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 i:Vibes has spoken with Elycion, an up and coming young trance producer from Iowa, USA...
Elycion – Inspiring Trance From Iowa
When you’re living in the middle of nowhere in Iowa, USA, then trance is about as rare as seeing some country pigs taking a leap and flying, but for Stephen Coleman aka Elycion, trance has become his big love at the tender age of 16. Even though this lad is American, he was born in Nurnberg, Germany - a country known for a rich tradition of breeding EDM talent, on a military airbase. He has been around music all his life. At the age of ten, he would play made up melodies on his piano and listen to his mom make up songs on her guitar. He got all his talent from his mom and unstoppable support from his family. However one day his cousin Ross Lara (http://myspace.com/djrosslara) showed him the amazing world of electronic dance music. Steve grew up listening to the classics, more commercial style trance. Now he is more into the likes of progressive and dirty tech trance and lots more. He started producing music in 2005 and credits his good friend Irish producer Pulstate for helping him learn the ways of the Reason production software. He also credits Daniel Kandi, Mark Andrez, Sam Littler and Andy Tau for their incredible input on his music and for their help along the way. At the moment he is signed to 2 labels: Future State Records (owned by Andy Tau) and Future State Light (owned by Pulstate.). It seems the unending debate that trance is dying is only a weak undertone since young trance producers are being cultivated everywhere around the world even in places like Iowa. Stephen Coleman is another young producer who seems to have a very fruitful future ahead of him. i:Vibes had the chance to talk to the young gun...
i:Vibes: Hi Stephen. How are you? Thanks for taking some time to do an interview with i:Vibes. How has your summer been? What does a typical 16 year old do in the summer in Iowa?
Elycion: Hey Mate! I’m doing great at the moment – I’ve just been listening to some of my favourite Anjunabeats tunes and thank you for the opportunity! Well my summer is coming to a close here in the states with school around the corner, but it has been a sensational summer for me. There are so many new opportunities opening up and it has just all around been great. Well, Iowa is not exactly the most interesting of the states that’s for sure, but kids my age usually find random stuff to do. Hence, I’m a teenager so going out and driving around, racing, partying, and just having loads of fun has been pretty high on my list. As is hanging out with all the ladies!
i:Vibes: You were born in Germany on an airbase. Are you aware what kind of a history there is for EDM in Germany? You seem to making strides in Iowa, but have you ever taken some time to think how your early EDM future may have gone if you had grown up in Germany?
Elycion: Yes I was! I always knew that Germany was a huge place in the EDM world. And I actually have thought what it would be like to have grown up around the huge trance scene there. But I think by being in such a small trance scene I am able to focus on growing my own style a lot easier then being surrounded by the commercial scene in Germany.
i:Vibes: You got involved with music at age 10. You played made up melodies on your piano. What was the deciding moment that made you want to do this? Was it just your mom or other factors?
Elycion: Yes I did, but now that I think of it talented people have surrounded me ever since the day I was born. My mom is one of the main factors but so is my cousin Ross. If it weren’t for him playing ‘Better Off Alone’ by Alice Deejay back in the day, I would be like every other teen musician I think. Focusing on America’s Got Talent or something of that matter! So I am so glad that he told me about the EDM culture.
i:Vibes: You liked all kinds of styles of music before your heart found trance. Why has trance become your big love?
Elycion: Oh yes and I still do like other styles of music but trance allows me to show people feelings deep inside that I cant show any other way. I think all types of music show some certain feelings that other genres can’t fully grasp. You know? And trance for me has been the one to show others my inner passion for the people and the world around me. No other genre has been able to do that better.
i:Vibes: You are growing up in the beautiful prairies of the mid west in Iowa. Please explain how a young person gets involved with trance music?
Elycion: Trance and prairies don’t mix that’s for sure. It has been so hard to get myself into this genre because I haven’t met anyone around here that creates it. Being in a town of 30,000 probably doesn’t help. I mean teens around here listen to Cascada and Darude but nothing like the progressive tunes I work on. So I can’t exactly tell you how someone would be able to get involved with trance here other than through the Internet.
i:Vibes: Was it just your cousin Ross Lara who introduced you to trance or were their other factors also involved that helped you love this genre?
Elycion: Ross was the key to a locked door for me. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be making the music I do, but Pulstate has been the person that has truly pulled me into the genre. He showed me that there is a way to create true passion in trance and I forever thank him for that.
i:Vibes: Besides Pulstate, Daniel Kandi, Mark Andrez, Sam Littler and Andy Tau, what other trance artists have influenced you in the last years?
Elycion: Oh wow. So many to name, but back when I was starting, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto and Paul Van Dyk were huge influences on my music. I moved on from them to Above & Beyond and the Anjunabeats style artists. But basically everyone in Anjunabeats and Armada nowadays are my influences.
i:Vibes: What in your opinion makes a good and genuine trance producer?
Elycion: In my opinion, a hardworking person with a huge heart and love for the genre is what makes a good and genuine trance producer. Plain & simple.
i:Vibes: You’re 16 years old. I guess your going to start 11th grade. What are your favourite subjects and do your classmates know what trance is and about your started production career? Do they support you?
Elycion: Favourite subjects, eh? Art, Choir and English probably are top of my list. Yes, my friends do know to a certain extent what trance is. I don’t know if they really understand what it means to me though but they all have supported me for as long as I can remember! Thanks guys!
i:Vibes: What is your goal after highschool? College or a fulltime producer career or juggling both at the same time?
Elycion: After highschool I want to go to the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s a big dream but hopefully it can come true. I’m not only a producer but also an aspiring artist too. I’ve been painting and drawing forever now. So now that I think about it juggling both at the same time would probably explain my lifestyle.
i:Vibes: How would you describe your sound? Even though in your bio it says that it is progressive/dirty tech trance, five of the six tracks I have heard from you, I would classify as ambient music. Are you trying to hide your real preference?
Elycion: Ahah! Ok well, you caught my music MySpace at a weird time. The ambient tunes are for a CD coming out soon with Pulstate! The progressive style I have so far are my tunes ‘Topaz’ and ‘Clayborn’. The dirty tech style is an upcoming feel to my music so stay tuned.
i:Vibes: Your ambient tracks have a certain maturity and crispness that I have never heard from a 16 year old. What is your secret behind this?
Elycion: Well my love for ambient music is almost that much as in trance. Ambient has always allowed me to create another universe in my eyes and usually I’m able to express my more heartfelt feelings through it. And thank you so much for the complements it means a ton to me! I don’t know if I have a true secret as much as I have a feel for every sound that I create. Most people need a melody to create a sound or instrument of choice; I am the total opposite and need an instrument to create a melody of choice. It’s the sounds in an instrument that create the image in my head for a song.
i:Vibes: ‘Patron In The Dark’ is another gem. How do you inspire yourself to write such beautiful tracks? Is it life experiences or do you just follow your music heart?
Elycion: Wow, thank you! I think it’s the life experiences that trigger me to follow my heart. I can’t tell you how many songs I’ve written about love, despair, sanguine, or melancholy. But it is truly a large amount.
i:Vibes: ‘Biospecies’ is a very interesting and clever track. What’s behind this track? The vocal is simply brilliant!
Elycion: Thanks mate! Well, with ‘Biospecies’ I was going for a whole new look at music. I was very confused when I made this track as you can probably tell by the deep lyrics and chilling vocals. There is this band that I can’t go a day without listening to them called Idiot Pilot. They truly have their own sound and recorded their first CD when only 18. The style of this song is a lot like theirs but with my own melodic and ambient twists.
i:Vibes: ‘Cold Blue’ is a dreamy ambient piece of music. It is dedicated to Kylie. Is there a special story behind this track?
Elycion: Ahh yes, ‘Cold Blue’. Well I think I made this track for her because I had certain feelings that I felt I couldn’t explain in words. She loved it by the way. I just mainly felt like making something for just her and it came out just as lovely as she is.
i:Vibes: ‘Topaz’ is a straight ahead trance track. It moves away from your ambient formula. Will you be producing more tracks like this or sticking to the ambient stuff?
Elycion: ‘Topaz’ is my newest trance/progressive track. I made this before I made any of my ambient tracks and with luck it was signed to Future State Light and will have some awesome remixes! But yes I will be making more of this style in the future I was just running a little dry on ideas so I started to move away from trance for a bit. No worries though I will come back to my senses and make more in that style!
i:Vibes: How did you come up with your artist name Elycion? Does it have a special meaning?
Elycion: Ahah! I knew this question would come up. Well I can’t say it has as much of a special meaning as it does an abstract one. Some might think of the Elysion Fields, which is the highest level of hell. Also called Limbo, which is closed off from God. The feeling there is one of sadness - not of despair or hatred. It’s almost that of the feeling of Earth. Didn’t mean to get all “Dante’s Inferno” on you guys! But I do think my music reflects a feeling of sadness like that of the Elysian Fields. So I guess you can say that was an idea for my artist name!
i:Vibes: What new releases can we expect from you in the next months?
Elycion: ‘Clayborn’ is coming soon with remixes and such. ‘Topaz’ is coming soon also with remixes and to top it all off my ambient CD with Pulstate and a special appearance by Andy Tau!
i:Vibes: Do you have your own mini home studio? With what piece of equipment in your studio besides your PC could you not live without?
Elycion: Well basically all I have is my Mac, my head, Reason and my Axiom 61 key keyboard. I couldn’t live without my keyboard.
i:Vibes: When you’re in the studio working on an ambient piece of music, do you have a certain way how you attack a track? Or do you have many different ways how to approach making a track?
Elycion: I just start with a melody and build from there. That’s really all I can think of. To me there is nothing truly technical that I do that is probably any different then anyone else.
i:Vibes: How important has your friendship to Pulstate been? How would you describe your friendship?
Elycion: Well, I wouldn’t be anywhere without him. He’s not only a great musician; he’s also one of my best friends. Our friendship started out with a few smartass comments in a chat and grew from there. We then became friends and started making music in garageband. I’m glad I met him and I’m glad he chose to help me out. He told me that I have the heart for music and that’s why he did all he could and is still doing all he can to help me along the way!
i:Vibes: Are you sometimes jealous knowing that Pulstate is living in Europe so close to the trance scene? He is living near the legend in the making John O’Callaghan!
Elycion: Nah I’m not jealous of that kind of stuff because if I weren’t in the states where I am now, I wouldn’t have met the friends that have inspired some of my greatest tracks. I wish I could be there were trance is at the switch of a radio station but I’m happy were I am. He’s also told me about John and how he’s a pretty cool guy. Hopefully I’ll get to meet him someday also; his music is very inspiring!
i:Vibes: Could you ever imagine moving to Europe just to be closer to the trance scene or are you more attached to the States and your family?
Elycion: I would love to move to Europe not only for trance but the art too. I have imagined it many times but I don’t exactly know how it would work considering my family means a lot too me too. You never know though if I get famous enough I could move there and fly them in for vacation all the time and then it wouldn’t be a problem.
i:Vibes: When can we hear the first Elycion/Pulstate production? How would a track like this sound?
Elycion: Actually, many a times have we tried to collaborate but when it comes to making music we both have a different mind set at the moment. I think though if we could break through that barrier we could have something HUGE for the world to hear. As of now though we both like doing our things our own way. It could be a possibility in the future though!
i:Vibes: Your buddy Pulstate has his own label Future State light at the age of 16. Could you ever imagine heading your own label?
Elycion: Ahh my own label, eh? Mathematically speaking no. Musically speaking yes. I love listening to people’s music. I know what’s good and what’s crap. So I would make a good lending ear for a label but an owner at the moment, nah.
i:Vibes: How do you imagine your first clubbing experience? What DJ would you like to see?
Elycion: My first clubbing experience would be me DJing in a place where trance is appreciated with strobe lights and colours and the whole shebang. By far the first DJ I want see would have to be my cousin Ross.
i:Vibes: If you had the choice to be locked away with a producer for 24 hours, who would it be?
Elycion: Ross. Because we are family we could create so many ideas and songs it would be absolute madness.
i:Vibes: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Elycion: The future is a weird thing to talk about; you never know what’s going to happen. In ten years I hope to be a professional musician, artist, and photographer. Hence, these are three of my talents and I think I was given them for a reason. Might as well use them!
i:Vibes: What are your current five favourite tracks?
Elycion: 5. Andy Moore - Fake Awake (Myon & Shane 54 Remix) (absolute Genius work)
4. Vengenace - Temptation (Denga & Manus Mix) (perfect mix between tech trance and uplifting trance)
3. Estiva - Strawberry Fields (Original Mix) (the instruments in this make me think of home, nothing better to explain it than that. I love this tune)
2. Super8 & Tab - Elektra (Original Mix) (the melody is absolutely perfect. Nothing could make this track better)
1. Andy Tau - The Path (Rozza Vs. Daniel Kandi Remix) (the vibe, the melody, the build up, the breakdown, is all great. Top favourite this month.)
i:Vibes: What are your five all time favourite tracks?
Elycion: 5. Fragile Feat. Alex lemon - Inertia (Armin Van Buuren Remix)(always have loved this tune)
4. Dogzilla - Without You (12" Mix)(Genius)
3. Adam White & Andy moore Pres. Whiteroom - The Whiteroom (Best vocal edits I’ve ever heard)
2. O’Callaghan & Kearney – Exactly (One of my favourite melodies of all time)
1. Above & Beyond - Tri-State (Everything about this song makes me want to cry in the best ways possible)
i:Vibes: What are your hobbies?
Elycion: Playing Piano
Producing
Drawing
Painting
Photography
Running
Hanging out with my friends
Partying
i:Vibes: What is something teenagers do for fun in Iowa that nobody knows about?
Elycion: Chaos causing. I would tell you but then I would have to kill you ahah!
i:Vibes: What three things would you take with you on a deserted island?
Elycion: One roll of canvas, paint, and my best paintbrush would be all I would need to keep me sane.
i:Vibes: Thank you Stephen for the chat and good luck with your music!!!
Elycion: Thank you very much mate for the opportunity!!
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