How did you get started?
I've always been into music. I think it's in my blood. I began playing guitar at a very early age, joining my first band in the sixth grade. In 1992, a good friend of mine (David Roy of Southmore House in Houston) persuaded me to attend my first party. At the time, I hated it. I was very into metal, and the whole guitar virtuoso thing. However, it did open my ears and mind to the possibilities of electronic sound. I began listening to more industrial type stuff, and electronic dance music. I was still jamming with bands, but I was also attending more and more parties. It began to effect my work sonically, as I was really into (and still am into) creating really bizarre sounds. By 1997, I had picked up my first pair of decks, but it was a job transfer to Dallas that was really the catalyst in my transformation to electronic music artist. I didn't have anyone to jam with, you see, so I purchased my first piece of hardware (a Roland MC-303) to create backing tracks to my guitar work. I continued buying more and more gear, and at the same time honing my djing skills. Eventually, it all evolved into what I do today.
How much have you changed musically since you started?
Well when I first started djing, I was really into acid techno ala Stay Up Forever, Smitten, as well as progressive stuff like the old releases off of Platipus. In 1998, I discovered Hallucinogen's Gamma Goblins. I was utterly blown away. I was like, "This is it! This is what I've been looking for in EDM!" As Goa evolved into psy trance, I moved right along with it, but always with my own take on the sound. I am in a constant state of change I suppose. I'm never pleased with my work and I hate to remain stagnant - especially in my production. It can always be better.
What kind of music can we expect to hear from you?
Hard-dark-twist-your-brain psy trance. I use music as a way to cleanse, purge those inner demons. I take all of the negative, the anger, the hate and hurt, and get rid of it through music instead of projecting it back out into my life. However, I'm also a big believer in the music fitting the moment and the flow of the evening, so it really depends on the crowd and what type of time slot I've been given. I suppose I should say hard dark psy trance is what I'm best known for.
How does Dallas compare to the rest of the globe when it comes to Psy trance? Where do you think the music is headed?
Hahahaha… America is one of the least infected nations in the world. Psy trance parties pull thousands and thousands all over the world: Israel, UK, South Africa, Mexico, Japan... You're lucky if you get 200 people out to a party in Texas. However, there is a strong and ever-growing scene here in Dallas. The people here who are into it are very close-knit and dedicated, and truly love the music. I wish more people would give it a chance, though, instead of submitting to the "trance stigma". I love Dallas, and really wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the United States right now. We have so much potential here to do great things!
As far as where the music is heading, it would almost be better to ask the Magic 8-Ball. One of the great things about psy trance and the artists involved with its production is the willingness to experiment, to push things as far to the edge as possible. They blend genres and break boundaries like breathing air. I have however seen a trend toward a more club-savvy formula driven sound, but then also a push back toward the dark twisted nighttime sound… It's anybody's guess where it will be next month, or in a year.
