DJ & producer Darren Tate, famous for Angelic, Orion, ... sits down and answer a few questions about various topics like producing and DJ'ing (duh) and other things. Read on...

Hi Darren, let’s get down to business and start…


i:Vibes: The first traditional questions, could you tell us a bit more about yourself? Hobbies & interests, pets, girlfriend, pets, …

These days my interests are quite limited (as music used to be my hobby!). I like playing tennis, eating out, socialising with friends. I am currently seeing someone, and I don’t have any pets (although I like animals).


i:Vibes: You recently released a song simply called ‘The Theme’, and it was caned by Judge Jules, and it became one of the most played songs. What was your motivation behind the song, and especially the catchy melody?

I wanted to write a banging instrumental trancer, but with more of a rock led bass line. At the same time I wanted to make it a bit quirkier than the norm (hence the piano, multiple melodies, crazy chords changes etc.). The melody just came to me one day when I was toying around. I never expected the track to go onto such success.


i:Vibes: You also finished a collaboration with Jono Grant (1/3 of Above & Beyond) and Mike Koglin, how did that go? Where you satisfied with the result?

Absolutely. I stuck these out on my label (Mondo) and the feedback was tremendous. With Jono I wanted to do a more classic trancer, and with Mike something more 80s/techno led. There are further mixes due out soon of the track with Jono (Let The Light Shine In).


i:Vibes: How do those two guys differ from you when it comes to producing?

We actually all work in a similar fashion. I can have either producer come to my studio and they’ll feel comfortable working the place themselves. Jono is more classically trained than Mike, but Mike has a great sense of rhythm.


i:Vibes: What is your favorite song ever? And currently?

Well from a trance perspective I would have to say Energy 52 Café Del Mar. So simple, yet so uplifting. Currently (you’re going to assume I’m biased here) I’m buzzing about my newest forthcoming release DT8 – Destination. It’s a huge track for me and it’s something I’m planning on developing into an album project.


i:Vibes: Recently, we did a top 10 list of most influential albums (link) and came up with different albums who in our opinion had a huge impact on the scene as we know it today.
What are some of the albums which had a great impact on you, as a producer, or just the way you look at music? And why?

I’ve been influenced by all kinds of musical genres. Within each genre you get great tracks and – well - no surprises here, not such great tracks, but I never rule out a genre. Album wise I like everything from Radioheads to Rachmaninov. From the likes of Stevie Wonder through to The Police through to Massive Attack. It all rubs off.


i:Vibes: Who do you consider to be the most innovative producer or DJ in the scene?

This is a tricky one, as so many people are doing great things. I think Timo Maas has a unique style and is sticking to his guns which is good. But there are so many!


i:Vibes: A lot of people are waiting on the full release of the Opera Song, when is that being released?

I haven’t signed the record yet (despite having a lot of label interest). It will probably end up being released very early next year.


i:Vibes: Which DJ/producer, singer would you like to work with?

Again there are plenty of people I would like to work with. I’m actually totally open minded as to who I work with, although usually I tend to collaborate with people who offer something unique (production wise or vocally). This can lead to the most interesting results. A good example is a track I recently did with Leee John (from Imagination) under the name ‘The Morne’. It’s a deep house track completely different from my norm.


i:Vibes: You remixed the Japanese ‘Madonna’: Ayumi Hamasaki, how did that happen? And how did you start remixing it, especially cause its Jpop?

I have tracks licenced to Avex Japan who look after Ayumi. They approached me to do a mix of an Ayumi track, and I was dubious at first. There were chord changes all over the shop, so I chose to limit the vocal aspect and focus more on producing an uplifting trancer. The UK release featured no vocal, although the vocal version was big in Japan.


i:Vibes: You have made a massive impact on the trance scene, and are admired by many fans out there. Where do you get your inspiration from and who do u look up to?

The people I most admire are the great classic composers. The genius, subtly and romanticism that went into music prior to the technological revolution could be breathtaking and truly remarkable. Now I look to great song writers (modern day poets). Having said that its great to see continued success in the dance music scene from the likes of Ferry, Timo, Oakey. On a more eclectic front the Chemical Brothers, Leftfield, Underworld, Faithless etc. have to be admired for their uniqueness and continued success.


i:Vibes: What has been your most remarkable experience when DJ’ing?

I have two. One was playing Its My Turn (Angelic) and suddenly the entire club start singing along. Another was playing after Jules at the Ministry of Sin in Aberdeen on a Sunday. It was probably my most perfect set ever, and people were coming up to me asking me to sign their backs, shoes…everything! It was crazy


i:Vibes: People were saying that 1999 was the golden year for trance, with releases like Veracocha – Carte Blance, Binary Finary – 1999, William Orbit – Barber’s Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix), and since then people claimed that trance was dead. But at the start of 2002, people claimed that trance is having his second breath. What do you think about the music released in 2002 so far?

99 was a great year for trance. I think trance went slightly out of fashion last year, as the progressive wave took over in the UK for a while. However, trance music is ever evolving, as are production standards. There is a tendency these days for trance to end up becoming increasingly commercial, which I don’t take issue with (after all everyone has the right to like the music). The problem is when the commercial trance music ends up being mediocre and samey. Having said that right now trance music seems as strong as ever. This is not suprising, as what could be a better combination of music than beautiful uplifting melodies combined with kicking beats that people want to dance to?


i:Vibes: And now, with 9-11 in mind, where were you at that time? And what do you think the future will bring for the US?

I was at home. Someone phoned me and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I went downstairs to watch the TV and stayed glued until the end of the day. It was a truly unbelievable and horrifying experience just watching it. The US non-suprisingly want justice for the act committed against them. The problem is punishing the guilty without inflicting damage on those people that aren’t (ie. The innocent). I believe that action can be called for, as long as it is directed at those responsible, and as long as there is direct evidence that the US has identified the guilty parties.


i:Vibes: Do you have anything to say or ask to our readers?

Yes. Can you buy my records. J. But seriously, thanks to all those that support what I do. I hope to continue writing the best music I can for your enjoyment.


i:Vibes: Thanks a lot for your time Darren, and keep up the good work…