[These articles were rebuilt on the same layout as Freeze Magazine issue 65, December 2008, using the original English texts.] interView SunTrip

The Melody is Back

In it's 5 years of exis tence, Suntrip released more tha n 10 cds.

It all started with the debut album of the Greek artist RA at the "Filteria" (Jannis tzikas) in November 2004, called Sky Heron Festival, Input , which took the psytrance world by surprise Belgium, because of the insane climaxes and the maximal melodies all over the place, not for the faint hearted! In June 2008 June 2005, the second release was a compilation called Apsara . This cd was a mixture of famous melodic Goa Trance producers and new talents who mostly became more known afterwards. The compilation clearly concentrates on typical morning Goa trance although Aes Dana's track is more dreamy progressive/downtempo. Unfortunately this cd is now completely sold out.

October 2005 saw the debu t of Khetzal, a French artist known from numerous releases on labels as Ultimae en Kagdila. He gave us a great mixture of downtempo and uptempo spiritual and floating Melodic Goa Trance. A must have for people that are in love with eastern melodies!

Then, Filteria was ready again with another mind blowing piece of uplifting psychedelic music. His second album, Heliopolis , was released in the winter of 2006.

After that we had proof Suntrip isn't only about positive melodic music: veteran Ka-Sol released his Fairytale album on Suntrip in April 2006. A perfect mix between melodic, dark and twisted soundscapes ; harder but dancefloor friendly, described as "Forest Trance". sounds combined with classic emotional Goa trance make true Goa Trance anno 2008. Fantastic melodies and crazy acid sounds. A cd that people production, superb melodies, floating and For demos, licensing, January 2007 brought the more typical "Suntrip" who are more into modern melodic music will like for dreamy atmospheres and a real storytelling sure! live -acts and DJ-sets: compilation Twist Dreams . A mixture betwee n famous album ranging from true dance floor inferno

artists like Ra, T alpa and material till soft ambient. Khetzal and less famous Goa Trance artsists like Afgin Not long ago, in March 2008, a special double cd Suntrip Records, th and Cosmic Silence. Just like Apsara, this compilation was released to cele brate our 10 cd. Cd 1 existed And just at the moment this article is published, Lintsesteenweg 38 is sold out as well. out of uptempo Goa Trance and cd 2 was an our latest compilation called Sundrops will be 2500 Lier Ambient and Downtempo experience. Both cds Belgium featured the most talented artists within the scene… released. This the deepest morn ing trance In june 2007 Dimension 5's classic Trans dimensional (originally released in 1997) was remastered & re - Shakta, Solar Fields, Electrypnose, Asura, Filteria, compilation we ever released. Expect nothing www.suntriprecords.com released, and even today it still blows away the dance Aes Dana, Ethereal... less than pure emotional sunrise tracks! floors! Spiralling uptempo super psychedelic [email protected] masterpieces! Before the summer of 2008 another album was [email protected] released: the delayed release of Ra called 9 th . Here +32(0)495 162012 In November 2007 the long awaited debut solo album of one of the old masters (ex -member of Dimension 5, the Serbian artist Goasia saw the daylight. Up to date Hunab Ku, Electron Wave) showed what it means to How did you decide to start SUNTRIP? Jos alone: I am playing this kind of Goa trance for Suntrip: Actually our idea of starting a label is about 8 years now, and last 6 years I have played something dating from the early years of the new almost every weekend in Belgium or the surrounding millennium. We (Joske – Anoebis and Fabien – Mars) countries. Unfortunately my job doesn’t allow me to knew each other already since 2000. Fabien helped the play much abroad, but I don’t really care as the creator of the famous goa-review site www.psynews.org Belgian crowd is the best you can imagine… And starting the site, and I was one of the guys helping them financially? This is a nice extra, but once again, not since the beginning. One of he problems of the scene even close to live from it… around that time was that our beloved music – melodic “old school” Goa trance – was almost dead, Full On Do you believe that you are the wake up label for started to rise and minimal music had its huge boom. the new era of Psy Goa trance ? That’s why we started talking about making a label; to Jos: Well, it seems that there always was a market release that blissful music we loved so much instead of for people that love the melodic Goa trance in the following the hype of the moment. When Fabien old style, but of course, someone needed to act first discovered a Greek/Swedish artist called Filteria and it seems like it was us. Does this make us the (Jannis Tzikas) we thought we’d found “the” man, and wake up label for the new wave? Yes and no I think, were ready to start. In the summer of 2004 we did all Yes because we did the first step, but no because the paperwork and in November the first Filteria-album without the artists there would have been no called Sky Input was released. releases whatsoever and also the internet helped us a lot. So the rise of “new style” Goa trance is more a So Goa melodic sound is your thing , how did that community kind of thing then just the work of one came and how did you make it a business? Does label. Suntrip live from music production? And how about Fabien: Oh well, Kagdila released some Goa trance DJing and all that comes around having a record after the style became, “out of fashion”, and before label? us. But they’re in the US, and Psytrance’s main The reason why we started to realize melodic Goa audience is in Europe. To answer your question, the trance is, as we said above, simply because our more I think about it, the more I believe we were at beloved music was not getting released anymore… And the right place -when people needed more variety-, then there are 2 things you can do: sit and complain at the right moment –when party people belonged to as much good music then before. Of course not tried to pick tracks from all our cds so people can about that fact, or act… And we chose the second 2 generations-, and most importantly, with the right only within “our niche” but that doesn’t have to, see not all our music is the same. Also note there option. artists! as long as the music is good we are happy are 2 Greek artists on the cd, we thought the Lots of people think the label is our job, but with the Beyond that, we can’t do much alone, in the middle anyway. readers of Freeze would appreciate that. The cd modern crisis in the music industry there is no way we of a sea of mainstream music. But there are other Jos: I loves most of all “modern” subgenres: was mixed by DJ Anoebis (with CDJ100’s, no could even closely live from it. So we both have a Goa trance labels coming up: Cronomi, DAT, Suomi because it is fresh and original, forest computer stuff) because we believe it is easier to “normal” daytime job (Joske as a high school teacher, Phototropic... Together we shall really show a clear trance (not too fast Swedish dark) because it’s feel the trance in a continuous journey… Anyway, Fabien as an IT engineer) and in the evenings and direction and wake up something. mystical atmosphere and its psychedelism, the idea behind the cd: we started with the nights we try to run Suntrip as good as possible. The melodic progressive for during summer days Avigmati track to have a magical and eastern intro label takes of course a lot of time, but we all do it for fun What’s your opinion about the psy trance of (as long as it doesn’t become too housy) but that can guide us into madness, Red Gravity and and for the music. Also the fact that the label is not today…the full on …the dark psy trance and all the type of music I like the most besides real Dimension 5 are clearly a showcase of acidic mad something we need to survive financially is good that? Goa trance must be psychedelic Ambient. We Goa trance with loads of melodies flying allover the because we manage to keep the quality high like that. We have a little different opinions about that, but in already showcased our love for it with the 2nd place. Merr0w does the same although in his track We don’t NEED to release, we can always wait until the whole we think the music today is partly ambient cd of our Opus Iridium compilation, and we get the first euphoric melody which will guide us everyone is happy with the result. uninteresting, many releases sound exactly the I think this genre is going from strength to into the more typical Goa trance with fat melodic The DJ-ing issue is something else, only I – Dj Anoebis same and in many cases there is not one bit of strength at the moment! patterns by Radical Distortion and Filteria. After play dj sets, Fabien doesn’t. originality. But luckily, if you search, you will still find Fabien: Besides Goa trance which I still listen that things start to slow down and we enter the to a lot, I love Progressive music. Give me gate of morning floating Goa trance, here some sun and a progressive dancefloor, and I showcased by Afgin, veteran Ra, and Belgian 16 will keep on smiling for hours! Artists like year old talent Antares. Goasia finishes the Symphonix, DayDin, Andromeda , Odiseo, uptempo part with a platipus like morning track, on Aviron, Liquid Soul, and others produce music the very edge of normal trance. The cd ends with a that touches my heart. Else, I am very fond of fantastic ambient track by Khetzal… Welcome very complex or intricate music like Shift, Pitch back to earth! Hikers, Scorb, Trold. And I share the same love as Jos for psychedelic Ambient. I’m hooked on Let’s go to the new releases now…speak all Will-O-The-Wisp (Cosmic Leaf) at the moment, 2009 reelase by release we wanna know all… and I heard the 6th album of Solar Fields Well, the next year of Suntrip will be a year filled (Ultimae) is out soon. with a lot of releases, more than ever before! First of all we just released a morning-trance Tell us more about the cd you chose for the compilation called Sundrops, with a mix of “old” freezers? artists like Chi-ad, California Sunshine, Virtuart and Well, the Free(ze) cd is simply a showcase of Ra and “new” artists like Antares, Aerosis and what people can expect from our releases. We Artifact 303. In 2009 you can expect the debut album of Merr0w Fabien: I agree. The main criteria is quality, always. around the end of January. A must have for all lovers of Take the Sundrops example: we gathered different fast, super psychedelic crazy euphoric Goa trance. sources, including our usual artists. But, no "a priori" Some people think it sounds like a unique interpretation preference. The artist or the track age didn't count of old school Pleiadians ; madness all over the place as long as the track fitted our compilation "driver". that means! The 3d album of Jannis Tzikas aka Filteria And yes, a relationship based on trust is really great will follow this release. He managed to update his ; and it works! We do everything the legal way, sound and he made his tracks more subtile, the result is naturally. But we are not Sony either, we are a small an amazing album with many complex melodic tracks structure. In order to demarcate and bring and keep with lots of hidden surprises. This will be released the trust, we always did our best to stay close and around early spring 2009. After that you can expect an transparent to every artist, and we always fulfilled album by morning Goa trance master Elad Afgin. After our commitments in a very serious way. On top of it, more than 10 releases on compilations it was about we don’t run the label for the money, so we are time he could showcase his talent for sensitive flexible. One cd sells well? Great, we will be able to melodies and dreamy breaks! offer better advances and promote the next cds in a At the end of 2009 you can probably expect another better way. That’s how we always worked. Artists compilation and we also have E-Mantra from Romania spread the word, and that’s how we could finally working hard on an album. work with artists that had been much deceived in the Fabien: That’s not all: some of our artists are (secretly) past with other labels. working on sequels of their albums, and other producers we know are also working hard to convince What is your opinion about the digital thing us to release full length albums of theirs…to be towards the physical releases… continued. The keyword is: quality. Jos: Tough question, of course the mp3s destroyed a big part of the sales, but as our label started after time big retailers kept rising cds prices We don’t think so… The best way is without any Let’s go to the artist kind of things ….tell us about the big collapse, we didn’t have huge problems with (whereas production costs lowered). And then, doubt: creating good music… if you are really new signings and recurrent artists please. that and we just face the reality of today. This reality the industry opened online stores everywhere. “good”, people will notice you, and you will get Jos: As a label we never forced an artist to become is that there is a large group of people who Seriously, who would pay for some digital music bookings and releases. Of course playing live is exclusive Suntrip artist, simply because we believe it download – illegally- our cds, but some of them, and when it’s available on every p2p? Anyway, great as promotion once your music is very good, gives an artist less freedom, and less freedom means of course another group of people will still buy the young people are big consumers with not much but the music is still the first thing! less good music… But we do have a core group of physical releases to support the label, artists and money, and older people trust physical media’s, artists of course that can always release their tracks more important, the music! Also a small group of but a broadband connection is now the price of albums on our label if we like it: this “core” group are at people request good quality digital files that they can 2-3 cds. What’s happening is not rocket the moment Filteria, Ra, Khetzal, Goasia, Dimension 5, buy. So, the logical conclusion of this situation is that science! Back in 2005/06 we saw many Psy Merr0w Ka-sol and of course the ones that will release an we will keep releasing physical Cds with Suntrip in labels collapse. We stayed healthy by So tell us about you. And where does the name album in the future on Suntrip: Merr0w, Afgin and E- the future for sure, but we also decided to sell our privileging quality and people supported us, Merr0w come from? Mantra. But lately we are in touch with a very big releases digitally in various forms via our Suntrip indeed. Maybe it sounds like pride, but we Merr0w: Brice, 28, single. I’m living alone, close to amount of artists for future compilations, both trance site. never put any filler in our releases. Many Paris ; I always lived there. and/or ambient. And of course there are chances we people obviously download to “try before buy”, agree with some of them for future albums, if that is the Fabien: I agree except that I think we started when you know. If they only like 1-2 tracks, they’ll Ah yeah, many people ask that question : case, our website will enlighten you. everyone was downloading already. At the same archive the release somewhere on their « Merr0w ? ». Merrow is actually some Gaelic: it’s harddisk. If they like 7-8 tracks, they’ll buy it. like a chimera or a mermaid. In Greek mythology, a We’re not fooling the audience either! siren was any one of a group of sea nymphs who lured mariners to destruction on the rocks Jos: On a more personal level you have to surrounding their island by their sweet singing. know we are both big music-collectors. Which means we both have 1000+ cds at home, so we are for sure lovers of “old school” cds and For how long have you been a Suntrip fellow? physical artwork for various reasons. So we Have you released some music already? would choose cds always over digital files. Also, Merr0w: I looked for an oldschool label for quite as a DJ I cannot understand the people that are some time, as a few years ago, only FullOn and willing to bring a laptop to a party, and simply Dark labels existed. I didn’t know where to look for, let the computer do the DJ-work mostly with and my music wasn’t mature enough anyway. I illegal rips… some things really became too easy. The only thing we can hope is that the cd had a few ideas but it stayed below my or digital sales will stay stable now so the future expectations! of the music is certain! I’ve known Suntrip for something like 4 years and Fabien: Right, we want DJs that can tell a it’s a pleasure to see such a motivated label. I story! Computers can’t. already released “Utopian Society” with them on the “Twist Dreams” compilation in early 2007. Is the live performing the best way to enter Besides, I worked with the group Moaï when I the music world and get promoted..? started making music. too or only Live? What part of your live acts are [for space reasons, this part of the interview And about the world? Politics? The financial What is your musical background? For how long actually “live”? was removed from in the Freeze issue. ] crisis? have you been making music? Merr0w: I never play in France, but if anyone from Merr0w: The world feels down, but that’s not new. Merr0w: I’ve been into electronic music’s for 10 years. I there is reading this, please don’t hesitate to book What message are you trying to pass? Is it Nowadays, even love is a “product”. You get love working on each and every sound to have me, thanks! Else I played abroad a few times, and an ode to the creatures of the sea? married; you divorce 5 years later for anything; and something sounding perfectly right to my ears, and am going to present my album in exclusivity at the Merr0w: What message I’m trying to pass? Oh you pass to the next one! modeling it till it reaches a meaning in its own… “Trance Dimensions” party in Belgium in December! well, that’s simple: never forget to dream, and About the financial crisis, no way this was not I practice mixing sometimes, but that’s only personal use your imagination, fly away! And for predicable; and I have thoughts of sympathy for all What is your gear made up of? and I think there are many more skilled DJs to do instance, I wanted something particular in the these Americans that lost everything there. The Merr0w: I have a PC with a ton of programs and some that job. album artwork, that would recall somehow positive side is when you’re at the trough of the VST plugins. I also have a synthesizer, with a midi In a Live, however, the computer must allow me to Atlantis ruins, and all the mysteries that lie on wave, you’re bound to ride back to the crest. But controler, a beatbox, a sampler… Nothing exceptional, tweak my “live” sequences. Else, it deals with the set the oceans’ floors. No one knows what could when? it’s only a matter of know-how and patience to me. timeline, naturally. My task is to add my little unique hide there. touch by playing or controlling some sequences with Oh, just grab the Suntrip Mix with this Where do you see yourself in 10 or 15 years? Hearing your sound, you surely have influences. some synth or midi keyboard. magazine, find a scuba, and dive to track 4. Merr0w: Married and happy, with a Mermaid ! What kinds of music (techno or not) do you listen « Poseidon Lullaby » will be released on “Born to? Do you make a living out of music? What are you looking for when playing live? Underwater”. Despite its name, it’s a 148bpm Merr0w: I have a lot of interest in and I get my Merr0w: I love being in contact with the crowd, and track! inspiration from movies soundtracks. I am fond of Hans naturally, I love when my work has some blasting Zimmer work, John Williams, and also Mark Snow’s effect on the people. I wish there is alays a I see you’re going to be released on CD talent. The first pioneers in the eighties too : Jean communion between us. only. What’s your opinion about online Michel Jarre, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Enigma…and music and the mp3 downloading thus, sometimes, I happen to compose totally different Well, ok, so we wish you the best so that phenomena? things than only psytrance music. Ok, I won’t deny I am promoters will invite you to play after your Merr0w: I believe one must live in its time. You also influenced by Pleiadians, Astral Projection and album is out. So, tell us about that debut album ! can’t stop it now. The MP3 is everywhere and MFG..and on top of it Union Jack and that once Merr0w: It’s been 2 years now that I’m working on so much more handy than having a CD player fabulous label: Platipus! this album and I went through many ordeals with it. I with you. It enables producers like me to spread Unfortunately, I don’t make a living out of music…yet. had to move a few times, following a break up that their music better throughout the world. literally put me “out of order” and other personal Though, it’s important to find a common ground How do you position yourself in the scene? What concerns after some cancelled acts. After these between the artist and the listener, and that will are you trying to reach? failures, here is nice baby to come. Its name is “Born take a lot of time! By the way, the Suntrip shop Merr0w: I don’t know how to position myself. Maybe Underwater” and it will contain 10 tracks, with names will open soon, maybe you’ll find “Born « yet another electronic artist », but I’d be pleased to like “Atlantis”, “Mermaid’s Twin Sister”, “Aquarius”, Underwater” there too. bring something new. All I’m looking for is bringing the “Blue Planet”… The album will be released by mid- listener far away. Setting up a stage for him, and build a january on Suntrip Records. There should be After this album, what are your plans? Make story across my tracks. extracts of them all on www.suntriprecords.com by a break? Start with more music? New the time this interview is printed. directions? New collaborations? When I listen to your music, it’s like…WOW…where Merr0w: Yes, I have many things in store, does it come from? Any special recipe for including tracks I had composed with that other inspiration? group when I began, and that never saw the Merr0w: Well, I may be influenced by an image, a light. I think I’ll take a break anyways, and dream, some landscape, but essentially from a mix of probably start with another album. I have a legends, mythology, mysterious phenomena’s, or couple of ideas… movies. I never take drugs, and I need to be totally neat when I compose or do anything else, and project myself into reaching my musical wishes. You have to know it Apart from that, what are your thoughts takes me a lot of time to elaborate a track, and no about the Psytrance scene in general? matter what you say, there will always be a difference Merr0w: Personally, I don’t understand some between a track finished in 4 days and another one movements like the FullOn or the Dark refined for 3 months! I’m very hard with myself, psytrance. I see no musical research. All constantly looking for quality, and I don’t want to sounds are the same, this becomes pathetic. I compose music like other “cash-factories”. find that scene boring; although they like it very much in France. I’m obviously not French! Do you play a lot in France or abroad? Do you DJ