KENN COLT X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [CREATIVE PROCESS, MEMORABLE MOMENT, UPCOMING PROJECTS]

Originally from Belgium, the talented producer has been based in Valencia mastering his production craft for some time now. Incorporating elements of Latin house into his tech house sound to arrive at a sonic profile that stands out amongst the rest. As a DJ, producer, radio show host and label boss, Colt tirelessly works to expand and broaden his horizons as a music producer in the scene. Colt is a resident DJ at Club Versuz and has performed at the biggest and best festivals around the world, including the likes of Tomorrowland, Ultra South Korea, Sunburn Festival and many others. His unique sound mind-blowing work ethic have garnered the attention of David Guetta and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, both of which Colt has had the pleasure of supporting for! We had the pleasir

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello Kenn, glad to have you on Canadianravers. How are you and where are you talking to us from?

KC: Hello from Valencia, Spain! It's great to be here on Canadianravers. I'm doing well, thank you. Hope you’re having a fantastic week as well?!

CR: Your "Chan Chan" track is generating significant popularity and positive feedback. What was the inspiration behind this particular song, and why do you think it resonates so strongly with your audience?

KC: Chan Chan was inspired by my love for Spanish/latin music and the culture. I recently just got back from a 3-month tour in Latin America. During that tour, I finished the production of Chan Chan. I was inspired a lot by their local music, classics and new ones. I also enjoy watching a lot of street musicians! I infused these experiences into the production of the track.

CR: Can you walk us through your creative process when producing a new track? Are there any rituals or specific routines you follow to get inspired?

KC: My creative process is pretty laid-back. I don't have any specific routines or rituals. Instead, I just go with the flow and let life inspire me. Whatever's happening around me – whether it's where I'm living, what I'm into at the moment, or any big life events – that's what I use to fuel my music. It's all about keeping it real and letting my experiences shine through in my tracks.

CR: Your collaborations with various vocalists have resulted in some incredible tracks. How do you approach establishing a connection and synergy with these vocalists to bring your shared vision to life?

KC: Collaborating with vocalists is all about building a strong connection and synergy. We get to know each other, share ideas, and find a shared vision for the track. It's a collaborative process where we bounce ideas off each other and bring our creativity together to make something truly special.

CR: Your music often conveys strong emotions and messages. What motivates you to infuse these elements into your work, and how do you hope it impacts your listeners?

KC: Whether it's joy, sadness, or reflection, I want listeners to feel something when they hear my tracks. For me that is the power of good music. Ultimately, I hope my music leaves a lasting impression so that when they experience certain emotions, they know they can turn to my music to find a perfect match for their mood.

CR: Your performances are known for creating an electrifying energy among the crowd. Can you share a memorable moment or interaction with a fan that has stayed with you throughout your career?

KC: Not sure if they're considered fans- but my family and friends watching my show for the first time is something that I will treasure forever. Their support means the world to me, and seeing them there filled me with joy. It reminded me of how far we've come together.
During the time and releases, seeing fans appearing to each of my shows, getting a tattoo of my logo or even the lyrics on their body, that’s another level. For me it confirms that my music is touched by people and that I’m helping them to smile or putting them in a certain mood/vibe.

CR: Each of your tracks seems to have a distinct vibe and atmosphere. How do you go about choosing the right sounds and elements to create a cohesive sonic experience for your listeners?

KC: I just go with the flow and let life inspire me. Whatever's happening around me – whether it's where I'm living, what I'm into at the moment, or any big life events – that's what I use to fuel my music. It's all about keeping it real and letting my experiences shine through in my tracks.

CR: Electronic music is constantly evolving. How do you see the genre's future unfolding, and what excites you most about its direction?

KC: It changed a lot and it’s a very very exiting change that happened the last few months/years towards electronic dance music. It’s impossible to predict the future but I do love the way that it’s currently heading to.

CR: Finally, any final words for our readers regarding any upcoming projects?

KC: I have lots of plans for 2024, and definitely more music is coming soon. Lots of collaborations too so I’m very excited. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and new music by following me on my socials!   

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vSNFAo2h20zd3HOBcM8BX?si=__AH4uF_RROGIzuw134yBg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kenncolt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenncolt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenncolt

LIGHTNING ROUND FOR KENN COLT

CR: Favourite Fast Food? Kebab

CR: Go to meal when you’re sick? Pasta bolognaise.

CR: Favourite drink to order? Vodka Lemon

CR: First Rave/Show as an attendee? Tiesto in Concert in 2004

CR: First celebrity crush? Megan Fox

CR: Favourite comic book character? Batman

CR: All-time favourite song? Need to feel loved (Adam K & soha remix)

CR: Go to vacation spot? Thailand, Brazil (Floripa, Camboriú), Lima (for food), Bolivia (for nature), Kroatia and of course Spain!

CR: What is your guilty pleasure? Food, 100% food.

CR: What is your hidden talent? I speak 4 languages so I can help myself in most parts of the world.

CR: Which social platform do you use a lot? I use Instagram mainly, but I try to minimize my social media usage.

GIUSEPPE OTTAVIANI INTERVIEW - ELECTRIC ESCAPE X CANADIAN RAVERS X SLEEPLESS EVENTS X RWND ENTERTAINMENT @ THE FORBIDDEN CITY

On Friday, October 20, 2023, I had the opportunity of interviewing the Trance legend Giuseppe Ottaviani from Italy at The Forbidden City downtown in Toronto. Giuseppe has been on tour all throughout the year and is well known for his blend of tech and trance infused with uplifting melodies. As a producer, Giuseppe currently has eight albums. That’s right! Eight albums! With his latest album named Horizons with 3 parts to it.

For those of you that don’t know Giuseppe Ottaviani, he has been a producer for more than a decade and has come to Toronto a handful of times. From Toika back in the day to Pure Trance with Solarstone and even bringing GO Live 2.0 at U4RIA. Giuseppe has literally been evolving his game and sound throughout the years.

In 2009, he made a significant mark in the Trance scene with his debut solo album, "GO!" Which showcases his love and passion for music, thus establishing a reputation as a new DJ to follow. In the years to come after, he released even more albums including "Magenta" in 2014, "ALMA" in 2016, and "Evolver" in 2019, all which demonstrated Giuseppe's ability to procreate more blends of melodic pieces that are indulged with driving beats, while creating a signature sound that brings you Giuseppe’s style!

Not being confined to the studio, Giuseppe is renowned for his captivating live performances from sets on his tour all throughout the world to his GO Live 2.0 sets and GO Live 3.0 sets. Giuseppe continues to evolve his sound while remaining committed to his style by bringing his own versions of live sets, if you ever have a chance to see any of these LIVE shows! I totally recommend you do it!

That night, Giuseppe played a 4-hour set at The Forbidden City. That’s right, 4 hours! What a blessing that we in Toronto get this, considering the year before at Nomad, we had it then as well. From 11pm – 3am. Giuseppe just kept the crowd going with his blends of tech and trance together. Especially with one of his newer releases at that time “Tears of the Kingdom” with Alex Sonata & TheRio. And surely with a 4-hour set. Most people were there from start to finish! At the end of the night, I had a chance to have a quick interview with Giuseppe Ottaviani himself. Must I say, I had a lot of questions for him considering it was a long night and long set! So, with limited time, I had a hard time choosing what to ask! Haha. So here it goes, I hope you all enjoy it.

THE INTERVIEW!

Can you tell us about yourself and your musical journey as a live-performer and musician.

GO: As a live performer, I’ve reduced the amount of shows I’m doing currently because it takes a lot of time and preparation, especially with the new live 3.0. With that it takes a month of prep before the show, so I can only do five shows per year. Otherwise, every show would sound the same whereas I want every show to sound 95% completely new.

On the brighter side, I’ve been embracing more of the DJ life. I usually don’t play long sets but I’m doing it now. The break I had during the pandemic changed my mind, it opened my mind to different sounds and exploring new things. Thus, I came out with an album called “Horizons” for exploring new horizons.

And the good thing that I like now is that different genres and subgenres are meeting in the middle. Especially when there’s a great melody in every single track you hear nowadays. For example, if you go to Beatport, they have different genres like progressive house, melodic techno, big time techno, mainstage, trance and so much more. Basically, you can grab tracks from every different genre and put them together into one single set and it works.

What I really like now is that there’s a common ground for all these different tracks with their melodies, and that’s why I’m open to playing longer sets. I enjoy playing music from other people too and about 90% of the tracks I’ve played tonight were from other people. Although I do take all the tracks to my studio to have them retouched up in my way. I’m never super happy with what I find usually, but if I like something, I’ll grab it to make my own version of it. But that’s a DJ thing, like everybody does their own edits.

What I do most of the time when I love a track, especially when it comes to techno or melodic techno. I’ll take the track into my studio to add a big melody in the breakdown, so it comes out as a completely different track. This is what I like to play, and in my set there’s many of these. So good luck if you want to do a track list from tonight but it’s impossible. All in all, I just want to make my own impact.

K: How was it like coming out with Horizons from Part 1 to 3? All within a year too, while managing to remaster your own tracks for the OnAir vibe?

GO: It’s the first time that I’ve made an album and remixed it myself. The reason I did that was because of a transition phase. These days, the crowd is more accepting to all the different things you play. For some reason, before the pandemic, if you were an uplifting trance DJ, that’s what you play no matter what. So, in 2020-2021, it was kind of a transition period for me. I didn’t want to shock my fans coming from 138 BPM all the way down to 124. So, I took the time to remix every single song of the album into a 138 uplifting style so that everybody’s happy.

K: Are there any plans to do more Horizon shows? Or Live 3.0 shows? Hopefully we can get a GO Live 3.0 show in Toronto sometime as well! 

GO: Yeah of course. I usually play a one-hour main stage set, but I enjoy doing longer sets now. For example, last weekend I did a three-hour Horizons set. I’m also going to be playing at Dreamstate, and recently they announced an after party. So, I will bring the Horizons sounds to the after party and this is the perfect opportunity for me to bring Horizons to a bigger crowd. But for sure, I’ll keep doing this, I usually have my flier posted on Instagram for the tour dates and every now and then you’ll see a Horizons set. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giuseppe Ottaviani (@giuseppeottaviani)

K: Will there ever be a live 4.0 or is there another upgrade? 

GO: I don’t know, it’s a lot of work and for now, I really want to go with the flow. But for the moment, I’m not even thinking about this now. 

K: By the way, I love how you remix everything on top of your tracks. Especially when you play with the keyboards. 

GO: Well, it's not really remixing. I just play the actual track. Basically, the preparation I was talking about earlier is I prepare the set and all the tracks I want to play in the studio, and once I have everything ready with new edits, bootlegs, and new original tracks. I put them into my system, and I play the melodies from those tracks. Nothing super fancy there, but it’s just the live touch I do. 

K: Perhaps remixing was the wrong word. It's more like playing an instrument on top of your set to give that extra kick on top. What’s the difference between 2.0 and 3.0 by the way? 

GO: Exactly. Well, the main difference is how I play. With the 2.0, I created the music live considering the system was based on loops. I would take the melody and loop it, same with the drums and bass, so everything was very simple to play. With everything being controlled by Ableton, it gave me a different way to play with the music. For that, everything was short-looped where I was playing a few beats, a few melodies and then building the track by launching clips. It was so much fun. Especially since it gave me so many ideas. I even released an album out of the live 2.0 which is called “Evolver”. 

In the end, I felt the energy wasn’t quite there because I felt like all I was playing were just demos. Although it was nice to listen to, there weren’t any big drops or impact that the dance floor required. But sometimes when I play, especially at a big festival, the crowd wants the energy and the live 2.0 wasn’t delivering it because it was missing all those parts of a proper production that’s made in the studio. So, I said, no, I need more. It’s time to change to 3.0 where I prepare the tracks beforehand, so that's the main difference. 

K: I know that last time you played 2.0 here in Toronto was at U4RIA as well. So we got to see that. Being a producer and DJ for many years, I know you've worked with a lot of different artists. Are there any artists that inspire you and you hope to work with one day, or are there any potential collaborations with anyone that you've worked with before? 

GO: Well, talking about who inspires me or who used to inspire me is a thing of the past because as time goes on, your sound evolves. But basically, Paul Van Dyk is my hero. He’s the one that discovered me and inspired me from day one. I’ve got inspiration from him for so many years but nowadays, I'm playing a little bit differently. My inspiration comes from different artists and different experiences. 

But yeah, I have so many collaborations lined up. Like tonight, I played the next single coming out soon with AVAO. Two guys from Revealed Records. There’s also a collaboration coming out with Like Mike and another one with Showtek. Basically, all different names that you wouldn’t expect me to collaborate with. 

K: I know you worked with Showtek before from an Instagram post about it. 

GO: No, I’ve never worked with them before but that’s the track. I’m playing it now but that’s coming out in 2024. I also have other collaborations lined up that I can’t really say much about now. One thing is that when I was stuck with making the album, I couldn’t really do any collaborations at all. So now, I want my freedom. I just want to be free to say hey what's going on? Let’s do a collaboration together! 

K: You don't want to be bound to anything. 

GO: No, I just want to have fun with it. It’s nice to be able to chat with other producers and be like “Whats up? I’ve been working on this track, do you want to have a listen to the demo?”. “Oh I like it! Let’s do this together!”. “Yeah! Why Not!”. Freedom like this, it really feels more fun than work. 

Especially when you’re planning to make an album, it's a big project so you’re planning two years in advance. Imagine having 18 tracks and needing to find collaboration with singers, so you work so hard for so many months. Right now, I’m like what’s happening tomorrow? I don’t care. The album is okay, I can just do a lot of collaborations, lots of new singles and play around with different genres. And that’s what I’m enjoying right now. 

K: Which reminds me, I know you came up with the single Tears of the Kingdom recently with Alex Sonata & TheRio. They're actually here next week for AnjunaBeats After Dark. I was just curious, how was the process in making that song? It was a very good song. The second drop halfway in, it was very dirty, melodic as well and uplifting. 

GO: Well, that’s what I like. You know, no limitations. The guys sent me this melody idea which I liked and tweaked a bit and added a drop. I told them, I know this is for Anjuna but can we go a little bit harder than usual? They said, let’s try it. So, I made that drop and they made it even more techno-ish. I even asked are you guys sure? They’re like yeah yeah yeah, its gotta be right, we can do it. 

K: Just curious, in the drop where it goes like doo-doo-doo. Was that from you?   

GO: Yeah, from me. The piano. It's a little piano touch.   

K: Okay, I love that part. That was like that one small part that made it very melodic. 

GO: Exactly that. That little piano part. And then the vocals, originally it was a sample, some sort of sample from Splice probably. But then we found out someone else already used that. So instead of using the sample, we got a singer who was Tishmal, she got very close to the original sample, adding more lyrics and here we are. 

K: In the end, it all came together. I love that song. It's pretty good, hopefully next week when we're at Anjunabeats, I can hear that song again. 

GO: Oh, the guys are playing? 

K: Yes, AlexSonata & TheRio, Gabriel & Dresden, Kasablanca, MatZo and also Bexxie. It’s a sold out show at History. 

GO: Good, good! That’s cool! 

K: Yeah, thank you for doing this interview. I hope you have a good time in Toronto. 

GO: No worries, I had an amazing time. Thank you. 

At the end of the night, we were wrapping things up and I was glad that I got to interview one of the DJs I’ve been following since 2012. I still remember seeing him at Toika back in the days here in Toronto along with the PureTrance shows we had in Toronto! With the EDM scene evolving. I’m glad Giuseppe is keeping the Trance scene alive! For those that don’t know, if you’re interested in learning about producing as well. Giuseppe actually has a masterclass on his website where you can go through a course to learn the many different concepts that being a producer entails. This masterclass actually has chapters such as Inspiration, Melody Comes First, Making a New Track, Mastering, Remixing, Studio Tips and even more to go through. So check it out if you are one that is looking to up your game at being a master producer and DJ! 

As for “Tears Of The Kingdom” by Giuseppe Ottaviani, Alex Sonata & TheRIo, and Tishmal. Man is it a good song! There’s an extended mix of the song for anyone that loves to listen to the whole masterpiece. The song starts out with a nice bass-y tech-trancy intro. Followed with beautiful vocals by Tishmal and synths building up the next drop. To the drop where it just wants to make you dance with a very deep bass techish beat which feels quite dirty to me and melodic at the same time with the little piano touch that Giuseppe added in! But oh man. I definitely want to shuffle hearing this drop. And hearing this at both during Giuseppe’s set and Alex Sonata & TheRio’s set at Anjunabeats After Dark the week after was so good! 

To Giuseppe Ottaviani, his team and my Electric Escape & Canadian Ravers team. I would just like to take this chance to say. I’m sorry it took me a while to get this all edited and done. Life got busy for me, and then a harder part in life hit when I lost someone special for me. Thus, putting me in a hiatus where I really needed time for myself to come back to reality, especially mentally too. I’m thankful for the support, and I thank all of you for this. I’m thankful that there’s music in to help us feel the emotions we live through in life, as well as give us the drive to keep going and enjoy life. 

Once again, thank you for this opportunity and make sure to follow Giuseppe Ottaviani on his socials! 

Thanks! -Keith Au aka Keyfu

VICTOR RUIZ X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [ TALKING ABOUT HIS IMPRINT 'VOLTA', TALKING ABOUT NEW MUSIC, AND HOW TO KEEP IN IMPRINT RELEVENT]

Victor Ruiz is renowned as a force to be reckoned with in underground electronic music. This talented Brazilian DJ and producer has captivated audiences around the globe with his unique blend of dark, hypnotic techno. With a career spanning over a decade, Victor has solidified his place among the industry's elites. His mesmerizing sets are known for their intricate layers of pulsating beats, eerie melodies, and haunting atmospheres, transporting listeners to a realm where the boundaries between reality and the surreal blur. Combining technical prowess with an innate ability to read the crowd, Victor Ruiz creates an unforgettable experience on the dancefloor, leaving an indelible mark on all who witness his artistry.

As the owner of VOLTA, Victor has painstakingly curated a platform that showcases cutting-edge music from both established artists and emerging talents. With a discerning ear for quality releases, his label has become synonymous with innovation and musical authenticity, attracting a dedicated following of techno enthusiasts worldwide. Victor Ruiz's contributions to the dance music community as a DJ and label owner are a testament to his love and dedication to the art form.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello Victor; glad to have you on Canadianravers. How are you, and where are you talking to us from?

VR: Hey there. Thanks for having me. Surprisingly, I’m at home in Lisbon, Portugal.

CR: What is the primary objective or vision you have for VOLTA, and how does it differ from other labels in the industry?

VR: As VOLTA, we have three main pillars. The first one is the music. We only release music that has great quality and stands out, and we’re very proud of that. Always focusing on new or up-and-coming artists, giving them a platform and space to release their music, which links to the second part, that is the community. By doing that, we’re already creating a community where all the artists are happy and free to do whatever they want, no agenda, no strings attached, no BS. This makes the artists happy to be part of the label and interact with each other. Many artists from the label are already collaborating with themselves without me even going and introducing them. And the third pillar is to help. 10% of our profits go to charities or causes chosen by the artists. We decided to do this way so the artists can start thinking about researching for causes and where/how to help. This already generates an energetic movement of help. The more you share and help others the more you wanna do that and then hopefully inspire the audience to also help.

CR: How do you select the artists you will release on VOLTA? What qualities or characteristics are you looking for in their music?

VR: The music has to be unique and special. When there are formulas and stuff like that, I politely decline. We’re not officially open for demos yet, but somehow some people get to know my emails (hahahaha), and they reach out to me. I appreciate that effort, and I always listen to the music. Also, on Instagram, I listen to people’s music always. But the best way is when a producer I know send me music from other artists. More than often, I have amazing surprises and end up signing great music. Also, they have to be good people J

CR: What genres or styles can we expect to hear from VOLTA releases? Is there a specific sound or aesthetic you aim to curate?

VR: As I said before – we’re in for special and unique music. Mainly in the realm of Techno, but we’re open to crossing genres with Psytrance, Electro, House, Rock or whatever makes sense. We want those nasty tracks that make you face do the “bass face.”

CR: Can you talk to us about the upcoming release ‘Body & Soul’? How did Tao Andra connect with you? This would be her second release on VOLTA.

VR: This is a good example of cross-genre. The main track, ‘Body & Soul’ is more Psytrance than Techno, but it has the construction kind of as a Techno track with all Psy elements. Lots of energy and great on the dance floor. ‘Aura’ is more of a VOLTA track cuz it’s Techno with some Trance vibes, melodic and beautiful with a powerful drop and energy. Right down our alley. We’re very happy to have Tao on the label, not just her productions are great, but her sets are incredibly well-tailored with a lot of energy and personality.

CR: As an artist, how do you balance your own music production with managing the operations of VOLTA? Any particular challenges or rewards that have come with this?

VR: Ah, lots of challenges because I was never taught how to run a label. I’m learning so much every day, and it’s been a year already. Thankfully I’m a very prolific producer, so I don’t need many studio hours to come out with my music. Nonetheless, if I’m not resolving VOLTA affairs, they are in my mind, and it occupies my headspace, which definitely takes away from my creativity. Even though I often forget to answer some emails, I have a great team that helps me a lot in this process.

CR: In what ways do you support and nurture the artists signed to VOLTA, aside from releasing their music? Do you provide mentorship or assistance in their career development?

VR: Yes, totally. I help them with feedback on their music, the direction of their tracks and sometimes even mix-downs when necessary. Quality is paramount, so I think it’s important to invest into that. We all learn in this process, and they can always pass the knowledge on to others. Besides that I get close to them and always support their music and journey, wherever that may lead.

CR: Do you hope to achieve any specific goals or milestones with VOLTA in the coming years?  

VR: We just started our own events, so for sure making special and meaningful events around the world, maybe some stages on big festivals as well and to keep on releasing great music and working with amazing people.

CR: How do you plan on keeping VOLTA fresh and relevant in an ever-evolving industry? Do you have any innovative strategies or ideas in mind?

VR: Always bringing new people to keep it fresh, growing the platform so they can release their music. It’s been working really well so far. I guess the challenge will be to keep on finding new people, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out.

CR: Can you share any exciting collaborations besides the upcoming one that VOLTA has planned, either within the music industry or beyond?

VR: I have one with Alex Stein coming on VOLTA in December 15th named “New Generation,” which is a reinterpretation of an old song of ours that was quite successful, besides I’m finishing an EP with Wehbba, and it’ll be out in February on VOLTA as well. A remix I did for Christian Smith on FILTH ON ACID this November. Then there are some other collaborations with Psytrance artists Waio and Freedom Fighters in the making, plus a super special remix for Liquid Soul’s anthemic track “Crazy People” – also coming out on VOLTA. Lots of new music is coming that I’m very excited about.

LIGHTNING ROUND

1.      Favourite Fast Food? Pizza

2.      Go to meal when you’re sick? Brazilian Chicken Soup (Canja)

3.      Favourite drink to order? Sake as in drink, Pisco Sour as in cocktail, Tequila Añejo as in spirit.

4.      First Rave/Show as an attendee? Show: Motorhead 2003 Rave: InJoy 2015

5.      First celebrity crush? A Brazilian TV presenter named Jackeline Petkovic

6.      Favourite comic book character? Batman

7.      All-time favourite song? Blackbird from The Beatles

8.      Go to vacation spot? Bahia, Brazil

9.      What is your guilty pleasure? Cheeky reality TV shows

10.  What is your hidden talent? I can imitate the helicopter sound with my mouth

11.  Which social platform do you use a lot? Instagram

VICTOR RUIZ SOCIALS:

VOLTA SOCIALS: