Mr Sam is one of the most talked about artists in trance music at the moment. DJ Tiesto recently commented, “Mr Sam can be seen as one of the busiest men on the industry and always delivers quality tunes!” We catch up with the Magik Muzik and Nu-Star recording artist to see what he’s been up to recently.

Your name sounds like someone from the U.K. to those who only know you as Mr
Sam, But this isn't the case, could you tell everyone a little bit about yourself, including where you grew up etc

I'm 28 years old, French and known as Mr Sam. I have been living in France and creating music for most of my life. It's true that this is not the first time that I've been asked the same question...The strange thing is that I'm the only French artist who is doing Real Trance Music! In France most of the producers are doing house & Techno but no Trance... this makes my music a bit rare over here as well as exclusive...

Having said that, don't forget that Emmanuel Top (BBE) & Bruno Sanchioni (Age of
Love) established their studios in the same town as I'm still living. The studio is less than 2 km from my house! It was 1996 and I was in their studio to get some promo inyl’s when I received the " Seven Days & One Week" promo before anyone else!!! I couldn’t believe my luck!!

I've a lot of respect for Emmanuel Top as he is for me one of the biggest Electronic
Artists from the last 10 years!! So RESPECT!!!

I grew up in France but went directly to Belgium where the clubs & music were better
and more upfront. Then I started DJing in some underground parties, which was really
great for me. As time progressed things got better & better and I started making music like a lot of producers & DJ's I guess. I did lots of my work with Fred Baker (known as Y Traxx & Groovezone). I've done many productions and remixes for the likes of Delerium, Blank & Jones, Sinead O'Connor, Todd Terry, D*Note, Timo Maas, Corvin Dalek, Split Second, Age of Love, Tony Hadley (ex-Spandau Ballet) to name
just a few....


Everyone seems to discover Electronic Music in a different route, some through hardcore, some through eurodance etc, How did you get into it ?



When I was a teenager, my big brother was listening to some Electronic Music such as
Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk & stuff like that. I went completely ballistic and started going out with friends and buying some vinyl’s... I didn't realize at the time that I was already under intoxication and it was too late!

I can't believe it's already 15 years ago!! Time is going very fast which proves
that I'm enjoying what I'm doing!


How do you see the internet as being pivotal in you being able to make a name for yourself, through either mp3s, or just word of mouth on forums etc, and do you think it's opened doors that would not have come about without it ?



One thing is pretty sure, as an Artist you need to control all medias such as Radios, Internet, Televisions, magazines (press included) to build on your profile and to spread the music out. I have to say that I really appreciate the Internet for a lot of reasons as it connects people from all over the world whoever they are and wherever they are coming from.

It's like a big community where religion, colour of the skin and stuff like that are
not important. People from different horizons are chatting, exchanging info and documents....

I like the idea of the forums because it's like a big Trance fan club... where the people can discuss the music they like etc and yes for sure it's very cool to see your name in discussions ... I saw mine a lot in some well known forums and was glad to see lots of compliments, I must admit it.

But where I'm not completely happy is MP3's. It can be a bad thing because it's basically stolen from the artist himself and it's completely illegal. I don't think that the people who are doing this, think they are doing something bad and illegal. This is the worst thing as they are not conscious of the damage they are causing to the artists. They think it's normal to do it as everyone is doing it. As the technology gets faster and faster, I don't know how the artists will survive in a couple of years. The people are not responsible and aware, that's it. The thing they will see is less new artists on the scene.... that’s reality. On the other hand, it's a wonderful communication instrument when you use it correctly. For example, I never download music from the Internet except when I'm searching something I've heard from someone else or from radio stations. I search to hear how it sounds and see if I like it. If I do, then I'm going to the shop to buy it, point. It can also help all the people from the world to discover music they don't know but have heard someone else speaking about. Maybe than afterwards, the people will like that kind of music they have discovered from the internet and start buying records in a "real records shop", we don't know... "time will tell”!!!


You are perhaps best known by some for your unreleased remix of the Age of
Love, considered by some to be the best remix of the song ever, Will we ever see a
release on it, and how did it come about for you to do it?

The AGE OF LOVE story (I can write a book about it) is a very long story to explain BUT as soon as I've something new on it, I will let the I:Vibes readers know a little more about it, promised!!

The only thing I can tell you is that the mix has been played to death by Tiesto,
Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren, Blank & Jones & me and that's all!

I gave just 4 CDR's and the hype was there!! I can tell you that I have received more than 300 emails from fans & well known DJ's to get a CDR copy of it but I did not spread the mix.

You can’t even find it on the internet as the DJ's who I gave it to have a respect for it and are also victims of downloads themselves.

MR SAM'S AGE OF LOVE REMIX ........................... TO BE CONTINUED !!!




How do you come up with such innovative names for some of your productions & remixes ?

It's simply amazing how many people ask me this question! I did an interview last week on a national radio station on which a listener did also ask it...

When I'm making a new track, you are "giving life" to a new work. I said "giving life" as for me a new track is a like a new child!! You will maybe think "Hmmm Sam is crazy!!!" but I see things like this. A new track is a new child in my discography Family.

When I'm making a new track/child, I'm putting all my feelings and emotions on it to
create something unique and beautiful (Like every musicians and artists I guess!!) so every child you've to give a name, first of all to remember it from all others but for my part every name I gave to a track has a history...

If someone comes to me and say that they like "Forever Waiting" (nb: Mr Sam vs Fred
Baker out on Magik Musik / Tiesto label), I've directly an image in my head as this title reminds me of something at the time I did this track, and it's true that I'm sometimes searching a long time for a title.

Sometimes I give a name as a tribute to an artist I love, for example Mr Sam's the space between us Remix for Delerium was for Craig Armstrong (title of the album) as
I really am a big fan of what he is doing, he is simply the Lord!!!

So now everyone knows it....go and look in my discography and let you imagination go
:-))))



Where would you like to see yourself in a couple of years time?

In Good health, happy and my parents still with me. I know it will sounds "cliché"
but these things are really important for me for many reasons.

My best friend called Mikka that I consider as my brother died two years ago at 27 years old. That was terrible for me so since that I'm watching life in another way.

The only other wish I have is to continue making music. This is the thing I love the
most.


Some people have to combine producing with other jobs, such as Ralphie B, are you one of those people, or are you able to produce & mix fulltime?



I’ve worked 15 hours a day for a long time so I know what is it’s like to work a fulltime Job. Yes I'm one of these people...

I like to control my life 100% so I need to know, understand and see ALL!! From the
studio, to the contacts (with my lawyer), the artwork, promotion, etc....

I worked as A&R for a big record company for years and I was still producing, making
remixes and playing as a DJ at the weekend.... I’m not lazy at all!



Is there a song you'd love to put the Mr Sam touch on from the past?

A lot!!! But if you could be able to make my wish come true, hehe, you'll be shocked
but I'd love to remix Cock Robin " The Promise You Made". This song means a lot to
me and I could die to remix that track.... I think it's one of the best tracks I've ever heard. It was the trance of the 80's everything is there, simply awesome string melodies, a massive bassline as well as great vocals and a lovely feeling... Need I say more?? To remix this I'll be one of the happiest men in the world.



You recently DJ'd on TranceAirwaves, some people might know you predominantly for producing, what are you like as a DJ and which of the 2 do you prefer?

Before producing music, I was DJ for a long time. I like both of them, as they are
different from each other. Producing is something you do alone or with a few people
but DJing it's always with many people. Each activity gives me different feelings and pleasure.... they are simply complementary.

It's true that as a producer, hearing your latest track in a gig for the first time is always something amazing! You are watching the crowd reaction on your music and you are appreciating it! I can't choose sorry....

Would you like to say anything to the i:Vibes readers ?

Simply do whatever you want and make yourself as well as others happy, that's the
most important thing. Love is all around........and Mr Sam loves you :-)))


Many Thanks to Mr Sam & Rich from Nu-Star, Expect More Nu-Star Interviews Soon!