Chris Fortier, half of Fade and superb producer, remixer, and DJ is here to talk to i:Vibes about his latest Bedrock compilation, the top guys at the moment as well as upcoming Fade remixes.

i:Vibes: Anyway, can you start us off by giving us a bit of background info on yourself in your own words?

Chris Fortier: I am originally from Melbourne, Florida. moved to Orlando in 1990 to go to college. Shortly before moving, I started buying records, and a year later (1991), I managed to get my first residency in a club and since then I have been DJing for over 11 years. I started Fade Records, my label, in 1994; and then started Balance Promote Group in '96 and have since travelled all over the world playing different clubs each weekend.

i:Vibes: Your recent outing has been your superb Bedrock 003 compilation CD, which is the first you've done on Bedrock. How was it like to put together a compilation album and what are your thoughts on it?

Chris Fortier: I have done 4 albums before this one with all of them being single CDs which is unlike The bedrock CD (which is a double) and this was great because it gave me a chance to go further with the music. I have had records waiting to be used for this type of CD and was happy to be able to finally get this music onto one of my albums. I am extremely pleased with the final mix of which I spent alot of time looking for tracks and trying make it just right. I am really happy with it and I dont think I could have made it any better myself.

i:Vibes: What was your reaction, when you were asked to remix the next Bedrock album, with it being one of the most famous labels out there.

Chris Fortier: I wasnt expecting it the day he asked; I thought one day I might do one, but didnt know when. I have been friends with John for almost 10 years and we speak on the phone almost every day. He has been a huge supporter of mine over the years and helped me out alot and this can be seen as an extension of that support. He has a great label wanting to break great music and this has given me the ultimate platform to do it on.

i:Vibes: Being from Orlando and having the influence from the North American style of progressive music in your DJing and also your productions. And at the same time you've had a significant amount of exposure to the global scene. How does the North American scene compare to that of let's say Europe or Asia?

Chris Fortier: I was DJing before progressive was called progressive, before it existed. Orlando had alot to do with the start and development of progressive house and trance in the USA. We were probably the first to discover and develop the sound in '91/'92. this is probably why Sasha and John fell in love with Orlando right away and played there so frequently. I have been there since day one, so I do feel that I have had an influence on the direction of the sound, especially in America. Being involved with it and its development has enabled me to get my own worldwide exposure; that and the studio productions and remixes I have done. The USA is definitely a strong place in the global scene and there are some amazing clubs and cities to play here. It is fresh and exciting and you can really feel it growing and building; the same can be said for Asia or Latin America. In the UK and Europe, they have had electronic music so long, it is a mainstay for them and a part of their culture.

i:Vibes: Little known is that you are part of the production duo known as 'Fade', who have just remixed Tiesto's In My Memory and previously, Delerium's "Silence". The sound which Fade puts out is slightly different from what we would expect from you; how do you describe the aims of the sound of Fade, and what is the current standing point of the Fade album?

Chris Fortier: We just try to make lush and atmospheric house music, trying to push ourselves to make something different then we did before. I like so many different kinds of music, so we are put all those influences together and have come up with our own twist. If I had to describe it, I would hope it would be subtle and infectious grooves with builds the lift you up with a pleasing finish. The Fade album is still being worked on but it is tough because i live in New York now and Nei (Kolo) lives in Orlando still. We have about 15 tracks done and a few more to go. At the moment we have an album deal for it and thought it would come out this year, but I actually think now it will be early next year (2003). This is because of the other commitments i have with Bedrock and my DJing.

i:Vibes: If you had to describe the sound of the global dance industry at the moment, what would you have to say? And who do you see as being the biggest producers / DJs / artists out there at the moment?

Chris Fortier: There isnt one sound for the entire world. all of us want to just make great music and play it to people who want to hear it. It only has to be good and played well for people to respond, and that is my goal. Some of my favorite producers now are Steve Porter, Chab, Presslaboys, Haris, Jimmy van M, Randall Jones, Luke Fair, I-jack, Sasha and of course Digweed.

i:Vibes: In terms of other productions, remixes and compilations, what more can we expect from yourself in the near future?

Chris Fortier: my main focus is the Bedrock album right now which is released June 11 in America. I dont know if I will do another one this year. They want me to, but I think I would rather wait until next year. Remixes, well we have a few Fade ones and I have a couple solo ones:

DJ Tiesto - In My Memory (Fade Remix)
Andy Hunter - Amazine (Fade Remix)
PQM - Everyday (Chris Fortier Remix)
Karen Lehner - Made to Order (Chris Fortier Remix)
Lovesky - Runaway (Chris Fortier Remix)
Chris Fortier - Losing Wait


i:Vibes: Your all time favourite record?

Chris Fortier: Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (Paul Oakenfold Remix)

i:Vibes: Current favourite?

Chris Fortier: JvM - Forget Time (Prawler Remix)

i:Vibes: The biggest DJs at the moment?

Chris Fortier: The favorite DJs are Digweed, Sasha, Jimmy van M, Sean Cusick, DJ Three, Luke Fair, Steve Porter, John Debo, Doc Martin

i:Vibes: And the rising stars?

Chris Fortier: Luke Fair and Steve Porter - both amazing

i:Vibes: If you had to choose a partner for a back-to-back session, who would you choose?

Chris Fortier: Jimmy van M, Steve Porter or John Debo

i:Vibes: How big is the influence from the Internet on the whole scene in your opinion? Do they have the power to break or make a track? And what about the surging influence of mp3s on a global level?

Chris Fortier: The internet has had a huge impact. It is helping the music spread faster and tracks get bigger then they would have before the internet. It does have its drawbacks as well and I hope that the industry can find a happy medium for both the work together and everyone to be satisfied with how it works for them.

i:Vibes: Finally, what more would you like to add to this? And what words of wisdom do you have for the readers?

Chris Fortier: Keep the faith of the music and do it for the right reasons.

i:Vibes: Thanks Chris, hope everything's cool with you and best of regards,