He is an artist you will be wanting to know more about because he's broken onto the trance scene with some stunning releases and remixes over the past year or so like 'Airport' and 'Tic Tac'. We went to find out more about this man they called the Photographer...
In the space of just over three years Dmitry Chumak has been making big headlines in the trance scene with his Photographer project. Its not pretty pictures he takes, but beautiful music that he makes. His production career began back in late 2010 when he releases ‘Takeoff’ on the little known Cyrstal Source Recordings label. Since that initial release, which got a lot of trance DJ’s hairs on end he has appeared on the Armada, Redux, Breathe Music, Digital Society and Monster labels. You may know him for his remixes as he’s not released that many solo tracks to date. When he does the outcome is nothing short of spectacular with solo tunes like ‘Airport’, ‘Tic Tac’ and ‘Night Rush’. He is one very in demand producer and has featured in the set list of many high profile jocks like Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk. It’s about time we did an interview then, which Dmitry was only too happy to oblige.
i:Vibes: Dmitry thanks for talking to i:Vibes.nu. Where are you at the moment and what trance track at the moment has been giving you the most goose bumps and excitement?
Dimitry: Hi, I am in my studio now, working on some new stuff for further releases. For last time one of my favourites tracks it is Maison and Dragen - Chinese New Year. Not very fresh release but I really like it.
i:Vibes: At the moment with your project photographer, you are one of the hot trance acts at the moment. Do you feel like a star photographer that has just landed another amazing photo on the cover of a magazine with your success of your music?
Dimitry: Honestly I don’t feel so, I even not thinking about this, I just do what I want
i:Vibes: You have been making music for some years now and come from the Ukraine. Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Dimitry: As I remember, approximately in year 2006 I discovered for my self A State Of Trance and it was а turning point in my life, so Armin van Buuren did I think:)
i:Vibes: What was the defining moment in music where you knew that you wanted to make trance music?
Dimitry: It all happened by itself, I never thought about it, I had feeling like I know what to do.
i:Vibes: So far in your young career you have been focusing more in remixes than producing singles. Are you still working on defining your sound and just feeling more comfortable with production before releasing more singles or is remixing just in your blood now? Your remixes have been very successful
Dimitry: In some extent yes, I am still working on defining my sound, I use to spend a lot of time looking for some new and interesting techniques, tricks that could improve sound so I do not want to rush to release lots of my singles until I will not be fully satisfied with its sound.
i:Vibes: Is photography one of your other loves or how and why did you come up with this artist name?
Dimitry: Actually no, I am not related with photography at all and this artist name idea came into my head when I when I realized that all my previous artist names ideas already used. I said to my self jokingly: “Looks like only Photographer like alias was not used. So, what now, to be Photographer? Hmm, why not”
i:Vibes: What is the story behind Airport? It was your breakthrough track. Were you thinking of a certain airport where you had landed and taken off like perhaps Odessa?
Dimitry: I was not thinking about certain airports because I was sailing. I did not thought for long time, this track name visited my head by itself and it seemed to me that this name is very suitable for this track.
i:Vibes: When you listen to an old track like ‘Take Off’, which was your first own release in 2010 are you surprised how fit you already were? The sounds are very defined and crisp and it doesn’t sound like your first release?
Dimitry: I was not trying to release my first track as soon as possible. I spent lots of time working on other projects, improving my skills… “Take Off” was the first my track that I was satisfied with and I decided that it was worthy to be my first single.
i:Vibes: With Kervansaray, you produced an uplifting bomb. The track just keeps the listener ready for more and then comes the next amazing part in the break. How long did it take to make this track and what was most difficult in getting the track perfect for you?
Dimitry: Honestly I don’t remember how long I was working on it. One day I made the main theme then for some time I was distracted for some other projects and after some time i got back to it. For me is very hard to stay fully satisfied with each track that I am finishing, probably like many other producers I look on my music in a little bit other way so each time when I am listening to my stuff I am trying to analyse it, I am trying to understand what was necessary to improve or to fix. Like this can continue too long so it necessary to understand when it is time to stop :)
i:Vibes: On Tic Tac, you went in a different direction with your sound still very much straight forward and banging, but away from the uplifting. Was this more of an experimental track?
Dimitry: Yes, exactly “Tic Tac” was like experimental track
i:Vibes: What future releases can we can expect from Photographer on the solo and remix front?
Dimitry: In future releases I want to concentrate more on my solo stuff, collaborations and less remixes.
i:Vibes: You remixed Rise from Talla 2XLC. The original was already very well done. How difficult was it doing this remix?
Dimitry: Usually working o remixes some time the most difficult part for me it is to understand from the beginning what I want to do with it and to imagine the final result because it is much easier to work when you know what you doing. So I also encountered with this when I was working on remix for “Rise”.
i:Vibes: Recently you also did a great remix for Bluefire who is a resident DJ of the famous Technoclub in Frankfurt, Germany of Talla 2XLC. It seems like much unites you with this club since you have done remixes. When will you give your debut in the Technoclub? I am sure the people would be flashed by your gig.
Dimitry: I wish to give my debut gig it Technoclub right now :) But unfortunately can not say exactly when it will happen. My schedule for the end of this year is not fully completed so I hope that may be I will get to Technoclub before NY.
i:Vibes: Your new remix for Aly& Fila’s ‘Laliy’. This is amazing with your experimentation with sounds. It has techno and acid influences in it. Are you at a stage now where you will surprise with new styles every so often in future releases?
Dimitry: Yes, that is what I want to do in future releases.
i:Vibes: Every artist raves about the scene in Argentina. Last season you played in Buenos Aires with Aly & Fila at the FSOE 300 event. What memories do you have of this event?
Dimitry: This is like one of the warmest memories; really want to return there again and again
i:Vibes: What are your five all time favourite tracks?
Dimitry: The Doppler Effect - Beauty Hides In the Deep (John O’callaghan Remix), Armin van Buuren feat. Susana - Shivers (Original Mix), Super8 & Tab - Helsinki Scorchin (A.L.E.X. Morph Remix), Simon Patterson - F16 (Original Mix) Dumonde - Human (Ill Skillz Remix)
i:Vibes: If you were to play your last DJ set tomorrow, with what track would you end your set with?
Dimitry: The Doppler Effect - Beauty Hides In the Deep (John O’callaghan Remix) this is my favourite track of all times.
i:Vibes: Thanks Dmitry for the chat. We hope to see you in Germany soon.