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 Rank 1 aka Piet Bervoets and Benno De Goeij; the duo who brought us "Such is Life" and "Airwave", 2 of the biggest trance tunes ever, talk briefly to i:Vibes about this and that..
Playing truly phenomenal live sets and productions of the highest quality, Rank 1 are not a couple of guys to be messed with. With their upcoming album and the imminent release of their highly awaited single "Awakenings", they have a busy schedule, but have found a bit of time to answer a few questions for us...
• Firstly, could you tell us a bit more about yourselves?
Benno: “That’s a hard question to start with, but I think it doesn't matter who I am, I'd rather let my music speak!”
Piet: “I am 31 years old, started making music in 1995 and living in Oud-Beijerland, Holland now.”
• How did the two of you meet each other?
Benno: “We met each other on a birthday party of a girlfriend of ours, and then it hit off from there.”
• How have you gotten into the music? Did your parents have to do anything with your influences and interests in music?
Benno: “My parents let me play the piano from age 6 to 12, which helps me a lot making music today!”
Piet: “Music is a big hobby of me since I was 12, and I started professionally in 1995. My parents have nothing to do with music at all!”
• It seems to us that you guys have one big record after another with "Airwave", "Such Is Life" and now the upcoming "Awakening", did you expect that, or did it came as a big surprise to you?
Benno: “In the music scene you can't expect anything, if you do you will get disappointed. So it was a real surprise that Airwave had such an impact on people!”
Piet: “For me, it comes all by surprise. I just try to make music I like, and it seems that a lot of people like it.”
• We can expect an album from you in February or so of 2002, what kind will it be, the one like Tiesto did, with different styles, or one with the typical "Rank1 sound" on it?
Benno: “There are different styles for different moods on the album, but I think the typical sound is there as well.”
Piet: “On the album you will find the "typical Rank 1 sound", but also some other styles, but not too difficult.”
• You think that there are other up-and-coming talents coming from Holland, because Holland is famous for their trance. You got Ferry Corsten, Armin Van Buuren, Dj Tiësto, Sander Kleinenberg, Lucien Foort, yourselves too of course.
Benno: “Surely there are new talents, but to be honest I don’t know who will be the next great DJ or producer!”
Piet: “It's difficult to say, because there are so many records at the moment!! But the Barthezz guy is doing very well at the moment.... isn't he?”
• You think that Holland will keep their important role in the trance world in the next few years?
Benno: “Music styles can change in a couple of months, so it’s hard to predict what will be hot. But as you mentioned yourself there are a lot of Dutch trance talents, and they will not let you down!”
Piet: “We can only hope for that. There are a lot of good producers around the world, so enough work to do for us (Dutch producers).”
• What do you consider to be the best label out there?
Benno: “As I am not a DJ, I don’t know too many labels, this question can better be answered by Piet!”
Piet: “I have no idea. For me it's the same as buying someone's album, I never like all the tracks, but most of the times a few of them. The same with labels, but if I have to choose then I would say "Free For All" (and that's not because we are on it).”
• Not too long ago, you produced a track with Marco V. Is there any chance that your collaboration with Marco V will be released on 12"?
Benno: “For the time being it will not be released.”
Piet: “At the moment I have to say no, but maybe in the far future!”
• What's your tune choice of the moment? And your favourite tune ever?
Benno: “My old time classic would be Robert Miles - Children, but at the moment Marco V - Simulated is a big tune to me!”
Piet: “As DJ I play everything from trance to hardhouse, depends on what the people like. My favourite tune ever will probably be "Cygnus X - The Orange Theme."
• What would you rather do? A live performance, like on Sensation, or DJ'ing?
Benno: “As I do not DJ, that would be a live performance!”
Piet: “I like both very much. The only big difference is that with a live performance you only perform your own music, and with DJing you can pick other records as well.”
• Can you give us your opinion about mp3's, if it wasn't for mp3's, trance wouldn't be big in the US and Canada, so one way it's very good for promotion, and another way it's very bad, because they take away your income.
Benno: “I think mp3 is not that bad, CD copying is actually. Sales has been decreased dramatically over the last years.”
Piet: “Do I have to add something to this question???? You gave my answer already!! But MP3 has more pro's.”
• How did you get into contact with Shanokee, who did the outstanding vocals for "Such Is Life"?
Benno: “We were very impressed by Shanokee's performance on the Coast to coast track 'Home'. We thought her voice could fit perfectly together with our song!”
Piet: “Just listening to another record, which was coast to coast - home, and give a ring to the company who released that track.”
• Any other plans for the future, apart from your upcoming album, maybe a collaboration with someone? A mix album?
Benno: “We don’t make to many future plans, we will see what future brings!”
Piet: “Maybe a DJ mix album, but no plans at the moment!!”
• Who do you look up to right now, in the music business (it doesn't have to be trance)?
Benno: “I think Above and beyond are very good producers at this moment!”
Piet: “I don't look up to anybody, but I have great respect to all DJ's and producers who do what they like themselves and not producing music just for the money!”
• What do you consider to be the most important things in your life?
Benno: “The ability to do the things I can do at this moment.”
Piet: “My health of course and my studio!”
• Any special wishes/desires for 2002?
Benno: “I don’t have particular wishes, I take things as they are!”
Piet: “Just do the things I like, and I hope to do a lot more with Benno in
2002, and the following years.”
Well, that's sums it up, thanks for taking the time to answer the questions, and we can't wait for your album coming up soon...
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