easily. Writing the melody is the tricky bit, the production is the fun bit.
VMM Q: The VMM would like to ask more about your Solaris Recordings imprint why did you want to have your own label as the digital Recording industry is so competitive these days and also where can new Dj producers send promos for your labels A&R?
Solarstone: We have a handy uploading tool on all my label website. Remember there is not just Solaris, I also run Molecule (my experimental label), Crashing Waves (uplifting trance soundklash) and also solarSwarm – the world’s only social network record label. I founded Deepblue Records back in 1999 and have enjoyed releasing great music by other artists ever since. The one thing that saddens me about running labels is when we have to give our artists crappy royalty statements sometimes – because of all the illegal downloads, it is so unfair on the artists.
VMM Q: Finally Solarstone after many years of creating electronic music can you sum up what you believe still gives you the drive and passion to write and produce such innovative dance music like Electronic Architecture2 and what’s next for Solarstone?
Solarstone: Trance music is in my blood, I love it. Producing this music gives me the purest pleasure there is, nothing comes close to those goose-bump moments in the studio. Coming soon after EA2 will be the ‘Ambient Edition’ – I have beautiful ambient mixes of every single track from EA2 which I’ll be mixing into a proper after-hours Balearic chill session – details will be on the EA2 website soon.
The VMM would like to thank Solarstone for taking time out to do this VMM Interview and we wish you further success for the Electronic Architecture2 album and the best for the rest of 2011. Don’t forget to check out the Electronic Architecture2 VMM Album Review April 2011.
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Solaris Recordings April ’25th 2011
Disc 1 Tracklist:
01 – Solarstone Intro
02 – Matvey Emerson Prizma (Reconstruction)
03 – Piotro Mist (Reconstruction)
04 – Nick Stoynoff Tokyo Nights
05 – Daniel Mahaud Winter Solstice (Sunn Jelly Remix)
06 – Piotro Uncontrollable
07 – Abdomen Burst Solar Eclipse
08 – Hybrid Numb (Kill City Orchestra Remix Reconstruction)
09 – Solarstone Big Wheel
10 – Alucard Sliver
11 – Shingo Nakamura & Kasuza Dice
12- Aerium Icedive (Reconstruction)
13 – Poo Nyk & Oxide Weekend
14 -Elfsong Eta Carinae
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Disc 2 Tracklist:
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01 – Aeron Aether & Embliss A New Dawn (Reconstruction)
02 – Janeiro & Sovt Dreams Of The Sea
03 – Mike St Jules Vespera (Reconstruction)
04 – Jahawi From Nairobi to London
05 – Solarstone Touchstone (Orkidea Remix)
06 – Medway Resurrection (Proff Remix)
07 – Baltic Sound Searchers Lane
08 – Ozo Effy White Wind
09 – Peter Liu City Of Dreams
10 – Majera Escapade
11- Tilt I Dream (Nick Rowland Remix)
12 – Almar Wasted Time
13 – Active Limbic System Vanity
14 – DJ Orion & J.Shore Architect’s Dream
