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 Russia is not really known for breeding young trance producers, but every now and then a new one is born. Alexander Popov has made a name for himself in the last few months with DJ support from top jocks like Tiesto, Armin van Burren, ATB and Andy Moor, so i:Vibes decided to find out more about this young Russian talent...
Alexander Popov - A New Trance Hope From Russia
Russia is not really known for breeding young trance producers, but every now and then a new one is born. Alexander Popov has made a name for himself in the last few months with DJ support from top jocks like Tiesto, Armin van Burren, ATB and Andy Moor. He was born in 1986 in Saratov and found his love of trance music many years ago. His first mini breakthrough came with 'Vapour Trails' released on Insatiable Records. He also has produced other fine tracks like 'Everest' and 'Hypnotize'. He also manages parties and travels as a DJ. His first tracks have exhibited that he has an ability to produce beautiful melodic tracks with much creativity. He is still a lad and has a bright future ahead of him. i:Vibes had a chance to talk to this Russian Wunderkind...
i:Vibes: Hi Alex, How are you? How is the weather in Russia? Have you been locked away in the studio, because the snow was too high for you to escape outside? Lol!
Alexander Popov: Hi! Everything is great! As to the snow, we don't have much of it this year. But anyways I have much work and spend much time in it!
i:Vibes: You were born in Saratov. Do you still live there now? What was your childhood like?
Alexander Popov: I was born and still live in Saratov. Since childhood, music took up much of my time. And that's why I decided to enter a music school myself. And when I was 10 I had already tried to make music on the piano.
i:Vibes: You were ten years old when Robert Miles amazed the world with the track 'Children'. Why did you love this track so much or was it other tracks from Robert Miles?
Alexander Popov: Robert Miles somehow formed my taste in music. I listened to dream dance at that time and was thinking about making music in that style.
i:Vibes: I am sure trance was not as accessible in Russia when you began to be interested in the genre. How did you get more involved with the music?
Alexander Popov: Top trance musicians were famous here in Russia. That's why I listened mostly to Tiesto, Paul van Dyk and Darude. And with the development of the Internet I began to learn much more about this area.
i:Vibes: What was your first trance CD and what made this selection so special?
Alexander Popov: To be honest, I don't remember exactly. Maybe Dream Dance?
i:Vibes: What was the defining moment, where you knew that you wanted to produce music?
Alexander Popov: I wanted to be a musician and make music since childhood. So as soon as I got opportunities I started to make and record my own works.
i:Vibes: You are still young - 21-22 years of age. Do you still go to university or do you have a job? How much time do you involve yourself with music each day?
Alexander Popov: I'm graduating Saratov State Technical University this year. Since 16 I've been working in music sphere and I'm going to do it my whole life. Now I work as an art-director of one of the night clubs here in Saratov. Unfortunately I do not spend as much time in my home studio as I wish, about 1-1.5 hours, it is because of my study and work.
i:Vibes: How healthy is the Russian trance scene? I can't really mention too many acts, but I think Bobina are from your country. Were you able to visit parties and see the famous DJs like Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, or Armin van Buuren?
Alexander Popov: I had a chance to see Tiesto, Solarstone, Kyau & Albert, Thrillseekers and many others live. From time to time I try to visit festivals and raves which are usually held in Moscow and St. Petersburg. As to the Russian trance-area I can say that it grows and there are many people who make really interesting and high-leveled music. We still need the right management and something catching, something different. But I'm sure that new and bright names will appear from Russia. We have a really great musical potential here.
i:Vibes: You have produced some tracks, but you're still at the beginning. How did you get introduced into the scene? Have you done everything yourself, or have you had someone who gave you an entrance into the door of the Russan Dance scene?
Alexander Popov: Everything I've reached I've reached myself. Nobody helped me neither to make tracks nor to produce them. Everything I've done is by trial and error.
i:Vibes: Do you have a mentor? Some one you go to, to ask for musical advice?
Alexander Popov: Unfortunately there is no such person. Though there are often questions that appear and in such cases the best helper is the Internet!
i:Vibes: You have a melodic sound, but just to classify yourself as melodic is too broad. What adjective would you give before the word melodic to describe your sound? Describe your sound a bit¡K.
Alexander Popov: I would add "dynamic" though it can't be found in all of my works. At least I try to combine both: melodic and dynamic.
It's premature to speak about my sound right now. I'm still searching. However, several producers have already mentioned my own sound and my own style.
First of all I strive to find an interesting melodic base and only then I choose a sound to work with.
i:Vibes: I love 'Vapour Trails'. I got hooked to it as I was listening to it on the ATB The DJ 4 In The MIX. I love this version. What inspired you to make this track?
Alexander Popov: It was a fine spring mood and a wish to make a really good track. I think it is my first fortunate work. By the way, on the cover of ATB The DJ 4 In The MIX it is written 'Original Mix' though on the album you will be listening to a remix by Rozza (English producer) - it's a mistake by the label.
i:Vibes: Was 'Vapour Trails' a difficult track to make? How did you produce this and did you bang it out quickly or did you bleed very many long hours to make the perfect mix?
Alexander Popov: 'Vapour Trails' was made in two days and that's why the 1st title to it was 'Easily'. But then Rich from Solarstone offered to change it. That's how it became 'Vapour Trails'.
i:Vibes: What was the most difficult sound/part to get perfect with the track 'Vapour Trails'?
Alexander Popov: There were some variants about timbre of the main theme. But I made a choice in one day and it seems it was the right one!
i:Vibes: This mix reminds me a lot of the Thrillseekers sound circa 2002-2004. That was a great time for melodic trance. It never hurts to look back. Are you also a lover of the trance sound from back then?
Alexander Popov: I like the sound of 2001-2004, I grew on it and maybe it somehow influenced 'Vapour Trails'. However I always try to search for something new and fresh.
i:Vibes: Were you surprised by the success of 'Vapour Trails', or did you have a feeling after hearing the finished mix that this track could tickle the hearts of Trance fans around the world?
Alexander Popov: To be honest, I wasn't sure about the success of this track. I thought it was a bit banal. But when I got about ten offers for release, I saw it had a potential.
i:Vibes: Do you remember what you were doing when you heard that 'Vapour Trails' was added to the ATB The DJ4 In The Mix?
Alexander Popov: I was sitting and checking my e-mail and got a letter in which was told that the track was included in ATB The DJ4 In The Mix and Dream Dance 46. I was really glad because it is a step forward in my career.
i:Vibes: 'Everest' is also a beautiful piece of music. What was your inspiration behind this track?
Alexander Popov: Mainly the success of 'Vapour Trails' inspired me to make something interesting and beautiful.
i:Vibes: The melody in the break of 'Everest' is fantastic! How difficult was getting that the way you wanted?
Alexander Popov: 'Everest' took much time and the sound-design of it was much more difficult. But the main theme was recorded in 1-2 days.
i:Vibes: Will 'Everest' be released?
Alexander Popov: 'Everest' got lots of good opinions. Though there is no much interest from labels. Now there are some offers which I might consider.
i:Vibes: What other releases can we await from you in 2008?
Alexander Popov: There came out a sampler with my track 'Rising Star' on Five AM recently. Also it is planned to release another work, 'Atlantida' on Monster Tunes' Eternity Records. After that my remix of Olmix - Termix will be released. And also I'm working on a remix for a new label, Sensate Recordings. I don't plan to release 'Everest' until the end of summer, along with some other new tracks.
i:Vibes: What equipment do you have in your studio?
Alexander Popov: I use PC and software. Monitors: Behringer B2030, as a midi-keyboard: Yamaha Tyros 2 which I use for making other music.
And by the way 'Vapour Trails' was mixed with the use of columns of music-center from LG, the price of which is $100. :-)
i:Vibes: Besides your PC, what piece of equipment could you not live without?
Alexander Popov: I can't make music without my midi-keyboard. I'm a musician and prefer to write music instead of clicking the mouse.
i:Vibes: With what artist would you liked to be locked away in the studio for 24 hours and why?
Alexander Popov: With a professional vocal singer of worldwide standard. I really want to make a high-leveled professional vocal track but don't have the opportunities yet.
i:Vibes: What German trance artists do you respect and with whom would you like to produce a track with?
Alexander Popov: I like what we can hear from Cosmic Gate now. Also I would be glad if Duderstadt makes a remix for my track. And I also respect ATB as a musician.
You also manage parties. Is this an easier way to get DJ gigs?
Alexander Popov: I've been managing parties since I was 17. I like it. It is easier to play at your own party and brings much more pleasure.
i:Vibes: How is your DJing coming along? Is it difficult getting DJ gigs in Russia? Do you have the chance to get international dates? Having a hit like 'Vapour Trails' surely helps your chances more!
Alexander Popov: To have good DJ dates, I need a good management which I don't have at this moment. It is even more difficult with international gigs. There is a feeling that Russian DJs are not welcome there. And there are only several Russian DJs who perform abroad.
Unfortunately, the release of such a track as 'Vapour Trails' or even of five such tracks won't give you opportunities to get international dates.
i:Vibes: What can one expect from you in a two hour set?
Alexander Popov: It depends the place and the set - progressive house, proggressive and trance.
i:Vibes: What are your five alltime favourite tracks?
Alexander Popov: Ayla - Angelfalls
Planet Perfecto - Bullet In The Gun
Tiesto - Adagio For Strings
DT 8 - Destination
Gouryella - Ligaya
i:Vibes: What is your biggest musical wish?
Alexander Popov: To make music that is listened to by people for hundreds of years.
i:Vibes: What are your hobbies?
Alexander Popov: Psychology and music.
i:Vibes: Where do you wish your musical career to be in five years?
Alexander Popov: I want to develop in several ways:
- As a producer in the dance area
- As an instrumental composer
- As a composer for the cinema and TV
Maybe I'll open my own record-label and probably perform on tours.
i:Vibes: Alex, thanks for the interview and keep banging out beautiful melodic tracks!!
Alexander Popov: Thank you for your interest. It was interesting to answer your questions!
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