JOHN LAWLESS
How long have you been producing dance music? ”I’m a trained classical pianist and I only got into dance music a few years ago. I’ve done a bit of DJing, but I’m really more of a producer. I released ‘Infinity’ only as a promo on my own label in 1996 and I got a great response to that; it was just before Robert Miles released ‘Children’. I decided to set up my own studio to produce my own stuff and collaborate with other DJs but have it all under my own control. It looks like I have the goods, what it takes, so I’m working on new material at the moment.” |
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Setting up studio is a pretty serious move…
”Yeah, but it’s the only way to do it; I knew I had what it takes, but going into a rented studio takes away some of the control over what you do because you’re on borrowed time; you can see with producers like Ferry Corsten that they’re completely in control of their sound and you can hear that.”
So who have you collaborated with?
”I’ve actually worked with Hugh Drumm from Specimen (one of the other short listed acts), he’s one of the best engineers around, that was a great experience. I’ve also worked with producers from Germany and Spain. I’m building up my skills at the moment so hopefully I’ll get to work with some big names eventually!”
Have you approached any other labels?
”I’ve sent a few things out, but I’ve got to record more material as well; the problem in Ireland is that dance music production has only taken off in the last few years; Sonarstate has shown that there’s so much talent out there but there’s no industry, infrastructure or support for what we do.”
Is that why you entered Sonarstate?
”A few other people I know applied for it as well and it seemed like a way to get my music heard. I looked at what they were offering and thought ‘I wouldn’t mind that!’ “
Your entry was very trance oriented. Do you make any other styles of music?
”I make six or seven different styles, and at the moment I’m trying to narrow it down into one distinctive style, perfect that and start pushing it. I originally made just trance, but I wanted to diversify what I do. I think the music I’m making at the moment has a real Balearic feel, so let’s see what people make of it this summer. That’s what I’m aiming for; trance with a soft, ethnic touch.”
Do you find it hard to stand out form all the other trance producers?
”It’s a lot of work and you have to perfect it, but I think the raw material is there, it’s a question of focusing on what you really want. I get confused sometimes when I’m making a track and I hear a really good element and think that’s what I want to do! It’s a question of discipline too.”
Would you be pleased if you won?
”Of course! I’m still doing a day job, but making music is taking up more and more of my spare time. I work every weekend and whenever I get a chance during the week too. For the last year or so I’ve been working that much, so if I win it’ll all have been worth it. It’s every producer’s dream where you’re making music for a living. When you’ve got a label behind you, there’s more freedom to do what you want, you just go into the studio and bang out the tracks.”
If you don’t win what’ll you do next?
”Don’t worry, I’ll keep going! I’ve a few things in the pipeline; I’ve been talking to a few other labels – it would be silly not to have other plans, but Sonarstate is the one I really want. Once you have a label like Sony behind you, you’ve won the battle. The attention you’ll get is unbelievable.”
