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Features
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Interview with Ferry Corsten
Reported by Sharon B
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Submitted 24-05-04 23:06
There must be something in the water in the Netherlands because it seems that when it comes to all things related to dance they are the leading producers of 'Trance Masters'. At the top of the list of distinguished and gifted artists sits Ferry Corsten, the genius behind System F, Gouryella, Moonman and Tsunami Records. Having started producing in 1991 Ferry managed to secure a few minor hits over the years until he made his European breakthrough in 1996 with “Don’t Be Afraid” under the guise of ‘Moonman’. In 1997 he set up Tsunami Records with his business partner Robert Smit, which became an instant success, and has since turned into one the biggest dance labels around today. However it wasn’t until 1999 with the release of System F “Out of the Blue” that Ferry hit the big time, turning him into a global trance phenomenon and bringing him many prominent music awards including the Ericsson Muzik Award for “Producer of the Year” in 1999, beating other artists such as Rodney Jerkins and Puff Daddy.
Ferry soon developed a sound that marked him out to be a true leader in the development of trance and the dance music scene and having found his niche as a producer it wasn’t long until he followed up his success with System F by releasing “Cry”, which was co-produced by Smit. Along the way Ferry continued to obtain further awards such as Holland’s prestigious Silver Harp award for his ‘outstanding contributions made to dutch dance music’ and is officially Holland largest export of dance music.
It was due to massive popular demand that Ferry Corsten added Djing to his many list of talents and with best selling tunes and albums behind him he managed to secure sets at the world’s biggest dance festivals, such as playing main stage at Dance Valley, and mixing with the crème de la crème of the DJ world. This Saturday London stands witness to see Ferry Corsten performing at one of the Capital’s most prestigious trance events, Euphoria at Turnmills. Sharon B managed to put forward a few questions to find out more about his rise to the top, his career so far and his plans for the future.
Sharon B: You have been a full time producer since 1991 but attribute your big breakthrough to System F “Out of the Blue” when it was released in 1999. What was the road to success like between those years? What helped you get through the difficult times that kept you on track and motivated you to keep going?
Ferry Corsten: I was working really hard. Blood, Sweat and tears really…My love for music and my attraction to creating my own sound is what kept me going.
SB: In 2001 you did an interview with forthenight.com where you said that you didn’t plan to release any music under your own name except your remix work, what was it that changed your mind in terms of producing under the name Ferry Corsten?
FC: Well from my remix work came dj work and that obviously ended up in compilations being released under my dj name. It was a logical step for me to start producing under my own name.
SB: You have always claimed that each of your productions are individual as they express different emotions – which track is the most emotive to you and why?
FC: Sweet Sorrow. It was a time of anger and disappointment. I think you can clearly hear that in the song. Funny thing is that when I heard it when it was done. It ironically sounded sweet. Bittersweet I guess…hahahaha
SB: Having various pseudonyms provides you with the perfect guise in which to release various styles of music without people making the initial connection to your name and sound, what styles and names do you produce under and what genre other than trance do you feel the biggest connection with?
FC: Electro. I’ve always loved that music and I’ve grown up with it is as well. You clearly see this influence in my new work.
SB: The Netherlands have produced the biggest names in the DJing world to date with Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and yourself – do you think that the culture in the Netherlands is more open to dance music and its form of expression?
FC: Dance music in general in Holland is more mainstream here than other countries so we are definitely surrounded by it.
SB: Not only have you worked alongside world famous DJ’s Tiesto and Armin van Buuren but you have also remixed tracks with Faithless, Moby, William Orbit and U2! How did you get into remixing the works of more commercial and Pop based artists and are there any differences in terms of how you approach a remix when the main track is based in a different musical sphere such a rock (U2) or Pop (William Orbit)?
FC: You are always being asked to do a remix. You don’t ask to do a remix. I always try and respect the original work that has been sent to me and work with it in such a way that it remains the work of the artist but has my special sauce on it.
SB: You have worked with a lot of renowned vocal artists on a number of your tracks – are vocals important to you in a tune? You have always claimed that your music is full of emotion – do you find that vocals enhance the emotion in your tracks?
FC: I think the melody combine with vocals is a very powerful combination to provoke emotions. Melodies create the mood and the words create emotion when combined.
SB: Where do you look for inspiration? You have wide-reaching and eclectic musical tastes – what is it about a style or genre that draws you to it in terms of innovation?
FC: From everywhere really. Travelling because of work helps me a lot. I was in a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto when I saw Mount Fuji while I was working in my portable studio. I ended up making Kyoto that day…
SB: In an interview with Trance.nu you state that you are “the one who decides when a track is good enough to release on the ‘Tsunami’ label” – what do you look for in a tune to determine whether it is good enough? What factors are important in a track to make it that extra bit special for you?
FC: First of all, the production itself has to be flawless. Second, it has to be a song that will make me remember it once it has been played. It also of course has to be a song that I can play in my set.
SB: You have hug fan-bases all over the globe, do you find man differences in terms of how you are approached by fans depending on which country they are from? Do you change your style or approach to a set depending on where you are playing and to whom you are playing out to?
FC: Not that much but sometimes I do play differently in other countries. Simply because that other country may like it smoother or harder. With regard to fans, it differs as well from country to country. In some countries, people are shyer than others.
SB: You have also released CD’s which were live event recordings – when knowing that your set and crowd interaction is being recorded do you find yourself under more pressure or do you just push the thought out of your mind and focus on the happenings before you?
FC: I just do my thing on the night of any gig really whether it is recorded or not. The more I open up to the crowd, the better the result of the night.
SB: It seems that the technological advances in terms of set ups has come a long way in a relatively short space of time, with nearly all clubs now having CD decks and live PA’s becoming more and more popular. What are your thoughts on the advances in technology? Where do you see the future of DJ’ing? Are you looking forward to a digital age of mixing?
FC: Yes I am. I now play 95% of my sets in CD. The good thing is, rumble or skipping of needles happen rarely and break the vibe.
SB: In 1996 you did a track called “Don’t Be Afraid” under the pseudonym ‘Moonman’, which has been attributed as the tune that gave birth to the contemporary trance sound as we know it today. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment? Do you think that trance evolved out of the track or that the style was always there and you were fortunate enough to capitalise on the genre and bring it to the attention of a contemporary audience? Where did you get your innovation from for the track and sound in general?
FC: Thank you J I think Moonman definitely laid the foundation for the trance sound we know today but I definitely but I definitely believe that Moonman was not the first trance record out.
SB: In a 2003 interview with remixmag.com you said “I always play records in a certain category…..Also, I look at the rising tension and build up throughout my set time. And I look for the transition records that make my set go from trance to techno”. You stated that “Indigo” was one such tune in terms of being able to take a set from trance to techno – what other tunes do you feel possess a transitional quality? How important is it for you to be able to change the direction of your set with a single track and what other directions other than techno do you like to take your sets to?
FC: It depends really how long my sets are. It takes time to get people in the mood to explore new sounds. If I have enough time, then I’ll really take them on a journey…progressive, trance, electro and techno, the whole lot.
SB: It has been said that you are “Holland’s most successful recorded export to the UK ever” (ministryofsound.com 23 Feb 2004) – what pressures do you feel to maintain this level of success and how does it feel to know that you have such global recognition, that your music reaches across borders and continents?
FC: Damn good ;-). Seriously though, I just make music for myself and my real fans. But if as a result the record becomes massive then that’s a bonus!
SB: With ‘Rock Your Body Rock’ you manage to blend in a whole array of sounds from deep house to electropop, and your vocals are done with a robotic voice – is this the direction that you will be heading in with your music for the time being? Ministryofsound.com described it as “a zeitgeist destroying missive loaded with influences ranging from the discordant guitars of The Clash through to the proto-electro of Gary Numan” – do you agree with this assessment? Do you feel you were influenced by these sounds when making the track?
FC: Yes I do agree that it does have those sounds to it, but it in my 11 years of producing I have produced so many different kinds of music. Just as they were calling a trance producer only ,I guess now you could electro on the list. I think it would be best if you called my an electronic dance producer. That would fit the bill.
SB: Do you feel that you have a signature sound at all? Is there any part of your production that will always possess a certain riff or style?
FC: Yes, I do have a signature sound, although like my productions they do morph into different styles and sounds as the years I go by. I guess, my signature sound is in my programming and the sounds I choose.
SB: With all this production work you must be doing a lot of promotional work and tours, what is a typical day in the life of Ferry Corsten like?
FC: I live two lives. I live my life as a producer where I get up at 830 and work in the studio until dawn, and in the weekends I’m on my way to the airport to travel to all parts of the world to play for my fans.
SB: You will be performing at Euphoria on 29th May – can you tell us more about what we can expect to hear from you at this event?
FC: Pretty much the style we’ve been talking about in this interview…in one word energetic.
SB: How important is stage presence to a DJ? When you play out you like to get quite active with lots of jumping up and down and clapping etc – do you think it is important to the set and atmosphere of an event to see the DJ bouncing around and being involved?
FC: Definitely, with this type of music it’s important that the crowd gets worked up. If you’re having a good time it will rub off on me and vice versa.
Photo's courtesy of Most Wanted
Euphoria
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On:
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Saturday 29th May 2004
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At:
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Turnmills [map]
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From:
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10pm - 6am
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Cost:
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£12 advance MOTD
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Website:
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www.euphoria-albums.com
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Ticket Info:
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www.ticketweb.co.uk
clubtickets 08702 462050
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Euphoria Trance has been on hold for a few months but this May Bank Holiday Saturday we come back with a stomper of a line up for all you Trance Fanatics out there. Trance Master FERRY CORSTEN joins as he brings ou his new album "Right Of way" also on the decks The delightful DISCO BROTHERS, Anthony Dean , Ian Betts and Adam White. T2 is being Branded by INSPIRED RECORDS as they bounce out some Funky house sets.
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Trance. Funky House.
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DJ's:
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Ferry Corsten , The Disco Brothers , Ian Betts , Anthony Dean , Adam White
Alan burton,Rossi, craig James, Dj Force, Terry G, Darly 'Kreamy' Watson, Ian Lavenham,
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Other Features By Sharon B:
What's it all about? Alfie! - Getting Technikal with Alf Bamford
Heat UK presents....SW4!!! - Interview with Damian Gelle
Interview with TWIST promoter Steve Darragh
Interview with Innovate Resident Nick Sentience
Talking to a Legend - Interview with the world's Number 1 DJ - Tiësto
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: carl nicholson on 25th May 2004 10:59.19
A god among insects!
From: Alix on 25th May 2004 12:23.39
Really interesting questions Sharon... Excellent DJ and a lovely guy as well - will always talk to anyone and everyone and not confined by his own style which is refreshing to see... 
From: King Boogie on 27th May 2004 10:27.44
"...it remains the work of the artist but has my special sauce on it." Classic!
Great interview Sharon
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