We caught up with Arty to talk trance music, Anjunabeats, EDM tattoos and A$AP Rocky. His new single “Grand Finale” featuring Fiora is now available to purchase worldwide through Beatport.
Trance music’s popularity is growing and overall style of the genre is rapidly changing. How would you say it compares to a year ago?
Yeah you’re right, which is such a cool thing. I think the music that the likes of Mat for example are making is better formed than the trance of before. It’s all about great production, good hooks and strong melodies. All the elements that a fan can connect with… it’s an exciting time for a lot of producers.
Anjunabeats is trance music. Can you describe what it was like when the label originally approached you and how that made you feel?
Unbelievable, to be honest. Imagine being a 16, 17-year old boy and your favorite label approaching you. It opened up so many doors so fast, which they helped me to handle as I was still young. My career owes a lot to them.
Is this the reason why you wanted to get back to your old sound and focus on melodies and harmonies?
In a sense, yeah… from my first releases it was all about that. It’s kind of a looking back, looking forward thing with ‘Grand Finale’. Feels nice to listen to approach of the old stuff with a fresh mind.
I saw recently you posted a picture of a fan with an Arty tattoo. What does it mean to you when someone is willing to permanently add your art to their body?
I mean, that’s almost the ultimate compliment you know – liking music so much that you want it to be a part of you. Not something I would ever do but mad respect to that fan. He’s got that for life so either he was crazy drunk or he’s my biggest fan… I hope the last one! Haha!
You’ve worked with Nadia Ali, Chris James and now Fiora. How do you select which vocalists you’re going to work with? Do you build a track around their voice or build the track first and find someone who fits?
I usually make the track and then find someone who fits – nearly always. With Fiora, I’ve been a fan for a very long time and she has this diversity / range that matched perfectly with ‘Grand Finale’ – she sounds like a fresh voice with her more underground stuff but also conjures images of the past from her tracks with Moguai and Armin.
I’ve worked with some amazing vocalists – it’s always such a great feeling to find that person who just suits your record.
Who is the one artist in the world you’d love to collaborate with the most?
At the moment…maybe Porter Robinson, Disclosure maybe…that’s a long shot! I have a new track with Mat Zo that I am very excited for you guys to hear.
If someone from hip hop like an A$AP Rocky came up to you tomorrow and said, “Hey I want to work with you.” What would you say?
I would be like what?! A$AP likes my tunes?! There is kinda no way but if so, I would say bring it on. A$AP ARTY has a good ring to it I think.
All of the big names in dance music are releasing albums, when it’s a singles driven market. Today careers are made off of singles, not albums. What do you think goes into album creation and when can we expect one from you?
It’s always the plan… but no set date. Dance music is single driven because we are so busy touring all the time. Producing an amazing album is tough because of the time, but I think you must have a concept that is strong and that you believe in. Then the tracks will just flow…
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